One day in Edinburgh: our self-guided walking itinerary

If you only have one day in Edinburgh, don’t worry, as you can still see a surprising amount of this beautiful city by foot.  This 1-day Edinburgh itinerary follows the exact walking route we used to see as many of Edinburgh’s top attractions as possible in a day.

It wasn’t my first visit to Edinburgh, but an unexpected weekend in the capital gave me a free day to explore and show the family the highlights.  So, with some careful planning, we set off on a self-guided walking tour through Edinburgh’s Old Town.

Here’s our route for the perfect day in Edinburgh.

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Absolutely.   The Scottish capital is fairly compact, so it’s easy to see many of the top attractions in Edinburgh in one day.  This itinerary focuses on the main sights in the city centre.  Of course, if you want to enjoy the museums or venture further afield to places such as Dean Village, you’ll need longer.

Our 1-day Edinburgh itinerary is entirely on foot, although be prepared for plenty of walking!  Edinburgh may be compact, but it certainly isn’t flat, so expect steep hills, steps and cobbled streets along the way.

As you can see from some of our photos, we were incredibly lucky and had blue skies and sunshine in September. However, this is Scotland so take an umbrella and wear comfortable shoes – you are in for a lot of walking!

Start your day with a climb up Calton Hill, one of the best viewpoints in Edinburgh and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The hill rises directly above Princes Street, with a flight of stairs leading you to the top.

The climb is short but steep, and the view is worth every step.  Standing on top, you’ll enjoy panoramic views across Edinburgh’s skyline.  You’ll see Edinburgh’s Old Town, New Town, Edinburgh Castle, Arthur’s Seat and even the Firth of Forth in the distance.

As well as offering spectacular views, there are several interesting landmarks to discover at the top.  This was a brilliant way to start our day in Edinburgh.  However, I’ve heard this is a great spot for a sunset visit, so you could easily do our walking tour of Edinburgh in reverse and finish here at golden hour for some amazing photos.

This unfinished neoclassical monument is enormous and easily the most prominent landmark on the hill.  It was built as a tribute to the fallen Scottish soldiers of the Napoleonic Wars

This distinctive tower was designed by Scottish architect Robert Burns to commemorate Admiral Nelson’s victory at the Battle of Trafalgar.

One of the most photographed structures on Calton Hill, the Dugland Stewart memorial was inspired by Athens’ Tower of the Winds.  It sits at one of the best viewpoints in the capital and has become one of the most recognisable landmarks on Edinburgh’s skyline.

This striking, contemporary artwork by artist Emii Alrai was commissioned for the Edinburgh Art Festival.

Also known as the Monument to the Scottish Parliament, this smaller memorial stands as a symbol of Scottish democracy.

If you have extra time, visit this contemporary art gallery, housed within the former City Observatory.

Once you have finished exploring the top of Calton Hill, head back down the steps towards Princes Street.

Walking west along Princes Street, you’ll find yourself on Edinburgh’s busiest shopping thoroughfare with magnificent views of the Old Town rising above the gardens.

One of the most famous Edinburgh sights on Princes Street is the Scott Monument, an elaborate Gothic structure dedicated to Scottish novelist, Sir Walter Scott.

If you prefer, head down into Princes Street Gardens, a beautiful green space separating Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns.  At the far end, you’ll come to Ross Fountain, an impressive Victorian cast-iron fountain.

From here, walk up the Mound towards Edinburgh Castle. Art lovers might want to stop at the National Galleries of Scotland, which has an extensive collection of Scottish and international art.   Entry is free.  We skipped it this time, but it’s definitely on our list for our next visit.

No walking tour of Edinburgh Old Town would be complete without a visit to Edinburgh Castle.

Perched dramatically above the city on an ancient volcanic rock, the castle dominates Edinburgh’s skyline and is probably the city’s most famous attraction.  Inside, you’ll find the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny, and the National War Museum.

Even if you don’t have time to go inside, I’d still recommend walking up to the castle gates.  It’s an impressive castle and one of the highlights of this Edinburgh itinerary. You can buy a guided tour of Edinburgh Castle here.

Nearby, whisky lovers could also make time for the Scotch Whisky Experience, which includes a tour inside the vaults and whisky tasting.

From the castle, head downhill to Grassmarket, one of Edinburgh’s most atmospheric areas.

Once a medieval marketplace, today it’s lined with traditional pubs and independent shops.  We couldn’t resist popping into one of the kilt shops to admire the enormous range of Highland dress.

It’s a handy place to stop for something to eat or drink before continuing your walk.

Just off Grassmarket is one of my favourite photography spots on this Edinburgh walking tour.  The Vennel Viewpoint offers a spectacular view of Edinburgh Castle rising above the rooftops.  From this angle, you really get a sense of just how dramatically the castle sits above the city.

To find the Vennel, look out for the stone staircase between the tenement buildings and climb the steps for this classic view of the castle.

If you’re looking for the perfect Edinburgh Instagram shot, this is the place. And, if you really want to look the part, wear a tartan scarf for your photo!

After your photo shoot at the Vennel, retrace your steps towards the far end of Grassmarket and head into Greyfriars Kirkyard.  This is one of Scotland’s most famous cemeteries, with centuries-old gravestones, mausoleums, and crypts.  Several notable Scots are buried here, including Thomas Riddell, Captain John Porteous, and members of the Adam Family.

Surprisingly, one of the most visited graves here actually belongs to a little dog!

Greyfriars Bobby was a loyal Skye Terrier, who reportedly spent 14 years guarding his owner’s grave.  It’s one of Edinburgh’s best-known legends and visitors still leave sticks and small tributes beside his memorial.

Outside the cemetery, look out for the Greyfriars Bobby statue, in front of Greyfriars Bobby’s Bar.

From the statue, make your way to Victoria Street, arguably one of the prettiest streets in Edinburgh.

The sweeping curve of brightly painted shopfronts, independent boutiques and quirky cafés make it one of the city’s most photographed locations.

Victoria Street is also a popular hotspot for Harry Potter fans.  It is widely believed to have inspired Diagon Alley, and you’ll find several wizard-themed shops selling magical souvenirs and Harry Potter merchandise.

Harry Potter fans could even consider a Harry Potter guided tour, which takes you to all of Edinburgh’s JK Rowling hotspots in a two-hour tour.

Even if you’re not a Potterhead, Victoria Street is a lovely place to wander and soak up the atmosphere of Edinburgh’s Old Town.

The Royal Mile is probably Edinburgh’s most famous street and an essential part of any walking tour of Edinburgh Old Town.

Stretching between Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, it’s lined with historic buildings, traditional pubs, and souvenir shops.  There are lots of statues and always something to watch, whether it’s a bagpiper or street artist.

Yes, it’s extremely touristy, but that’s part of the experience!

We stopped at one of the pubs to soak up the atmosphere and watch the world go by.  One of our favourite things about the Royal Mile was exploring the atmospheric, cobblestone alleyways which branch off the main street.  Some reveal hidden courtyards or lead to stunning viewpoints.  Here are the ones we visited:

One of our favourite hidden gems in Edinburgh is Makar’s Court.

Located just off the Royal Mile, through Lady Stair’s Close, this charming courtyard celebrates some of Scotland’s greatest writers with inscriptions in the paving stones.  This literary square is also home to The Writers’ Museum.

Nearby, you’ll find the courtyard of Edinburgh City Chambers, where you can follow the trail of handprints of famous Scots embedded in the ground.  It’s a bit like the Scottish Hall of Fame!  Harry Potter fans can get a selfie with the handprint of J.K. Rowling.

For something a little different, book a tour of The Real Mary King’s Close, which takes you beneath the Royal Mile to explore Edinburgh’s hidden historic streets.

This preserved network of 17^th-century streets offers a fascinating insight into life in Edinburgh centuries ago.  It’s one of the city’s most unusual attractions and a great option for a rainy day.

One of the standout landmarks on the Royal Mile is St Giles’ Cathedral, an impressive Gothic building with a distinctive crown-shaped spire.  It’s well worth taking a quick look inside to admire the architecture and stunning stained-glass windows.

Finish your 1-day Edinburgh itinerary at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of King Charles III.

Dating back to the 16^th century, the palace has strong connections to Mary, Queen of Scots, and the Stuart monarchy.  Visitors can explore the state apartments, historic chambers, and palace grounds.

Directly opposite stands the striking modern Scottish Parliament Building, creating a fascinating contrast.

Although one day in Edinburgh is never going to be enough to see everything, we were really happy with how much we managed to fit in one day.  This walking tour gave us a brilliant mix of Edinburgh’s most famous landmarks, colourful streets, hidden corners and historic sights.

There’s a lot of walking involved, so comfortable shoes are essential.  Luckily, Edinburgh has no shortage of gorgeous old pubs and cafés when your feet need a break!

If you are staying for the night in Edinburgh, there are plenty of hotels which are conveniently located in the city centre.

• The Edinburgh Grand Hotel is the best that Edinburgh has to offer.
• Fraser Suites are a collection of stylish, serviced apartments in the Old Town
• The Scotsman Hotel, a historic hotel in the Old Town.

We stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott, a modern hotel located on the outskirts of the capital on the Herriot-Watt campus.

Here’s a map of the highlights, which you can save for your visit.

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