Ghost Tour
Beneath the cobbled lanes that weave their way down from Edinburgh’s prominent castle are a series of underground vaults that you can discover on one of the city’s historical ghost tours. For the more faint of heart, the Literary Pub Tour which follows the footsteps of some Scottish literary greats may be a little more up your street.

Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre
Learn all about the ‘water of life’ and cap off your education with a wee dram of scotch malt whisky at the tasting bar.

Arthur’s Seat
Take a brisk walk to the top of this dormant volcano, and get the best of both worlds. Look across to the inspiring skyline of the Old Town before turning further west  where the Pentland Hills are a backdrop.

National Galleries of Scotland
Wander through the collections of old masters at the National Gallery on the Mound, with the most comprehensive collection of Scottish paintings in the world or check out the cutting-edge exhibits at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and the Dean Gallery. There's something for everyone. With five galleries to choose from and free admission to most exhibits, you'll find it hard to squeeze them all in.

Gilded Balloon
Take in a comedy show as this illustrious venue.

Royal Lyceum Theatre
The ideal spot for a night of Shakespeare.

Witchery Restaurant
Once the very centre of witchcraft, the Witchery’s historic dining room now offers the best of Scottish cuisine. You can indulge in rich Scottish flavors like hot smoked salmon, and Angus beef fillet.  

The Kitchin Restaurant 
Situated in the picturesque port of Leith, Michelin starred, Tom Kitchin's style is a unique marriage of seasonal Scottish produce with the classical French technique he has mastered working alongside some of the world's greatest chefs.  

Blonde
Taste more contemporary, international fare at this cool bistro. Wherever your tastes lie, make sure that you queue up for a fish supper. And don’t forget to ask for ‘chippie sauce’ for a truly unique Edinburgh experience. What's more with the average fish supper costing under $8, you can sample an Edinburgh real ale for only $10.


48 hours in Edinburgh

So you’ve got two days to explore Scotland’s elegant capital city? Best to start at the top. Get to Scotland’s Number One Attraction, Edinburgh Castle when it opens at 9:30 to get a jump on the crowds (hope you’ve had a good, full Scottish breakfast, and are wearing comfortable shoes).

Inside the castle, make sure you see the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny and St. Margaret’s Chapel, the oldest structure in the castle, built early in the 11th century. Exit through the parade grounds, paying your respects to the statues of William Wallace and Robert The Bruce guarding the castle door, and start walking down the legendary Royal Mile.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is full of fascinating diversions: narrow closes and twisting wynds–a quirky network of alleyways that reveal the Royal Mile’s medieval past, unseen shops and residences, and surprising views of the city below. Along the way, you may want to grab a nice, affordable bite to eat at the Hub (Castlehill), sip a pint of real Scottish ale at Deacon Brodie Tavern (435 Lawnmarket), visit the Writers’ Museum (free admission) or pick up a souvenir from one of the many Scottish knitwear or craft shops.

Continue down the Royal Mile past St. Giles Cathedral  and the new Scottish Parliament building, to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Turn right and start exploring Edinburgh’s Old Town, making your way back to the Grassmarket. This short stretch was once the site of the town gallows, but today its attractions include a somewhat less ghoulish string of pubs – the perfect opportunity to refresh and recharge.

For dinner, consider The Tower, located within the Museum of Scotland (Chambers Street), where the contemporary cuisine is almost as inspiring as the magnificent view of the city. Wander up the street for a nightcap at Sandy Bell’s, and catch a traditional Scottish music session (with no cover charge).

Day 2 is all about the “other” side of Edinburgh, New Town. “New” in this case is a relative term. In the late 18th century, it was determined to drain the lake on the north side of the castle, and expand the city. Because of the planned nature of this development, New Town is a symmetrical grid of streets and parks, set around the axis of its highest point, George Street. The result is row upon row of elegant sandstone Georgian buildings.

Start the day by getting an overview of the New Town with an open air bus tour. You can hop on and off throughout the day, so feel free to indulge any spontaneous whims of exploration. Catch the bus at Waverley Bridge, near the Scott Monument. This ornate Gothic “spaceship” of a tribute to Sir Walter Scott offers a glorious view of the castle and Princes Street to souls hearty enough to ascend its 287 narrow, winding stairs.

The National Gallery of Scotland and the Royal Scottish Academy are conveniently situated next to each other in nearby Princes Street Gardens. Home to some of Europe’s and Scotland’s masterworks, they are always worth a visit, and admission is free to most exhibits.

Have a spot of lunch at one of the pubs or restaurants along George Street, then work off your meal with a hike up Calton Hill. The views of the castle and the city are spectacular, even more so if you hike to the top of the Nelson Monument. If you choose not to make the climb, be sure to look up at exactly one o’clock, when a white ball drops at the top of the tower, allowing mariners in the Firth of Forth to set their watches. You’ll also notice a series of Doric columns that form the National Monument. This began as a replica of the Parthenon, but was halted due to a lack of funds.

Stroll back down to Princes Street for some well-deserved shopping. Be sure to visit Jenners, one of Britain’s oldest department stores.

For dinner, consider a warm and cozy Scottish bistro, A Room In The Town (18 Howe Street). Enjoy your haggis, neeps, tatties, smoked salmon and other Scottish delights with a nice bottle of wine in a relaxed neighborhood atmosphere.

Kick things up a bit with a post-dinner cocktail among the stylish young Edinburghers at Candy Bar on George Street, or take things in a more elegant direction with a toast to old-world opulence at The Dome just down the street.

Of course, 48 hours is hardly enough time to get a deep appreciation of Edinburgh, but it is enough to give you a good taste of Scotland’s stately capital. And certainly enough to spark the desire to return.