Is 48 hours enough to see Edinburgh?

Two days covers the Old Town, the Castle, Holyrood and one New Town afternoon comfortably on foot. Add a third day if you want Arthur's Seat at sunrise or a day trip out to the coast at North Berwick.

What is the best way to get around Edinburgh in a weekend?

Walk. The centre is compact and the Royal Mile to Princes Street takes about fifteen minutes. Lothian Buses and the tram from the airport cover anything further out, and both take contactless.

When is the cheapest time to visit Edinburgh?

January to March, outside the festival months. Rates roughly halve compared with August, when the Fringe fills the city and hotel prices peak.

Back to Edinburgh

48 hours in Edinburgh

By Ewan Fraser · 7 min read

A tight, walkable weekend that still leaves room for a long lunch.

A tight, walkable weekend that still leaves room for a long lunch. We've walked this one ourselves, and the order below is the one we'd repeat: it keeps the walking sensible, the queues short and the best meal of the day in the right place.

Start where the crowds aren't. Edinburgh rewards an early morning more than almost anywhere in Britain — the light is better, the photographs are emptier and you'll have the pick of tables at lunch. May to September for long days; August for the festivals; December for Hogmanay.

Getting around is the part most people over-plan. 4h 20m by rail from London King's Cross; Edinburgh Airport connects to the centre by tram in 30 minutes. Once you're there, most of what follows is within a comfortable walk, and where it isn't, we've said so.

Book the two or three things that genuinely sell out, and leave the rest loose. British weather makes a mockery of rigid schedules, so keep one indoor option per day in your back pocket — a museum, a long lunch, a spa hour — and you'll never lose an afternoon.

Finally, spend a little more on one thing and a little less on everything else. A single memorable dinner or a room with the view does more for a trip than three merely fine ones. The places below are the ones reviewers keep coming back to.

Planning the wider trip? Our Edinburgh destination guide covers where to stay, eat and spend your days.

Frequently asked questions

Is 48 hours enough to see Edinburgh?: Two days covers the Old Town, the Castle, Holyrood and one New Town afternoon comfortably on foot. Add a third day if you want Arthur's Seat at sunrise or a day trip out to the coast at North Berwick.
What is the best way to get around Edinburgh in a weekend?: Walk. The centre is compact and the Royal Mile to Princes Street takes about fifteen minutes. Lothian Buses and the tram from the airport cover anything further out, and both take contactless.
When is the cheapest time to visit Edinburgh?: January to March, outside the festival months. Rates roughly halve compared with August, when the Fringe fills the city and hotel prices peak.