The ten best things to do in Edinburgh

Set in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, the city’s most famous street is a must-visit when in town. As well as connecting two top sights (Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace), it also boasts shops, restaurants, pubs and photo-worthy stop-offs – not least the beguiling mix of medieval and modern architecture. Visit as part of a Princess shore excursion and tick off seeing some of the key Royal Mile attractions.

One of the most interesting ways to dip into Edinburgh’s history is to head underground and marvel at The Real Mary King’s Close, a network of paths and rooms nestled beneath the city. This mysterious 17th-century wonder (which you can visit on a Princess shore excursion) is full of grizzly tales and – some say – ghostly guests, as you’ll learn on a guided tour.

Afternoon tea in the iconic Balmoral hotel is a seriously lavish affair. Set within the sumptuous Palm Court (featuring real palm trees and a Venetian chandelier), you’ll tuck in to all the usual afternoon-tea treats, accompanied by a huge selection of loose-leaf tea and – if you want to splash out – a glass of champagne. To make it all that little bit more heavenly, there’s even a harpist to provide a dreamy soundtrack.

You’re always guaranteed to find something interesting when wandering the cobbled streets of this pretty, arty area. One of Edinburgh’s most vibrant districts, its independent boutiques, cute cafés and gastropubs are always buzzing, and you’re only minutes away from the luscious Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh when you need to walk off the inevitable snacking – there’s no way you won’t be tempted by homemade raspberry custard brioches or rhubarb and rose loaf cake from local patisserie The Pastry Section.

Even if you’re not big on architecture, it’s well worth visiting the Scottish Parliament to take in the eye-catching, fiercely modern building design. It has won numerous awards and still divides opinion, but always provokes a response. A tour of the inside is just as enlightening, where you can learn about the workings of the parliament itself.

From Raphael to Roy Lichtenstein, the Scottish National Gallery offers a mighty collection of world-famous paintings, sculpture and photography, including a large collection dedicated to Scottish art. You can easily spend hours meandering through the rooms here. And if you need contemplation time afterwards, head to adjacent Princes Street Gardens, where you can also admire the gallery’s architecture from the outside.

For the best views of the city, you’ll need to give your thighs a mini workout by trekking up the city’s extinct, ancient volcano. It’s actually a relatively easy walk (as well as being an Edinburgh institution) and, once at the top, you’ll be more than 250 metres above sea level, giving you an unrivalled panorama of Edinburgh’s skyline. It’s no wonder that this adventure is one of the most popular things to do in Scotland.

Edinburgh is positively packed with top-notch pubs, the best of which are the more traditional venues that feel like a home from home as soon as you step inside. There’s no shortage of choice, but you can’t go wrong at the Jolly Judge – complete with wooden-beamed ceilings and log fire – or the gorgeous Deacon Brodie’s Tavern, named after the man who inspired Robert Louis Stevenson’s Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and featuring one of the most opulent pub ceilings around.

Thanks to this modern addition to the whisky scene, you no longer have to drive out to the Highlands to see Scotland’s most famous liquid export being produced. Take a tour of Edinburgh’s first single malt distillery in almost 100 years and learn about the processes behind making whisky (and gin), before sampling some of the goods.

There are various food markets to browse (and be tempted by) in Edinburgh, but Leith Market is a firm favourite if you want to nibble as you walk, rather than stock up on produce. There’s a big focus on artisan food and drink here – from hand-rolled croissants to big, hearty pasties, authentic curries to irresistible home-baked brownies.