If you have not visited Edinburgh yet, what are you waiting for?! The city offers a fascinating history, world renowned cultural events, some of the best comedy in the country and so much more. It is not difficult to find things to do in Edinburgh, but with so much choice, deciding what to do in your short break can be a bit of a headache. We have put together our top 5 fun things to do in Edinburgh, to ensure that you can make the most of your trip.
#1 Dance Your Way Across Edinburgh on a Silent Disco Adventure Tour
Polish off those dance moves and groove on down to some classic tunes as you make your way around Edinburgh on a silent disco tour! With Silent Adventures you can enjoy an unforgettable hour of fun and silliness whilst passing some of the cities historic landmarks along the way. Stick on our hi-tech headsets and get ready dance through the streets to some of the best sing-along hits and theme songs from the past decades. Enjoy the startled reactions of passers-by as you take part in flash mobs at some of Edinburgh’s best-known sites and serenade them as you sing heart out to your favourite songs. The uber enthusiastic tour guides are what really make this tour a success. They will ensure you have a fantastic experience, teach you those all-important dance moves and ensure you forget all about your inhibitions. This is a tour you don’t want to miss!
#2 Embrace the Views from Arthur’s Seat
Make the ascent to Arthur’s Seat at 251 m above sea level and experience some breath-taking views of Edinburgh and its surroundings. Situated in Royal Holyrood Park at the end of the Royal Mile, this ancient extinct volcano is a rewarding hike! Reaching the top, you will feel surprisingly far away from it all. Arthur’s Seat is an oasis of calm right in the middle of Scotland’s capital city rich in myth and history. The summit is home to a well preserved 2000 year old hill fort and in the park you can also visit the 15thcentury St Anthony’s chapel and wildlife rich Duddingston Loch. It is a great place to escape to after some busy sightseeing in the city.
#3 Delve into the City’s Terrifying Past with a Ghost Tour
If you are looking for a fright during your trip, then you have chosen the right place! Edinburgh is renowned for being one of the country’s most haunted cities with its often bloody history leaving behind plenty of gory stories and ghost sightings. There are sites of murder, torture and even cannibalism in the cities seemingly charming medieval winding streets. There are many great ghost tours available and you will hear many a good tale. Body snatching was rife in 19thcentury Edinburgh with high demand from medical doctors at the centre of medical research. The story of this trade as you walk around some of the city’s graveyards in the dark is both hair-raising and fascinating! Do you dare take a walk in the dark with some of Edinburgh’s most chilling guides?
#4 Enjoy some Animal Love at the Chihuahua Café/Maison de Moggy
For some ‘pawsome’ fun in Edinburgh…make sure to check out the Chihuahua Café and Maison de Moggy, the first dog and cat cafes in the city! Both cafes offer an environment where their furry friends can roam free, play, investigate and snooze. Visitors to the cafes can play with the cats and dogs and if they are willing, give them a cuddle. They are friendly and welcoming spaces with a calming vibe and serve some excellent cake! You will need to book a session to visit the Chihuahua Café and will get an hour to spend with Ama and her pack. At Maison de Moggy you will find 12 cats of different breeds and to guarantee yourself a spot it is best to book in advance. Will you leave Edinburgh having made a new furry friend?
#5 Experience Top Notch Comedy at The Stand
One of Edinburgh’s best comedy clubs, The Stand, offers laugh out loud comedy from upcoming talent and even household names. It is a favourite haunt of many of the best names in comedy including local heroes, such as Franky Boyle and Kevin Bridges. The Stand has a fantastic atmosphere with its small stage bringing the audience right into the show. Who knows? You may be one of the first to see the next big name in comedy at the weekly Red Raw talent show. As well as great comedy the club serves some stand out local lager and a tasty selection of pub food classics. For local Edinburgh comedy at its best, head to the Stand for an unforgettable night of laughter!
Reaching Edinburgh…
Edinburgh has so much to offer whether you just have a weekend or an extended break and the city also acts as the perfect gateway to the beautiful sights to see further north. Getting to Edinburgh is straightforward and allows you plenty of time to explore the city, even for shorter breaks. There are excellent connections with the rest of the UK whether by road, rail or air.
An extensive road network connects Edinburgh to England and the rest of Scotland. To give you an idea of the distance, it takes roughly 2.5 hours from Newcastle, 6 hours from Birmingham and 8 hours from London. You can also catch a train to Edinburgh from most major stations. Trains from London take approximately 5 hours and you also have the option of a sleeper train for a more romantic way to travel north.
Depending on where you live, flying could be the quickest option. There are excellent links between Edinburgh Airport and the city centre. Flights to Edinburgh run from major airports, such as Manchester and Stansted, as well as smaller regional airports, such as Cardiff and Exeter. If you plan to park your car at the airport, you can easily save money by using comparison websites. Parkhero can help you find great value parking at airports across the UK, whether you are looking for Gatwick car parking or parking at a smaller airport.
