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Favorite Moment
Check out Guidester’s favorite Edinburgh experience.
Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Every year for about three weeks in August Edinburgh comes alive in a display like no other. The Edinburgh International Festival, established in 1947, is the world’s largest performing arts festival drawing performers from every corner of the map. The city’s museums, pubs, restaurants, and art spaces are brought together with a remarkable calendar of events showcasing the best original performances from different genres across the performing arts spectrum.
It’s truly a wonder to behold. The energy of the city is absolutely buzzing day and night with all kinds of unique sights and sounds that keep you mesmerized as you wander from street to street.






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My fringe festival experience definitely gave me a different perspective on the capital of Scotland. I had already visited several times before this and already was smitten given I’m a total geek for anything history and Scotland. Braveheart is my favorite movie and despite the fact that it’s just an awesome film it really brings home the power of Scotland’s rich history. Edinburgh has history and beauty in spades, and adding in the eclectic global festival just puts it all over the top. My fringe experience was a number of years ago so I was staying in a local hostel at the time, which actually ended up for the best as I met a lot of people to hit the shows with. The festival is setup in a manner that spreads across the entire city. Nearly every useable building it seems like is occupied at one time or another from small off the cuff improv shows to full blown five star experiences. There are also wonderfully strange and interesting street performers on every street and every corner acting out some new trick you’ve never seen before. What I loved about this was the immense diversity of entertainment and performing arts. You could literally walk in on just about anything as many of the shows at local pubs and restaurants were free. I walked down into a small underground pub and found a couple guys improving the goofiest things from Hitler to their made up pirate band name ‘the Jolly Boat’. You know you’re having a pint and being entertained by people from all over the world. then then you go next door and pay a few pounds for a first class Shakespearean play. It’s amazing…and also exhausting. I’d say two to three days would be more than enough time to spend at the festival if you’re going most of the day. If you’d like to spread it out with just a few events here and there then four or five days would do as well. But, be warned even though you may not attend any events the city will still be packed with performers, local, tourists, and festival goers so you are still dealing with the event indirectly. It’s best to get a couple days in at the festival then move outside of Edinburgh to complete the Scotland experience. I could write all day long about where to head to once outside Edinburgh so keep an eye out for more destinations to pop up on the Virtual Vacation map. But, here are a few destinations outside of Edinburgh that I would highly recommend – Stirling Castle and Wallace Monument, The Cairngorms, Inverness and Loch Ness, Culloden Field, Isle of Skye, Orkney Islands. The Orkneys are out in the North Sea off the Northern Scottish coast and take a wee bit of time to reach, but really some of the most spectacular scenery in all of Scotland.

Jack Baumann
Hi, my name is Jack Baumann, and I have a passion for helping independent travelers unlock the wonders of Europe. I founded Guidester - we build personal mobile guidebooks sourced from local experts - so travelers could cut through the noise and dive deeper into the wonders of Europe. I hope you enjoy my stories and tips!

Jack Baumann
Hi, my name is Jack Baumann, and I have a passion for helping independent travelers unlock the wonders of Europe. I founded Guidester - we build personal mobile guidebooks sourced from local experts - so travelers could cut through the noise and dive deeper into the wonders of Europe. I hope you enjoy my stories and tips!
Play Around
Explore Edinburgh with interactive maps.
Walk along the Royal Mile
Explore Edinburgh Castle
Check out Calton Hill
Discover the view from Arthur's Seat
Walk around Cowgate Street
Take in Princess Street
Video Tours
Discover Edinburgh through virtual walks and tours.
Start Planning
Begin planning your next adventure to Edinburgh.
Local Tips
There are fantastic views of Edinburgh in quite a few places but I think these are some of the best.
Scott's Monument
Climb the stairs to the top of Scott’s Monument for a great view of the old and new town
Arthur's Seat
Hike up Arthur’s Seat for unrivaled views of the entire city, the sea, and surrounding countryside
Calton Hill
Going up to Calton Hill has a great vantage point of the Old Town and Arthur’s Seat looming in the backdrop.
Edinburgh is full of 'wynds' (pronounced 'wineds') which refer to narrow lanes between houses or simply a winding street. One spot in particular to check out is the 'Old Tolbooth Wynd', a dark alley leading off the Royal Mile.
Edinburgh offers visitors easy transport links into and across the city. An excellent bus service combined with first class rail links, taxis galore, and the arrival of trams provides plenty of transport options for getting from A to B.
By Foot
Finding your way around Edinburgh by foot is often the best way. Nearly all of the major attractions are centered around the Old Town. Princess Street serves as the main thoroughfare dividing the Old and New Towns. Edinburgh is defined by its characteristic ‘wynds’ which are narrow streets that cut in between, and often underneath, existing buildings. Walk down some of these narrow lanes and you will discover plenty of hidden gems!
Buses
An excellent bus service transports residents and visitors across the city throughout the day and night, and includes a regular 24 hour service to Edinburgh Airport operated by Airlink100. Visitors can plan their journey within Edinburgh with Lothian Buses or with First Group for those coming from further afield. Buses only accept the exact fare and if you don’t have this you will be unable to travel.
Trams
WiFi friendly trams run 14 kms from York Place in the city center to Edinburgh Airport in approximately 35 minutes. Wheel chair accessible ramps and lifts are provided at the stops along the route. For ticket prices and to plan your journey visit www.edinburghtrams.com.
Taxis
There are over 1000 black cabs which can be hailed in the street or picked up from one of the taxi ranks within the city center. The taxis are metered and as a tourist you can feel safe that the fare you pay is the same as the local residents.
City Cabs
One of Edinburgh's major taxi companies - they can be hailed in the street or pre booked by calling 0131 228 1211. Visit their website for a list of services.
Private Hire Taxis
There are many private hire car companies operating within Edinburgh. These cannot be hailed in the street but must be booked in advance. Private hire cars must be approved by The City of Edinburgh Council and display a PHC plate on the dashboard.
Car Hire
Consider hiring a car for complete flexibility for traveling to, or in and around, giving you the freedom to go where you please, when you please.
Most pubs require you to order and pay at the bar, instead of with the waiter as in American restaurants.
Restaurants generally are the same as in the States, with a waiter that will take your order right at the table.
Tipping is not expected as gratuity is built into the bill. If you feel you had great service simply leave a couple of pounds on the table.
Where To Stay
Staying in the Old Town as close to the Royal Mile as possible is what I would recommend. Most of your major attractions lie in the Old Town and nothing beats the charming atmosphere of the areas old buildings and cobble stone streets.
Ramsey Gardens lies at the foot of the castle and would be an absolute treat if you are able to spend a bit on your hotel accommodation.
Guidester Favorites

Edinburgh Castle
The top visitor attraction in the city is on the Royal Mile on Castle Rock, which used to be a volcano in ancient times. You can see amazing panoramic views of the city from here. Castle highlights include the Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny, and the world’s oldest cannon (fired daily at 1pm)

The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
A must-see venue for modern and contemporary art. Modern One is housed in a neoclassical building, which was designed by William Burn in 1825. You can see great examples of global and regional paintings here, including works by old masters such as Constable, Turner, Monet, Van Gogh, Botticelli, Raphael, Titian, Rembrandt, Vermeer, and an excellent collection of Scottish paintings.

Arthur's Seat
The name given to the hill made of volanic remains looming over the city. It’s a top tourist destination in Edinburgh, and an iconic landmark in the city. You can take a hike to the top, from where you have unrivaled views of the city and the surrounding countryside and sea. The hike will take around 45 minutes to an hour.
Local Eats

Don't miss out on...
Rome By Interest
This is just a small taste of what Rome has to offer. For a full and complete personal guide see ‘Get your Guidester guide’ below.
- Art & History
- Foodie
- Outdoorsy

Borghese Gallery
This building is one of Rome’s renowned museums because of the vast number of Bernini statutes it houses; it is the biggest collection in the world. It is situated in the grounds of Villa Borghese and was first constructed in the 17th century by Cardinal Borghese.
Tip: Only those with a pre-paid admissions ticket will be let in. You can find the booking/ticket office in the basement.

Piazza del Popolo
Literally meaning ‘People’s Square’, this is one of the most famous squares in Rome. In addition to an Egyptian obelisk of Ramses II, Piazza del Popolo is famed for its twin churches: Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria in Montesanto.
Tip: Another must see is the Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo, famous for its Renaissance art by some of the greatest artists ever to work in Rome: Pinturicchio, Raphael, Carracci, Caravaggio, and Bernini.

Baths of Caracalla
These ancient baths were opened in the 3rd century as a bathing complex that spread over 11 hectares. They were named after Emperor Caracalla and at one point could hold 1,600 guests bathing inside. The building used to be highly decorated with decorative mosaics and rich bricks, many of which are displayed within.

Day Trip to Tivoli
These ancient baths were opened in the 3rd century as a bathing complex that spread over 11 hectares. They were named after Emperor Caracalla and at one point could hold 1,600 guests bathing inside. The building used to be highly decorated with decorative mosaics and rich bricks, many of which are displayed within.

Horseback Ride Ancient Rome
If you love horses, nature and history, a walk on horseback along the spectacular Appian Way and surrounding Park will be an experience you will never forget.
With expert guides and horsemen, Sandro Bernardini and Andrea, you will see archaeological treasures, some of which would be difficult to reach except on horseback. 1hr, 2hr, 3hr riding tours.

Ziplining
Situated 730m above sea level in the small medieval town of Rocca Massima, the world’s fastest and longest zip line course is only an hour’s drive from central Rome. Travelling from sweeps from the Lazio coast in the Alban hills to the mountains of Abruzzo, the route passes through vast olive groves and karst areas gliding up the slopes of Monte S. Angelo Cradle of Falco Pellegrino.