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The Perfect Two Days in Edinburgh

Edinburgh, the beautiful capital city of Scotland, continues to top the list of the best cities to visit in Europe according to Travel and Leisure. Now that is saying a lot!

Full of history and charm, I guarantee you will find plenty of things to do during your 2 days in Edinburgh! I mean, the town of Edinburgh is one of the things Scotland is known for!

Edinburgh was the final stop on our 7-day Scotland itinerary before heading off to Dublin, and I must admit, we quickly fell in love with this charming city and dreamed of one day living in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a compact city, so 2 days in Edinburgh is just the right amount of time as long as you choose wisely when deciding where to stay in Edinburgh.

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    2 Days in Edinburgh:  Day 1

    Take an Edinburgh Bus Tour

    After dropping your bags off at your Edinburgh hotel or Airbnb, introduce yourself to this great city with a bus tour

    The City Sightseeing Bus Tour is a great way to get to know the city’s layout and see it from a different perspective atop the double-decker bus. 

    You can hop on and hop off at 14 different stops or just stay on to orient yourself with the city.  Either way, for less than $20 per person, this is a great introduction to Edinburgh.

    Walk The Royal Mile

    An area that is jammed packed with things to do is Edinburgh’s Royal Mile (not to mention that it is one of the most Instagrammable places in Edinburgh).  Based in the old town area, the entire stretch of the Royal Mile is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

    The mile-long stretch of street connects the fabulous Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyrood House.  Lined with shops, restaurants, quaint closes (alleys), churches, and visitor attractions, the Royal Mile is a place to spend some time.

    Edinburgh Royal Mile Sign-the Royal Mile has to be on your two days in Edinburgh itinerary

    Tour Edinburgh Castle

    You can’t miss Edinburgh Castle during your time in the city. I mean, it is one of the most famous landmarks in Scotland!

    Edinburgh Castle sits at the top of the hill and marks the beginning of the Royal Mile.  Serving as a royal residence and then a military stronghold, this beautiful castle demands attention as it looms over the historic town it has protected for many years.

    Once inside, you will find a fantastic view of the city, a tiny Romanesque chapel, the Scottish National War Memorial, and the historic Royal Palace that houses the crown jewels and the Stone of Destiny. 

    Be sure to visit the Royal Apartments to see the bed chamber where Mary, Queen of Scots, gave birth to her son James VI.

    To get a complete history of the castle, along with a skip-the-line entry, book a Skip-the-Line Edinburgh Castle Walking Tour.  This 1.5-hour tour teaches you all the castle’s history and secrets while still allowing you to see all the fabulous sites. 

    Trust us, the castle sites are much more enjoyable when you know what you’re looking at, and the guide lets us in on a little secret about a complimentary whisky tasting!

    If you are spending some time touring Scotland as we did, then the Historic Scotland Explorer Pass is worth investing in. 

    Not only did the Historic Scotland Explorer Pass allow us free entry into Edinburgh Castle, but we could also tour several beautiful castles and abbeys in Scotland for free with our pass.

    If you’re a castle lover, you might consider visiting the stunning castles in Fife as well.

    Enjoy the Scotch Whisky Experience

    After leaving the castle, you are bound to see The Scotch Whisky Experience

    Head inside to enjoy a barrel ride through a virtual distillery while learning about making Scotch whisky.  After your tour, you will be escorted into the most extensive collection of Scotch Whisky in the world before participating in a tasting of your choice.

    Read about our delightful Scotch Whisky Experience to get more information on this fun place.

    Michelle with her whisky during our 2 days in Edinburgh

    Eat at Oink

    If you’re on the Royal Mile and feeling hungry, you must head to Oink.  Now, don’t get freaked out by the fact that a whole roasted pig is staring at you; it’s ok. 

    In a minute, you are going to be face first in one of the most delicious sandwiches ever, so overcome your apprehension and dive in.

    Go all out with your sandwich by adding stuffing, apples, and some awesome sauce.  Trust us; you won’t regret it, as these sandwiches are delicious!

    If you’re not into Oink, check out Where to Eat in Edinburgh on Your First Visit.

    man standing beside a whole roasted pig at Oink in Edinburgh
    girl eating a sandwich at Oink in Edinburgh

    Check out St. Giles Cathedral

    Also located on the Royal Mile, St. Giles Cathedral is a feast for the eyes.  Founded in 1124, this historic church has been a religious focal point in Scotland for hundreds of years.   

    Inside, you will find beautiful stained glass, intricate and beautiful architecture, exquisite carvings, paintings, and decorations.

    2 days in Edinburgh-St Giles Cathedral

    Tour Edinburgh’s Underground Vaults

    Book a night tour of Edinburgh’s mysterious underground vaults.  This Underground Vault Tour was one of the highlights of our trip to Edinburgh. 

    Not only do you get to tour the underground vaults, but you also get exclusive access to “off-limits” parts of Cannongate Kirkyard.  This access to two of the most haunted places in Edinburgh will surely get you chills by the time you’re done.

    2 Days in Edinburgh: Day 2

    Visit Holyrood Park and Hike Arthur’s Seat

    Holyrood Park is a short walk from the Royal Mile and the perfect place to start day 2 of your 2 days in Edinburgh.  This 640-acre park is next to Holyrood Palace, and its crown jewel is the highest point, Arthur’s Seat. 

    One on top of Arthur’s Seat, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the city and park below.   This is truly a fabulous experience. I mean, Arthur’s Seat is one of the best hiking mountains in Scotland!

    While in the park, don’t forget to check out the 15th-century medieval chapel, St Anthony’s Chapel, and Salisburg Crags-a series of 150-foot cliff faces.

    Arthur's seat in Edinburgh

    Tour the Palace of Holyroodhouse

    The Queen’s official residence in Scotland and home to an immense amount of Scottish Royal history, the Palace of Holyroodhouse is your next stop. 

    Located at the end of the Royal Mile, you can explore the palace and learn about its connection to Mary, Queen of Scots, and Bonnie Prince Charlie. 

    This lavishly decorated palace also has a beautiful garden and a historic abbey.

    holyroodhouse

    Escape to Dean’s Village

    Get out of the tourist area today and feel like you’ve left the city behind when you step into the tranquil Dean’s Village area of Edinburgh. 

    This residential area along the waters of the Leith River will win you over with its charm.  Founded in the 12th century as a small mill town, Dean’s Village has transformed into a charming neighborhood that is a pleasure to walk around and relish in the peace.

    building and a creek make up Dean's Village in Edinburgh, Scotland

    Check out The Greyfriars Bobby

    Greyfriars Bobby is the most loyal dog in Scotland, if not in the world!  Bobby, a long-haired Skye terrier, belonged to an Edinburgh police officer, John Gray. 

    It is said that Bobby and Gray were best friends until Gray passed away in 1858.  When Gray was buried in the cemetery, Bobby spent the next 14 years living at his gravesite, showing his complete loyalty to his deceased owner. 

    A statue of Bobby has been placed on the south side of the George IV Bridge, and visitors can visit his grave in the Greyfriars Cemetery.

    Final Thoughts On 2 Days in Edinburgh

    As you can see, there are so many things to do and see during your 2 days in Edinburgh. The city is so historic and charming. Honestly, we have only scratched the surface of this great city.

    Please comment below and tell us what we missed!

    Check Out These Great Tours in Edinburgh:

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    Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

    Book Your Flight:

    We love using CheapOAir, Kayak, and Kiwi to search for the best flight prices. We love using these search engines because they search the web for airlines worldwide to ensure you get the best deal! In addition to flights, you can also find great hotel prices on Kayak and Kiwi.

    Book Your Vacation Package:

    If you want to book an entire vacation package, we suggest using Expedia. We love how easy Expedia is to use, and we always find good deals on entire vacation packages on their site.

    Another great site for vacation packages is BookVIP. BookVIP offers super cheap vacation packages to incredible destinations. You are sure to save money using their site!

    For full guided vacations, including hotels, some meals, transportation, and guides, then we book with Trafalgar. Trafalgar is a trusted tour company that will meet all your needs while ensuring a great experience.

    Trip.com allows you to book flights, hotels, train tickets, rental cars, airport transfers, tours, and more all on one site. Owned by the parent company that also owns Skyscanner, this is a trusted resource for travel booking and a great “one-stop shop.”

    Book Your Accommodations:

    We always begin our search by checking out honest reviews on TripAdvisor hotels. This allows us to narrow our search for specific properties once we are ready to book. Of course, you can also book directly on the TripAdvisor site!

    There are several accommodation sites that we like to use. One of our favorites is Booking.com because it offers a wide variety of hotels and guesthouses at a good price.

    Another “go-to” hotel booking site for us is Hotels.com. We love their loyalty program that allows you to earn free nights, and their “secret prices” for members are fabulous deals!

    HotelsCombined is another cool site. They allow you to compare all the top travel sites with one search to ensure you find the best deal out there. Kayak works in this way as well.

    If you want a luxurious all-inclusive vacation, consider checking out the Sandals/Beaches properties. Sandals properties are for couples only and Beaches are for families. We have visited Sandals in the past and absolutely love the attention to detail and the service they provide.

    Tour Companies We Trust:

    We love taking guided tours when visiting new places. Our go-to tour companies are Viator.com and Get Your Guide. Both of these companies have been in business for years and provide excellent customer service. You can trust booking tours from their sites for sure!

    For a guided city tour, check out City Sightseeing and BigBus Tours. These bus tours are so much fun and easy to hop on and hop off at top attractions in cities around the world.

    CityPass is a great way to save money when visiting large cities. CityPass allows you to get free admission to major attractions once you buy their pass. The savings add up quickly with this pass, often saving 50% with combined admissions.

    Another great pass to save money in larger cities is the Sightseeing Pass. This pass allows you to save valuable time and money by combining admissions to major attractions. They also have a handy app that keeps everything you need at your fingertips.

    Looking to Save Time and Money?

    Check out our resource page for all of our favorite vendors. These companies help us to save time and money on our travels!

    Michelle Snell-Founder That Texas Couple

    About the Author

    Michelle Snell is a travel writer, history buff, wine lover, and enthusiast of different cultures. Michelle enjoys bringing places to life through creative content creation and her informative writing style on her blogs, That Texas Couple and Totally Texas Travel and accompanying social media accounts.  She is happiest sipping wine in Italy or chilling on a beach with her husband, Marty.

    Jack

    Tuesday 28th of July 2020

    My friends and I have been talking about a girls trip to Edinburgh so this was so perfect!! thanks! It makes me feel like I have stepped into some movie.

    Shafinah Neville

    Tuesday 26th of May 2020

    That Greyfriars Bobby story is ???.

    thattexascouple

    Tuesday 26th of May 2020

    I know :(

    Sara

    Monday 25th of May 2020

    I love this city! It was one of my favorites when I studied aboard in college. Looks like I missed some stuff- guess I just have to go back. :-) Great info!

    thattexascouple

    Monday 25th of May 2020

    It is a really great place. I am so glad we could add to your list!

    Cassie Bailey

    Sunday 24th of May 2020

    Oh isn't it a beautiful city! loved reading this and imagining I was there with you!

    thattexascouple

    Monday 25th of May 2020

    Thank you so much, Cassie!

    Kelly

    Sunday 24th of May 2020

    Great itinerary! Love Edinburgh, but haven't been in 10 years so would love to go back :)

    thattexascouple

    Monday 25th of May 2020

    It is a great place. Maybe you should plan a trip there soon ;)