Edinburgh is one of my favourite places in the world. Once upon a time, many moons ago, I lived in this beautiful city. I loved living in Edinburgh and truthfully, I always feel like I could see myself moving back there someday. There’s just something downright magical about the Scottish capital. The architecture of the buildings, the moody atmospheric weather… it’s simply one of the most beautiful places you could possibly visit and there is so much to do and see while you’re there.
So it’s no surprise that I could see myself moving back. The city is filled with many magical places to visit and there are so many things to do in Edinburgh. Here are my favourites to keep coming back to. Also you’ll find a map with all of these Edinburgh guide pin points at the end of this post too.
10 magical places to visit in Edinburgh
✨ 1) Go to the fairytale Dean Village
Dean Village is one of the most picturesque spots in Edinburgh. It reminds me of Beauty and the Beast, Belle’s village kind of vibes. It’s a short walk from Stockbridge and a must on your list. My favourite thing to do is to grab coffees and have a big wander through some of these wonderfully beautiful spots.
💕 2) Stroll down Circus Lane
Again, just a five minute walk away from Dean Village you’ll find Circus Lane. This is THE STREET to see! There’s nothing noteworthy that you have to do there, but it is without a doubt one of the most Instagrammable streets in the city.
💃 3) Pretend you’re at a ball at the New College
OK so you don’t have to run around in a ballgown like I seem to do… manifesting my reality over here OK, I swear next year I’ll be attending a grand ball somewhere. Anyways. New College is very dark academia and a very moody spot to visit. Well worth popping through, even if you’re just stepping into the courtyard.
🏰 4) Spot the best views of Edinburgh Castle at the Vennel Viewpoint
I’ve done the research so you don’t have to! Vennel Viewpoint has epic views of Edinburgh Castle from a totally different angle. Check out my Edinburgh pin point map at the bottom of this post to save exactly where you need to go for this.
⚡️ 5) Visit the Harry Potter shops on Victoria Street
Visiting Victoria Street in Edinburgh is kind of like stepping back in time. It’s one of the most iconic streets and is rumoured to have been inspiration behind Diagon Alley. I’m not sure that’s totally true or not, but I like the idea of pretending either way. And it appears that the shopkeepers of Victoria Street agree, you can find several Harry Potter themed shops along the street. Pop in for a wand or some Harry Potter treats!
👀 6) See the amazing views at the top of Camera Obscura
This is one of the best viewpoints in Edinburgh. Camera Obscura is like a funhouse with plenty of different displays and exhibits that you can wander through, but the holy grail is the top of the building. It is called the Camera Obscura because this is essentially the oldest CCTV in the city. It is a huge (and old, from 1835!) telescope that shows the city exactly as it is during that moment. You can see from the Camera Obscura all the way down to the waterfront. You can’t photograph this as it is only possible to view in the dark, but I’d definitely recommend doing the tour at the top to see it.
🕯 7) Book lunch (or dinner) at The Witchery
OK you absolutely need to book a visit to The Witchery. It is an iconic foodie destination in Edinburgh.
It’s located right by the castle, which in theory you’d think could be a bit of a tourist trap but it’s so phenomenal. There are actually two dining rooms, the Secret Garden which we were in and then the main one, The Witchery itself. The decor is so ridiculously me, the food was delicious and the staff were super nice. I’d totally recommend booking well in advance. Dinner reservations are really hard to come by though so we booked in for lunch and paid for their set menu which I thought was really reasonable for a date day out, two courses for £27 per person.
If you’re looking for additional foodie guides to Edinburgh, my post 36 Hours in Edinburgh shares many more spots to add to your list.
🪦 8) Visit Tom Riddle’s grave at Greyfriars Kirkyard
BIG inspiration for the Harry Potter series lies here! Every Potter fan should consider Greyfriars Kirkyard a must visit on their trip to Edinburgh. Just a short walk from the Royal Mile you can wander through the cemeteries. You can spot the famous Tom Riddle grave as well as a few others, like McGonagall.
🏴 9) Go run up the steps at the Scott Monument along Princes Street
An iconic landmark in Scotland, you’ll undoubtedly walk by the Scott Monument during your visit to the city. One of my favourite things about Edinburgh is their beautiful Princes Street Gardens as well. There’s so much to see simply by walking around the city and taking it all in.
📖 10) Browse and buy secondhand books at Armchair Books
Armchair Books is a true book lovers paradise. You can get lost amongst the book stacks, discovering old favourite reads or perhaps something new. Every single book in the store is secondhand as well, which I love as it’s like a little extra history with each purchase. They also have some pretty vintage books lurking around at the back. You feel a little like you shouldn’t be able to buy them… truly, they’re museum worthy! I picked up a book from the 1800s that is actually valued over £100 now but managed to get it for around £25! You can really discover gems within. Happy reading!
Best times to visit:
I’m currently planning another trip up to Edinburgh for the autumn and can’t wait to revisit these iconic Edinburgh spots. My favourite time of year in Edinburgh is certainly in the autumn, however Edinburgh is one of those places that is absolutely wonderful to visit year round. I did live there for over a year, so I did get to experience each and every season too!
Where to stay in Edinburgh:
🛏 Stay on the Royal Mile at the Cheval Collection
The perfect spot to stay to be in the centre of it all is the Old Cheval Chambers. We visited the newly opened hotel and it was absolutely amazing for our stay. They have a restaurant and bar downstairs and the rooms are super spacious. I couldn’t recommend it enough.
🥂 House of Gods
Oh my gosh. If you’re after an absolutely WILD stay, House of Gods is exactly where you need to go. Their entire hotel concept is more and more and truly, I love that for them. They have cocktail making, prosecco on speed dial (seriously) and it’s a hell of a place for a seriously raucous time.
Looking for more spots in Edinburgh? You really can’t go wrong…