Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Edinburgh?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Edinburgh?
Most people spend two to five days in Edinburgh during their visit. The charming 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 3, 4, or 5 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 3 days enough time in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh offers plenty of activities and attractions and remains a top choice for tourists. Given only three days, 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 3 days 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
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.
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. The city's Old Town attracts international visitors who come to see the Edinburgh Castle, the quaint streets, and the many shops and cafes. The Royal Mile is a popular area with pubs and souvenir shops. It connects the castle to the Scottish Parliament.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Harry Potter and Horrible Histories Walking Tour in Edinburgh ($18)
- Whisky and Tales : Whisky Tasting with History and Storytelling ($24)
- Edinburgh 3 Hour Walking Tour Italian Tour Guide ($19)
This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars and clubs to choose from as well as some of the country's oldest pubs. Tourists tend to frequent the Old Town area, but you'll find more locals if you head to the student and university areas.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Pub Crawl in Edinburgh ($19)
- The Original Edinburgh Pub Crawl ($32)
Is 4 days enough time in Edinburgh?
Many visitors spend four days in Edinburgh, as this is a good amount of time to see the charming city's major attractions such as the famous sights and museums, the historic old town, and the quaint atmosphere. If you have four days to spend here, we have a few suggestions of things to do below.
Edinburgh
How to spend 4 days in Edinburgh
Having 4 days in Edinburgh will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.
Edinburgh offers a charming atmosphere that's hard to find anywhere else. Spend part of the day exploring the scenery. The quaint Old Town is fun to explore with its cobblestone streets. There's a lot of history with beautiful churches and fascinating cemeteries. There are also beautiful parks to explore with the rain lets up.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Harry Potter and Horrible Histories Walking Tour in Edinburgh ($18)
- Edinburgh 3 Hour Walking Tour Italian Tour Guide ($19)
- Edinburgh: Witches Old Town Walking Tour & Underground Vault ($19)
Edinburgh is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. It has a long history and a lot of architectural beauty. The weather may be the most challenging part of a visit to Edinburgh.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Harry Potter and Horrible Histories Walking Tour in Edinburgh ($18)
- Edinburgh 3 Hour Walking Tour Italian Tour Guide ($19)
- Edinburgh: Witches Old Town Walking Tour & Underground Vault ($19)
Is 5 days enough time in Edinburgh?
Five days is more than sufficient for an in-depth trip to Edinburgh, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. Enjoy 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 on your own schedule. Then, unwind at your hotel or use Edinburgh as a hub for some nice day trips in the surrounding area.
How to spend 5 days in Edinburgh
With 5 days in Edinburgh, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.
Shopping in Edinburgh is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds. In the Old Town, Victoria Street is filled with Harry Potter shops and tourist stores where you can pick up a kilt or Edinburgh sweatshirt.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Edinburgh, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.