GB · Scotland · 55.95°N 3.19°W

edinburgh

A hilltop castle, stone lanes and an extinct volcano above the city.

Best time
May–September has the longest days, with daylight past 10pm in June. August is festival month and very crowded. November–February is cold, windy and dark early, though Hogmanay at New Year draws big crowds.
How long
3–4 days
Getting there
Fly with one stop, usually via London, Dubai or Doha, about 17–19 hours all in; from London it's also about 4.5 hours by train. The airport tram reaches Princes Street in about 35 minutes. The UK is 7 hours behind KL in summer and 8 in winter.
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GB · Scotlandedinburgh55.95°N 3.19°Wgowherelah.com
Dear group chat,A hilltop castle, stone lanes and an extinct volcano above the city.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingEdinburghGB, Scotland
KLedinburgh
≈ 10,634 km from KL, as the crow flies
Skyline of the city of Edinburgh in Scotland

Photo: Andrew Colin · CC BY 2.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Edinburgh is a city of stone, steps and hills, with a castle on an old volcanic rock and an extinct volcano in the park next door. The medieval Old Town and the Georgian New Town face each other across a valley.

Makan

  1. Cullen skinkA thick soup of smoked haddock, potato and onion, made for a cold day.Map ↗
  2. Vegetarian haggisOats, lentils and spices, served with neeps and tatties (turnip and potato).Map ↗
  3. ShortbreadButtery Scottish biscuits, sold everywhere in tartan tins.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Royal MileThe Old Town's spine, from the castle down to Holyrood Palace, with narrow closes leading off it.Map ↗
  2. Edinburgh CastleUp on its volcanic rock above the city, and home to the Scottish crown jewels.Map ↗
  3. Arthur's SeatAn extinct volcano in Holyrood Park, about an hour's climb for a view over the city and the sea.Map ↗
  4. Dean VillageA former mill village on the Water of Leith, ten minutes' walk and a world away from Princes Street.Map ↗
  5. Calton HillMonuments and the best sunset view of the city, a short walk from the east end of Princes Street.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Halal restaurants cluster in the Southside, around Nicolson Street and the university.
  • Book well ahead for August, and wear shoes with grip for the wet cobbles.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.