A first-timer’s guide to spending 48 unforgettable hours in Edinburgh, covering iconic castles, royal history, walkable neighborhoods, standout dining and a comfortable city-center stay.
Highlights:
- Book timed-entry tickets in advance for Edinburgh Castle and Palace of Holyroodhouse to avoid long waits and sold-out slots.
- Plan your days around walking since most major sights are close together and use rainy spells to explore the free National Museum of Scotland.
- Make restaurant reservations ahead of time because popular spots like Makars Mash Bar and Greenwoods often have long waits without them.
Last year I went to Edinburgh for the first time after having it on my bucket list for years. My time in Edinburgh was short, at a little over 48 hours; however, there was a lot I wanted to pack into my itinerary. After having been back for a few months, I can confidently say that this city is the perfect weekend getaway for families with adult children with its incredible restaurants, popular attractions and walkable streets. If you’re planning a trip for the first time, then here’s a quick breakdown on how to make the most of your two days. Don’t get to everything? Not to worry, it’s just a reason to come back.
SheBuysTravel Tip: It rains almost every day in Edinburgh so you’ll want to make sure to carry an umbrella with you as you go about your day.
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What to Do in Edinburgh
There’s no shortage of sights and attractions in Edinburgh, whether you’re keen to learn about the history or want to get lost in the many picturesque villages. Here are some top places you don’t want to miss. All of these places are located within walking distance of each other, making it ideal for a quick 48-hour trip with the Palace of Holyroodhouse being the farthest away, however, still easily accessible on foot just with a slightly bigger time commitment. Also, I’d say that walking is truly the best way to get a feel not only for Edinburgh, but any new city you’re visiting for the first time.
Go to Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is a popular tourist attraction that provides magnificent views of the city. When I went, it was packed with people everywhere and lines galore. You’ll want to give yourself at least an hour to 90 minutes to explore the castle. Here are the must-sees while you’re there:
- Check out the Crown Room (home to the oldest crown jewels in Britain)
- Visit St. Margaret’s Chapel
- Go to the Scottish National War Memorial
On busy days, you might wait upwards of 30 minutes to get into the Crown Room; however, it’s worth it. The chapel and war memorial take roughly 20 minutes to check out so keep that in mind when making your itinerary.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Tickets with designated time slots are required for entry to Edinburgh Castle so make sure to plan for that ahead of making the journey so you don’t get turned away during the busy season.
Visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse
A trip to Edinburgh is not complete without a visit to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Personally, I love to learn about royalty and see how the other half lives so this attraction was high on the top of my list. This palace is where King Charles the 3rd lives when he is in Scotland and ticketholders can go on an immersive audio tour of about a dozen rooms, including The Throne Room and the Great Gallery, to name a few.
The tour took my party approximately 30 minutes and then we spent 15 minutes wandering the gardens outside. It is a magnificent property and unlike anything else I’ve experienced during my travels thus far. There are absolutely no photos and videos allowed inside, so you’ll want to take them outside before heading inside.
Similar to the Edinburgh Castle, time tickets are required for entry that can either be purchased online or at the site itself.
Go to the National Museum of Scotland
One of the best parts of traveling, at least I think, is getting the chance to learn something new. With that said, I highly recommend visiting the National Museum of Scotland and it’s free. My first stop was the fashion and design galleries, which are filled with unique and eccentric designs from popular designers such as Vivienne Westwood and Zandra Rhodes.
The museum is seven floors and filled with galleries across five themed zones, including the natural world, world cultures, Scottish history and archaeology, science and technology and art, design and fashion so you’re bound to find something that piques your interest. There’s something for everyone in the family, whether they are a fashionista or more of an intellectual. Plan to spend 45 minutes to an hour perusing through the exhibits or possibly even more if you really want to dig deep.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Check the forecast ahead of your day and plan to visit the National Museum of Scotland during a rain spell so you’re inside and making the most of your time.
Take Pictures at Dean’s Village
A kind man on the plane told me that Dean’s Village is a must-visit location in Edinburgh so I took his advice and checked it out myself. He was indeed right — it is the perfect place to snap those photos for your Instagram feed. It feels like you just stepped into a storybook with its colorful cottages and flowing river. This area gets busy in the early evening around sunset so you’ll want to head over there in the morning for fewer crowds and better photos.
SheBuysTravel Tip: If you plan on getting an Uber from Dean’s Village, be prepared to walk a little bit to meet your driver, as the streets are typically crowded and narrow.
Have Afternoon Tea at The Balmoral
Looking for something else to do during your weekend getaway to Edinburgh? The Balmoral hosts one of the most popular afternoon teas in the city. Inside Palm Court you’ll find a robust afternoon tea menu filled with savory sandwiches, sweet pastries and loose-leaf teas to enjoy throughout the experience.
I enjoyed this tea, although it was a bit pricey at £60.00 per person at the time of my trip. A reservation is required in advance and seatings are held between 12 pm and 5 pm. If you’re looking for a way to take a break as you work through your itinerary, then this could be a nice option to splurge on.
Where to Eat in Edinburgh
As you’re running around the town, you’ll be sure to work up an appetite. Luckily, Edinburgh is home to some delicious restaurants and it is most definitely a foodie city. Whether you’re craving something sweet or savory or have adults in the party who want specific cuisine, you’ll find it in town. Plus, if you’re a fan of viral foods, then there are plenty of those to get your hands on too. I found nearly all of these places on TikTok, aside from Greenwoods, which came recommended by a friend who visited Scotland last year.
Makars Mash Bar
You’ve probably seen Makars Mash Bar on your social media feed as it’s arguably one of the most popular restaurants in Edinburgh. You’ll want to have a reservation before heading over, otherwise you’ll be waiting upwards of two hours for a table like I did. On the menu, you’ll find dishes such as slow-cooked lamb shank and beef-lamb haggis. There are also plant-based options for those with dietary restrictions and preferences that are delicious — I highly recommend the smoked lentil and herb-spiced sausage.
Greenwoods
Greenwoods is one of the best brunch spots in Edinburgh and you’ll be waiting for upwards of two hours on the weekends for a table without a reservation like I did. This cozy restaurant has a loaded menu with classics such as a full Scottish breakfast to more sweet creations like the banana bread tumble pictured above. Since it’s very popular, there’s a 60-minute table limit so you’ll want to order what you want at the beginning and proceed accordingly. I would fly back to Edinburgh to eat at Greenwoods again because I enjoyed it that much.
Where to Stay in Edinburgh: Righ Residences Edinburgh
For those adult families who aren’t afraid to splurge a bit while on vacation, then you should consider staying at Righ Residences Edinburgh. I stayed here and I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a comfortable, spacious and luxurious apartment-style hotel room in the city center. The rooms are equipped with a kitchenette, a full-length mirror, Laura Thomas Co. bathroom products and access to an in-house laundry and dryer.
Plus, guests have access to a lounge which has coffee, tea and light bites for snacking. This might not seem like a major perk; however, if you’re looking to save your food budget for meals later in the day, then grabbing a croissant in the morning can make a difference. I was able to save a bit of both time and money by grabbing a cup of coffee and a pastry here before heading out for the day.
The in-house laundry and dryer were standout amenities as I was already traveling for several weeks prior and desperately needed somewhere to do laundry. Was it quick? No, but it got the job done without having to find a laundromat.
How to Get Around Edinburgh
Edinburgh is a very walkable city so most destinations can be reached on foot, especially if you’re staying in the city center. That said, there are buses that run throughout the city and a tram that goes from the Edinburgh airport to the city center. In the event that you don’t want to walk or take public transit, Uber is readily accessible, although it can be expensive and the drop-offs can be quite far from the popular tourist destinations.
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