Short Edinburgh Itinerary To Mix and Match

Hello my adventurous friend!

Snapping a quick selfie at Circus Lane

If you're heading to Edinburgh, Scotland, and looking for a flexible and short itinerary, here’s one you can mix and match however you like. This short Edinburgh itinerary hits some of the main sights (read - touristy), while adding some of the hidden gems. Plus, at the end, you’ll find my personal restaurant and café recommendations -- because good food is a must. While every place mentioned in the itinerary has a link embedded, for easy access to the websites for any extra information you might need.

Add your favorite spot or part of Edinburgh in the comments. I'd love to know and share ideas! 🧡

Let's dive in! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🗺

DAY 1: Old Town & History

Overview:

• Palace of Holyroodhouse

• The Royal Mile

• The Real Mary King’s Close

• Victoria St.

• Grassmarket

• St. Giles’ Cathedral

• Greyfriars Kirkyard/Harry Potter

Start your day at the Palace of Holyroodhouse and dive into royal history. If you are up for it, you can also explore Holyrood Park right “next door” or even hike up to Arthur’s Seat - but fair warning, it’s quite a climb, and might be a tad too much with all the walking planned ahead.

From the palace, head to Canongate Street on roundabout, the beginning (or end) of The Royal Mile. Fun fact: the Royal Mile is actually made up of five different streets, though it feels like one long stretch. As you make your way up, head to The Real Mary King’s Close for a historic and slightly spooky adventure - definitely worth booking in advance on their website. 

At this point, you are probably getting hungry. If you are looking for a coffee or tea with a pastry, La Barantine Victoria on Victoria Street is your spot. If you are hungrier, head to Hula Grassmarket [highly recommend — lovely place & yummy, fresh food. But they do close at 3PM] or Howies [great for lunch and dinner—just check their hours!], located on the upper level of Victoria St. Another fantastic option nearby is The Outsider located on George IV Bridge, with a lovely view of Old Town.

Greyfriars' Bobby

After lunch, wander through the Grassmarket area, which — fun fact —  used to be a hanging site and cattle markets. But is now known for lively pubs and shops. Then, make your way back to the Royal Mile and over to St Giles Cathedral, one of the oldest churches in Edinburgh, since 12th century [& free to visit!].

Now, it’s time to explore. If you're a Harry Potter fan like me, head to Greyfriars Kirkyard to spot gravestones with familiar names or even book a Harry Potter tour. One last thing: DO NOT RUB GREYFRIARS BOBBY’S NOSE! The poor statue already had its nose replaced because people couldn't resist.

For dinner, check my recommendations below—reservations are highly recommended, especially on Fridays and Saturdays!

Circus Lane in January

DAY 2: Castles, Villages & Nature

Overview:

• Edinburgh Castle

• Stockbridge

• Circus Ln

• Water of Leith

• Dean Village

• Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

• Edinburgh Castle Tour Options:

  • Little Fish Tours

  • Get Your Guide

  • Scotland City Tours

Start your morning at Edinburgh Castle and catch an early tour [which I’d recommend booking in advance online - and there are more ways to book than on their official website. Options under Overview of Day 2] to avoid the crowds, or explore on your own. Exploring the castle can take anywhere from 40 minutes to over an hour, depending on how much you love history [and gift shops]. 

Now, let’s head to Stockbridge. At this point I’d recommend getting an Uber or any other taxi to St. Vincent Bar -  right next to it, you’ll find one the most picturesque street in town! Welcome to the Circus Ln. Please be mindful - it is a residential street - be considerate of people's privacy and keep the noise level down.

Coming out from the other end of Circus Lane, you’ll find yourself on Stockbridge’s main street, Raeburn Place. If you walk up towards the bridge, from there you can follow the Water of Leith - a beautiful riverside walkway that leads to a picturesque village - Dean Village. Just turn left at the bridge, & in less than a mile you’ll be there. Can’t miss it. 

If you stay in Stockbridge or return to it afterwards, take some time to explore the shops and cafés—some of my favorite pastry shops are here [recommendations below]. Then, head to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh—entry is free, though tickets are needed for the glasshouses.

I’d highly recommend staying in Stockbridge for dinner, one of my absolute favorite restaurants is here - The Scran & Scallie. They also do lunch. As usual, more recommendations down below.

Depending on how you are feeling & where you are staying, take a walk back to the New Town from Stockbridge, to see more of residential Edinburgh. 

Calton Hill and Dugald Stewart Monument

DAY 3: Museums, View & Hidden Gems

• New Town

• Princes Street Gardens - Ross Fountain - Scott Monument

• Scottish National Portrait Gallery

• Calton Hill

Start at a bookstore…not a book fan you say? Waterstones is not just known for its books. Located at 128 Princes St, their Café on the second floor offers a fantastic view onto Edinburgh Castle, plus delicious treats.

After breakfast, enjoy some shopping on Princes Street or head straight across the road to Princes Street Gardens. Here, you can admire the Scott Monument, the world’s largest monument dedicated to an author (Sir Walter Scott), with its striking Gothic spire that you can actually climb for panoramic city views. Nearby, the Ross Fountain adds a touch of elegance, contrasting beautifully against the castle backdrop.

Feeling hungry? Urban Angel is my top lunch [and breakfast] pick—fresh, local, and delicious. They take reservations, which I highly recommend, especially on weekends as it’s a small place.

Next, visit the Scottish National Portrait Gallery on Queen Street. Even if you're not into portraits, the architecture alone is worth the visit. The Great Hall’s painted ceiling and grand design make it one of the most breathtaking interiors in Edinburgh. Plus, the collection features fascinating figures from Scotland’s history, including Mary, Queen of Scots, and Robert Burns.

View onto Arthur's Seat and Salisbury Crags from Calton Hill

For a spectacular sunset and panoramic city views, end your day at Calton Hill. The walk up is steep but so worth it, offering stunning vistas of the city, Arthur’s Seat, and the Firth of Forth. This spot is home to several historic monuments, including the National Monument, inspired by the Parthenon, and the Dugald Stewart Monument, a favorite for photographers.

And for dinner? Howies (Waterloo Place) is right next to Calton Hill, making it a convenient and excellent choice.

Add your favorite spot or part of Edinburgh in the comments. I'd love to know and share ideas! 🧡

Restaurant & Cafe Recommendations for a Short Edinburgh Itinerary:

Dinner at the Scran & Scallie

Restaurants:

Old Town (Royal Mile & Nearby):

A mix of cozy pubs, hidden gems, and solid mid-range spots.

• Monteiths – Hidden in plain sight, but worth finding! Scottish with a modern twist. ($$)

• Makar’s Mash Bar – Comfort food heaven with all the mashed potatoes. ($$)

• Howies Restaurant – A reliable choice for Scottish fare, fresh & affordable. ($$)

• Devil’s Advocate – Atmospheric whisky bar with great food. ($$)

• The Outsider – Solid modern menu with a great view. ($$)

• Tolbooth Tavern – Historic pub with hearty meals and local ales. ($$)

• Whiski Rooms – Whisky flights + haggis? Yes, please. ($$)

• Solti – A hidden gem for Nepalese & Indian food, perfect for a cozy dinner. ($)

• Le Bistrot – Casual French bistro, good for a laid-back meal. ($$-$$$)

• Wedgwood The Restaurant – Intimate dining with creative Scottish dishes. ($$$)

New Town:

Trendy eateries, classic bistros, and welcoming pubs.

• The Bon Vivant – Stylish but relaxed, great food & cocktails. ($$)

• Forage & Chatter – Hyper-local ingredients, hidden-gem feel. ($$)

• Café St Honoré – French bistro vibes, consistently good. ($$)

• The Queens Arms – A proper pub with solid comfort food. ($$)

• The Auld Hundred – Classic Edinburgh pub, no fuss, just good food. ($$)

• The Magnum – Cozy gastropub, great for casual dining. ($$)

• Noto – Scottish-Asian fusion, laid-back but creative. ($$$)

• The Printing Press – Classic brasserie in a historic setting. ($$$)

Stockbridge:

A neighborhood feel, fantastic pubs, and great casual dining.

• The Scran & Scallie – The ultimate gastropub experience (without the pretension). ($$)

• Hector’s – A warm and welcoming local pub, perfect for a pint & meal. ($$)

• The Bailie Bar – Proper neighborhood pub, tucked away in a basement. ($$)

• The Raeburn – A stylish but unpretentious spot for dinner or drinks. ($$)

• RadiCibus – Stockbridge’s best Italian, fresh and seasonal. ($$$)

• Good Brothers Wine Bar – Natural wines, great small plates. ($$)

• New Chapter – Just outside Stockbridge, but fantastic modern Scottish. ($$$)

Cafes:

Old Town:

• Clarinda’s Tea Room – Vintage, charming, and great for scones.

• Deacon’s House Café – Small, historic, and tucked away just off Royal Mile.

• Lovecrumbs – Cozy & quirky with amazing cakes.

• The Milkman – Aesthetic, tiny but great coffee spot.

• Southern Cross Café – Lovely breakfast, local feel.

• Braw Brunch – Casual, cozy spot for a hearty brunch and great coffee.

New Town:

• Fortuna Coffee Bar – Cute and laid-back brunch spot.

• Lowdown Coffee – Minimalist, serious about coffee.

• The Café Royal – Historic setting with a Parisian café feel.

• Cairngorm Coffee – Modern, great for remote work.

• Eteaket – Specializes in tea, but also solid for a light lunch.

Stockbridge:

• Lana Bakery – Artisan bakery with phenomenal croissants & bread.

• Söderberg – Scandinavian café, perfect for a fika break. Also has other locations around the city.

• Artisan Roast – Great coffee, Stockbridge’s go-to spot.

• The Pantry – Brunch favorite, book ahead if you can.

• Williams & Johnson – Specialty coffee inside a contemporary gallery space.

• Pastry Section – Tiny but amazing cakes.