1 day and night in Edinburgh-what are the must sees

[QuebecBagnet]

I’ve never been and am driving past so have decided to book a night. In the middle of the festival! I’m not that fussed (I don’t think) about the festival.

its just me, no kids. Will get there early one morning, stay centrally and leave lunchtime the following day.

i’m more interested in nice buildings/architecture/maybe a bit of shopping if there’s a nice area of independent shops, pretty streets to wander about in and soak up the atmosphere. Is the castle worth a visit or will it take too much time for such a short visit? I’m in Stirling the week before and was planning on probably going to Stirling castle.

I would get a daysaver ticket for the bus when you drop off your car and you can hop and hop off the lothian buses all you like then, 35 and 11 I think that go to ocean terminal.

you don't even need a day saver ticket for the bus. just tap your contactless card and if you travel on 3 or more buses it caps the charge at £4.40 which is 10p cheaper than a day ticket bought upfront. www.lothianbuses.com/tickets/

Open top bus
Ghost tour in the Royal Mile
Lots of indie shops in the Old Town - Victoria Street etc

Museum if Childhood, Peoples Story in Royal Mile are free

Climb the Scott Monument

The Castle is amazing but you need at least 3 hours. You can enjoy views from the Castle Esplanade for free

Walk down the Royal Mile from the Xastle and take in the sights

Stirling Castle is lovely, walk up to Edinburgh Castle but don't bother paying to go in if you've just been to Stirling Castle

Not a local so didn't know this

I agree but visitors seem obsessed. I used to live on the Royal Mile as a student and regularly saw groups of weeping women gathered round the statue. There were often flowers left on it and once, memorably, a tin of dog food. The “tradition” of rubbing the statue’s nose is quite new, nobody did it back in the ‘80s. It’s now having to be mended regularly because of this silly practice.

Mary Kings Close. It's amazing

Yes, that’s the one

I go past that hostel every day, it looks nice. Loads of restaurants, cafes and some interesting little shops on Leith walk. Should be nice round there next August, at the moment it is a total mess of roadworks for the new tram line.