Edinburgh is a beautiful place, it is the capital and a municipality of Scotland (United Kingdom). It is the second largest city in Scotland after Glasgow.
The historic centre of Edinburgh is divided into two large areas by the Princes Street Gardens, which were laid out in 1816. On the south side, the panorama is dominated by Edinburgh Castle, and the long strip that is Old Town. On the north side are Princes Street and New Town.
To the west of the castle is the financial district, with banking and insurance buildings. Here you can find what is probably most captivating building of them all, circular and made of sandstone, the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.
The Old and New City of Edinburgh were both declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.
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Going out in Edinburgh
The imposing towers give way to cobbled streets, which end in lantern alleys. With the arrival of summer, the city comes alive, culminating in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
What really makes Edinburgh beautiful is the people. Warm, resourceful and fiercely proud, they bring passion to their city’s culture. You can be sure that if you arrive as a tourist, you will leave this city as a great friend.
Going out in Edinburgh will never be a boring task, whether you are with your partner, or trying to conquer that special person who touched your heart. Its impressive streets will always give you a topic of conversation. Let’s explore some of the wonders this city has to offer.
Whether you’re interested in witchcraft, royalty or writers, there are many attractions not to be missed in the Scottish capital.
Of course there are many historical sites, from the castle on its craggy cliff to the spooky Greyfriars Cemetery. However, there are also other attractions which are much more current, such as Dynamic Earth for fans of science, or the outstanding collections of modern art.
Have ready to walk the hills and cobblestones of this great city and start exploring.
Edinburgh Castle
Without doubt the landmark that attracts most attention is 12th century Edinburgh Castle, built on a cliff overlooking the Royal Mile.
The powerful castle fortress rises above the city, on a rock formed as a result of millennia of erosion. The guided tour is an unparalleled experience, an excellent way to explore the best parts of this complex of buildings and the history of monarchs, sieges and battles. It also offers panoramic views of the beautiful city that stretches all the way to the sea. Seeing the city from this height is a great experience, your partner will be sure to retain the memory of that great kiss you had inside a castle, with a view that will remain imprinted in his/her memory forever.
Grassmarket
Located in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, behind Edinburgh Castle, is the Grassmarket. One of the most vibrant, picturesque and lively areas of the city.
A haven for independent traders, designers and craftsmen, the Grassmarket is packed with some of the best shops Edinburgh has to offer. The area is known to host some of Edinburgh’s best restaurants, as well as some of the liveliest and most eclectic bars.
To lighten the mood and relax with your partner, you can enjoy the long-established traditional pubs which serve great food and have live music, of all types. There are many options to choose from, such as a beer at The White Hart Inn, Beehive Inn, Last Drop Tavern or a Guinness at Biddy Mulligan’s. Brew Dog serves some excellent draught beer from its own range.
Don’t miss a picture with one of the most significant attractions of this area, it may be small, but the Greyfriars Bobby bronze sculpture located at the top of Candlemaker Row is a memorable landmark, almost as praised as Edinburgh Castle. The monument is dedicated to a Skye terrier dog that suffered at its owners’ grave for years after his death, and is one of the city’s most famous icons.
Holyrood Palace
At the lower end of the Royal Mile, near the Scottish Parliament building, is the opulent Holyrood Palace. This royal residence has been home to Scottish kings and queens since the 16th century, and remains an official residence of the Queen. Expert tours of the palace include the state apartments, the historic chambers of Mary Queen of Scots and the ruins of the neighbouring abbey.
The palaces have such a deep touch of history and connection with royalty, that just by imagining the love stories that developed in these rooms, they can make your head spin. Walking through those stone corridors which are the only witnesses of the passage of time, can make you feel a sensation of pleasure.
See the view from Arthur’s Seat
Before being able to enjoy this spectacular view, you will first have to climb to the top. It’s the highest hill in the Scottish capital, with a peak that reaches 251 metres. A modest altitude, but enough to make it rise above everything else and to see it from almost anywhere in the city. The views over this mystical ancient volcano are one in a million. Ideal for watching the sunset or sunrise with the person you love and taking some impressive photographs of the city.
Back in the city, don’t miss the National Museum of Scotland or one of the many art galleries.
Then dive into the underground vaults of Edinburgh’s dungeon or Blair Street, where body snatchers Burke and Hare did their deeds.
Finally, it wouldn’t be Edinburgh without a touch of magic. Harry Potter is a household name around the world, but did you know that J.K. Rowling wrote the world’s favourite magic stories here in Edinburgh? As you walk around the city, you can see the streets and places that inspired the global sensation of the little wizard. So if you or your partner are a fan of this fantastic story, it’s sure to be an unparalleled experience to be in the real locations of this favourite novel.
