10 Things to Do in Edinburgh This Weekend | Get Upto 40% Off

Activities to Do in Edinburgh This Weekend

1. Hike Arthur’s Seat
2. Discover Edinburgh Castle
3. Explore the monuments at Calton Hill
4. Click the Pictures at Camera Obscura
5. Visit the National Museum of Scotland
6. Visit Dean Village
7. Follow the Harry Potter Trail 
8. Explore Royal Yacht Britannia
9. Stop by The Royal Botanic Gardens
10. Check out St. Giles’ Cathedral 

If you are a heritage and culture enthusiast, visiting the cobblestone streets of Edinburgh lined with medieval buildings should be on your bucket list of things to do in Edinburgh this weekend. Being the capital of Scotland since the 15th century, Edinburgh attracts millions of visitors owing to the amazing things they can do on a weekend.

In addition to hosting the world's largest arts festival, the Scottish capital has a plethora of fantastic events throughout the year, like the Edinburgh International Film Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival of August that come under some of the best things to do in Edinburgh this weekend.No matter what your preferences are, this city has an ample amount of things to do for its visitors.

Going for breathtaking hikes, enjoying the fascinating architecture, eating delicious food cafes and having refreshing drinks at pubs are just some of the things that one must know about when they visit this amazing city. You can also visit the majestic Edinburgh Castle, attend International festivals, have tailor-made Potter-themed experiences, and the list goes on. If you're planning a visit to Edinburgh, we've put together a list of things to do in Edinburgh this weekend!

Here are some of the best things to do in Edinburgh this Weekend:

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Things To Do In Edinburgh Explore All (40)
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01

Discover Edinburgh Castle

The trip to this majestic city is incomplete without a visit to Edinburgh Castle. The Castle is like a pandora's box, alive with stories from its past as a royal palace, a prison of war, and a major military fortress. Edinburgh Castle sits on top of the castle rock, located at the far end of the Royal Mile, and towers over the entire city.

You need to book your tickets online beforehand if you don't want to miss out on this iconic destination. Edinburgh Castle is home to a number of noteworthy attractions, including the Scottish National War Memorial, Mons Meg, and the Royal Palace.

Location:
Edinburgh Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NG, UK

Opening Hours:
9:30 AM TO 6 PM 

Entry Tickets
: £18 for adults

Checkout And Book: Edinburgh Castle Guided Tour

Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Edinburgh
02

Click The Pictures At Camera Obscura

Clicking Pictures at Camera Obscura is an unmissable activity for all art buffs and should be a top priority in their list of activities to do in Edinburgh this weekend. This is a fun and educational and immersive museum, founded in 1835. It houses more than 100 exhibitions and installations that produce remarkable optical illusions using mirrors and AI technology.

You may access this eccentric museum in Outlook Tower on the Castlehill part of the Royal Mile, near Edinburgh Castle. Although the hours keep changing, if you visit Camera Obscura between 9.30 am and 7 pm to make the most out of the exhibitions. The Camera Obscura show features Victorian technology that introduced motion pictures to the people of Edinburgh before modern cinema.

Location: The Royal Mile, 549 Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2ND

Opening Hours: 8 AM TO 10 AM every day

Entry Tickets: £19.95 for adults, Free for children under the age of 5 years

Click Here To Book: Camera Obscura & World of Illusions Tickets

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03

Explore Royal Yacht Britannia

Another must-do thing to do in Edinburgh this weekend is to spend some time at the Royal Yacht Britannia. Experience this iconic 5-star attraction for yourself by boarding the magnificent floating palace of the Queen. The Royal Yacht Britannia was transformed into a museum with its five decks accessible to the general public.

Location: Docked in Leith, which is about 2 miles from Edinburgh's city center

Opening Hours: 9:30 AM TO 4 PM 

Entry Tickets: £18 for adults, Free for children under the age of 4 years

Best Offers Only On: The Royal Yacht Britannia Tickets

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Edinburgh Tour Packages Explore All (16)
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04

Hike Arthur’s Seat

This unusual hike should be at the top of your list of activities to do in Edinburgh, this weekend. The magnificent scenery of Arthur's Seat forms the background of Edinburgh. You can be mesmerized by the grassy paradise that is best experienced in the summer, studded with wildflowers and stunning views of Holyrood Park.

Arthur's Seat is the highest point of Holyrood Park and features the remains of an extinct volcano that erupted around 300 million years ago. If you think it's merely a nature walk, you're mistaken. There are many more remarkable sights on the road to Arthur's Seat. a series of 150-foot steep cliff walls called the Salisbury Crags and a 15th-century medieval chapel St. Anthony's Church.

Location: 1.6Km from The Edinburgh Castle

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05

Explore The Monuments At Calton Hill

Visiting Calton Hill should be on your list of top things to do in Edinburgh this weekend. Calton Hill is a serene location where you may get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the scenic beauty.

This area is renowned for its cluster of historic monuments, which serve as some of Edinburgh's most prominent sights. The most notable of these is the Parthenon-inspired National Monument. This monument honors the troops who fought in the Napoleonic Wars. Alternatively, you may trek to the top of the hill, where you can unwind in a tranquil natural setting.

Location: 32 Greenside Road, Edinburgh, Edinburgh & The Lothians, EH1 3AJ

Read More: Things To Do In Edinburgh At Christmas
06

Visit The National Museum Of Scotland

The National Museum is a one-stop destination for learning about the natural environment, Scottish history, global cultures, art, architecture, technology, and innovation. This Museum was founded in 2006 by the merging of the new Museum of Scotland, which houses exhibits on Scottish archaeology, culture, and heritage, and the neighboring Royal Scottish Museum.

You must prepare ahead of time because this facility contains several important exhibits and may take 3 to 4 hours to explore. If you are keen on learning about Scottish history, visiting the National Museum of Scotland is one of the best things to do in Edinburgh this weekend.

Location: Chambers St, Edinburgh EH1 1JF, UK

Opening Hours: 
10 AM TO 5 PM everyday. 

Entry Tickets:
Entry is free of cost

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07

Visit Dean Village

A day tour of this quaint countryside can also make it to your list of activities to do in Edinburgh this weekend. Visitors may still witness remnants of water mills in Dean Village. You can enjoy the view of all kinds of mill stones and stone tablets embellished with baked goods hidden throughout the hamlet.

The most prominent structure in the hamlet is Well Court located in the middle of the community. This structure sheltered the local mill workers. You may also visit the Dean Village Gallery.

Location: Dean Path, Edinburgh EH4 3AY, UK

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08

Follow The Harry Potter Trail

Visiting this place can be among the top things to do in Edinburgh during the weekend, if you are a Harry Potter Fan. Edinburgh is the birthplace of Potter and features multiple Harry Potter-themed excursions. Some of these tours are free of cost with audio guides.

Visit the cafés and hotels where the author of the book series penned her books as you stroll by significant locations that served as inspiration for places like Diagon Alley. Choose a tour that allows you to explore at your own leisure and includes interesting guides who can answer all of your pressing Potter questions.

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09

Stop By The Royal Botanic Gardens

If you love visiting gardens, you should probably add the Royal Botanic Garden to your list of things to do in Edinburgh during the weekend. The garden now spans 287 acres and features around 13,500 unique botanical species.

A series of glasshouses, an arboretum, rock gardens, mini forest, rhododendron gardens, and Chinese hillside gardens are some of the key highlights of the garden. Except for a few occasions when tickets may be required for special events, the gardens are open 365 days a year.

Location: Arboretum Pl, Edinburgh EH3 5NZ, UK

Opening Hours: 10 AM TO 6 PM From March to September and 10 AM to 5PM From October to February

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10

Pray At St. Giles Cathedral

Edinburgh is known for its majestic Gothic-inspired medieval churches and cathedrals. At the heart of the historic city, on the Royal Mile, stands St. Giles' Cathedral, the grandest of the Old Town's churches. The striking crown tower atop the Cathedral, also known as a lantern tower is one of the prime architectural highlights of Scotland.

Another significant landmark is the Thistle Chapel, which is located in the southeast corner of St. Giles Cathedral. If you're searching for things to do in Edinburgh this weekend, St. Giles' Cathedral is a great spot to spend a lazy afternoon.

Location: High St, Edinburgh EH1 1RE, UK

Opening Hours: 10 AM TO 6 PM 

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People Also Ask About Edinburgh

  1. What are the best things to do in Edinburgh this weekend?

    1. Visit the sculpture park of Jupiter Artland: Jupiter Artland is a modernist nature sculpture park gallery, located on the outskirts of Edinburgh on 120 acres of lush greenery. Jupiter Rising, a two-night campout festival in August, is a major feature of the park. This festival features experimental live music, sound and light show, and theatrical performances.

    2. Take the Edinburgh Haunted Tour:
    There are various excursions that take you to graveyards and via subterranean tunnels to help you learn about Edinburgh's eerie history. If you don't believe in supernatural elements, you should still go on one such tour.  The excursions will nevertheless take you to some historically significant areas of Edinburgh. A tour of the Vaults and the Ghost Bus is among the most sought-after activities to do in Edinburgh this weekend.

    3. Go shopping at Victoria Street:
    Edinburgh's best collection of exclusive boutiques may be found on Victoria Street. Find your way through the winding alleys to the George IV Bridge and the ancient Grassmarket. Also, you may enjoy a wide range of delectable foods, from exquisite drams to the distinct aroma of a cheesemonger. If you are a shopaholic at heart, this one should be at the top of the list of things to do in Edinburgh this weekend.

    4. See Stunning Views from Calton Hill: Visiting Calton Hill should be on your list of top things to do in Edinburgh this weekend. Calton Hill is a serene location where you may get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the scenic beauty.

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  2. What are the best things to do in Edinburgh for free?

    1. Walking around the City: Free walking tours are the most cherishable activities to do in Edinburgh this weekend. Begin on the Royal Mile and the environs of the castle, which encompasses many of Edinburgh's key attractions. Visit the Scottish Enlightenment, the Princes Street Gardens, and the Scott Monument as part of your exploration of the New Town.

    2. Visit the National Gallery:
    This magnificent gallery houses works by Claude Monet, Degas,  Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Van Gogh, as well as works by well-known Scottish painters such as David Wilkie and Allan Ramsay. The museum is located in the city center, near Princes Street, and admission is free.

    3. Picnic at the Princess Gardens:
    Spend a leisurely afternoon in Princes Street Gardens, which offers a stunning view of Edinburgh Castle. This garden was created by the drainage of Nor Loch, the largest lake in this region around 1770.

    4. A leisurely stroll in the meadows:  If you want to rest and unwind a bit, stroll or just sit in the Meadows and enjoy the Scottish landscape. This is perhaps one of the best things to do in Edinburgh this weekend, for free. You will find such meadows near the University buildings. It's also a convenient bypass that connects the city center to the suburbs.

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  3. How many days do you need in Edinburgh?

    Spending at least two or three days in Edinburgh is advised for first-time visitors so that you have enough time to see the city's key attractions. You can perhaps plan a weekend trip to Edinburgh.
  4. How to reach Edinburgh?

    If you live in nearby towns like Manchester or Liverpool, you can take a train to Edinburgh Waverley Station, People living farther away may opt for flights. A road trip through Scotland's glens and lochs is another scenic way of reaching Edinburgh.
  5. What is the best time to visit Edinburgh?

    The best time to visit Edinburgh is during the summer months of May and September, when you can experience pleasant weather.
  6. What is so special about Edinburgh?

    Edinburgh, the Scottish capital, is the crowning beauty of the country. With striking architecture and a dynamic cityscape, It is regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. With numerous historic attractions, UNESCO World Heritage sites, annual festivals, and world-class Edinburgh Museums, the city is a draw for tourists.

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