A weekend in Edinburgh: Things to do in two days in the magical capital city of Scotland

Edinburgh is one of those cities that will delight during any season.

Spring brings florals and a sizzling undercurrent of energy knowing summer is around the corner. Summer is all about the Fringe Festival, where you’ll find Edinburgh at its liveliest. Autumn sends sales of woollen blankets through the roof while the long, cold winter is brightened with the appearance of Hogmanay to ring in the new year.

At just under five hours away on the train from London or just over an hour’s flight, you can be there in time for a whisky-laced night cap on a Friday evening after work and back in time to let the Sunday scaries settle in 48 hours later.

Where to stay

While we’ve detailed an extensive list of where to stay in Edinburgh here, our pick would be the design-led aparthotel Eden Locke. More spacious than your average hotel room, but with the freedom to cook your own meals in the fully equipped kitchen, these suites are the perfect base for your Scottish weekend.

From £151 per night. booking.com/

Day one

What to see and do

No visit to Edinburgh is complete without a trek up Arthur’s seat. For early risers, make the most of the biting morning air and head to the top of the hill from the end of the Royal Mile. This is also a dreamy place to watch the sunrise – or sunset if you’d rather have a sleep in.

After walking back down the hill past the Palace of Holyroodhouse, follow the famous Royal Mile and wander through its many shops and eateries, meandering off into the cobbled side streets before you reach the National Museum of Scotland. Spend the afternoon here, exploring the collections and exhibitions, before making a visit to Edinburgh Castle, Scotland’s most popular tourist attraction, where you will see views across the city.

As the night falls, duck into one of the many pubs found in Old Town and have a wee dram or two before seeing a show at The Stand Comedy Club, there are usually a couple of acts on each night.

Where to eat

After walking up Arthur’s Seat, you deserve a full Scottish breakfast for your first day in Edinburgh. The Royal McGregor on the Royal Mile serves a hearty fry up made with local produce – and be sure to return come nightfall to taste their whisky offerings.

Lunch calls for a cheap and cheerful meal, making Oink at the lower end of the Mile a fine option. Specialising in pulled pork rolls that come with your choice of stuffing and sauce, a price point starting at £3.40 each will mean there’s definitely room on your credit card for seconds.

During your afternoon wander, be sure to stop in at The Elephant House for a cuppa or a caffeinated pick-me-up. This cafe is where JK Rowling wrote parts of the first few books in the Harry Potter franchise. The back room overlooking Edinburgh castle is particularly lovely, but don’t be surprised to find queues out front.

Come dinner time, you’ll be ready to try haggis, the traditional Scottish dish made of minced sheep innards contained in a sheep’s stomach – best not to think about it while you’re eating it. The Whiski Rooms just off the Royal Mile offer haggis spring rolls served with plum sauce – a great way to ease yourself into the delicacy and have a glass of whisky to help wash it down.

Day two

What to see and do

Today you’ll spend time out of Old Town, exploring other pockets of the city before heading home later this evening.

After a well-deserved lie in, head out to Leith, the port district filled with bistros and traditional pubs. Walk along the Leith Walk and duck into the thrift shops to find hidden gems, take a look at the Royal Yacht Britannia, the former boat of the royal family or check out the cobbled waterfront.

After lunch, walk half an hour to the Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh for an afternoon stroll or hop on a bus which will also take around half an hour. Afterwards, head to the Instagram perfect Dean Village for photos worthy of your grid – this is a 25-minute walk or bus away from the park.

If you’ve got a late night flight or train home, bar-hop through the trendy Grassmarket area before heading off on your travels.

Where to eat

Start your morning the right way by dining at Aurora in Leith – the number one-rated restaurant in Edinburgh on TripAdvisor. This cosy eatery opens at 10am on a Sunday and be sure to order its eggs benedict which comes with truffle hollandaise.

During your stop in Leith, head to Roseleaf bar and café for your Sunday roast fix. This family-run café is also renowned for its Pot-Tails – cocktails in teapots – so if you’re still nursing your whisky-fuelled hangover, the hair of the dog should get you sorted in no time. The café is also decorated with antique furniture and the walls are covered with artworks from aspiring artists trying to sell their wares.

Before your train or plane home, whizz back to Old Town for a quick visit to Wings. With over 80 different flavours of chicken wings on the menu – including blue cheese, lemon pot noodle rub and maple bbq dill bacon bits – this is you one-stop destination for mouth-watering chicken wings and they’ll leave you itching to return to Edinburgh for more.