Les Incontournables d'Edimbourg

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Dean C.

February 14, 2026

We visited on February 10th 2026. We enjoyed it a lot. It felt special just being there knowing how deep the history is and getting to walk in the footsteps of history. My feet had given up by the time I had finished but I enjoyed the experience nonetheless 😅. Places like this are a must to keep history alive. I will return to Edinburgh in the not too distant future to cover some of the things I didn't have time for on this occasion.

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Julia D.

February 14, 2026

Definitely worth a visit as it’s the must-see experience in Edinburgh. Striking castle atop an old volcano with excellent views over the city. Allow a couple of hours and don’t miss the old prisons. We bought the audio visual guide (an extra £3.50) which gave extra information (although was a bit long!!). Go in the morning to avoid the majority of the tour groups. There are two cafes on site which are both fine but a bit pricey

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Sanjay G.

February 08, 2026

Edinburgh Castle is the most visited attraction in Scotland, welcoming over 1.3 million visitors each year who come in search of views, royal history, and a glimpse at the ‘Honours of Scotland’ – Britain’s oldest crown jewels. Edinburgh Castle is not only the dominant feature of the city’s skyline, visible from miles around, it’s also the feature which gives the city its name — the old Gaelic name translates roughly as ‘the fort on the hill’. trust me, you might underestimate this castle, and even i have kept 2 hrs for this, but it needs more time. With several museums, a large war memorial, a royal palace, a Great Hall & several other little stops/activities, if you want to actually see all of Edinburgh Castle’s sights and attractions, you’ll need much more than two hours… especially considering the line to see the Honours of Scotland (AKA the Crown Jewels) can last 20+ minutes. * Three regimental military museums * The National War Museum * The Scottish National War Memorial * The Honours of Scotland, featuring the Scottish crown jewels and Stone of Destiny * St Margaret’s Chapel, the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh * Optional 30-minute introductory tours available throughout the day * Prisons of War exhibition * The Great Hall where banquets were held * The One O'Clock Gun, fired every day (except Sunday) at 1pm * Visit the small antechamber where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to her son, James VI of Scotland * Three gift shops and two cafes The oldest surviving structure at the castle (and the oldest in the city) dates back to the 12th century. It is of course St Margaret’s Chapel, built by King David I in honour of his mother. This same king is the one credited with turning Edinburgh Castle into a royal residence. As the years rolled on, royals came and went, with new additions being made to the castle, creating the complex we see today. The Renaissance of the 1400s for instance brought us the Royal Palace that now houses various royal paintings and displays (including THE closet where Mary, Queen of Scots gave birth to King James VI of Scotland, AKA King James I of England). The 1500s brought us the Great Hall, which was needed of course for fancy banquets. The 1600s brought new defences and barracks as the castle eased into its role of a military outpost more than swanky royal digs Tickets to Edinburgh Castle should be booked online before you arrive. Tip: these spots across the city offers great view of the castle- Calton Hill, The Grassmarket, Salisbury Crags, Castle Esplanade, Ross Fountain, St Cuthbert’s Churchyard, The Vennel