Hands-on activities, including a puppet theatre and dressing up area, together with our fantastic museum shop, help to make your visit a memorable one. Although for some, Edinburgh is a stop-off on the way to other destinations, the Scottish capital has much to offer. While many of the most popular tourist attractions are along the Royal Mile, which follows the crest of the hill between the castle and Holyrood Palace and Princes Street, be sure to explore the other side of the hill, where you'll find the picturesque Grassmarket. Since 1985, Mercat Tours have also operated historical tours of the Old Town which are designed to both entertain and educate. Guided tours are available. A great choice f …, Journey into the Scottish Highlands—famed for picturesque hills, lakes, and centuries of history—and then onwards to the Isle of Skye on this 3-day to …, Pack as much as you can into just one day on an excursion to the Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh, ideal for travelers with limited time. Ghost tours can also be booked at the Edinburgh Vaults, a series of underground storage chambers built in the 1780s. These places are best for sightseeing tours in Edinburgh: Which places provide the best sightseeing tours in Edinburgh for kids and families? These places are best for tours in Edinburgh: Which places provide the best tours in Edinburgh for kids and families? If you're planning on visiting the Royal Yacht Britannia, be sure to add the Ocean Terminal, in the old docklands area, to your list of places to shop. A great choice f … A great choice f … Read more Interior highlights include memorials to the dead of WWI; lovely stained-glass windows; and a statue of John Knox, leader of the Protestant Reformation (his former home, 45 High Street, is close by and contains a museum). Have a stroll through the charming outdoor gardens, or journey through a warmer climate and discover exotic plants in the Glasshouse. Narrow little alleys, called "winds," with their quaint hidden backyard "closes," weave in and around them. Highlights include several castles, including famous Stirling Castle, which is easy to get to by train or by road. Join your terrifying conductor aboard a vintage Routemaster double-decker bus for an Edinburg …, Beat the crowds and opt for an alternative sightseeing experience of the Scottish Highlands on a hassle-free day trip from Edinburgh. A highlight of a visit is exploring the exhibits and displays related to the Scottish Reformation, a pivotal moment in the country's history. Holyrood Road, Edinburgh EH8 8AS (website). From family days out to cultural pursuits, Edinburgh has a wealth of top attractions to satisfy all tastes, including some of Scotland's most visited free and paid-for attractions. Billed as a "home for Scotland's stories," this popular venue hosts regular performances by musicians and actors, as well as readings by leading Scottish writers. So, too, is the Surgeons' Hall Museum. Notable examples are works by Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, and David Hockney. Other highlights are the woodland garden, with its colorful azaleas, hydrangeas, camellias, and rhododendrons; an aquatic house, with tropical water plants such as the pink water lily from India; and touring displays in the Exhibition Hall. Uncover Edinburgh's grisly history at The Edinburgh Dungeon - if you dare! Edinburgh's 18th-century City Chambers were built over the sealed-off remains of Mary King's Close, and the lower levels of this medieval Old Town alley have survived … Take some time to explore the city. Buy the Royal Edinburgh Ticket and discover both Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. On this Loch Ness small-group t …, Take the stress out of planning your own way to Rosslyn Chapel and Hadrian’s Wall on a guided tour that includes round-trip transport from Edinburgh. Address: Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, 134 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh, The Museum of Childhood | Martin Moscosa / photo modified. 20a Inverleith Row, Edinburgh EH3 5LR (website). Welcome to the oldest visitor attraction in Edinburgh, delighting visitors since 1835. A combination of Edinburgh history, city views from a new perspective, and experience with optical illusions, the Camera Obscura & World of Illusions is an attraction that certainly appeals to all ages. Henry Playfair designed the memorial using the Parthenon in Athens as his inspiration. Use our Edinburgh interactive FREE printable attractions map, sightseeing bus tours maps to discover free things to do in Edinburgh. Get involved, play, touch everything! The rest of the experience will challenge your faith in your own vision, with a hall of mirrors, a vertigo-inspiring spinning vortex, 3-D holograms, and a whole range of optical experiences. The current structure was built in the 1300s and is notable for its impressive 161-foot-tall central tower with its eight arched buttresses. Just around the corner and overlooking Princes Park, the Museum on the Mound is worth checking out for its displays relating to the history of money and economics. Across the road is what's come to be known as "Modern Two," housed in an old hospital built in the 1830s.