Edinburgh - must do’s for a weekend away

[PersephoneParlormaid]

As the title says, what are the things I shouldn’t miss on my first trip to Edinburgh?

Depends….what do you like? Traveling alone or with family/friends? big budget or want to keep costs down?

The castle is very hard to miss - bloody big thing on the top of a lump of rock in the city centre.

I suggest you google "things to do in Edinburgh".

Open top bus or if happy to just head off on foot. Royal Mile, castle esplanade, the cast itself, camera Obscura, real Mary kings close, Cockburn street, royal yacht Britannia, princes street gardens, the museum, St Giles cathedral, Victoria street to the grass market. Loads to do but it depends on what you like to see.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attractions-g186525-Activities-Edinburgh_Scotland.html

Look at previous threads on UK travel and Scotland forums for ideas.

I wouldn't feel obliged to do the castle if I were you. It's very expensive so you'll feel you have to spend a good while to get your money's worth, and it's not actually the most interesting castle around. I'd recommend going up the esplanade and up to the point you need to show a ticket and then turn back. Unless you're a huge fan of military history.

Definitely mooch down the Royal Mile. Also Victoria Street, Cockburn Street, the Grassmarket (has an actual market on Saturdays), up Candlemaker Row, Greyfriars Bobby and Kirk. All close together and walkable.

Real Mary King's Close is a pretty unique Edinburgh thing.

Bring comfortable walking shoes and layers, weather tends to be changeable.

It depends what type of weekend you’re looking for!
There’s the Castle (obviously), but there’s also the National Galleries, the Walter Scott Monument, Victoria Street, lots of trad music pubs and jazz bars, I like waking the Water Of Leith walkway to Stockbridge and Dean Village, Arthur’s Seat for the view. Lots of nice bars and food options.

Arthurs Seat, it’s a lovely walk and great views

Helpful responses from people saying op should just google!

What do you like doing? Museum on Chambers St is massive, free and fascinating - something for everyone. National Galleries all v interesting. For the Modern art gallery, you can walk there/back along the Water of Leith seeing Dean Village and Stockbridge - both lovely areas of Edinburgh, Stockbridge has lots of independent cafes and bakeries. Definitely a walk up Arthur's Seat if you're able.

@Toohightoofar that’s the point, if the OP expects us to make recommendations with no info then they might as well use Google! It’s as stupid as the people who ask “what can I buy my DH for Xmas?”.

So much to see OP
You can get a multi-ticket that includes hop on and off open top bus rides (with commentary), Holyrood Palace (brilliant) Royal Yacht (I think that's a must see)and the Castle. There's a lovely art gallery near the Scott monument - Monarch of the Glen is gorgeous 😍
Parliament worth a visit too.
Museum of Childhood interesting- and free
Lovely places to eat, great coffee shops
Arthur's Seat can be hard, depends on your mobility
Edinburgh's a fabulous place- love it
Enjoy!!!!

Mary kings close is really good, and theres a stranger things cocktail bar thats supposed to be good!

Who are you going with? What do you like?

With kids, camera obscura.

With an adult, botanical gardens are worth a wander.

Thanks to all those who gave suggestions. The person I’m going with isn’t fantastically mobile, so I don’t think Arthur’s seat will do this time, but it’s definitely my thing so I’ll remember it for the future. It’s just two adults going.
The hop-on-hop-off bus looks good.
My request was Greyfriars Bobby, hers was the castle, so we’ll go from there.
We’re staying near Grassmarket, so any suggestions of places for breakfast and evening meal around there would be gratefully received. On line reviews can be very deceiving.

We really enjoyed a visit to the Chocolaterium:

https://www.chocolatarium.co.uk

It’s not a great city for someone who isn’t very mobile and from where you’re staying everything will be uphill!!
howies on Victoria street, Vittorias and The Outsider in George IV bridge for eating out nearby.

That’s very true @MiddleAgedDread! There are lots of staircases up and down to the different levels.

I think the hop on hop off bus tours are a good idea in any city that you're new to and have limited time in. You get an overview of the city and it gives you ideas of places you might want to go back to.
Edinburgh is not the easiest city for someone with mobility issues as PP's have said but the bus will get you to all the key places. I think it's worth going out to Britannia as well as seeing the city centre. There is a fair bit of walking but if I recall rightly there's a lift between decks and you can go at your own pace. I share PP's enthusiasm for Mary King's Close but I think your companion might struggle as there are lots of stairs and uneven passageways so maybe something to save for another trip. We like the Zoo as one of my DC's is very keen on penguins and Edinburgh is, in our opinion anyway, the best for penguins in the country. But again, there's lots of walking and if you are only there for a short time you might not want to spend a lot of it seeing things that aren't unique to Edinburgh. It's a good way to spend a day if you want a change from history etc though.

Market Street Hotel has a lift up to their bar and fantastic views over the city - it’s right next to Waverley Station.

Bertie’s on Victoria Street can be very busy but does a good fish n chip style menu.
There’s also a branch of Howie’s on Victoria Street which does good and reasonable “modern scottish” food.

I love the Haggis box at the Scottish Story telling centre on the Royal Mile

mary milk bar on the grass market is good too.

A bus tour does sound like it would suit you too.

Also Edinburgh has a pretty decent bus network…a day ticket is a good way to make most of it. Download the lothian buses app.

Don’t buy a day ticket for the bus, it’s cheaper to use the “tap tap cap” that caps at £5 if you use 3 or more buses. A day ticket is £5.50.

Calton Hill is a much, much easier walk than Arthur's Seat and still has fantastic views. Close to city centre and a cafe at the top.

I loved the National Museum. Great views from the top too.

areas away from the centre like Newtown have a lovely vibe and loads of independent shops

National museum, Calton Hill, the new town for good independent shops, George Street for shopping, Stockbridge and a wander along beautiful Ann Street, Circus Lane is very pretty. Royal Yacht Britannia is a fascinating tour.