First timers in Edinburgh: things to do

Capital of Scotland, Edinburgh is a relatively small city, compared to its British counterparts. Its limited size makes it easy for you to unveil the city landmarks in just 3 days ... as long as you are ready to be mobile and willing to use public transports. You will not miss Edinburgh Castle, home to the Crown jewels, and the Holyrood Palace, official residence of the Monarch in Scotland. If you like to enjoy panoramic views, you should head towards Arthur's Seat, main peak on the hills around Edinburgh. HMS Britannia is also one of the major attractions of the city: the former yacht of the British monarch attracts every year hundreds of thousands of tourists. Note that traditional hotels are not that cheap in the city, so, if your budget is tight, use preferably AirBnb. If you look after whisky experiences, you will need to leave the city to find local distilleries.

HMY Britannia; former royal yacht

Ocean Terminal, Ocean Dr, Edinburgh EH6 6JJ, UK

Edinburgh Castle, one of most visited attractions in Scotland

Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2YT, UK

The Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Arboretum Pl, Edinburgh EH3 5NZ, UK

Visit Holyrood Park

Holyrood Park, Queen's Dr, Edinburgh EH8 8HG, UK

St Giles' Cathedral, High Kirk of Edinburgh

High St, Edinburgh EH1 1RE, UK

Arthur's Seat Hill

Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh EH8, UK

The Scottish National Gallery

The Mound, Edinburgh EH2 2EL, UK

Inchcolm Abbey

Hawes Pier,South Queensferry,Edinburgh,KY3 0UA EH30 9TB, UK

Dugald Stewart monument on Calton Hill

24 Calton Hill, Edinburgh EH7, UK

Craigmillar, one of best-preserved medieval castles in Scotland

Craigmillar Castle Rd, Edinburgh EH16 4SY, UK

Mary King's close

2 Warriston's Cl, High St, Edinburgh EH1 1PG, UK

Attraction "Our Dynamic Earth"

112-116 Holyrood Rd, Edinburgh EH8 8AS, UK

Holyrood Palace, residence of monarch in Scotland

Edinburgh EH8 8DX, UK

Greyfriars Kirkyard

Candlemaker Row, Edinburgh EH1 2QQ, UK

Edinbugh's Camera Obscura & World of Illusions

549 Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2ND, UK

Rosslyn Chapel

Chapel Loan, Roslin EH25 9PU, UK

Dalkeith Palace

Dalkeith House, Dalkeith EH22 2NA, UK