Edinburgh

7-day itinerary

The Perfect 7 Days in Edinburgh

21 handpicked stops Route-optimized Where to eat

A balanced 7-day plan for Edinburgh, built around its top-rated sights and ordered so each day flows without backtracking — with a bite to eat and travel times between every stop. Like it? Make it your own in a couple of taps.

Make this Edinburgh itinerary yours

Customize it →
DAY 1

The Big Highlights

  1. The Scottish Parliament

    Morning

    The Scottish Parliament

    Scotland's striking parliament building blends bold modernist design with the drama of ancient Holyrood Park.

    3 min walk · 0.2 km to the next stop
  2. Palace of Holyroodhouse

    Afternoon

    Palace of Holyroodhouse

    The King's official Scottish residence, steeped in centuries of dramatic royal history and Highland grandeur.

    1 min walk · 0.1 km to the next stop
  3. Holyrood Abbey

    Evening

    Holyrood Abbey

    Hauntingly beautiful abbey ruins beside a royal palace, steeped in centuries of Scottish royal history.

Where to eat: The Witchery — A well-loved local spot.

DAY 2

Culture & Icons

  1. Nelson Monument

    Morning

    Nelson Monument

    Climb this Napoleonic Wars monument on Calton Hill for sweeping panoramic views over Edinburgh's iconic skyline.

    1 min walk · 0.1 km to the next stop
  2. City Observatory

    Afternoon

    City Observatory

    Perched on Calton Hill, this 19th-century observatory offers stunning city panoramas and celestial history.

    1 min walk · 0.1 km to the next stop
  3. Calton Hill

    Evening

    Calton Hill

    Climb this iconic hill for sweeping Edinburgh skyline views and fascinating neoclassical monuments at every turn.

Where to eat: The Dome Bar and Grill — A well-loved local spot.

DAY 3

Culture & Icons

  1. Scott Monument

    Morning

    Scott Monument

    Soar up a 61-metre Victorian spire honouring Sir Walter Scott with sweeping Edinburgh views.

    3 min walk · 0.2 km to the next stop
  2. National Gallery

    Afternoon

    National Gallery

    Scotland's finest art collection, from Raphael to Rembrandt, completely free on Edinburgh's grand Mound.

    3 min walk · 0.2 km to the next stop
  3. Camera Obscura & World of Illusions

    Evening

    Camera Obscura & World of Illusions

    Mind-bending illusions and a rooftop camera with sweeping panoramic views over historic Edinburgh.

Where to eat: £2 Pizza Slice — Pizza — a well-loved local spot.

DAY 4

Culture & Icons

  1. Scottish National War Memorial

    Morning

    Scottish National War Memorial

    A haunting chapel within Edinburgh Castle honouring Scotland's fallen from WWI, WWII, and beyond.

    1 min walk · 0.1 km to the next stop
  2. Mons Meg

    Afternoon

    Mons Meg

    Marvel at this colossal 15th-century siege cannon, one of the largest ever built, perched atop Edinburgh Castle.

    1 min walk · 0 km to the next stop
  3. Edinburgh Castle

    Evening

    Edinburgh Castle

    A dramatic hilltop fortress commanding sweeping views over Edinburgh, packed with Scottish royal history.

Where to eat: 10 To 10 In Delhi — Indian — a well-loved local spot.

DAY 5

Sights & Experiences

  1. Church of St John the Evangelist

    Morning

    Church of St John the Evangelist

    Stunning sandstone sanctuary where soaring Gothic architecture and Scottish Episcopal tradition meet at Edinburgh's West End.

    5 min walk · 0.4 km to the next stop
  2. Filmhouse

    Afternoon

    Filmhouse

    Edinburgh's beloved independent cinema screening cult classics, world cinema, and thought-provoking films in a welcoming setting.

    9 min walk · 0.7 km to the next stop
  3. St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral

    Evening

    St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral

    A soaring Victorian Gothic masterpiece with stunning spires that dominate Edinburgh's skyline.

Where to eat: Abduls — Indian — a well-loved local spot.

DAY 6

Culture & Icons

  1. St Giles' Cathedral

    Morning

    St Giles' Cathedral

    A medieval masterpiece on the Royal Mile, steeped in Scottish history and stunning Gothic architecture.

    4 min walk · 0.3 km to the next stop
  2. National Museum of Scotland

    Afternoon

    National Museum of Scotland

    Scotland's greatest museum spans five centuries of history, science, and culture—and admission is free.

    11 min drive · 2.3 km to the next stop
  3. Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

    Evening

    Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

    Explore stunning plant collections and tranquil glasshouses at one of the world's finest botanical gardens.

Where to eat: Absolute — Thai — a well-loved local spot.

DAY 7

Culture & Icons

  1. HMY Britannia

    Morning

    HMY Britannia

    Step aboard the Queen's legendary floating palace and uncover royal secrets on the open seas.

    24 min drive · 6.6 km to the next stop
  2. Royal Observatory, Edinburgh

    Afternoon

    Royal Observatory, Edinburgh

    Explore the cosmos at Edinburgh's historic astronomical observatory, offering stunning city views and celestial wonder.

    16 min drive · 3.9 km to the next stop
  3. Gilmerton Cove

    Evening

    Gilmerton Cove

    Explore Edinburgh's enigmatic hand-carved underground tunnels, shrouded in centuries of mystery and intrigue.

Where to eat: Ahmed's Tandoori — Indian — a well-loved local spot.

Make it your own

Set your own dates and pace, swap any stop, and let the AI build a plan around your real flights and hotels.

Customize it →
Other Edinburgh itineraries:2 days3 days5 days

Built from Edinburgh's top-rated attractions. Opening hours, prices, and whether a spot still delivers can change — double-check anything time-sensitive before you go.