The Edinburgh Address & Adore ScotlandEdinburgh tourist attractions Edinburgh International Festival and The Fringe are back! We are so excited to see the Edinburgh International Festival and The Fringe with live performance throughout the city. EIF EIF Website FRINGE FRINGE Website 01. Unwind at the Royal Botanic Garden The second oldest in Britain with 70-acres of majestic and peaceful scenery. Home to Britain's biggest palm house and an extensive arboretum with rare giant trees, woodland garden and an aquatic house, with tropical water plants. If this wasn't enough, the gardens have lovely cafes, a restaurant, a shop and displays in the Exhibition Hall. A must visit during any season of the year! 02. Explore The Edinburgh Zoo. The wildest tourist attraction in the capital A unique visitor attraction, home to rare and endangered animals, including the UK’s only giant pandas. Watch Edinburgh's famous penguin parade and say 'hi' to Sir Nils Olav, to the world's only Knighted penguin! Don't miss the Sumatran tiger, lions, monkeys and other spectacular creatures! 03. A day of fun in Fort Douglas Adventure Park Located in Dalkeith, just outside Edinburgh, the adventure park is a hidden gem for families visiting Edinburgh. Explore the Sky Maze, the most magical turreted treehouses, zip wires, suspension bridges, slides, climbing walls and secret tunnels of this brand new playground. Fort Douglas has two amazing play zones: one that’s perfect for toddler play and another for ages five plus. What’s more, even adults can go on all the equipment so the whole family can play together. If you are looking for some good entertainment for your kids this has to be on your list of places to go! 04. Journey through the surprisingly beautiful Jupiter Artland A picturesque garden part of the estate of Bonnington House, Jupiter Artland is the home to unique contemporary art open to the public. The sculpture park is full of surprises, with art that delights and astonishes. This is a place that is ideal for all ages and will leave its visitors with a truly memorable experience. The park is only ten miles outside of Edinburgh. 05. Visit the majestic Edinburgh Castle Explore the city’s majestic fortress and enjoy stunning views of Edinburgh. Learn about the unique history that envelops the fortress, see the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny! 06. Have fun at Camera Obscura When you walk in, you don’t really know what to expect. Step in a place of wonders, illusions, and puzzles to interact with. See, play and laugh while you find your way out of the mirror maze. Become tiny like Alice in Wonderland or walk through the Vortex Tunnel. The 6 floor tower offers plenty of optical illusions, holograms and other interactive exhibits alongside with a 360-degree views from the roof terrace where you and your children can admire the city through telescopes. 07. Go back in time at The Real Mary King's Close Hear the stories of Edinburgh's incredible past and time-travel between the 16th and 19th centuries. Walk beneath the city to discover who lived, worked and died on these fascinating and spooky streets. How did people live together in these tiny spaces and narrow streets? How did they fight the plague? What myths and unexplained stories can you learn? Go to The Real Mary King's Close to find out answers and more much! 08. Be amazed by the wonders of Dynamic Earth Together with your family go through a journey of discovery and learn about the wonderful planet we live in. Have an interactive 4DVENTURE around the world or feel the heat of a bubbling volcano and the chill of the polar ice. If that’s not enough for you, visit the depths of the ocean in a yellow submarine and explore the aquatic world. 09. Take a barrel ride at The Scotch Whisky Experience At the SWE you do not just learn about the whisky making process, you become part of it! From the golden fields of barley to the bubbling Pot Still. Learn about the difference aromas that distinguish each region, from smoky whiskies to fruity and sweet ones. Then, select your favourite dram and try it. End your journey into the vault, containing the world's largest collection of Scotch Whiskies. 10. No 1. storytelling tours of Edinburgh. Mercat Tours Enjoy tours from Edinburgh's award-winning storytellers! Daily tours that uncover the Royal Mile's hidden gems above and below the ground. And if you feel brave discover true stories from Edinburgh's darkest side. This is our personal favourite and it is great for all ages! 11. Museums and Galleries in Edinburgh Edinburgh is home to the best museums and galleries, ideal for a memorable day out. Scottish National Gallery on the Mound Set in the heart of Edinburgh, you can admire masterpieces by Botticelli, Raphael, Rembrandt, Turner, Monet, Van Gogh and Gauguin, amongst many others. Scottish National Portrait Gallery There is no excuse not to pop inside this Gothic beauty. Enter the iconic red sandstone building and find yourself amidst 3,000 portraits and many other captivating pieces of art. Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. Modern Art One. Modern Art Two. Be enthused by the National Gallery of Modern Art and its imposing neoclassical buildings (Modern one & Modern Two). Enjoy the lovely grounds with amazing sculptures and a uniquely shaped lawn inspired by Charles Jencks. The gallery hosts the work of Picasso, Mondrian, Matisse and Warhol to name a few.
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Edinburgh tourist attractions

Written by Davide Tedesco

Edinburgh's attractions and Festivals are one of the best parts of our city. There will be something for everyone in our stunning city.

Rediscover Edinburgh (© @eduardovieiraphoto Pixabay)
© @eduardovieiraphoto Pixabay

Below we have made a list of our favourite attractions in Edinburgh including information about the International Festival and The Fringe!

Find your place to stay.

The Royal Botanic Gardens (© @bluebudgie Pixabay)
© @bluebudgie Pixabay

Edinburgh tourist attractions

Edinburgh International Festival and The Fringe are back!

We are so excited to see the Edinburgh International Festival and The Fringe  with live performance throughout the city.

EIF

EIF Website

FRINGE

FRINGE Website

01. Unwind at the Royal Botanic Garden

The second oldest in Britain with 70-acres of majestic and peaceful scenery.

Home to Britain's biggest palm house and an extensive arboretum with rare giant trees, woodland garden and an aquatic house, with tropical water plants.

If this wasn't enough, the gardens have lovely cafes, a restaurant, a shop and displays in the Exhibition Hall.

A must visit during any season of the year!

02. Explore The Edinburgh Zoo. The wildest tourist attraction in the capital

A unique visitor attraction, home to rare and endangered animals, including the UK’s only giant pandas.

Watch Edinburgh's famous penguin parade and say 'hi' to Sir Nils Olav, to the world's only Knighted penguin!

Don't miss the Sumatran tiger, lions, monkeys and other spectacular creatures!

03. A day of fun in Fort Douglas Adventure Park

Located in Dalkeith, just outside Edinburgh, the adventure park is a hidden gem for families visiting Edinburgh.

Explore the Sky Maze, the most magical turreted treehouses, zip wires, suspension bridges, slides, climbing walls and secret tunnels of this brand new playground.

Fort Douglas has two amazing play zones: one that’s perfect for toddler play and another for ages five plus. What’s more, even adults can go on all the equipment so the whole family can play together.

If you are looking for some good entertainment for your kids this has to be on your list of places to go!

04. Journey through the surprisingly beautiful Jupiter Artland

A picturesque garden part of the estate of Bonnington House, Jupiter Artland is the home to unique contemporary art open to the public.

The sculpture park is full of surprises, with art that delights and astonishes. This is a place that is ideal for all ages and will leave its visitors with a truly memorable experience.

The park is only ten miles outside of Edinburgh.

05. Visit the majestic Edinburgh Castle

Explore the city’s majestic fortress and enjoy stunning views of Edinburgh.

Learn about the unique history that envelops the fortress, see the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny!

06. Have fun at Camera Obscura

When you walk in, you don’t really know what to expect. Step in a place of wonders, illusions, and puzzles to interact with. See, play and laugh while you find your way out of the mirror maze.

Become tiny like Alice in Wonderland or walk through the Vortex Tunnel. 

The 6 floor tower offers plenty of optical illusions, holograms and other interactive exhibits alongside with a 360-degree views from the roof terrace where you and your children can admire the city through telescopes.

07. Go back in time at The Real Mary King's Close

Hear the stories of Edinburgh's incredible past and time-travel between the 16th and 19th centuries.

Walk beneath the city to discover who lived, worked and died on these fascinating and spooky streets.

How did people live together in these tiny spaces and narrow streets? How did they fight the plague? What myths and unexplained stories can you learn?

Go to The Real Mary King's Close to find out answers and more much!

08. Be amazed by the wonders of Dynamic Earth

Together with your family go through a journey of discovery and learn about the wonderful planet we live in.

Have an interactive 4DVENTURE around the world or feel the heat of a bubbling volcano and the chill of the polar ice.

If that’s not enough for you, visit the depths of the ocean in a yellow submarine and explore the aquatic world.

09. Take a barrel ride at The Scotch Whisky Experience

At the SWE you do not just learn about the whisky making process, you become part of it! From the golden fields of barley to the bubbling Pot Still.

Learn about the difference aromas that distinguish each region, from smoky whiskies to fruity and sweet ones. Then, select your favourite dram and try it.

End your journey into the vault, containing the world's largest collection of Scotch Whiskies.

10. No 1. storytelling tours of Edinburgh. Mercat Tours

Enjoy tours from Edinburgh's award-winning storytellers!

Daily tours that uncover the Royal Mile's hidden gems above and below the ground. And if you feel brave discover true stories from Edinburgh's darkest side.

This is our personal favourite and it is great for all ages!

11. Museums and Galleries in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is home to the best museums and galleries, ideal for a memorable day out.

Scottish National Gallery on the Mound
Set in the heart of Edinburgh, you can admire masterpieces by Botticelli, Raphael, Rembrandt, Turner, Monet, Van Gogh and Gauguin, amongst many others.

Scottish National Portrait Gallery
There is no excuse not to pop inside this Gothic beauty.

Enter the iconic red sandstone building and find yourself amidst 3,000 portraits and many other captivating pieces of art.

Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. Modern Art One. Modern Art Two.
Be enthused by the National Gallery of Modern Art and its imposing neoclassical buildings (Modern one & Modern Two).

Enjoy the lovely grounds with amazing sculptures and a uniquely shaped lawn inspired by Charles Jencks.

The gallery hosts the work of Picasso, Mondrian, Matisse and Warhol to name a few.

Edinburgh Zoo (© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam)
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

We know just how much you've been dreaming of your next getaway and want you to leave any worries behind. So prepare your things and get ready to discover Edinburgh!

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Modern Art Gallery Edinburgh (© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam)
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam