Most-visited attractions
St Giles' Cathedral
pond inside a glasshouse at Edinburgh Botanic Garden
Edinburgh Castle © Kenny Lam
National Galleries of Scotland © Kenny Lam
If you’re looking for ideas and inspiration about where to visit next in Edinburgh and the Lothians, have a browse through some of the most visited attractions and see why they attract such big crowds.
National Galleries of Scotland
The National Galleries of Scotland boasts four excellent galleries that contain some of the best Scottish and international art in the world. With a collection of more than 65,000 objects from Rembrandt to Picasso, children and adults will find something to interest them.
Edinburgh Castle
Scotland’s number one paid admission attraction, Edinburgh Castle sits proudly on its own volcanic rock overlooking the rest of Edinburgh.
St Giles’ Cathedral
The framed crown spire of St Giles’ Cathedral is one of the most recognizable features of the Edinburgh skyline and stands halfway down the Royal Mile.
Royal Botanic Gardens
Founded in 1670 and considered one of the finest gardens in the world, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh offers 72 acres of peace and tranquility.
National Museum of Scotland
Following a £46.4 million redevelopment, the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh’s historic Old Town reopened in the summer of 2011 and has 20,000 objects across 36 galleries.
Edinburgh Zoo
With over 1,000 animals from every corner of the globe, including giant pandas, Edinburgh Zoo is a fantastic family day out. Meet the penguins at the famous Penguin Parade and get closer than ever before to the chimpanzees at the new state-of-the-art Budongo Trail.
National War Museum
Set within the magnificent setting of Edinburgh Castle, the National War Museum lets you relive the dark days of the World Wars and uncover the impact on Scottish history, identity and worldwide reputation.
Edinburgh Bus Tours
The third most popular paid visitor attraction in Scotland, Edinburgh Bus Tours provide a selection of open top tours that offer great value for money and ensure you make the most of your stay in Edinburgh.
Our Dynamic Earth
Take a fascinating journey back through space and time at Our Dynamic Earth. Located at the bottom of Arthur’s Seat, near the Scottish Parliament, embark on a journey through the history of our planet and catch a glimpse into the future - great family fun.
Scottish Seabird Centre
The award-winning Scottish Seabird Centre has a range of state-of-the-art cameras that offer a fascinating insight into the lives of thousands of seabirds that nest in the area.
Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre
Improve your Scotch Whisky knowledge at the Scotch Whisky Experience, Scotland’s 5-star premier whisky visitor attraction. Take a ride through a replica distillery and find out how the ‘water of life’ is produced.
Royal Yacht Britannia
Step onboard the Royal Yacht Britannia, the Queen’s retired floating palace which is now moored in Leith. Now a museum, this popular attraction gives a unique insight into the Royal Family and has played host to an array of historic figures such as Sir Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi.
Museum of Childhood
Discover the Museum of Childhood, a treasure house packed full of childhood objects, both past and present. Often described as the ‘noisiest museum in the world’, the museum is very popular with adults and children alike.
The Real Mary King’s Close
Take a walk through Edinburgh’s deepest secret, the Real Mary King’s Close; a warren of hidden underground streets where people worked, lived and died between the 17th and 19th centuries. This world class attraction provides tours around a number of underground closes - well worth a visit.
Fruitmarket Gallery
Check out the Fruitmarket Gallery at the back of Waverley Station. This former Victorian fruit and vegetable market is today one of the finest exhibition spaces for contemporary art in Edinburgh.
Rosslyn Chapel
Explore the mysterious and beautifully decorated late-Gothic Rosslyn Chapel. This highly popular attraction was founded in 1446 and featured predominately in Dan Brown’s novel The Da Vinci Code.
Almond Valley Heritage Centre
For a great family day out, you may wish to visit the Almond Valley Heritage Centre. Search for fossils, explore secret works, visit the farm animals or enjoy the seasonal tractor rides.
National Museum of Flight
Witness the story of aviation, from the first military aircraft to supersonic flight across four hangars at the National Museum of Flight in East Lothian.
Edinburgh Butterfly and Insect World
Meet a colourful array of tropical butterflies and creepy crawlies at Edinburgh Butterfly and Insect World. Explore this rainforest paradise which gives you the chance to cure your phobias at the daily ‘meet the beasties’ handling sessions.
Scott Monument
This Victorian gothic monument was built to commemorate Scottish novelist Sir Walter Scott, and stands at 200 ft high. Located in Princes Street Gardens, take the 287 steps to the top of the Scott Monument for fantastic panoramic views across the city.
Search
Skip search formsSearch for accommodation
Search for attractions
Search for events
Search for activities
Information Line
Book online or call us:
0845 859 1006
Monday to Friday: 0900 - 1700
Closed Saturday and Sunday
* Calls may be recorded.
Advertisement
Newsletter sign up »
Sign up now to receive regular e-newsletters and be the first to hear about the latest news, exciting events and festivals.
Order a free brochure »
Edinburgh and the Lothians sits on the eastern side of Scotland's central belt, in the heart of the country.
