The Ultimate Edinburgh 2 Day Itinerary 2023
Edinburgh, the hilly capital of Scotland, is a beautiful city that attracts a million visitors annually. This Edinburgh 2 day itinerary outshines other destinations globally for its stunning mix of architecture, reachable volcanoes, historic sites and sweeping views of the skyline.
Two days are not sufficient to explore every nook and corner of Edinburgh, but this complete guide has tried to embrace the maximum number of spots you can visit during a couple of days. Read on for an excellent 2 days in Edinburgh itinerary that covers the main sights for first timers and offers suggestions for return visitors too.
How to get to Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s popularity and how it is serviced by low-cost airlines have made this a destination accessible to travellers from all around the world and many people are able to visit Edinburgh in 2 days.
By Air:
Visitors from European countries can join with low-cost airlines from Spain, France, Italy, and Ireland. If you are from the US, catch direct flights to Edinburgh from New York and Chicago.
There are also direct flights from within the UK including from London, as many people do not want to spend a long time in a car or train.
From the airport you can book a hassle free transfer with Welcome Pickups. They offer:
– Local English-speaking drivers
– Flat, pre-paid fee
– Flight monitoring for delays
– 24/7 Customer support + free cancellation
By Bus:
Edinburgh Bus Station is on Elder Street in Edinburgh’s city centre. Megabus and National Express both offer convenient and affordable services from throughout the UK.
By Train:
Edinburgh Waverley Train Station is the central station and is on Princes Street in the station. The station is well-connected throughout the UK, and there is a train from London that takes just over 5 hours, as well as major cities such as York and Manchester.
Edinburgh is positioned conveniently for a trip to Glasgow, a West Coast of Scotland road trip, and is 5 hours away from the Isle of Skye.
How to get around Edinburgh
You should take advantage of the excellent public transport in Edinburgh. This is because you can easily reach almost all the attractions in this way. You can purchase tickets from the local bus drivers or the offices at train stations.
It has recently become more convenient to use the local bus service as a traveller because you can use the smartphone app to plan your journey smoothly. It will show you the route maps and a real-time schedule.
You can also get a local taxi found on the streets and near every train station to get around for 2 days in Edinburgh. But this can be more expensive than local buses. There is the option of Uber too, which is usually cheaper.
Suppose you’re like us, then you can also walk pretty much everywhere to get around Edinburgh. You will undoubtedly exceed your 10,000 steps. Though, if you follow this Edinburgh 2 day itinerary fully, we hope you have some good and comfortable shoes on as there is a lot to see and do!
When is the best time to visit Edinburgh for two days?
Due to the weather conditions from June to August, it is usually an excellent time to visit Edinburgh. But it is also the most crowded time in Edinburgh. Therefore, if you prefer to spend time without crowds, this is not the ideal time to visit. Edinburgh is lovely in rain and shine.
The month of August, which has long daylight hours, is packed with colourful festivities. The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is on many people’s bucket lists, and we can confirm it is truly spectacular.
But if you are not into crowds or festivals, we suggest you do this Edinburgh 2 day itinerary during April and May, when there fewer crowds and cheaper accommodation options. There is also the famous Hogmanay Festival on New Year’s Eve (we are yet to do this) that is supposed to be spectacular.
Whatever month you visit, you will find something interesting to do, and you will have so much fun on this Edinburgh 2 day itinerary!
Top things to see and do for 2 days in Edinburgh
Day 1:
Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Mile, and Arthur’s Seat.
Let’s start this Edinburgh 2 day itinerary at Edinburgh Castle and then walk down The Royal Mile and finally up towards Arthur’s Seat.
As you reach up Castle Rock, along with the remainder of a dormant volcano, you can see Edinburgh Castle. Its tumultuous historic structure that dates back to over a hundred years has become one of the main reasons there are a million visitors to Edinburgh annually.
We suggest you go there before it opens to avoid the long queues. It’s a fantastic experience to see the Crown Jewels and Royal Chambers – many tourists prefer to see it from the outside though, so if you’re short on time, you could just admire it from below.
After exploring the castle, you can head to The Royal Mile. If you’re here with kids, have a peep into The Camera Obscura, which is a world full of illusions and one of the best things to do in Edinburgh with kids. Then visit St. Giles Cathedral, a 14th-century building with brilliant blue nave ceilings.
Keep your evening to enjoy a short but slightly strenuous hike up to Arthur’s Seat. On your way you will be able to see Holyrood Park and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. You will get to end your day one at Edinburgh with an amazing view of Edinburgh, followed by a fabulous dinner at Brewhemia or Tiger Lily.
Day 2:
National Museum of Scotland, Royal Yacht Britannia, Walking tours in the Old Town and Dean Village.
On day two, explore some of Edinburgh’s best museums, followed by several walking trails and eventually wind off at Dean Village. You should begin with some lovely breakfast at Hula Juice Bar & Healthy Eatery (we just cannot get enough) and grab a delicous smoothie to start your day right.
Then you can visit the National Museum of Scotland which has a little bit of everything, including science, technology, Scottish history, art, world cultures, and the natural world. Therefore, this is a must-visit attraction, especially if you are visiting Edinburgh with kids.
If you’re interested in the medical field, make Surgeons Hall Museum your second destination of day two, and if not, the Scottish National Gallery is a must-visit for all art lovers.
You can also visit the Royal Yacht Britannia, which had been a royal ship, but now it stands as a floating palace in solitude. It is a great place to take some fantastic photographs.
We suggest you visit some of the most beautiful streets in Edinburgh including Victoria Street and its and if you want to see another view of the city head to Calton Hill stopping off at the famous fountain in Princes Street Gardens too.
For Harry Potter fans, as you can take a walking tour to see the original sights that served as the inspiration for Harry Potter scenes such as Greyfriar Bobby’s Graveyard. Alternatively, if you like spookiness, join a Ghost Tour of the Old Town.
These tours run through Edinburgh’s historic city while telling you tales of witch burning and grave robbing. Another popular tour is The Real Mary King’s Close Tour, which will inform you about Edinburgh’s hidden history.
Of course, for 2 days in Edinburgh you will have to plan ahead and choose one tour that suits your interests and budget as with all the other wonderful places, you will not have enough time.
Finally, (if you still have time to spare) you need to visit Dean Village, a tiny residential area that is off-the-beaten-path. You will have to walk down the quaint paths of Dean Village to grasp the views of small houses, snake-like rivers, and stone bridges. It will probably be your favourite photography location during the entire two days in Edinburgh due to the river’s eye-pleasing scenery running through the village. However, this might be a spot that you decide to visit on your next trip to Edinburgh!
Your dinner on day two will be unforgettable if you head back to Edinburgh’s city centre and reserve a table at Civerinos. Its delicious pizza will complete your two-days in Edinburgh wonderfully!
Day trips from Edinburgh.
You can also go on a day trip on the second day if you fancy something different for your Edinburgh 2 day Itinerary.
Below is a list of some of the best day tours, and each one will only take a maximum of 12 hours. Please keep in mind that these tours are usually arranged in small groups, with eight individuals in one group.
Truthfully, if you only have two days in Edinburgh, you should probably explore the city thoroughly. However, if this is not your first time in Edinburgh or you have limited time and want to see more, it is a good option.
Malt Whisky Tour
You will be accompanied to the quaint distillery Glengoyne at the bottom of a pleasant hill located a few kilometres away from Edinburgh during this tour. For lunch, you can go towards the shores of Loch Lomond, the entire drive is full of beautiful scenery, and the viewpoint you see at the end offers incredible 360 degrees views of the surrounding areas.
Then you will be taken to the Deanston Distillery, which stands on the River Teith, and produces some unique whisky flavours in Edinburgh. This tour starts at 9.30 am and ends at 6.15 pm.
Loch Ness & The Highland Tour
This will take you through beautiful highland landscapes into the famous Loch Ness. The more further you get away from the city, the more breathtaking the scenery will become. On your way to Loch Ness for lunch, you will see Stirling Castle, Glencoe valley, and Fort Augustus.
St Andrews & Dunnottar Castle Tour
This is an impressive historical tour that takes you to see the most beautiful castles in Scotland. You can start the time at St Andrew’s Castle, walk along the cliffs of Dunnottar, explore South Queensferry’s bridges and Falkland to get one of a kind experience. These tours are in English, Spanish, and French.
Useful information
4 Travel Tips for your Edinburgh 2 Day Itinerary
- English notes are also legal tender in Edinburgh.
- You will likely see men wearing pleated skirts (kilts) on your Edinburgh 2 day itinerary. It’s very traditional, and you may be lucky enough to see them playing the bagpipes on the Royal Mile.
- It is wise to take a jumper or a waterproof jacket when you go on your Edinburgh 2 day itinerary to protect yourself from unexpected weather changes. Take an umbrella too to be safe!
- Take a good pair of sturdy trainers, boots, or hiking shoes if you plan to climb Arthur’s seat or venture into the countryside or even just to walk around the city centre.
That’s a wrap on this Edinburgh 2 day itinerary. What are you most looking forward to? We are most looking forward to going back soon…
Photo Credit: averagelives.com
