Edinburgh: 3 day mini break in July, what to see?

[NecklessMumster]

Hi, both ds away on school trips so me and dp having 3 days away on Edinburgh. Any ideas what to do /see/ where to eat/drink? Saw the castle years ago . On limited budget (spent it on school trips), any ideas welcome, thanks

This is a great starting point. www.buzzfeed.com/hilarywardle/edinburgh-in-a-day#.ybNOeLXYav

Thank you 3 nations, I will check out those places on a map and try and get my bearings before we go

Also lots of good suggestions here www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Travel_Guide-g186525-Edinburgh_Scotland.html

Thanks, am working my way round TripAdvisor. Hopefully won't just drink in the hotel and fall asleep!

Marking place as I have to go to Edinburgh for work next week and am extending my stay to have a chance to explore!

Go to Gardeners Cottage - £35 a head for a set menu (taster so 7/8 courses) food is amazing. It's a teeny cottage set into a grass bank just outside the centre (walkable from Harvey nicks in about 10 mins I'd say) you sit on one of two long tables so feels v cosy.

Depends on what you're interested in, but the galleries are pretty good (Modern Art, Portrait Gallery and National Gallery). The last two are very central, the Modern Art gallery is a shortish and very pretty walk away. There's a great Lee Miller and Picasso exhibition on at The Portrait Gallery at the moment.

If the weather is dry and clear and you want a great view of the city, you can't beat the short stroll up Calton Hill - less strenuous than Arthur's Seat but what a view.

For good but well priced eating, I'd recommend The Dogs. There are also great seafood places down at The Shore (Leith).

You could come and see me :)

Depends what you're into, edinburghs got a little of everything.

Architecture? Real Mary kings close, grass market, royal mile

Culture? National museum of Scotland on chambers st you could spend the whole 3 days in and still be hungry for more

Sub-culture? Cowgate, city art centre, re:made

Posh food? A truely incredible patisserie on the bridges, Michelin starred restaurant

Vegan delicacies? Forrest cafe, no contest.

Harrods is opposite Louis vitton or there are two particularly good streets for charity shops

Harrods?. I think you mean Harvey Nicholls????

You could go on a tram

Thanks everyone. I like art exhibitions and love Lee Miller so will drag dp round something arty. I like museums but don't want to get too knackered. Will check out food places but we are on a budget. Tram sounds good? Need to work out transport and buses etc. Just want an interesting mooch and somewhere to go in the evenings/.music/ pubs. ..

Bus dead easy, get a £3.50 day ticket when you get on first thing and you can use it all day. Lothian buses and tram.

Royal yatch Britannia is supposed to be worth a visit

Where (roughly) is your hotel? As I imagine you want your evening drinks to be nearby.

I didn't book it but think it's near royal terrace

That's really central - Broughton St is very nearby and there are loads of reasonably priced places to eat there as well as a couple of nice pubs (The Barony, the Cask and Barrel.) also recommend The Cafe Royal Bar just a five minute walk up to near Princes St - it's a gorgeous horseshoe shaped bar with lovely tiles on the walls (the adjoining restaurant is lovely too but quite pricy.)

A pp mentioned Gardeners cottage which will be very close to your hotel by the sound of it. You will be well positioned for a stroll into town, either the new or old bit.

Brilliant, thanks

I would totally recommend camera obscura its next to the castle on the Royal Mile, loads of interesting interactive illusions and had the Ames room which was personally my highlight! We went with DC but enjoyed it just as much!! You can exchange tesco Clubcard vouchers for tix!

I would also recommend climbing the Scots Monument, cheap and cheerful and great views at the top!

Second Calton Hill, lovely up there and stunning views!

Forth road bridge is also stunning, head towards south Queensferry walk around the village, nice tea rooms, views....

hth's have fun!

I'd second a walk up Carlton Hill, the views are lovely (and it's free). And Scott Monument. Also walk the length of the Royal Mile, down to Holyrood, where you can go in to the Scottish Parliament building
(also free), which is very modern and quite a contrast to everything around it.

If you like unusual cocktails, try Panda and Sons, it's a bar disguised as a barber shop, and you have to walk through a bookcase to get into it, very quirky !

We did the zoo which was fantastic and the pandas....brilliant.

Royal yacht Britannia also excellent. Even though I've done it twice before.

Greyfriars churchyard,,,very atmospheric...check out the black mausoleum. Mr woods fossils shop in green market.

Nice for a meal or drink in the sun.

I prefer the castle side to the shops side.. I'm easily p,eased was fascinated watching planes drop down every thirty seconds right In front of me at the airport...but it won't suit everyone...lol

Day tickets are £4 now!

Thanks, came back yesterday, did: open top bus,modern art, portrait and national galleries (Lee Miller and Escher), Calton Hill, Broughton St pubs and nice Mexican bar, little bit of water of Leith walk, Real Mary Kings Close, Cafe Royal pub, Cask and Barrel, Jenners cafe, tram, grass market and had a good mooch . wanted to get to leith and Stockbridge but ran out of time, but had a brilliant time, thanks everyone