Things to do in Edinburgh

After centuries of constant development and cultural nurturing, Edinburgh has become home to a great many architectural marvels. Architectural specimens span several periods, with emphases falling both in medieval and Georgian times. In addition to well-preserved architecture, Edinburgh is also home to beautiful gardens and museums as well as a stunning natural landscape.

Edinburgh Castle

Located on one of the highest points of the city, Edinburgh Castle has been under constant use for more than 1,000 years. This magnificent royal structure was built by Malcolm III during the 11th century and is now home to the Scottish crown jewels, known as the Honours of Scotland, as well as St Margaret's Chapel. Audio headset tours can be hired for a nominal fee and offer a wealth of information on all aspects of the castle and its history.

Princess Street Gardens

Resting in the shade of Edinburgh Castle, Princess Street Gardens is a public park created in the 1820s, after Nor Loch was drained, to commemorate the building of the new city. The gardens are home to a great many statues, tributes and monuments representing historical celebrities such as Sir Walter Scott, James Livingston and Thomas Guthrie.

Old Town

Made up of three streets - High Street, Lawnmarket and Canongate - this area is laid out primarily in narrow, medieval alleyways and wynds with large squares denoting markets or areas of public interest, such as government and religious buildings. Today, this part of the city immerses visitors in the actual layout and architecture of medieval Scotland, with many structures and buildings well-worth exploring including the Old Towns most well-known structure, the castle on Castle Rock, which delimits the Old Town.

New Town

This 18th century addition to Edinburgh was designed and built to address the problems inherent to Edinburgh's growing population. This part of the city features a lot of Georgian era architecture including Charlotte Square, which is considered one of the finest Georgian squares worldwide.

Museums

Visitors searching out history, cultural heritage and artwork will find their time well-spent in Edinburgh. The Royal Museum on Chambers Street was built in 1861 and houses exhibits on science and technology, art, archaeology, natural history and geology. Next door, the Museum of Scotland is kept in a newer building with exhibits on the history, people and culture of Scotland. The Museum of Edinburgh is located in the Old Town on the Royal Mile; exhibits here focus on the city's local history and legends. Other local museums include the National War Museum of Scotland, National Library of Scotland, Writer's Museum and the Museum of Childhood.