There are plenty of reasons to visit Scotland, and each and every city, town and village has something wonderful to offer. The food, the scenery, and the people are incredible by themselves – but almost each and every place has some hidden history and treasures for you to visit.
Edinburgh is a city that is dipped in history, swimming in fun things to do, and offers some of the best-hidden treasures you could hope to come across.
So after polishing off the best breakfast in Edinburgh, what delights should be on your list?
Craigmillar Castle
Most people make a beeline for Edinburgh Castle, and with good reason! It is stunning, but a lesser-visited castle that deserves just as much praise is Craigmillar Castle. You’ll find this little treasure about three miles to the southeast of Edinburgh centre.
This castle has an interesting history; after the murder of David Rizzo, Mary Queen of Scots fled to this location.
It is a great place for families as you can climb the tower, have a picnic, and play in the labyrinth!
The Stand Comedy Club
The Fringe Festival is one of the biggest events celebrating the arts in the world, and if that is a must for you, it takes place in August. But adults can get a comedy fix at The Stand Comedy Club.
There is a huge range of top acts, but perhaps a little bit more exciting is the Red Raw nights that they run. Comics in the early days of their career can apply to get on stages – and you might get to see the next big thing!
Surgeons’ Hall Museum
After a stroll down Royal Mile, you might be hankering after some medical marvels. Surgeons’ Hall Museum houses a plethora of medical delights – including body parts in a jar.
All of the medical breakthroughs that we have today started somewhere, and you can track them through the ages in this incredible space. You’ll see some of the surgical tools that were developed through the times – some of which look quite scary!
Dr Neil’s Garden
A place that is often called Scotland’s Secret Garden – but on a bright day, when the sun is shining, it is one of the most serene places that you could hope to spend time in.
The garden is nestled by Duddingston Kirk and the low slopes of Arthur’s Seat. So if you want to ditch the city for a while and truly take in some stunning views, this is the place for you.
You can take some snacks with you or head to one of the local eateries – although you might find it hard to leave this place!
Edinburgh Gin Distillery
On the west end of Princes Street, on Rutland Place, you’ll find the lavish and comfort-filled Edinburgh Gin Distillery. Not only are there plenty of gins to taste, but they also have a range of gin-based liqueurs.
To make the most of this visit, be sure to book a tour – because you’ll get the inside track on how they make their gins and the history of the beverage too.
They offer a range of experiences, too, including Gin & Chocolate pairings, an Edinburgh Gin Cocktail experience, and even an Experimental Series Tasting Event.
All of these are the perfect ways to spend over an hour tasting some of the world’s finest gins.
Jupiter Artland
If you are visiting Edinburgh between May and September, one of the most gorgeous places to visit is just outside of the centre of the city. Open Wednesday – Sundays, 10 am until 5 pm.
There is a huge range of children’s activities, as well as stunning exhibitions from artists like Tracey Emin.
What makes Jupiter Artland one of the places that are great for those who love history is that this place was the first survey of the topography recorded. You’ll also find a store; you can donate a tree or simply spend the day roaming around soaking up the beautiful views.
Panda & Sons
For those who like nothing more than a cool evening with cool people in a super fun place, Panda & Sons is the place for you. The vintage bar is super welcoming and serves up plenty of tasty drinks. If you’re on a pub crawl of the city or perhaps love to indulge in some of the most unusual cocktails, this is the place.
The Panda & Sons Transcend cocktail list is a marvel; they use a unique freezing technique to shape the taste of the drink – and what’s more, is that they evolved these techniques with their community.
Of course, one of the best ways to find hidden gems is to avoid planning anything and see where the day takes you!
If you are wondering if you should head to Edinburgh with the kids, read on: Why is Edinburgh a great city to visit as a family?
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