Edinburgh Castle

📌 Old Town, City of Edinburgh
★★★★★

With over 2.1 million visitors in 2019, Edinburgh Castle is the most popular paid-for attraction in Scotland. Rising majestically above the city’s Old and New Towns on an ancient volcanic outcrop, the castle commands the ultimate defensive location and the views over Edinburgh from the site are excellent too. Over its long history the castle has juggled several roles ranging from royal residence to military base, also changing hands several times during the Wars of Independence. The central, tiny St Margaret’s Chapel dates to the 1100s but many of the castle’s other buildings are much more recent; parts of the site are still used by the British Army. There’s a huge amount to see indoors including the Great Hall, Scottish Crown Jewels and even the National War Museum, so little wonder that this is Historic Environment Scotland’s priciest property to visit. Is it worth it? We would cautiously say yes, as long as you have an interest in the half-dozen or so, text-heavy museums and exhibition areas. Come very early or later in the day with a pre-booked ticket to avoid the worst of the crowds during summer, and allow a few hours to look around the extensive site. Those rushed for time or strapped for cash can get pretty good views of the castle just by walking to the top of the Royal Mile and around the base of Castle Rock for free.

🌍 Location

📌 Castlehill, 15-min walk southwest of Edinburgh Waverley station

🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NT 252735

🛰️ GPS coordinates: 55.948558,-3.198754

🚌 George IV Bridge | 🚋 Princes Street | 🚆 Edinburgh Waverley (0.5 mi)

🚗 Car parks / street parking nearby (both charge)

📝 Key info

⌚ Daily by timed ticket. Advance booking recommended to avoid queuing; walk-up tickets may be suspended at peak times

🎫 £22 adult / £13.20 child / free for Historic Environment Scotland members; discount for booking online in advance

🔗 edinburghcastle.scot