1, 2 & 3 Day Edinburgh Itineraries

1

Day 1: Castle & the Royal Mile

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Morning (09:30 - 11:30)

Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, UK

Start the morning at Scotland's most-visited paid attraction, seeing the Honours of Scotland and St Margaret's Chapel.

Tickets: Timed-entry ticket required; book online in advance, as slots regularly sell out.

Duration: ~1.5 - 2.5 h

Midday (12:00 - 13:15)

Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, Edinburgh, UK

Walk downhill to Castlehill for five floors of illusions and the original Victorian camera obscura.

Tickets: Online booking recommended; Early Bird and Night Owl slots offer a discount.

Duration: ~1 - 1.5 h

Travel: ~2 min walk from Edinburgh Castle

Afternoon (14:00 - 15:00)

The Scotch Whisky Experience, Edinburgh, UK

Finish the afternoon with a Silver Tour tasting just across from the castle esplanade.

Tickets: Advance booking recommended; flexible rescheduling up to 48 hours before the visit.

Duration: ~50 min

Travel: ~3 min walk from Camera Obscura

Route Map — Day 1

📍 Pinned landmarks on map:

1. Edinburgh Castle 2. Camera Obscura and World of Illusions 3. The Scotch Whisky Experience

💡 Practical Tips & Recommendations

• Edinburgh Castle is one of the Royal Edinburgh Ticket's 3 fixed inclusions — book directly if you're not using the pass.
• Camera Obscura is NOT on the Royal Edinburgh Ticket, but is included on the separate Edinburgh City Pass.

2

Day 2: Holyrood & Arthur's Seat

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Morning (09:30 - 11:00)

Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, UK

Tour the State Apartments, Mary, Queen of Scots' Chambers, and the ruined Holyrood Abbey.

Tickets: Check the official closure calendar — the Palace closes on some days for official engagements.

Duration: ~1.5 - 2 h

Afternoon (12:00 - 14:30)

Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh, UK

Climb the extinct volcano at the heart of Holyrood Park, right beside the Palace, for panoramic views over the city.

Tickets: No reservation required; free, open access. Wear sturdy footwear.

Duration: ~1.5 - 2.5 h round trip

Travel: ~5 min walk from the Palace to the park gates

Route Map — Day 2

📍 Pinned landmarks on map:

1. Palace of Holyroodhouse 2. Arthur's Seat

💡 Practical Tips & Recommendations

• The Palace of Holyroodhouse is one of the Royal Edinburgh Ticket's 3 fixed inclusions.
• Arthur's Seat is completely free — no pass of any kind is needed.

3

Day 3: Museums & the Waterfront

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Morning (10:00 - 12:30)

National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, UK

Spend the morning in the light-filled Grand Gallery and Scotland's history, science, and world-culture collections — completely free.

Tickets: No ticket required for the permanent galleries; some special exhibitions charge separately.

Duration: ~2 - 2.5 h

Afternoon (14:00 - 16:00)

Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh, UK

Head to the Port of Leith to tour the former royal yacht, moored beside the Ocean Terminal shopping centre.

Tickets: Online booking recommended; visit begins in the Ocean Terminal visitor centre.

Duration: ~1.5 - 2 h

Travel: ~20-25 min by bus or tram from the city centre

Route Map — Day 3

📍 Pinned landmarks on map:

1. National Museum of Scotland 2. Royal Yacht Britannia

💡 Practical Tips & Recommendations

• The National Museum of Scotland is completely free — no pass is needed for the permanent galleries.
• The Royal Yacht Britannia is one of the Royal Edinburgh Ticket's 3 fixed inclusions, alongside the Castle and the Palace.

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1, 2 & 3 Day Edinburgh Itineraries

Day 1: Castle & the Royal Mile

Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, UK

Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, Edinburgh, UK

The Scotch Whisky Experience, Edinburgh, UK

💡 Practical Tips & Recommendations

Day 2: Holyrood & Arthur's Seat

Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, UK

Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh, UK

💡 Practical Tips & Recommendations

Day 3: Museums & the Waterfront

National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, UK

Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh, UK

💡 Practical Tips & Recommendations

Things to do in Edinburgh

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