Please can I have recommendations for best things to do in Edinburgh

[recklessgran]

Sorry, not really AIBU but posting here for traffic.
DH and I are due to spend a long weekend in Edinburgh and are trying to work out the best itinerary to make best use of our time. We already have tickets for the tattoo which is our main reason for the trip. We have looked at Trip Advisor but it seems to focus more on trips out of the city. We will only have 2 full days so want to make the most of it. We are generally quiet and particularly interested in social history. Would like a walking/ghost tour but there seem to be so many - which would be best? Really grateful for any suggestions. Thanks.

Get the train to Glasgow!

Seconding what PP said, if you're going to do a castle definitely AVOID the main one and go to Craigmillar Castle instead it's absolutely stunning and only 10 min taxi/ 20min bus out of the city. I took DD to Edin Castle this morning and she was thoroughly disappointed in comparison to "her" castle.

The museum is fantastic, the national one and the childhood one both free and nice to walk around for an hour. I'd say Edinburgh is a city where you don't have to do a lot, just take it all in. Walk up and down the Royal Mile and see the street performers, or see a couple of shows that catch your interest.

At the risk of being repetitive, definitely Mary King's Close if you are into social history. It's fascinating.

The city is very, very busy at the moment so if you are quiet people, I would recommend the botanical gardens as a good place for a breather. Or climb Arthur's Seat and enjoy the amazing view over the city.

The national museum of Scotland is gorgeous and well worth a visit (and very nice for coffee).

HMY Britannia very very good, although a little out of the centre.

Highly recommend the Edinburgh Gin Distillery tour.

Great restaurants - Six by Nico, Dishoom, Scran and Scallie, Indigo Yard

Head to George square for last minute festival tickets and fantastic food trucks

The Botanics are lovely for a walk

Castle good but very expensive

Oh and definitely go to Mary’s Milk Bar in the grassmarket! The queues are long at this time of year but you will never have better ice cream. Also recommend baba budan in the arches on market street for gourmet doughnuts and lovely coffee. There’s a good steak restaurant down there too.

Holyrood and Arthur's Seat. Lovely!

Don't go to the castle unless you are into history and like museums. Although you can walk up to it for free and take pics but if you pay to get in its really boring...but I'm not into that sort of thing but you mite be?

The zoo is a great day out. Love it there.

If you can take a trip to South queensferry it's fantastic there. Seaside, lovely food, the bridge is beautiful and lots of boat rides etc

Edinburgh dungeons are a bit of a hoot but not an all day thing.

I can recommend lots of restaurants if you like?

Edinburgh is absolutely heaving with visitors at the moment so definitely a good idea to prebook anything you particularly want to do.

Otherwise just soak up the Festival atmosphere and see where it takes you.

Thank you everyone for all your help. We have booked a tour of Mary King's Close on the Friday morning for a start. Will enjoy the museum and will probably go for the distillery tour and try a few fringe shows. Just looking at restaurants now so happy for any recommendations, thanks again - getting excited now.

Just back yesterday from Edinburgh - we go every year with our children to see shows. But this year we did a few touristy things also - Camera Obscura and Real Mary's close were really good.

Mr Swallow and the Vanishing Elephant was my favourite show this year and thoroughly recommend it. Pleasance courtyard is a great venue for many shows all in one place - tapeface!!!! EICC is also a great venue to see shows.

Go and have a walk on portobello beach at sunset and have dinner in miros or the espy.

Go see the pianodrome in the botanics

Book a table at Gardner’s Cottage

Edinburgh is mobbed just now. Botanic Gardens is a nice place to find a bit of space. Castle is overpriced to be honest and you can't get onto the esplanade because of tattoo seats. Tattoo is brilliant but even on a pleasant evening will be cold! You are seated high up in an exposed place. Take a rug and wear warm clothes. You will thank me for this!!

@hooochycoo love the Espy!! Portobello is so beautiful. Very chilled out place with great food.

I used to visit the South Gyle on business but always loved to check out as much of Edinburgh when i can.

I went to the tattoo on Saturday and it was FANTASTIC.

Definitely City of The Dead tour. The Vaults were terrifying

food.list.co.uk/places/where:Edinburgh/ For food recommendations/reviews.

museum.rcsed.ac.uk/plan-your-visit/opening-hours-and-admission The history of surgery Museum is excellent and tells you a lot about social history, Burke and Hare etc. It's only about ten minute walk from Royal Mile and it'll take you past Old College (part of Edinburgh University) which is interesting and sometimes has exhibitions on.

If is raining the National Museum on Chambers Street is excellent.

Definitely a city to see on foot - take in the whole royal mile with little diversions off to see the museums etc. There's lots of interesting closes to explore, many with nice bars tucked away.

Enjoy!

Jekyl and Hyde bar for food and an attempt to find the toilets!