WHAT TO DO IN EDINBURGH

Where to stay and eat | What to see and tour

What to do in Edinburgh

Cobble Tales offer audio tours in Edinburgh that explain the art history, architecture and town planning. As you walk through the dramatic landscapes, picturesque Old Town, exquisite Georgian architecture, as well as exciting modern pieces, you will get a deeper understanding of Scottish culture and history.

To complement our architecture audio tours for discerning travellers, we are suggesting beautiful places to stay and eat. To expand your experience in Edinburgh, you will also find other tours to try, and places to visit. For more inspiration and research read our blog.

What to visit in Edinburgh

Compliment your architectural tour with visits to these architecture buff’s highlights in and around Edinburgh.

National Museum of Scotland

Enjoy the soaring white iron Great Hall (Balcony cafe is a good place to people watch) and the architectural promenade through its new extension. Do not miss the roof terrace for amazing views!

Spire of St Giles

Take a quick tour of the Cathedral and discover its oldest details. Then climb up to the tower to admire the vista over the Royal Mile. Departs every 30min on weekends with a maximum of 6 persons.

Scottish Parliament

Take a self-guided tour to appreciate this masterpiece of Postmodernism. Debating chamber is accessible when the parliament is not in session. Book way ahead for guided tours.

Royal Bank of Scotland

Said to be the most impressive telling hall in Europe, the starlit Dundas House extension is still operated by RBS as a regular bank branch. Visitors and photography welcome.

Salisbury Crags

Appreciate the design of the Scottish Parliament from a birds eye view by hiking up Salisbury Crags of the Holyrood Park. Views of Edinburgh and beyond are spectacular.

Parliament House

Visit the place where the Parliament of Scotland sat until 1707. Open for visitors during office hours. Note the original 1639 Dutch oak ceiling structure presiding over the meeting place for lawyers.

Register House

Robert Adam's masterpiece and one of the world's oldest custom-built archive buildings still in use. Open during office hours. Do not miss Adam's tall rotunda and the secret archivists' garden at the back!

Rosslyn Chapel

Spend hours marvelling at exquisite and mysterious sculpture that covers this small building from floor to roof. Enveloped in Templar history, this chapel is also a major draw for the Da Vinci Code fans.

Firth of Forth Railway Bridge

UNESCO heritage site in its own right, this majestic railway bridge is best observed from South or North Queesferry. Real bridge aficionados might even consider taking a boat trip for a better look!

Where to eat and drink in Edinburgh

As an architecture buff, you will appreciate carefully restored period decorum, attention to detail and city skyline as you sample the local bites and tipples. Take afternoon tea in the former advocate’s library, sip a cocktail in a Victorian bank, or enjoy the views from a cosy contemporary terrace.

Afternoon tea at the Signet library

Indulge in an elaborate (best in town according to us!) afternoon tea at the Colonnades amongst the shelves of a magnificent former law library.

Lunch in a bank

Contini serves up finest Scottish and Italian produce in a grand former bank space. Mushroom Gnocchi under the corinthian capitals is to die for!

Dinner and views from Calton hill

Have entire Edinburgh under your feet as you savour the modern Scottish cuisine in this sleek newly built Lookout by Gardeners Cottage.

Tea in New Town

An amazing choice of tea and the light atmosphere of a tall Georgian living room with huge windows. Stop by Fredericks Coffee House if you are out about in the New Town.

Drinks in a former bank

The Dome offers one of the most glamorous drink experiences in Edinburgh, especially during the festive period when the entire building is Christmas ready.

Views over New Town

Although the cocktails at Harvey Nichols top floor bar are impeccable, it is the views that you are after! Time it right to watch the sun go down over the roofline of New Town.

Romantic banquet

Hands down the most sumptuously decorated interiors in Edinburgh, the Witchery is set in a historic merchant's house. Dine on red leather seats, surrounded by ancient oak panelling hung with tapestries.

Dinner in Georgian meeting rooms

Set in the elegant and light Georgian convening rooms, Howies offers an affordable dining experience of modern Scottish cuisine.

Cocktails in a contemporary covered terrace

Enjoy a cocktail on Devil's Advocate's swanky heated terrace as you watch passersby on Advocate close.

Tours in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is such a culturally rich city, you can explore it different ways! These are our favourite tours for art, photography and culinary enthusiasts, as well as those wishing to discover further afield in a sustainable way!

Art Deco Tours

Cruise into the 1930's Edinburgh with 7 Hills Tours, taking you way off the beaten track to see more than twenty Art Deco gems. Enjoy afternoon tea in the gorgeous 1936 Maybury Roadhouse!

Photography tour

On this photography walking tour and workshop, do justice to the photogenic Edinburgh and learn to take great photos with Don of Edinburgh Photo Walks, a local professional photographer.

Food tours

Eat Walk Edinburgh provide food walking tours visiting five venues for food tastings, with three also having drink tastings. The guides will talk about the history of the City as you walk between venues.

Luxury tours in E-Vehicle

Explore Scotland in style with E-City Chauffeur on a luxury zero-emission private tour in a Tesla Model S. Passionate guide with a sense of humour included!

Places to stay in Edinburgh

A careful selection of places we would love to stay in if only we were visiting Edinburgh. The views, the atmosphere, architectural detailing and their surroundings make them ideal pads for architecture buffs!

Georgian apartment

On a grand Georgian scale, this luxury three bedroom New Town home is a great opportunity to live the high life. You’ll find high ceilings, period details and lovely large windows.

Modern designer pad

Indulge in designer décor and views over entire Edinburgh from your own rooftop terrace in modern top floor flat of the Quartermile complex designed by Foster&Partners

17th Century Mansion Hotel

Prestonfield House, designed by Sir William Bruce, retains some amazing original interior detailing such as leather wallpaper! Afternoon tea is also worth a trip here.

Mews Apartment

An original Victorian artisan house that has been carefully restored into a spacious apartment, and still has one of the stables below for use as a private garage with the house.

Boutique Hotel in Georgian Terrace

Part of the terrace designed by W H Playfair, this beautiful Georgian building with a back garden hosts a modern boutique hotel with a stunning art collection.

1750s Merchant's House

Built in 1756 for a merchant, Rock House is a historic gem. This Calton hill property features a decorative outdoor pool with amazing views over Edinburgh.

Victorian Mansion

Stunning late Victorian property located in a quiet leafy residential street. En-suite, super-king size bed in a spacious room, pets welcome.

1880s Model Social Housing

Enjoy the views over the courtyard and clock tower of Well Court. A red sandstone Victorian social housing in Scottish Baronial Revival style built in 1884.

Looking for more of things to do in Edinburgh?

See the best Art Deco buildings, refurbishment projects, days out from Edinburgh, and more on our blog. See our page for group tours if you are planning a study trip to Edinburgh.

Don’t have time to do the research and want to see the best of Edinburgh’s architecture? Book a tour with us!