Edinburgh City Break

09:00 – 11:00·2h

Edinburgh Castle

On its volcanic plug before the crowds thicken: the Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny, and St Margaret's Chapel — the oldest building in the city. Book the first slot.

11:15 – 12:45·1h 30m

Royal Mile closes and St Giles

Work downhill ducking into the closes — Advocate's, Dunbar's — each a stone canyon with a story. St Giles' crown spire and the Thistle Chapel's carved angels midway.

St Giles' Cathedral

13:00 – 14:30·1h 30m

Lunch in the Grassmarket

Under the castle rock where the gallows once stood: haggis, neeps and tatties done seriously, or a pie and a pint at the White Hart, pouring since 1516.

Grassmarket

14:45 – 15:45·1h

National Museum of Scotland rooftop

Free, endless, and crowned by a secret: take the lift to the roof terrace for a castle view most visitors never find. Dolly the sheep is on level 1.

National Museum of Scotland

16:15 – 18:15·2h

Climb Arthur's Seat

The extinct volcano in the city's back garden. Take the gentler route via Salisbury Crags, 45 minutes up — the summit gives you the castle, the Forth and the sea in one turn.

Arthur's Seat

18:45 – 20:00·1h 15m

Dinner and a pint in the Canongate

Roll down to the Mile's quieter foot: the Tolbooth Tavern or Whiski Rooms. If there's folk music on somewhere — and there is — follow the fiddle.

Tolbooth Tavern