10 Things to do in Edinburgh

Hi, guys! I finally edited pictures from Scotland and am ready to share what we did we do there. But since there are so many things to do in Edinburgh, I thought that it will be great to write a separate blog post. If you are ever planning to come to Edinburgh, make sure to have at least three days. When we arrived to Scotland, we actually missed the biggest festival of the year, but to be honest, I am so glad that we decided to come a bit later. The UK is already quite pricey, and during big festivals, prices jump up like crazy. We not only saved some money on our hotel price, but also avoided crowded streets and inaccessible famous sites. As soon as we arrived to the airport, I had a hard time understanding what people were saying. I thought they speak English here. Haha. Anyway, I am going to give a guide for 10 things you can do in Edinburgh or where you should try to eat.

1. Edinburgh Castle. Of course, you have to visit the famous Edinburgh Castle. To avoid the crowd, make sure to come earlier in the morning and buy tickets online! Believe me, it will save you time. You can buy a ticket through https://www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk/. You will also enjoy the beautiful view of Edinburgh city from the castle.

2. The Scott Monument. It is probably my second favorite sightseeing spot we visited in Edinburgh. The Scott Monument is dedicated to the Scottish author Walter Scott. The tower is 200 feet high and offers the best view of the city. To climb to the top of the monument, you will need to walk up 288 steps. 

3. Old Town. You have to walk around the old town. I advise you to do this during the day and evening, because you can experience how the city transforms. I truly enjoyed our first night walking around old town. The spooky atmosphere of gothic architecture will bring you to the world of Harry Potter. Don't forget to pay attention to the details!

4. Tower Restaurant. If you plan a romantic dinner with your second half, make sure to get a table at the Tower Restaurant. I actually wasn't planning to have dinner there, but I definitely enjoyed our meal and the fantastic view of old town. To find the restaurant, you have to enter the National Museum of Scotland. I felt a bit weird that we didn't get a chance to visit the museum itself, but we got to eat at the restaurant. The food was a bit pricey, but the view was well worth it.

5. Calton Hill. It is the perfect place to gather with friends or loved one. Here you can enjoy the quiet and lovely atmosphere of the city. Besides the panoramic view, you will find the Nelson Monument, Old Observatory House and Athenian acropolis. It is free for the public. 

6. The Witchery by the Castle. The best place for dinning is probably the Witchery by the Castle. When we arrived on our first night, we were planning to get dinner here, but due to its high popularity we didn't get chance to have dinner. We were lucky enough to try their lunch menu. I truly liked the unique interior and delicious food.

7. The Elephant House. Big fans of Harry Potter have to come here and experience why JK Rolling was inspired to write her books on Harry Potter. It located in the heart of old town and surrounded by gothic architecture. No wonder why Rolling was so creative after being energized by the wonderful city around her.

8. Victoria Street. It is probably my favorite street of Edinburgh. And the reason is just simple - the colorful shops. It is a perfect spot for Instagrammers and bloggers to walk around. I actually even did a small photoshoot, despite of crowd. 

9. Circus Lane. If you are looking for iconic streets to walk in Edinburgh, I am going to advise you to stop at Circus Lane. You will find a lot of pubs, restaurants, and galleries nearby. 

10. Greyfriars Bobby Memorial & Kirkyard. If you don't know about Bobby, I am going to tell why this cute skye terrier got his own memorial, and why he is loved by Scotts. Well, he spent 14 years guarding the grave of its owner until his own death. As you can see in the pictures, people touch the nose of Bobby for luck. If you plan to touch his nose, make sure to rub it very carefully.