Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Edinburgh?

Q: Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Edinburgh?

A weekend trip is usually not enough time to experience the character-filled city of Edinburgh, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. Or, perhaps you'll want to return another time to take it all in. You don't want to miss the chance to explore the museums and famous sights, learn about the history of the town, admire the quaint setting, and listen to some live music. Many tourists set aside two to five days for their visit. However, if your schedule only gives you a couple of days, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your weekend adventure in Edinburgh below.

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Edinburgh?

Most people spend two to five days in Edinburgh during their visit. The character-filled city offers amazing highlights such as the famous sights and museums, the historic old town, the quaint atmosphere, and plenty of live music.

Edinburgh is a city that is grounded in history and architecture. The Old Town is filled with beautiful churches, cobblestone streets, and great restaurants. Looking over the city from a hilltop is the famed Edinburgh Castle. There are also countless museums around town as well the popular Harry Potter Trail.

Do you have one or two days to visit Edinburgh? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Edinburgh?

Edinburgh offers plenty of activities and attractions and remains a top choice for tourists. Given only one day, you will likely find yourself hurrying to experience the key highlights such as the famous sights and museums, the historic old town, and the quaint atmosphere. To truly savor all that the city boasts, a more generous amount of time is advisable. Many travelers opt for two to five days to thoroughly relish the wonders of the city. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations for making the most of your visit.

How to spend a day in Edinburgh

When visiting Edinburgh, you can't miss the Edinburgh Castle as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you give yourself enough time to enjoy it.

Live music is very popular in Edinburgh, so make sure you spend the evening exploring some of the more popular venues. In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

Edinburgh is a very walkable city. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Edinburgh?

A weekend trip is usually not enough time to experience the character-filled city of Edinburgh, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. Or, perhaps you'll want to return another time to take it all in. You don't want to miss the chance to explore the museums and famous sights, learn about the history of the town, admire the quaint setting, and listen to some live music. Many tourists set aside two to five days for their visit. However, if your schedule only gives you a couple of days, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your weekend adventure in Edinburgh below.

Edinburgh

How to spend 2 days in Edinburgh

Having a weekend (two to three days) in Edinburgh will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.

Edinburgh is known for it's world-class museums and famous landmarks, so make sure you spend at least a day exploring at one or more of the most appealing. The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland. There are also kid-friendly museums like Camera Obscura.

A few tour suggestions include:

Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond Walk, Whisky & Kelpies Tour starting Edinburgh ($70)
Harry Potter and English Castle Italian Tour Guide ($75)
Edinburgh Castle Guided Walking Tour in English ($43)

Don't miss an evening at the theater while in town. Whether it's a musical, opera, ballet, or a famous Broadway-style production, Edinburgh is known for its wide range of shows. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Public transit in Edinburgh is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Edinburgh, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.