UK weekend breaks

Things to do in Edinburgh: a UK weekend break

Scotland's capital packs a lot into a small centre. Walk the Royal Mile between Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, climb Arthur's Seat for views across the city, or visit the National Museum of Scotland, which is free. Winter brings Christmas markets and Hogmanay, the city's New Year celebrations.

Things to do in Edinburgh

Plan this as a weekend

Tours and activities

Bookable tours with prices per person, from Civitatis.

Day trip Free cancellation

Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Highlands & Glencoe Day Trip

From £58 pp · 12h 30min · ★ 9.2 (191)

Guided tours and free tours Free cancellation

Edinburgh Castle Guided Tour

From £20 pp · 1h 30min · ★ 9.3 (7099)

Guided tours and free tours Free cancellation

Edinburgh Free Tour

See prices on the link · 2h · ★ 9.5 (3058)

Guided tours and free tours Free cancellation

Edinburgh Free Ghost Tour

See prices on the link · 2h · ★ 9.1 (8428)

Day trip Free cancellation

Stirling, The Kelpies, Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park Day Trip

From £66 pp · 10h · ★ 8.6 (33)

Day trip Free cancellation

Scotland Outlander Tour

From £67 pp · 9h · ★ 8.4 (92)

Places to see

Landmarks, museums, beaches and more within about 10 km.

Monument and landmark

Scott Monument

Free to see, or check entry prices

Cathedral

St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh (Catholic)

Free to see, or check entry prices

Arch bridge

Regent Bridge

Free to see, or check entry prices

Art gallery

Fruitmarket Gallery

Free to see, or check entry prices

Church

Carrubbers City Church

Free to see, or check entry prices

Church

Old St Paul's, Edinburgh

Free to see, or check entry prices

Where to stay in Edinburgh

Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Always check the final price on the booking site.

Questions about UK weekend breaks

Is it free to use?

Yes. Searching for things to do and places to stay is free, with no sign-up. Planning it in the planner is free too, as many single trips as you like. The Deal Club adds multi-centre tours and deals from your own airport.

Where do the ideas come from?

Tickets for days out and shows come from Lovetovisit, tours from Civitatis, places to see from Wikipedia, and restaurants and theatres from OpenStreetMap listings. Hotel prices come from a live search on trivago. They are ideas to look at, not recommendations, so check opening times, reviews and prices before you go.

Do you book the hotel or the tickets?

No. You book directly with the hotel, booking site or ticket seller. Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.

Does it work outside the UK?

Mostly. Tours, places to see, restaurants and hotel prices work almost anywhere. Lovetovisit and LateRooms only cover the UK, so those links show for UK places only.