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We'll take you through the historic city of Edinburgh, where we'll visit the castle, the mysterious streets and the beautiful views across the city. All in a long weekend.
Unlock Learn moreEdinburgh is an ideal weekend destination, where you can explore the whole city and possibly the surrounding area in a relatively short time. Use our itinerary to see the many nooks and crannies of this historic city in the heart of Scotland, sample good food and get a history lesson. Together we’ll also visit the National Museum of Scotland, the castle where the Scottish Crown Jewels and Holyrood Castle, still used by the Royal Family today, are on display.
Add to that some beautiful views of the whole city, the castle and the charming streets. Just the perfect combination for a romantic or family trip to the UK. Plus with a very affordable flight direct from all of Europe.
See what our weekend in Edinburgh was like.
Edinburgh is easily reached by direct flight from Prague, and from the airport it is only about 30 minutes by public transport directly to the city centre.
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We recommend accommodation right in the city centre. It's easy to get around Edinburgh on foot, so a good starting point is advantageous.
Edinburgh • $$
<p>Ubytování přímo v centru Edinburghu, za rohem od hlavní třídy Princes Street. Motel One nabízí klidné a čisté pokoje za přijatelnou cenu zhruba od 2 000 Kč za noc na osobu.</p>
Edinburgh • $$
<p>Hotel ze známé sítě ibis, přímo na jedné z hlavních ulic v centru Edinburghu – Royal Mile.</p>
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Edinburgh can probably be reached by plane, directly to the main airport, which is labelled EDI. The first task will be to get into the city centre quickly and easily and see the first sights or the National Museum of Scotland.
There are several ways to get from the airport to the city centre. We highly recommend the Airlink buses, which run every 10 minutes and will take you to the city centre in less than half an hour, just a few metres from the Scott Monument, which will be our first stop.
13.8 km (40 mins)
The Scott Monument is a memorial to the Scottish poet and writer Sir Walter Scott, erected in 1844. It is located right on Princes Street and if you climb the 300 steps, you can see the surrounding area from a viewing platform at a height of just under 60 metres. The Scott Monument is beautifully visible from many points across Edinburgh and is a truly iconic building that you can’t miss.
Our tip: There are stairs leading up to the memorial where you can take a very nice photo. The surrounding gardens are also worth a visit and a walk, as they are full of colour, especially in spring.
From the Scott Monument it’s just across the bridge that leads over the main station to another Edinburgh landmark called the Royal Mile. It’s a beautiful street that has many landmarks on it and connects Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Castle – both of which we’ll look at on the second and third days of this itinerary respectively.
If you’re hungry or fancy a good breakfast on the way, be sure to stop at one of the two Milkman cafes on Cockburn Street, just off the Royal Mile.
1.0 km (5 mins)
Edinburgh • $$
The Milkman is a tiny chain of two small cafes right in the centre of Edinburgh, serving great coffee and especially sweet pastries. This makes it the perfect place for breakfast or a snack during the day. We can recommend the apple pie, which is absolutely delicious.
0.2 km (4 mins)
The Royal Mile is the main thoroughfare in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Royal Mile is known for its rich history and architecture and its incredible atmosphere.
This long street connects Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Castle. It is lined with historic buildings, shops and restaurants. The street measures one Scottish mile, hence its name, which is approximately 1.8 kilometres. This unit of measurement differs from the English mile and is no longer in use today. For tourists, it is a fascinating place to walk and not to be missed during your visit to Edinburgh.
There are also often a few street performers on the street itself, especially gentlemen in Scottish skirts playing the bagpipes. This element adds another unforgettable charm to the street. The street also has several so-called Close, which are smaller passages that connect the main street with the surrounding streets. Advocate’s Close, for example, is worth mentioning.
The next stop right on the Royal Mile will be the beautiful cathedral, which is free to enter.
0.2 km (3 mins)
St Giles Cathedral is Edinburgh’s cathedral, located at the top of the Royal Mile and not to be missed on the way to Edinburgh Castle. A stop here is definitely recommended, it is a very nice cathedral, you will find among other things over 200 memorials to Scottish soldiers. The interior is decorated with stained glass windows, statues and altars.
Admission is voluntary and the cathedral is run on these donations.
After visiting the cathedral, we’ll move on to the National Museum of Scotland, where you can spend several hours. Here you can discover history, the wonders of technology, even in an interactive way. In addition, the museum is a great refuge in case of bad weather, which after all is no exception for the UK.
0.4 km (5 mins)
Edinburgh is home to the National Museum, which is definitely worth a visit. The building itself is very nice and the exhibitions are also very interesting. There are exhibitions with animals, technical exhibitions – for example Formula 1 cars, and of course historical exhibitions. You can easily forget about time and spend several hours walking through the many floors. We recommend a visit not only to history, technology or nature lovers, but also to anyone who wants to enrich their visit to Edinburgh or to find somewhere to hide on rainy days.
Also worth a visit are the very nice balconies right at the entrance to the main part, where you can take a nice photo. There is also a café where you can have a drink or a snack. Admission is free.
After the museum tour, we slowly begin to make our way back towards the Scott Monument with a stop in the Assembly Hall courtyard. From here, you’ll get perhaps the best view of Tolbooth Kirk, the iconic tower near the castle that stands right on the Royal Mile.
From the outside, the Assembly Hall looks like just another one of many here in Edinburgh, but you’ll be more surprised if you step into its courtyard. The building’s two towers perfectly frame the neo-Gothic Tolbooth Kirk. The place looks incredibly magical, especially at sunset when the Tolbooth Kirk tower is lit up.
As it is the entrance to the university, the courtyard is not always accessible.
We finish the first day with a good dinner at The Auld Hundred, where we recommend trying some of the local beer specialties.
0.6 km (8 mins)
Edinburgh • $$
The Auld Hundred is a quintessential Scottish restaurant where you can eat well and sample many local beers, including a variety of specialities from local brewery C*ld.
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Detailed plan for each day with a map
Tips for accommodation and places to eat
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A long weekend in Edinburgh, the heart of Scotland (Scotland) je jedním z itinerářů, které Retkee nabízí. Každý itinerář nabízí přehledný popis jednotlivých dní, včetně interaktivní mapy či praktických informací. Kromě itinerářů Retkee nabízí i blog , podrobné průvodce destinacemi , například Island , Norsko či Madeira .
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