Itinerarly
One day in Edinburgh: a walking route in the best order
Edinburgh's Old Town runs downhill along the Royal Mile, from the castle to Holyrood. This plan follows the Complete Edinburgh audio tour in the Itinerarly app: the Royal Mile in the morning, then Arthur's Seat, Calton Hill and the Scott Monument in the afternoon.
At a glance: 7 stops, about 5.8 km in straight lines between them (expect a bit more on foot), and about 2 h 20 of walking and listening, plus the time you spend inside the sights.
Morning: Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, St Giles' Cathedral, Palace of Holyroodhouse
- Edinburgh CastlePerched on a 350-million-year-old volcanic rock, Edinburgh Castle towers over the city like a crown of stone. A royal fortress since the 12th century, it was besieged more than twenty times, making it one of the most contested sites in Europe.
- Royal MileThe Royal Mile is the backbone of the Old Town, a long cobbled street running down from the castle to Holyrood Palace. Over a little more than a Scots mile stand medieval houses, shops, pubs and tall buildings called tenements, threaded with narrow alleys, the closes, where history hides at every…
- St Giles' CathedralSt Giles' Cathedral, recognisable by its crown-shaped spire, has been Edinburgh's principal church for almost nine centuries. At the heart of the Scottish Reformation, it was the pulpit of the fiery preacher John Knox, who defied Queen Mary, Queen of Scots, here.
- Palace of HolyroodhouseAt the foot of the Royal Mile rises the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the British monarchy in Scotland. Founded as an abbey in the 12th century, it became a royal palace and the stage for famous dramas: it was here that Mary, Queen of Scots, saw her Italian secretary Rizzio…
Afternoon: Arthur's Seat, Calton Hill, Scott Monument
- Arthur's SeatArthur's Seat is the summit of a volcano extinct for 340 million years, rising to 251 metres in the very heart of the city, within Holyrood Park. Its name perhaps evokes the legendary King Arthur and his Camelot.
- Calton HillCalton Hill, a small hill at the end of Princes Street, offers the postcard view of Edinburgh. You climb it in a few minutes to discover a striking ensemble of neoclassical monuments that earned the city the nickname "Athens of the North".
- Scott MonumentThe Scott Monument is the largest monument in the world dedicated to a writer. This 61-metre Gothic spire, blackened by time, was raised in 1844 in honour of Sir Walter Scott, father of the historical novel and author of Ivanhoe.
Only have an hour?
Take the Edinburgh Getaway tour instead: 3 stops, about 1 h: Edinburgh Castle → Royal Mile → St Giles' Cathedral.
Practical tips
- Edinburgh Castle is the city's busiest sight: book a timed ticket online.
- The One O'Clock Gun is fired from the castle every day except Sundays.
- Arthur's Seat takes about an hour up and down from Holyrood. Wear proper shoes; the path is rocky.
- The Palace of Holyroodhouse closes when the royal family is in residence. Check before you go.
- In August, the festivals fill the Royal Mile: book everything early.
Do it with a story at every stop
This route is the Complete Edinburgh tour in the free Itinerarly app. It walks you from stop to stop and plays a short narrated story when you arrive, in English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese. See all the audio tours of Edinburgh.
Frequently asked questions
- Can you see Edinburgh in one day?
- You can see the main sights from the outside and visit one or two of them inside. This route links 7 of them in an order that avoids backtracking.
- What is the best order to visit Edinburgh's main sights?
- One efficient order is: Edinburgh Castle → Royal Mile → St Giles' Cathedral → Palace of Holyroodhouse → Arthur's Seat → Calton Hill → Scott Monument. It is the order used by the Itinerarly Complete Edinburgh audio tour.
- Is there a free audio guide for Edinburgh?
- Yes. The Itinerarly app has 3 free self-guided audio tours of Edinburgh, narrated in English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese.