How to spend 3 Days in Edinburgh: The Best Itinerary + Where to Stay

You’re planning to spend 3 days in Edinburgh and you’re looking for the best things to do?

You’re at the right place!

In order to help you plan your stay, I have prepared for you the perfect 3-day itinerary in Edinburgh.

I will start with my best tips to save time and avoid waiting in line in front of Edinburgh’s must-see attractions. Then, I will give you the day by day program, perfectly optimized to make the most of your stay.

In addition to the best places to visit and activities for each stage of your itinerary, I will also give you all my best tips and accommodation suggestions depending on your budget.

So, what are the best places to visit in Edinburgh in 3 days? Where to stay?

Let’s find out!

How to avoid waiting in line (and save a lot of time!) at Edinburgh’s tourist attractions

Scotland‘s capital, famous for its stunning gothic architecture, attracts millions of visitors each year.

And just like you, they all want to discover its gorgeous historic buildings such as Edinburgh Castle or Holyrood Palace. The city is definitely a must-visit for anyone going on a trip to Scotland!

Maybe you have been to the Colosseum in Rome, the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Burj Khalifa in Dubai?

If yes, you already know what it means: endless waiting lines at all the must-see attractions!

But don’t worry, there are 2 very simple solutions that will allow you to save a lot of time (and money!) during your 3-day trip to Edinburgh.

Here they are:

1. The Royal Edinburgh Ticket

The first solution I recommend to save money while skipping the line is to purchase the Royal Edinburgh Ticket.

It includes access to the 3 must-see attractions you need to visit during your 3 days in Edinburgh:

• Edinburgh Castle (scheduled for day 1)
• Holyrood Palace (also for the first day) + audio guide
• The Royal Yacht Britannia + audio guide (day 2).

In addition to these 3 visits, the Royal Edinburgh Ticket allows you to use the 3 hop-on hop-off bus lines that travel throughout the city. You get unlimited bus journeys for 48 hours!

It’s really super convenient for getting from one place to another while listening to explanations about the sites you pass by.

After booking your Edinburgh Ticket (using the green button below), you’ll receive a confirmation voucher by email. You will need to redeem your Royal Edinburgh Ticket at the ticket office located on St Andrew Square (the exact address will be specified in the email).

The pass is then valid for 48 hours from first use.

As you can see, this pass is an excellent solution for visiting Edinburgh in 3 days!

You need to book your Royal Edinburgh Ticket by clicking on the button below:

2. Skip-the-Line Tickets for Tourist Attractions in Edinburgh

The second solution to save a lot of time during your trip is to purchase skip-the-line tickets for each attraction you wish to visit.

This way, you can tailor your purchases to suit your 3-day Edinburgh sightseeing itinerary.

This will also allow you to book guided tours to explore Edinburgh or themed tours such as the Harry Potter guided tour or the famous Ghosts Tours.

There are also several fun activities that you can book online for your 3-day stay in Edinburgh!

To make things easier for you, I’ve put together a list of the best priority tickets, tours, and activities.

To book them, you simply need to click on the orange links below (you’ll also find them throughout the article):

3 Days in Edinburgh: All Must-See attractions

• Edinburgh Castle
• Scottish Whisky Experience
• Real Mary King’s Close
• Holyrood Palace
• Guided tour of Edinburgh
• Harry Potter themed guided tour
• Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
• Whisky-themed evening with tastings
• Greyfriars Kirkyard guided tour
• Ghost-themed guided tour
• Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
• Royal Yacht Britannia
• Edinburgh Pub Crawl.

One Last Tip for a Perfect 3-Day Stay in Edinburgh

If you already know your travel dates (or as soon as you will have them!), you should really book your accommodation.

As Edinburgh is one the most touristic city in Scotland, the hotels offering the best value for money are often fully booked months in advance.

As a seasoned traveler, I can assure you that it’s always by planning as far in advance as possible that I’ve found the best hotels or apartments deals.

You agree that it would be a shame to somewhat ruin your stay in Edinburgh by ending up in a not-so-great hotel that costed you a fortune, right? 😅

So your best bet is to take 5 minutes now to have a look at traveler’s favorite hotels in Edinburgh.

And if you like one of the hotels you find, book it!

It’s fast, it’s easy and most accommodation offer free cancellation. That’s the best way to protect yourself from the inconvenience of finding nothing but mediocre rooms at exorbitant prices.

To check the best hotels deals in Edinburgh, simply click on the green button below:

After securing your dream stay, it’s time to continue reading this guide!

3 Days in Edinburgh: The Perfect Itinerary

It’s now time to plan your 3-day itinerary in Edinburgh!

For each day of your stay, I will give you all the details you need to organize your visits, as well as a map showing the attractions of the day.

I assume that you will be staying in Edinburgh for 3 full days and that you have purchased the Royal Edinburgh Ticket or skip-the-line tickets.

This way, you won’t waste time waiting in line to buy tickets and will be able to see as many places as possible during your 3 day stay.

If you still have any questions after reading this guide (or need help to organize your trip), you can ask me in the comments section located at the bottom of this article.

So, what are the best things to do in Edinburgh in 3 days?

Day 1 of Your Edinburgh Itinerary – The Historic Centre

Day 1 Visits:

A. Edinburgh Castle
B. The Royal Mile
C. The Palace of Holyroodhouse
D. Arthur’s Seat
E. Grassmarket and Greyfriars Kirkyard

A. Edinburgh Castle

Let’s start your 3-day itinerary in Edinburgh with Edinburgh Castle, the city’s most iconic monument.

You can get there on foot via the Royal Mile avenue or by taking the Hop-On Hop-Off bus (it’s convenient, as it’s free if you’ve bought the Royal Edinburgh Ticket!).

No matter which option you opt for, you will still need to get to the top of the hill on foot.

Once inside the castle, you can take a moment to catch your breath while admiring the stunning view of the city from the ramparts before you start exploring.

During your visit, you can see:

• The National War Museum: dedicated to the country’s military history, it showcases weapons and uniforms.
• St. Margaret’s Chapel, the oldest building in the castle
• The Mons Meg, a massive 6-ton cannon
• The National War Memorial
• The Royal Apartments: the castle, in addition to being a military fortress, served as a royal residence.
• The Scottish Crown Jewels, which include a scepter, a ceremonial sword, and a crown studded with precious stones, used during the coronation of several kings.

B. The Royal Mile

After the visit, make your way down on foot to the Royal Mile, the city’s main street that will allow you to pass through the entire Old Town of Edinburgh.

It connects the castle to the Holyrood Palace (your next stop!).

The Royal Mile is one of the most touristic areas in the city, home to traditional souvenir shops, pubs and restaurants, as well as magnificent historic buildings, including St Giles’ Cathedral.

I will tell you more about all the best activities you can do at the Royal Mile a bit later, in the section about day 3 of this itinerary. That’s when you’ll have the time to explore Edinburgh’s most famous street more in depth!

For now, head towards the end of the avenue. You’ll pass by Canongate Church and the Scottish Parliament Building before reaching your destination: Holyrood Palace.

C. Holyrood Palace

A 3-day Edinburgh itinerary wouldn’t be complete without visiting the city’s second most famous castle: Holyrood Palace.

In the 16th century, Scottish monarchs decided to leave Edinburgh Castle, which they found to be too austere for their taste, and settled in what would become Holyrood Palace, still today the official residence of the Queens and kings of England when they travel to Scotland.

Holyrood was the home of Queen Mary Stuart, the most famous Queen of Scotland, whose fate has been the subject of numerous novels, films, and TV series. Thanks to the audioguide provided, you can learn more about her life.

In Holyrood Palace, you can discover:

• The State Apartments, to walk through the reception rooms, bedrooms, and dining room
• The Great Gallery, with its collection of portraits of Scottish kings
• The Throne Room, where the current English monarchs still hold their receptions
• The tower housing Mary Stuart’s apartments, which still contains many of her personal belongings
• The palace gardens, where you’ll find the ruins of Holyrood Abbey, a great photo spot!

D. Arthur’s Seat

Next, you should explore Holyrood Park, located right next to the palace.

Start with the ruins of St. Anthony’s Chapel before ascending towards Arthur’s Seat. This ancient volcano, rising 251 meters above sea level, offers one of the most spectacular views of the city!

I am sure you will love the magnificent 360° panorama of Edinburgh.

It takes about 45 minutes to an hour to reach Arthur’s Seat on foot from Holyrood Palace.

E. Grassmarket and Greyfriars Kirkyard

To round off the first day of your 3-day trip to Edinburgh, head to Grassmarket district.

This trendy and lively area is perfect for spending the evening, with a great selection of pubs and restaurants for a drink and a meal.

Grassmarket is also known for its cemetery, Greyfriars Kirkyard, which is said to be the most haunted in the world!

To visit it, I highly recommend booking a guided tour. They take place every evening and last about 1.5 hours. Your guide, a true enthusiast, will share with you many anecdotes about the paranormal phenomena occurring there.

Plus, you’ll even get to discover Edinburgh’s haunted vaults as a bonus.

Tghe

There are two time slots available, one at 6 PM and one at 8 PM, and you need to book your tour in advance by clicking on the button below.

Day 2 in Edinburgh: What to Do and See?

Today’s visits:

A. The Royal Yacht Britannia
B. Calton Hill
C. Princes Street

A. The Royal Yacht Britannia

For the second day of your 3-day stay in Edinburgh, head over to Leith district, located by the sea.

You can take public transportation or the hop-on hop-off bus if you have the Royal Edinburgh Ticket, since the journeys are included. It will take around 30 minutes to get there.

It’s in Letih district that the Royal Yacht Britannia, the luxurious boat that belonged to the British royal family for over 40 years, is docked.

Now open for tours, this floating palace is one of the world’s most famous ships!

You’ll be able to walk through the royal apartments including the Queen’s bedroom, the official living areas where heads of state and dignitaries were received, the engine room, and the officers’ and crew’s quarters.

With the complimentary audio guide, you will get a fascinating glimpse into the life of the royal family.

Your ticket for the Royal Yacht Britannia is included in the Royal Edinburgh Ticket. Otherwise, you need to book in advance to avoid by using the button below:

B. Calton Hill

After visiting the Britannia, head back into the city center by bus.

As you’ve explored a part of the old town yesterday, today you should wander around New Town, the more modern part of Edinburgh.

Start by climbing up Calton Hill at the entrance to the new town. It boasts several photogenic monuments and the summit offers a superb panoramic view of Edinburgh, the North Sea, and Arthur’s Seat.

The climb is very easy and only takes about ten minutes.

C. Princes Street

Spending 3 days in Edinburgh also gives you time to do a bit of shopping.

At the foot of Calton Hill, take a stroll down Princes Street. It’s the second busiest avenue in Edinburgh after the Royal Mile.

Here you’ll find plenty of shops: H&M, Marks and Spencer, Primark, Zara, Urban Outfitters… You will for sure find something that suits your taste.

In between stores, you should also not miss:

• The Scott Monument, an impressive 60-meter-tall structure dedicated to the memory of the writer Sir Walter Scott, the author of “Ivanhoe”. You can climb to the very top for an incredible view.
• Princes Street Gardens, a large park located at the foot of the castle hill.
• Charlotte Square, a beautiful square lined with Georgian-style houses, including the Scottish Prime Minister’s residence (Bute House No. 6).

If you enjoy art, you should also visit the National Gallery of Scotland located at the entrance to the gardens.

There, you can admire works by Scottish and international artists from the Renaissance to the early 20th century. And the good news is, entry is free!

Day 3 in Edinburgh: Places to Visit

Day 3 Itinerary:

A. The National Museum of Scotland
B. Camera Obscura
C. The Scotch Whisky Experience
D. St Giles’ Cathedral
E. Other Activity Ideas

A. The National Museum of Scotland

For the last day of your 3-day itinerary in Edinburgh, start your morning with a visit to the National Museum of Scotland.

Located in the Old Town, near Greyfriars Kirkyard, you’ll be pleased to know that besides being one of the most interesting museums in Scotland, entry is free!

This modern and interactive museum resulted from the merger of the museum dedicated to Scottish history and culture and the Royal Museum, which covers a wide range of topics such as science, technology, geology, and natural history.

There are many themes covered, and thanks to the free audio guide, you’ll learn a lot of interesting facts!

Among the museum’s most notable exhibits is Dolly the sheep, the first cloned animal.

B. Camera Obscura

After the museum, let’s continue this guide of the best things to do in 72 hours in Edinburgh and go to Camera Obscura and World of Illusions.

This highly popular tourist attraction is located at the foot of Castle Hill, just a 7-minute walk from the National Museum.

The museum gathers hundreds of optical illusions over five floors: holograms, distorting mirrors, 3D images.

But the highlight is the Camera Obscura or Dark Room, which projects live images of the city in real-time. We’re not talking about a simple webcam, but a clever system of mirrors invented in 1835.

It’s quite hard to describe, so I really recommend you see it for yourself!

On the top floor, you’ll also have access to the rooftop terrace and will be able to enjoy panoramic views of Edinburgh.

C. The Scotch Whisky Experience

If optical illusions are not really your thing, or if you’ve already visited similar museums on your travels, you should rather visit The Scotch Whisky Experience.

It’s located right across from Camera Obscura.

As the name suggests, you’ll discover here the entire world of whisky, from production to tasting! You can even admire the world’s largest collection of whisky bottles and sample one of the 400 whiskies available at the bar.

I’m not necessarily a big whisky fan, but the guided tour is well done and interesting.

To book your visit, just click on the following button:

D. St. Giles’ Cathedral

Let’s then continue your day in Old Town and head to St. Giles’ Cathedral.

You’ve already passed in front of the cathedral on the first day of your three-day Edinburgh itinerary, but didn’t have time for a proper visit at that time. So let’s visit it today!

Dating back to the 12th century (but rebuilt in the 15th century after a fire), it is the oldest religious building in Edinburgh.

Inside, you’ll find numerous small chapels, the most famous being the Chapel of the Order of the Thistle, as well as stunning stained glass windows.

And guess what? The entrance here is also free!

E. Other Activity Ideas

Since Old Town is really the hub of most activities, if you want to substitute the Camera Obscura or the whisky-themed visit, you have plenty of choices.

There are quite a few other fantastic activities to do in the area.

Here are 2 themed guided tours that I really enjoyed. You can easily incorporate them into your itinerary for the third day:

• A Harry Potter themed guided tour of Edinburgh.

Fans of the famous wizard surely know that Edinburgh is where JK Rowling wrote her magical saga. And of course she drew inspiration from the places around her to create her universe.

For 2 hours, follow in the footsteps of Harry, Hermione, and Ron.

And guess what? These guided tours are so awesome that they come with a satisfaction guarantee or your money back!

All you have to do is click the button below to book it:

• The Real Mary King’s Close

Good news for those who couldn’t make the ghost-themed tour on the first evening (or for those who prefer to do it in daylight because they think it will be less scary 😅), you can catch up!

There is a very good 1-hour tour of the city’s underground area near the Royal Mile, which was home to Edinburgh’s very poor inhabitants in the 17th century.

The tour is guided only (you can’t go inside the underground by yourself) and skillfully blends historical facts with ghost stories.

Simply click the green button below to book it:

Where to Stay in Edinburgh

Now that you know what to do in Edinburgh in 3 days, there is one last thing to do to finish planning your trip: finding a good hotel!

After busy days exploring the capital, it’s important to have a good rest.

And as Edinburgh is very touristic, you should really book your hotel as early as possible to secure a good deal!

To make it easier for you, here is my selection of the best accommodations in Edinburgh depending on your budget:

• Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel: Youth hostel located only 800 meters from the train station and Princes Street. Bed in a dormitory from 30€ per night, breakfast at 6€. Strong points: cleanliness, great location, friendly staff.
• Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh Haymarket: Located in the city centre, 10 minutes walk from the castle. Contemporary and elegant double room from 90€, breakfast included. Strong points: the very helpful staff, the spacious rooms, the very comfortable bed. It’s my favorite for its amazing value for money!
• Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh: Located on the historic Royal Mile Street, 10 minutes from the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Chic and refined double room from 200€ per night, breakfast at 14€. Strong points: central location, spa, heated indoor swimming pool, gym, and the excellent breakfast!
• Radisson Collection Hotel, Royal Mile Edinburgh: 5 star hotel located on the Royal Mile, 600 meters away from the castle. This luxury hotel offers comfortable and elegant double rooms starting at 300€ per night, breakfast at 18€. Strong points: located in the heart of Edinburgh’s historic centre, the interior design, very helpful staff, absolute comfort. This is the best hotel for a luxury stay in Edinburgh!

3 Days in Edinburgh with Family

You’re planning to spend 3 days in Edinburgh with children?

Here’s my selection of the best family activities for 72 hours in Edinburgh:

• Visiting Edinburgh Castle: there is a special treasure hunt designed for children.
• Stopping at the Harry Potter shop on the Royal Mile, and for older kids, booking the guided tour dedicated to the young wizard!
• Taking part in a Ghost Tour / Visiting Greyfriars Cemetery (suitable for teens)
• Discovering the National Museum of Scotland and its giant animal skeletons
• Visiting Camera Obscura and World of Illusions.

More Things to Do and See in Edinburgh in 3 Days

Do you want to slightly modify this 3-day Edinburgh itinerary? Adapt it to your preferences by adding activities or guided tours?

You can easily create your personalized itinerary with my guide of the 20 best places to visit in Edinburgh.

You can read it by clicking on the following link: The 20 Best Things to Do in Edinburgh.

Map of Your 3-Day Itinerary in Edinburgh

To help you visualize your itineraries over these 3 days in Edinburgh, I’ve created a map listing the places to visit day by day. You can display the map legend by clicking on the top left button with a small arrow. This will allow you to view the itineraries for each day.

Traveling to Edinburgh for 3 Days: Flight Prices

Since the price of flights to Edinburgh can vary a lot, it’s a good idea to compare them as early as possible. For this, you can use our flight comparison tool, in partnership with Skyscanner. It’s the guarantee of getting the best fare.

Need help organizing your 3-day itinerary in Edinburgh? Feel free to ask me your questions in the comments.

Scotland travel Guides

• Buy the Lonely Planet Scotland guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk
• Buy the DK Eyewitness Scotland guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk

You’re traveling to Scotland? These articles will help you!

Discover all my articles about Scotland: All my articles to help you plan your trip to Scotland are listed there.

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