What would you say is the number 1 thing to do in Edinburgh?

[Ineedcoffeenow]

Myself, DH and DDs (19 and 16) have 5 hours free in Edinburgh soon. We’ve been before, but
always for shopping. We’ve never done any tourism stuff. So what’s the number 1 thing to do? Open to all kinds of experiences.

Camera obscura!

Oh I forgot the ghost tour. Mercat Tours - fabulous.

National museum camera obscura since you've only five hours
On reflection National museum because of the time constraints ..Great view of the city from the top.

Do a guided walk. History walk or a ghost walk if that’s your kind of thing.

Walk down the Royal Mile

What are you all into?

With that time I'd probably spend some time in the museum, walk the Royal Mile, into Princes St Gardens and then the galleries.

An afternoon in Stockbridge, or the walk of Leith down near the shore end would also be time well-spent.

Camera Obscura is such a weird 'must do'. Hard miss. Feel the same about the castle really.

If that's meant to be funny it failed miserably.

Castle, camera obscura, the vaults

That is nice. I loved walking around and the hill from the station upwards (a hill).

Stealth boast, family friend’s son Aidan works as a conservator or something at National Gallery.

Quite spooky but apparently kids being burned to death and trapped there is an urban myth.

Oooo conservator..said in chewing the fat style
Flapping hands on each cheek of face.😁

Mary’s kings close, we still talk about how good it was two years later! We loved the chocolate experience too, very small group and so informative well worth a visit!

You are so right about Stirling Castle. That’s a day out. Edinburgh Castle has that feel that you are going on a day out and then it just really fizzles out and doesn’t amount to anything.

I would say:
Climb Arthur’s Seat and tour either Parliament or Holyrood
Climb Carlton Hill and have a nice lunch on George Street

Look up what’s on at National Museum, Portrait Gallery and National Gallery. The permanent collections are good but especially over summer there are good exhibitions.

If you feel confident with timing Modern One and Two are in a nice setting and you can walk along the Water of Leith from Dean Village to get to them.

Botanic gardens are in their summer finery at the moment
Coro Chocolate cafe
Armchair Books

Thanks so much for the suggestions

Camera obscura and st Mary’s close look great.

A few questions—

• I went to something vaguely similar to camera obscura in NYC and it had some sections with glass floors. Is there any in camera obscura ? I’m terrified of heights!
• are there any/many stairs in st Mary’s close?

Prob keeping out the rain! Day 3 of sunshine and its to rain tomorrow!

The castle is number 1, but alternatively I would wander down the royal mile and then a climb up Arthur’s seat or a walk up Calton Hill for some gorgeous views. If I chose a walk up Calton Hill, I would also book the Calton Cafe for some food (I’m a local)

I like a wander up the Royal.mile and the museum of Scotland.

National Museum of Scotland
Camera Obscura
Royal Yacht Britannica
Scottish Parliament (they do photography tours), often have exhibitions
Dynamic Earth
Edinburgh Zoo
walk to top of Arthur’s Seat
Jupiter Artland (a wee bit outside Edinburgh)
open top bus tour

These would all be my suggestions too

Agree. Not sure why anyone would consider Camera Obscura or the Castle must dos. Very meh.

National Museum and the Museum of Scotland are worth it and the restaurant at the bottom is nice, then a walk around the Royal Mile. Maybe if weather good and feel up to it, walk up Arthur‘s Seat.

No glass floors. Its over about 5 floors itself and you can go out onto the roof, but you're well contained!

Museum of Scotland
camera Obscura
walk the royal mile
walk from Calton Hill to the botanic gardens then through Stockbridge

I'm actually wondering if I did Camera Obscura wrong!! I remember it just being various mirror tricks, lights, optical illusions etc. Nothing to do with Edinburgh or anything you couldn't do in basically every other major city. Did I miss something?!