The proud Scottish capital boasts stunning architecture, endless winding streets, full of flowers, and majestic castles. Take a stroll through the city and be charmed by its own blend of tradition and modernity. Outside the city, incredible nature awaits, which you simply mustn’t miss. Read the article, full of travel tips for this amazing city.
There’s a popular hop-on hop-off bus going through Edinburgh, which will take you to all the major sights that are worth visiting. You can compare Edinburgh’s old town with the elegant Georgian New Town with its three main streets and squares. You should start your sightseeing in the old town where the picturesque Edinburgh Castle, full of ancient stories, is located. Take a walk down the Royal Mile, a succession of streets in the city’s centre. It runs from the castle to the Holyrood mansion, the queens summer residence. The castle is worth visiting, as you get a chance to explore its fourteen chambers that are linked to the sad story of Mary Stewart. At the end of the Royal Mile is the Scotch Whisky Experience where you can taste Scotch whisky. No visit to the city should leave out the St. Giles’ cathedral, a place of worship for all the Scottish. This is where you can find the beautiful Thistle Chapel with its adorned tower. The Royal Mile is followed by Canongate, which means the “canon’s way”. If you’re interested in more modern history, there’s the monument dedicated to a great writer, sir Walter Scott. A special attraction is observing the sunset from Calton Hill, a place where many historical monuments under UNESCO’s protection are located. Far from the city’s hustle and bustle, in the middle of parks and gardens, one can find the Lauriston Castle dating back to the 16th century. You can also climb to Arthur’s Seat, which is actually a volcano. From there, you can enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the city and its surroundings.
Edinburgh is a city with the largest number of ghosts in Europe. You can learn about them on a guided tour where the guide will also introduce you to the famous grave robbers and sites of murders. J.K. Rowling found inspiration for Harry Potter in Edinburgh. One particular idea she got here was how Hogwarts would look like. Take a themed trip around the city where you can test out your knowledge and find out which Hogwarts house you belong to. The Royal Yacht Britannia has a famous maritime history, as it was used by the royal family to sail the world seas for 40 years. You can explore the yacht’s five floors, from the queen’s chambers to the ones for the staff, with the help of an audio guide. During the tour, you’ll learn about the royal family’s private and public life.
The entire Scotland is dotted with places that you simply must visit. You can find the best the wild nature of the Highlands has to offer on a guided day trip. The first stop is visiting the famous Highland cattle and at the next stop you get to meet the famous Scottish whales. The visit to Loch Ness where Nessie hides is another special experience. The next guided tour will take you exploring the land of the Scottish heroes, crystal-clear lakes and unusual cities. The trip starts at one of the most romantic lakes – Loch Lomond – and continues with the exploration of the ruins of the Stirling Castle, which holds a special place in the famous Scottish royal history. Another point of interest is the Trossachs National Park which, with its numerous lakes, mountains and forests, is regarded as the miniature Highlands.
The building of the University of Edinburgh houses the Metro Hostel, which is only open in the summer. It’s located near the Royal Mile. The rooms have cosy furniture. Another excellent option is the five-star Edinburgh Central. The rooms are suitable for a various number of people and they all have an electric coffee maker. The hostel also has a restaurant and a bar. HI members also get 10% off.
The best postcards are the ones that are personalised. You can send them through MyPostcard. New users can send their first postcard for free with the HIGlobetrotter promo code through the Globetrotter profile.
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