7 Must-Visit Spots During a Long Walk Through Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a city steeped in history, and the perfect city getaway for a long walk or two.

While the Scottish capital attracts tourists from afar to see the majestic hilltop castle (some say it even inspired Hogwarts), there’s so much more to discover on an Edinburgh walking tour.

In this blog post, you’ll learn about 7 must-visit, lesser-known locations in Edinburgh that reveal the city’s true character.

1. Dean Village: A Peaceful Escape

If you’ve got a trip to Edinburgh lined up, you’ll likely know about the spectacular city views from Arthur’s Seat and the awe-inspiring castle dominating the skyline, but you might not have heard of the Edinburgh World Heritage site Dean Village.

Just a stone’s throw from the city centre, Dean Village offers a vibrant, colourful contrast from the monochromatic ancient stone architecture of Edinburgh. With bright yellow houses, a verdant riverside, and a flowing body of water running through this historic village – this is a destination you won’t want to miss out on.

What used to be a milling community, this village-turned-neighbourhood offers a glimpse of Victorian architecture, walkways by the water, and ancient stone bridges.

2. The Real Mary King’s Close

Recently named “Best Visitor Attraction in the UK” by Tripadvisor in its 2024 Travellers’ Choice Awards, The Real Mary King’s Close offers you the chance to explore an exceptionally well-preserved 17th-century street.

Taking a tour of this underground experience, you’ll get to see firsthand what life was like in plague-era Edinburgh, with preserved rooms showcasing everyday life in Scotland during the 17th century.

3. Cramond Beach

Cramond beach is a little-known gem that you can only access from Edinburgh during low tide.

A trip to the village of Cramond, which resides on the shore of the Firth of Fort,h provides a chance to take a miles-long walk along a unique island with fantastic sea views and World War II military remnants to discover along the way.

4. The Scottish Storytelling Centre

Stories are the fabric of life, and can open your eyes to a wealth of lived experiences.

At The Scottish Storytelling Centre, you can see live storytelling performances covering both traditional and contemporary Scottish tales in intimate theatre spaces. On site, there’s a cafe boasting local Scottish cuisine, too, so you can indulge in some local food.

5. Surgeons’ Hall Museums

The Surgeons’ Hall Museums is a collection of award-winning museums that host a wealth of historical medical knowledge and exhibits.

If you’re interested in the macabre, or simply fascinated with the development of medical science, this museum is a must-visit and houses one of the largest pathology collections in the United Kingdom.

In the museums, you’ll find everything from human anatomy to history about the trade of bodies for dissection and how that ties in with two of Britain’s most notorious serial killers.

6. Calton Hill

For most tourists visiting Edinburgh, Arthur’s Seat is the vantage point they head to for an interesting perspective over the city.

However, there’s another hill with a fantastic view of the city, which also houses one of the skyline’s most prominent monuments, the National Monument.

Coined “Athens of the North”, Calton hill is a volcanic hill that features several important monuments and fantastic panoramic views of the entire city.

7. The Scotch Whisky Experience

Like Guinness is to Dublin, Scotch whisky is an important part of Edinburgh’s culture and heritage.

As such, you’d be remiss if you didn’t visit The Scotch Whisky Experience, which offers an interactive whisky creation process so you can make your own concoction, the largest whisky collection in the world, and a sensory exploration of how whisky is made.

Plus, of course, there are tastings if you want to sample some real Scotch whisky while you’re in the Scottish capital.

Explore Edinburgh by Foot

Edinburgh has so much to offer, beyond what most tourists often think of.

If you’re open to new experiences and dodging some of the crowded spots in the city, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at what you can find in the city’s storied streets.