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Edinburgh city tourist attractions

Edinburgh Castle

Witness to over 1,000 years of history, Edinburgh Castle is a majestic landmark which dominates the Edinburgh city skyline like no other castle in Scotland. For information click here.

Edinburgh International Conference Centre

Set close to the heart of Edinburgh city centre, the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) is an award-winning, inspiring venue to hold large meetings & conferences in Edinburgh. For more information click here.

Edinburgh International Festival

The Edinburgh International Festival is an international celebration of the best in opera, classical music, theatre and dance, this Edinburgh attraction attracts tourists worldwide. For more information click here.

Edinburgh Military Tattoo

From the dazzling esplanade of Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh’s Military Tattoo celebrates decades of music and spectacle with a colourful kaleidoscope of music, dance and display. For more information click here.

Scottish Parliament

The striking and certainly unique Scottish Parliament building rests at the bottom of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile opposite the Queen’s official Scottish Residence, the Palace of Holyroodhouse. For more information click here.

Scottish Borders

While enjoying a city break in Edinburgh it is easier to explore further afield and discover more of the wonderful scenery, historic attractions and fantastic array of outdoor pursuits that Scotland has to offer, none more so than in the Scottish Borders. The Scottish Borders is not just an area of outstanding natural beauty; it’s an area where a colourful and turbulent history has shaped Borders life over the centuries, instilling a local pride and passion in all who live here. 

In a richly diverse area of around eighteen hundred square miles, the romantic Scottish Borders stretches from the rumbling hills in the west, through green valleys to the rich, fertile plains of the east, and on to the rocky Berwickshire coastline with its secluded sandy cove beaches and picture postcard fishing communities.

Tracing a path from the hills to the sea through the Scottish Borders the River Tweed, fed by its many tributaries, provides some of the best fishing in Scotland. As well as fishing, you can try your hand at golf, horse riding, quad biking, canoeing, falconry, hill walking, cycling or mountain biking, in fact Glentress, near Peebles, is rated as 'the best dedicated mountain bike centre in Britain' by Mountain Bike Rider Magazine. If you wish to explore the Scottish Borders by car there are several scenic drives with landscapes to take your breath away too. You'll discover friendly towns and charming villages, while castles, abbeys, stately homes and museums illustrate the exciting and often bloody history of the area. Such historical attractions include Melrose Abbey, home to the heart of Robert the Bruce, the great Scottish King and Kelso Abbey, founded in 1128 and the enchanting Floors Castle, near Kelso are just some of the must sees.

It's that history which is commemorated in the Common Ridings and other local festivals, creating a colourful pageant much enjoyed by visitors and natives of the Scottish Borders alike. As the Borders is a region famed for its textiles we think you'll want to browse and buy beautiful tweeds and tartans and the highest quality knitwear from our mills and shops.

Eating out is a pleasure too - with a choice of hotels, inns, restaurants and cafes offering prices to suit your pocket and flavours to tempt you with some of the best Scottish produce from the land and the sea as well as some amazing sugary treats and cakes.

A visit to the wonderfully scenic Scottish Borders is the perfect compliment to the bright lights and history of any Edinburgh city break.

• Find out more about the Scottish Borders