Edinburgh Old Town
The Old Town of Edinburgh runs from the Castle in the west to the Palace in the east and from Princes Street Gardens in the north to the University in the south and covers the extent of the city until its expansion in the 18th century. Below are some notes on things to do drafted by people who live there. There are also the 'obvious' attractions such as the Castle, St Giles and the Palace.
Things to do in Edinburgh
The Old Town is best explored on foot and there are many walking tours competing for your custom; many focus on the ghoulish side of Edinburgh’s history, so choose with care. Try the Enlightenment Tour of the Royal Mile or the Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour which combines literature with alcohol every evening. If you don't know Edinburgh at all, an open-top bus tour will give you your bearings, an idea of the city’s topography and an introduction to its history; tours start at Waverley Bridge.
Art & Culture. Permanent national collections and consistently excellent temporary exhibitions at the National Gallery of Scotland (don’t miss the Impressionists on the first floor towards the rear) and National Museum of Scotland (if the artefacts get too much, chill out in the roof garden). There are also the Writers’ Museum, Lady Stair’s Close, off the Lawnmarket (displays about Burns, Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson); the Museum of Childhood, High Street (nostalgia for adults); The People’s Story, Canongate (social history of Edinburgh) and exhibitions at the National Library of Scotland.
Nature and Gardens. Climb Arthur’s Seat (our own volcano). Relax in Princes Street Gardens or many of the small green spaces tucked down closes. Greenyonder Tours do walking tours of city centre gardens.
Architecture and Topography. Wander down the Royal Mile from Castle to Palace, climb Calton Hill for the panorama of the Old Town (for even better views climb the Nelson Monument, not free). The quad of the monumental Old College (Robert Adam and William Playfair) is open to the public. On weekdays, the public may enter Old Parliament Hall (behind St Giles, free) and mingle with the lawyers while admiring the 1638 timber roof; you may even sit in on a trial (ask at the desk). Guided tours of the new Parliament building are free but must be booked in advance.
Science & Technology. National Museum of Scotland (hands-on stuff for children and adults in the Connect Gallery – the only part that is open at the moment), the Museum on the Mound (history of banking – go and see if it has been brought up-to-date!), the Museum of Surgery, Surgeon’s Hall (for a different view of Edinburgh).