What to See in Edinburgh in 2 Days

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We tell you what to see and do in Edinburgh in 2 days of sightseeing. If it is your first visit, you should know that the capital of Scotland offers much more than whisky and bagpipers in kilts. However, all you need is a good weekend and a real desire to wander the streets to see and enjoy the essentials.

Picture: Adam Wilson

Flying from Spain to Edinburgh is easy and affordable since most of the main airports offer direct flights at a low price. Getting from the airport to the city centre is just as simple, with a direct bus service that runs 24 hours a day. In thirty minutes you will be at Waverley, the central station, from where you can walk to the vast majority of tourist attractions and hotels. As soon as you are in the centre of Edinburgh you will begin to see the memorable weekend that awaits you.

Historic centre: the Old Town

The Royal Mile is the most visited street in the city and the meeting point for most tours and activities. The mile begins in the gardens of Holyrood, where the palace stands, the summer residence of the British royal family, and climbs gently up the slope of the volcano to the castle esplanade. On the way you will find all kinds of pubs, free museums, endless souvenir shops and tourist information points. You will also find the imposing St. Giles' Cathedral, whose interior is well worth a visit. Tip: if you go on a Sunday afternoon you can enjoy a sacred music recital completely free.

Picture: George Kourounis

From here you can easily reach the most emblematic places. On George IV Bridge stands the famous statue of Bobby, the little dog, and the famous tradition of rubbing his nose for good luck. The real Bobby lies buried a few metres away, specifically at the entrance to Greyfriars cemetery. Legend has it that, after his master died, the little dog kept going to visit his grave every day for 14 years until his own death. In this way he became very dear to the local parishioners. Harry Potter fans can play at finding the names of characters from the saga among the graves, since it is said that J.K. Rowling used to walk here in search of inspiration. Not for nothing, as on the other side of the cemetery is the school that gave rise to the Hogwarts of the literary saga.

Places of interest

Just a few minutes from the Old Town we can climb the small hill of Calton Hill. It is essential to watch the sunset over Edinburgh and take the best photos of the trip. We can also make out the port district of Leith, and of course the North Sea. You can visit the old lighthouse and the Parthenon. This Greek-style building gives the city the nickname "the Athens of the North". Look at Holyrood Palace from above and the Royal Mile along its whole length. It is only a minute's easy climb to see the monuments and the best views of Edinburgh.

Picture: @lordcharlie87

As we mentioned earlier, the classicism of the Royal Mile contrasts with its modern little sister. After only two minutes on foot, we find ourselves in the New Town. Regarded as a masterpiece of architecture, its majestic buildings house the most famous brand-name shops. Princes Street and George Street run parallel, with little Rose Street between them. Whether for a coffee or for shopping, this is the right place. A must-visit is the luxurious Jenners department store, the Scottish equivalent of London's Harrods since it opened in 1838.

What to see: Edinburgh's museums

In the United Kingdom it is common for many of the most important museums to be free. In Edinburgh we have a notable selection that we can visit every day of the week. The National Gallery stands out, a large collection of paintings and works of art that I highly recommend. You will enjoy impressive Highland landscapes and centuries-old paintings from the city's early days. Its café restaurant is also famous, and afterwards we can take a stroll through Princes Gardens. This large park is the ideal place to wander and rest for a while. The grave of the writer Robert Louis Stevenson is here, and finding it can be quite a challenge. If the weather is kind, you can lie on the grass and gaze at the castle in all its splendour.

Picture: Jorg Angeli

Every British city has its Natural History Museum. To find the one in Edinburgh, you just have to follow Bobby's gaze. This modern building has several floors well worth exploring. From dinosaurs to the first cars, tribes of the world, and the science area. I definitely recommend the area devoted to the Scottish clans and their weapons and objects. If history fascinates you, here you have thousands of things to see and be entertained by before a well-earned rest in the pub.

Where to eat and drink: Edinburgh's pubs

In a previous post we told you about typical food in Glasgow, which has a lot to do with Edinburgh. The best known Scottish dish, haggis, may not be to everyone's taste. It is made with sheep and lamb offal and served with mashed potato and vegetables. Perhaps it doesn't sound all that good, but I assure you that, done well, it is really good. It can be found in practically every pub in the centre and is one of the cheapest main dishes. My recommendation is the haggis served at The Castle Arms, next to the castle esplanade. The portion is just right, as it can be a heavy meal. The pub offers above-average quality and if you manage to get a table by the window you will enjoy lovely views. I recommend having it with a stout, but if you prefer a lager, go for a Three Hop.

Picture: @whiskyexchange

In fact, almost all pubs offer the best known British food. It may not be the best in the world, but it is comforting to tuck into a good hot stew after a whole day of walking. The same goes for fish & chips. A very hearty dish, whether in the warmth of the pub or wrapped in paper, bought from a street stall late at night. And if that is not your thing, you won't have any trouble finding more traditional dishes on the menu, such as assorted burgers and meat or fish pies with vegetables. Vegetarian options are also available in all of them. Eating in Edinburgh is certainly not a problem.

I hope this guide serves as a first taste of the city. Edinburgh has so much to see that two days can be very short, so until next time!