Holiday in Edinburgh

City in United Kingdom — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇬🇧

Country

United Kingdom

Type

City

Best time to travel

May to September — mildest weather and up to 17h of daylight. August for the Fringe Festival.

Budget/day

Getting there from Germany

Direct flight from Frankfurt, Berlin, or Munich to Edinburgh (EDI), about 2 hours.

About Edinburgh

Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, dramatically sits on volcanic hills and blends medieval romance with Georgian elegance. The Royal Mile winds down from the mighty Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, passing by winding closes and centuries-old pubs. The Old Town and New Town together are a UNESCO World Heritage site — a mix of dark alleys and spacious Georgian squares. Edinburgh is a city of literature: the birthplace of Harry Potter (J.K. Rowling wrote in the Elephant House Café), home to Sir Walter Scott and Stevenson. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August is the world's largest arts festival with over 3,000 shows. Arthur's Seat, an extinct volcano in the city, offers hikes with panoramic views. On foggy evenings, when the street lamps of the Old Town glow, one understands why Edinburgh is considered one of the most atmospheric cities in Europe.

Culture
95
Urban
85
Safety
82
Romance
80
Families
60

Top 5 highlights in Edinburgh

The places you absolutely must not miss.

1

Edinburgh Castle

The iconic fortress on Castle Rock — Scotland's most visited attraction with the Crown Jewels.

2

Royal Mile

The historic main axis from the Castle to Holyrood Palace — lined with pubs, bagpipers, and history.

3

Arthur's Seat

Extinct volcano (251m) in the city — 45-minute hike with spectacular panoramic views.

4

Fringe Festival

In August, Edinburgh becomes the world capital of arts — over 3,000 shows at hundreds of venues.

5

Calton Hill

Hill with the 'unfinished Parthenon' and the Nelson Monument — the best viewpoint at sunset.

Hotels in Edinburgh

Vergleiche tausende Hotels, Apartments und Resorts auf Expedia – mit Bestpreis-Garantie, kostenloser Stornierung und Bonuspunkten.

Über 700.000 Hotels
Kostenlose Stornierung
Bestpreis-Garantie
Hotels in Edinburgh vergleichen

* Weiterleitung zu Expedia.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.

Reise-SIM für Edinburgh

Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM

Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen

Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie

Best time to travel for Edinburgh

Recommended travel time

May to September — mildest weather and up to 17h of daylight. August for the Fringe Festival.

Summer

12-20°C, changeable

Winter

1-7°C, windy and damp

How much does a holiday in Edinburgh cost?

Average costs per person per day

🎒

Budget

50-80 €

Hostel, Street food, Public transport

🏨

Mid-range

Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions

🌟

Luxury

170-400 €

Boutique hotel, Fine dining

Book a package holiday to Edinburgh

Compare thousands of package holidays to Edinburgh and find the best deals with flight & hotel.

Compare package holidays now

4 travel tips for Edinburgh

Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.

Be prepared for the weather: Four seasons in one day are possible — always have layers and a rain jacket.

Fringe tickets: Many shows are free ('Free Fringe'). For top acts, book early; last-minute tickets may be available at the box office.

Underground Tour: The creepy vaults beneath the Old Town tell Edinburgh's dark history — especially atmospheric in the evening.

Whisky tasting: The Scotch Whisky Experience at the Castle offers tastings. In pubs, single malt is often cheaper than expected.

Food & drink in Edinburgh

These specialties you must try!

Haggis — Scotland's national dish — spiced sheep's stomach dish with neeps (turnips) and tatties (potatoes).
Scotch Pie — Savory meat pie in a crispy pastry shell — the classic Scottish pub snack.
Cullen Skink — Creamy smoked fish soup made with haddock, potatoes, and onions — warming and delicious.
Cranachan — Dessert made of cream, oats, honey, and fresh raspberries — with a splash of whisky.
Deep-Fried Mars Bar — Beer-battered fried chocolate bar — Scotland's most notorious street food, a must for the brave.
Suitable for:CastleWhiskyFestivalUNESCOHarry PotterHistoryHiking

Ready for Edinburgh?

Plan your Edinburgh holiday now with our free tools.

All destinations in United KingdomAll destinations in Europe