Edinburgh in 5 Days – A Relaxed and Inspiring City Break ✨

Scotland has fascinated me since childhood – not least because of the legendary Highlander films. Years ago, I only had time for a short flying visit to Edinburgh. So I was all the more excited about this five-day city trip. I like to travel slowly, take breaks and not rush from one highlight to the next. Here’s how I spent five relaxed and inspiring days in Edinburgh – and what you shouldn’t miss.

✈️ Arrival, Packing Tips & First Impressions

Edinburgh Airport is easy to navigate, and transfer to the city is smooth. I highly recommend using Uber – it’s cheaper than a taxi and super convenient. Alternatively, public buses are reliable and affordable. You can pay with your debit card directly when boarding.

In the evening, we explored the Fountainbridge neighborhood, once an industrial district (and birthplace of Sean Connery!), now home to modern offices, restaurants and leisure spots. Our go-to pub became the cozy Fountainbridge Fox, founded in 1850 – authentic pub fare and an impressive selection of Scottish beers and whiskies.

🏰 Exploring Old Town: Royal Mile, Castle Hill & Holyrood Palace

Our first full day took us straight to Castle Hill. The views are spectacular, and even if you don’t get castle tickets right away, the surrounding area offers so much to discover.

Walking down the Royal Mile felt like stepping into a mix of history and tourist buzz. Souvenir shops, historic closes, musicians and street performers set the scene. We passed by Holyrood Palace, official Scottish residence of the British King, and paused for tea in a nearby pub.

For dinner, we enjoyed authentic Mexican food at Viva Mexico Old Town – colorful, flavorful, and cozy!

🛍️ New Town Vibes: Shopping, Cafés & Trendy Streets

On day two, we explored New Town with its Georgian streets and beautiful parks. Princes Street is ideal for shopping, while Princes Gardens offer lovely views and a dark past – it used to be a lake where people were drowned during the Middle Ages.

We walked down George Street and browsed the new St. James Quarter mall. For lunch, we stopped at Itsu for fresh sushi and then indulged in Hotel Chocolat’s rich hot chocolate.

In the evening, we were in the mood for Indian food and visited the Chaskaa Indian Restaurant, which served us delicious curries with fresh naan.   

🛳️ Royal Yacht, Riverside Walks & Hidden Gems

On our third day, we hopped on a Lothian Bus straight to Leith Harbour, where the Royal Yacht Britannia awaits visitors in regal stillness. Thanks to our pre-booked online tickets, we could board without delay. Even better – the sun was finally out, casting a golden glow on the decks. It was a real treat to wander through the ship’s elegant corridors and imagine the Royal Family cruising the world’s oceans in style. I especially loved having tea on the Royal Tea Deck – an experience you can read about in more detail here.

Later, we headed to Stockbridge, a creative and cozy neighborhood full of indie stores, vintage shops and artisan cafés. Don’t miss the chance to sip cappuccino and people-watch with cake in hand!

After exploring Stockbridge, we walked along the Water of Leith and discovered the fairytale charm of Dean Village – one of the most picturesque spots in all of Edinburgh.

Dinner? Back at our neighborhood pub, the Fountainbridge Fox, with a hearty portion of fish & chips. So good!

👻 Day of Legends: Blackfriars, Haunted Closes & Ramen

Day four was for Edinburgh’s hidden layers. First stop: Greyfriars Bobby, the statue of the loyal dog, followed by Greyfriars Kirkyard, one of the city’s most famous cemeteries.

We then booked a guided tour of Mary’s King Close – a preserved 17th-century alley beneath the Royal Mile. Guided by actors and ghostly stories, this underground world is both spooky and fascinating. Highly recommended! The tour conveniently ends in their little gift shop, which was nice to check out.

One of my favorite discoveries in Edinburgh’s Old Town was Victoria Street – a winding, cobblestone road lined with colorful shopfronts, quirky boutiques and charming cafés. The street’s curved layout and vibrant façades are almost too pretty to be real – no wonder it’s said to have inspired Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter books. Whether you’re browsing Scottish design stores, looking for handmade fudge or just taking photos, this street is pure magic. Don’t forget to look up – the mix of historic architecture and color makes it a real eye-catcher!

Dinner was at Maki & Ramen, a lively Japanese spot with Ramen, sushi, and quirky walls full of guest notes and drawings. Ramen and sushi fans will get their money’s worth here.

🏛️ Last Day Highlights: Museums, Castles & Fudge

On our last full day in Edinburgh, we wanted to visit a museum and were spoiled for choice.  Should we check out the Scottish National Gallery or the National Museum of Scotland? We finally decided on the latter and spent a few relaxing hours in the extensive museum: natural history, science, art and design, technology, world cultures – there was an interesting exhibition on seemingly every subject. As it was a rainy Sunday morning and admission was free, we were far from alone in the museum, but the crowds lost themselves in the large, spacious building.  

At lunchtime, we stopped off at the Theater Café and tried the scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam – a must when in Edinburgh!  

Then we finally explored the Edinburgh Castle. Be sure to book tickets online and plan at least 2 hours for your visit – it’s huge and packed with history.

Finally, it was time for souvenir hunting. Hot tip: Be sure to visit the House of Fudge at the bottom of the Royal Mile. It offers a variety of handmade fudges, and there is also the opportunity to sample them. You can have different types of fudge put together for your loved ones at home, which are then packaged in a pretty box.

🏁 Final Thoughts

Edinburgh has a way of drawing you in – with its layered history, dramatic skyline, and that ever-changing weather that somehow makes everything feel more alive. I loved how the city effortlessly combines the old and the new: one moment you’re wandering through medieval closes, the next you’re sipping hot chocolate in a sleek café.

What really stuck with me, though, was the atmosphere. There’s something comforting about the grey stone buildings, the warm glow of the pubs, and the way locals always seem to have a friendly word. It’s a city that invites you to slow down, take detours, and let yourself drift a little.

Would I come back? Absolutely. There’s still so much I haven’t seen – Arthur’s Seat on a clear day, more galleries, hidden bookstores, and so much more! For now, I’m taking home memories of cobblestones, scones, and the sound of bagpipes echoing down the Royal Mile.

Edinburgh, you were moody, magical, and full of charm. I’ll be back!