Holiday homes and accommodation in Edinburgh

The majority of Edinburgh holiday lettings are historic flats or townhouses near the city centre. These holiday rentals are perfect for families as you're close to the city's major attractions, with plenty of parks nearby. Bungalows are available around the city for a spacious stay.

The Harry Potter guided walking tour is perfect for visiting Edinburgh with children. You'll see where J. K. Rowling wrote her famous novels, and the places that inspired her. The guides are friendly and expert in every aspect of the Potter universe. Highlights of the tour include getting sorted into Hogwarts, seeing Voldemort's burial place, learning a few spells, and visiting the real-life Diagon Alley.

Edinburgh Castle dominates the skyline of the city and is a must-visit for any traveller here. At the entrance, pick up a free Explorer Sheet, which is a scavenger hunt list designed to keep kids interested as they walk through the castle grounds. Inside, you'll see the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Stone of Scone, and Mons Meg, a large medieval cannon.

The National Museum of Scotland is one of the UK's top-rated attractions. There are more than 8,000 objects on display in the museum, and topics range from Scottish history, to science and technology and the natural world. Much of the museum involves interactive exhibits that are perfect for kids. In Animal World, for example, kids can dig for dinosaur bones and explore how they compare with various beasts.

A visit to Dynamic Earth will be another highlight of your Edinburgh holiday. This family attraction takes visitors on a journey all the way back to the Big Bang and through the highlights of this planet's natural history. There's a 4D show where you can experience flying over tropical jungles and across the Arctic ice fields.

As the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature, Edinburgh has a rich literary history. Some of Scotland’s most famous writers and poets penned their work here, and the city continues to promote the country’s literature.

The Writers’ Museum Discover every inch of Edinburgh’s literary heritage by paying a visit to the Writers’ Museum. Celebrating Scottish literary titans such as Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson, it features a range of historical pieces including rare books, portraits, and even Burns’ writing desk.

The Elephant House This unassuming coffee shop on George IV Bridge has become a place of pilgrimage for Harry Potter fans. The Elephant House has been a favourite haunt of many writers, including J.K. Rowling, who penned many adventures of the world’s most famous wizard there.

The Scottish Poetry Library Scotland has produced some of the world's most celebrated poets, and Edinburgh treasures this proud heritage. Founded by poet Tessa Ransford in 1984, the Scottish Poetry Library is a unique national resource where poets can hone their craft.

Edinburgh literary pub tour One of the most popular activities in Edinburgh is the Literary Pub Tour. Join Clart and McBrain as they visit the hostelries beloved by Edinburgh’s writing royalty. Venture through the Old and New Town as you listen to hilarious tales and partake in a tipple along the way.

Edinburgh is bursting with sights and activities, so you should definitely schedule a number of days to explore the city fully. Book an Edinburgh holiday apartment in the town centre, and you'll never be more than a fifteen-minute walk away from the action.

The Castle and Old Town

First of all, make sure you take the time to visit Edinburgh Castle and enjoy the views from the top. Walking down from the castle, you can walk along the famous Royal Mile, a cobbled pedestrianised road full of traditional shops selling Scottish fudge, kilts, tartan goods and whisky. This area is called the 'Old Town', and we strongly advise you to explore this area by foot.

Making your way down to the Cowgate, you'll discover the town's lower, darker layers. Along these winding roads you can take part in guided tours and learn about the city's dark history of witches, famous ghosts and the infamous murdering duo Burke and Hare.

Monuments in the New Town

Making your way towards the New Town area, be sure to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Carlton Hill. This hilltop has a host of architectural wonders, including the enormous Grecian style columns of the National Monument of Scotland, the tallest viewpoint in the city at the Nelson Monument. and the City Observatory, which includes its own Gothic tower.

Arthur's Seat

Described by Robert Louis Stevenson as 'a hill for magnitude', Arthur's Seat is a relatively easy climb, and offers sweeping city views. It's close to Edinburgh Castle and the city centre.

Royal Yacht Britannia

Belonging to the Queen for over 40 years, this yacht now lies anchored in Edinburgh. Explore the many rooms before concluding the tour with tea and cake in the on-board restaurant.

Old Town

Home to St. Giles' Cathedral and the National Museum of Scotland, the oldest part of Edinburgh beguiles with its architecture, boutiques and outstanding eateries.

Edinburgh Castle

Dominating Edinburgh's skyline from its location on Castle Rock, Edinburgh Castle looks magical by night. During your visit, take the guided tour and stay for the 1pm firing of the canon.

Royal Mile

The city's most iconic street stretches from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace. Feast on fish and chips and savour some Scotch in a pub along here for a true taste of Scotland's Royal Mile.