Things to See in Edinburgh in 3 Days?

Edinburgh is the high-rising capital of Scotland, enriched with history and diverse culture. The capital is filled with picturesque destinations of old towns, countryside and immaculate architecture that are a marvel of British history. With all of these qualities coupled with a history of famous writers, Edinburgh stands out to be a perfect travel destination for the whole year.

Visiting Edinburgh can be a very exciting moment in your life. Despite being a small destination, Edinburgh is filled with various activities and sights to gawp at. But it can become a little tricky if you are not familiar with the destinations and the capital’s offering to the nomads. At the same time, travellers with a limited stay also juggle different options on what to visit and what to ignore during their visit to Edinburgh. 

That is why you need a properly written itinerary for a 3-day trip to Edinburgh. This itinerary must reflect the overall theme, transportation type and each destination that you can visit at a specific time of the day. 

Especially, if you are planning on visiting with family, friends, or colleagues, you might want to opt for a reliable transport service for comfortable travel across Scotland. Choose Scotland minibus hire services that cater to leisure travel plans around Edinburgh. These private transport services are specifically personalised for your travel needs across destinations with different amenities like Wi-fi, charging ports, and entertainment. 

Once the transportation option is sorted, you must set up your itinerary. Here is our planned itinerary for 3 days in Edinburgh.

Note: All of these locations are our suggestions and are not forced per day. You have the flexibility to adjust these sights, depending on your accommodation, operational hours, and safety. 

Day 1

Transport Type: Minibus private transport

Theme: Sightseeing

One of the first things that you need to do after visiting Scotland is plenty of rest and a good meal. Travel is both an exhilarating and tiring experience, requiring special attention to the overall health of your travel companions. 

There is no need to jump right into your itinerary and focus on making your overall experience more relaxing. Starting from small and culture-enriched attractions to avoid getting overwhelmed is always the ideal approach towards a good itinerary. 

• Old Town - Morning

Old Town is also known as the gateway to the heart of Edinburgh and its breathtaking attractions. It is a love letter at first sight because of its age and amazing landscape, which speaks loudly about British culture. Even better, the simplicity and calm environment of the Old Town is a great starter for a trip to Edinburgh. 

Old Town has also been mentioned in UNESCO World Heritage in 1995, making it a prominent destination for tourists. For this itinerary, you must visit the Royal Mile featuring a cobbled street to feel the mediaeval crowded vibe of the town truly. 

Why You Should Visit:

• Victorian Street is an exciting attraction steeped in history. 
• Walk Around for a Harry Potter-themed tour. 
• Chance to learn about the mediaeval marketplace.

While you are visiting the Old Town, we will also recommend checking out the St Giles’ Cathedral. With roots back to King David I in 1124, St Giles tells a lot of stories about the catholic Scottish grounds. It has an option of an audio tour that can aid visitors in learning about the major civil war and the reformation of Scotland. 

Old Town also has a bunch of breakfast and lunch stops in the surrounding areas. You can consider stopping by any of these restaurants that suit your time and budget. 

• Edinburgh Castle - Afternoon

Timing: 9:30AM - 6:00PM

Location: Castlehill, Edinburgh.

If there is one destination that we can not let you miss out on then that would be Edinburgh Castle. With a nine-minute walk away from the Old Town, Edinburgh Castle is a must-visit in the afternoon. 

Edinburgh Castle is a marvel to look at and learn about with rich stories about royal residences and prisons in Scotland. Plus, it has been awarded several times for its depiction of heritage and history. 

While the castle has been under the darkness of negative reviews, it is worthy of visiting and judging by oneself. Edinburgh Castle is perfect for thrilling visuals, with towers touching the skies. Meanwhile, by visiting inside, you will be able to experience a whole new world that proves the strength of Scotland’s history. 

Why You Should Visit:

• Detailed and well-guided tours of museums. 
• Variety of Cafes.
• Experience firing of One o’Clock Gun. 
• Scottish National War Memorial.
• Children have fun plays and activities.

• National Museum of Scotland - Evening

Timing: 10:00AM - 5:00PM

Location: Chambers Street, Edinburgh.

If Old Town and Edinburgh Castle were not enough, you must visit the National Museum of Scotland to spend an evening learning about Scotland’s history. The museum is well-known for its exhibition and enormous size, welcoming visitors to learn about the diverse history of the capital. 

Plus, the museum is easily accessible from Old Town and is only a six-minute walk from Old Town. From the exquisite art galleries, and Egyptian artefacts to dinosaur and technological exhibits, the National Museum of Scotland is filled with activities for all age groups. 

Why You Should Visit:

• Diverse exhibits for all age groups. 
• Interactive Galleries for Kids to enhance their learning experience.
• Well-designed audio tours and trails. 
• Year-long events.

If you get a chance, you can also check out Camera Obscura & World of Illusions and The Scotch Whisky Experience. Both are right next to each other and within the close vicinity of the castle. 

Camera Obscura features a variety of interactive illusions that will make your head spin with fun. Meanwhile, The Scotch Whiskey Experience stands out for its highly detailed tour even if you are not very interested in the drinks. 

Day 2

Transport Type: Public Transport or Minibus Service(Recommended)

Theme: Art Museum, Nature Sightseeing

After a walking tour in the heart of Edinburgh on Day 1, we will now be hitting the road to visit popular attractions. Also, this time we will get a little Royal and artistic with the attractions and dive into the diverse English Heritage. 

• New Town Edinburgh - Morning

To get started, you must travel to New Town Edinburgh for a quick stay and sightseeing. You have the opportunity to take the public bus, departing every 10 minutes from Hanover Street, Old Town to New Town with a six-minute drive. However, if you are looking for a reliable move for your group, then a minibus service can cater to your transportation requirements. 

Unlike Old Town, New Town is a fresh breath of modern architecture while keeping the essence of Scotland culture. The location is surrounded by modern landscape with numerous luxury hotels, pubs and museums. 

While visiting the New Town, you will also have the opportunity to shop for different gifts and souvenirs from the market. We also recommend grabbing a coffee from a small shop, “Wellington Coffee” around a 2-minute walk across the block.

Despite being a small coffee shop, Wellington is known for welcoming guests with a bright smile and a comfortable setting. It feels like home while sitting in the shop and enjoying every last sip of your favourite coffee. 

• National Galleries of Scotland - Afternoon

Timing: 10:00AM - 5:00PM

Location: The Mound, Edinburgh.

If you can stretch your legs a bit more and a 7-minute walk across Hanover St, you can visit the National Galleries of Scotland. 

Scottish people have unconditional love towards art and literature. That is the reason why the National Galleries of Scotland is a must-visit in the 3-day itinerary. 

You can spend the next portion of your day here learning about the cultural roots of Edinburgh while amused at the magnificence of art unfolding before you. But still, a few hours will be enough to explore the major part of the gallery. 

The National Galleries of Scotland is home to artworks of major artists, including Van Gogh, Monet, Vermeer, Botticelli and Canaletto. Not only that, but you also have a chance to learn about modern artworks that are more suited for teenagers. In short, the National Galleries of Scotland is an ideal destination for groups and families. 

Why You Should Visit:

• Kid-friendly location.
• Variety of Artworks to see and spend a day.
• Family Trail options. 
• Year-long events for art enthusiasts. 

• Royal Botanic Garden - Evening

Timing: 10:00AM - 6:00PM

Location: Road B901, Edinburgh.

If you have plans to expand your exploration for Day 2, then you can consider visiting the Royal Botanic Garden in the evening. Being one of the oldest Royal Botanic Gardens, it is an important tourist attraction filled with the value of comfort and a prominent touch to nature. 

It is a 4-minute drive from the New Town Edinburgh making it a flexible option for the rest of the itinerary day. Upon arrival, the garden welcomes you with lush greenery and a stretching landscape. You can also enjoy a guided tour of the garden to learn about the numerous initiatives by Scotland to secure nature with collections of plants 

Why You Should Visit:

• Learn about the Royal Botanic Collection and its importance for human well-being.
• Year-round events and art exhibitions.
• Short Gardening Courses.
• Glasshouse and Botanic Research. 

Day 3

Transport Type: Public Transport or Private Minibus(Recommended)

Theme: Trekking, Outdoor Sightseeing.

For the final and day 3 of the Edinburgh itinerary, we are going to focus more on outdoor exploration. 

• Dean Village - Morning

Our first destination is Dean Village, a fairy tale town that you just can not ignore while visiting Edinburgh. Dean Village is a gem in the heart of Scotland that perfectly depicts all the stories written by great authors of the past. 

You may have seen photos of the village online, and at a glance, it is a residential area with not much activity in sight. But in reality, it is worth taking a stroll if the weather is on your side. 

From cobblestone streets and magnificent architectural marvels of residential areas to the sweet song of the Water of Leith, Dean Village is a pleasant experience. Just make sure to not make any noise, litter, or invade the private properties of residents. 

Why You Should Visit:

• Ideal destination to walk around and connect with Scotland’s villages.
• Beautiful destination.
• Calm attraction offering freedom to explore. 

• Arthurs Seat - Afternoon

Timing: 9:00AM - 5:45PM

With just a 16-minute drive from New Town Edinburgh, Arthur’s Seat is a must-visit for a breathtaking sight of Edinburgh. It offers a fresh outdoor experience of walking across the trail while going on the stretching city of Edinburgh. 

It can be a little tiring experience because of the almost 2-hour trail, but it is definitely worth the effort on the final day of your visit to Edinburgh. Again that is highly dependent on the highly uncertain weather conditions. 

Why You Should Visit:

• Outdoor Exploration.
• 2-hour trail with various picturesque locations.
• Variety of landmarks and stories to learn.

• Palace of Holyroodhouse - Evening

Timing: 9:30AM - 6:00PM

Location: Canongate, Edinburgh. 

Right around the Arthurs Seat, we also recommend the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Being a Royal residence, the Palace of Holyroodhouse has a strong historical connection with Edinburgh.

From the bling and glimmer of treasures, and art gallery, to ever-green gardens and throne rooms, this palace is the ultimate destination to end your travel. 

Why You Should Visit:

• Fun Activities for Kids and Families.
• Walk across the Garden.
• Experience the glimmer of Royal Treasure with The Darnley Jewel. 
• Well-detailed Audio Tour. 

Final Words

Visiting Edinburgh is an exhilarating experience of learning about Scottish culture and the diverse architecture. Not only that but the food, people and natural habitat of Edinburgh say a lot about the fascinating history and capital’s influence in the United Kingdom. 

You can make your travel experience to Edinburgh even more memorable with these prime destinations. Just make sure you are coming prepared with the weather conditions as our itinerary is highly flexible to add more destination options and sightseeing for your leisure needs.