EDINBURGH TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
Edinburgh is home to a diverse selection of tourist attractions that encapsulate the city’s past, present, geography, landscapes, art, sport and leisure. Knowing where to start exploring Edinburgh’s endless list of tourist attractions always proves to be a difficult feat for visitors each time.
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Why not explore the wonders of light and optical illusions at Camera Obscura at the top of Edinburgh's Royal Mile. This engaging Toursit Attraction allows visitors to interact with a specacular array of vision images ranging from 3D cityscapes of Edinburgh's splendid Victorian and Georgian architecture to live viewcams. Many enjoy the breathtaking views from the roof top terrace and marvel at the 3D hologram display in the Light Fantastic exhibtion space and mush more.
At the opposite end of the Royal Mile near Holyrood House and and The Scottish Parliament, The Dynamic Earth is undoubtedly one of the most striking and captivating attractions to have opened in Edinburgh over the last few years. Dynamic Earth allows visitors to discover the biodiversity and extremes of our planet, featuring Equatorial rainstorms, erupting volcanos and retreating glaciers.
Edinburgh is home to an abundance of open spaces, allowing people to escape from the hustle and bustle and to simply unwind in natural and peaceful surroundings. The city's hidden natural treasure, The Water of Leith, is a popular spot for walkers and features a Visitor Centre with an interactive display on the river's heritage and wildlife.
For wildlife enthusiasts, come and explore the amazing diversity of creatures at Edinburgh Zoo, home to more than 1,000 animals from minute Poison Arrow Frogs to Amur Tigers and Majestic White Rhinos. Featuring the world's largest penguin pool, there is something for everyone at this wildlife oasis in the west of Edinburgh. The Zoo is proud of its logstanding devotion to conservation of endangered species and is one of Europe's finest zoological parks.
No visit to Scotland's capital is complete without experiencing Edinburgh Castle, towering majestically above Princes Street Gardens on a steep rock-faced cliff. The Castle is undoubtedly Edinburgh's most distinctive and most visited attractions, drawing in one million visitors annually. Edinburgh Castle is not only a place of historical interest. This remarkable fortress offers spectacular panoramic vistas across the city to the Forth of Forth and beyond. There is a wealth of attractions to see within the confines of the castle, including a sparkling collection of armour and artillery, The Royal Apartments, The Crown and Sword of State and not forgetting the famous One O'Clock Gun that is fired at 1.00pm precisely everyday except Sunday. The Edinburgh Castle experience is a must see visitor attraction, rivalling other world heritage sites such as the The Tower of London.
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Castle Hill, City of Edinburgh, EH1 2NG
Towering majestically above Central Edinburgh at the top of the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle is inarguably Scotland’s national treasure and is monumental to the country’s regal and chequered history.
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134 Corstorphine Rd, Edinburgh EH12 6TS
Established in 1913 by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Edinburgh Zoo is one of Europe’s leading zoological gardens and its ethos lies in the strong commitment and dedication to conservation and survival of endangered animal species from all ecosystems of our natural world.
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Calton Hill, Edinburgh
Perched high above the eastern section of Princes Street, Scotland's National Monument in Calton Hill is one of Edinburgh's most prominent landmarks, lending to the city being affectionately known as 'The Athens of The North'. Arguably regarded as a folly, The National Monument features the hallmarks of the Acropolis in Athens.
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32 Calton Hill, City of Edinburgh, EH7 5AA
Standing on the summit of Calton Hill above the east end of Edinburgh’s Princes Street, Nelson’s Monument is an imposing stone structure commemorating the death of Admiral Horatio Nelson and Britain’s victory over French and Spanish forces at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
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Holyrood Road, City of Edinburgh, EH8 8AS
Inarguably one of Edinburgh’s premier cultural and visitor attractions, Our Dynamic Earth was opened in 1999 as part of the Millenium Commission and is situated in the William Younger Centre adjacent to the Palace of Holyrood House and The Scottish Parliament at the foot of the world-renowned Royal Mile.
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Blackford Hill, Edinburgh EH9 3HJ
Situated 3 miles south of Central Edinburgh and perched above Blackford Hill is The Royal Observatory of Edinburgh (ROE) dating from 1896. Originally founded a century earlier by the University of Edinburgh in 1796, the Royal Observatory continues to forge close links with the University’s Science Faculty located in the King’s Buildings nearby and is the home of the University’s Institute for Astronomy.
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East Princes Street Gardens, City of Edinburgh EH2 2EJ
Edinburgh's Scott Monument was erected following the death of Sir Walter Scott on the 21st September 1832. Following a public meeting on 5th October. A competition was declared in order to select a design for the monument. George Miekle Kemp, a working joiner who had attained recognition as an accomplished draughtsman, won the competition.
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Murrayfield , City of Edinburgh, EH12 5PJ
If you have a passion for rugby or visiting Edinburgh for business or pleasure, why not indulge and treat yourself to a behind the scenes tour of Murrayfield Stadium, situated a short bus or taxi ride to the west of Edinburgh City Centre.
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Canongate, Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH8 8DX
Holyrood House was built in 1498 by James IV and ever since that time it has been closely linked with royalty. The Palace is located on the site of Holyrood Abbey, an Augustine monastery dating from1128. The Palace of Holyrood house is now the official residence of Queen Elizabeth II when she is in Scotland, and she is usually in residence for a few weeks in May and July each year.
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Ocean Drive, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6JJ
The Royal Yacht Britannia is one of the world's finest ships and was built in Scotland on the banks of the river Clyde at John Brown's Shipyard, one of the surviving Glasgow Shipyards. Launced in 1953, The Royal Yacht Briatnnia proudly served the Royal Family for over forty years, completing 968 official trips to some of the most isolated and exotic destinations in the Southern Hemisphere.
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1 Horse Wynd, Edinburgh EH99 1SP
The Scottish Parliament has organised daily guided tours which lasts for approximately 45 minutes. The highlights of the tours are visits to the Main Hall and Chamber where Scotland's MSPs and the First Minister of Scotland stage their political debates and enforce legistations that effect the people of Scotland.
