Unforgettable long weekend in Edinburgh – 10 travel tips from a cabin crew member

We flew to Edinburgh on Finnair’s direct flight from Helsinki. As we travelled to Edinburgh in October, we expected the weather to be misty and mysterious, however, instead we got sunshine for all three days.

Edinburgh is truly something everyone should experience, as walking around the city feels like you’re diving back in time or walking on a film set. Here come my 10 tips for a weekend trip to Edinburgh:

1. Take the tram from the airport

We looked up in advance how to get from the airport to the city and learned that the tram goes straight to the heart of the city centre. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes and costs around £8.50 (return ticket). The tram runs every seven minutes and is the most convenient way to get from the airport to the city.

2. Book your accommodation with good location

We found a nice hotel called Mount Royal Hotel Edinburgh by The Unlimited Collection that was located on Princess Street, which is a lively street with lots of shops. It’s only a stone's throw from Edinburgh’s Old Town, and it takes you about five minutes to walk over the bridge to the heart of the city. The location is ideal if you only have a few days in Edinburgh like we did, and you won’t need any taxis or rental cars.

3. Learn about Edinburgh’s (dark) history and join a ghost tour

Edinburgh’s history is quite dark, and it’s said that close by in the caves once lived a family that used to practice cannibalism. During the night, they would take people from Edinburgh’s streets to the caves and eat them. Based on these tales, there are multiple ghost tours available in the city. 

We were brave enough to take part in one, and booked an Admission to Edinburgh Dungeon, which is a 70-minute-long interactive experience. Our group walked underground and encountered live actors along the way, which made the whole experience both a terrifying and fun way to learn more about Edinburgh’s history. I’ve never experienced anything like this and do highly recommend it! 

4. Step into the magical world of Harry Potter

Edinburgh is known for being a filming location for Harry Potter films. You can participate in one of the guided tours that take you through the most famous Harry Potter sites, including the café called The Elephant House, in which J.K. Rowling wrote the first book. There’s also a great Harry Potter shop in the city that sells anything related to the movies – Harry Potter fans shouldn’t miss it.

5. Visit the Greyfriars Kirkyard cemetery

This old and numinous cemetery is also known for Harry Potter films, while at the same time, it’s associated with various ghost stories. You can also find there a statue of Edinburgh’s most famous dog, Greyfriars Kirkyard Bobby, who spent years at the cemetery after his owned had passed. Next to the graveyard, you can visit a famous pub that is named after Bobby. 

The cemetery is open 24/7 and is one of the most well-known cemeteries in the world.

6. Walk up to Edinburgh’s Castle

The famous Royal Mile Street takes you to Edinburgh Castle, which is located high up on Castle Rock Hill. The stunning place offers you history and culture with breathtaking views. If you want to get to know the castle even better, you should purchase an admission ticket, and you’ll get to admire Scottish Crown Jewels and the Skane Coronation Stones. There are also private guided tours available that take you both to the castle and the cemetery.

7. Get into the Scottish spirit in the local pubs

We did a pub crawl and went through different pubs that you can find everywhere in the city. In the evenings, many of them have live music and troubadours playing. This is a great way to see how locals spend their evenings, and to get a feel for the Edinburgh way of life. 

8. Search for the best views

Edinburgh has many viewpoints, from which you can enjoy truly stunning views over the city and admire the sunsets. I would recommend checking out at least these: 

Calton Hill, which is a volcanic hill and one of the best photography spots in Edinburgh near the city center. From here, you can see Edinburgh Castle, the old town, Arthur’s Seat, and the Fifth of Forth. 

Arthur’s Seat, which is the most famous hiking destination in Edinburgh, with a view over the entire city from the top of the hill. However, it’s good to note that the trails there are hiking trails, so make sure you have good shoes on and bring a water bottle along.

9. Spend some hours at the National Museum of Scotland

If you decide to pay a visit to the National Museum of Scotland, make sure to reserve some time for it, as the museum is huge and has multiple floors. You’ll find thousands of items and lots of things to do there – also kids enjoy it there. And what’s great, you can access the museum free of charge. We found this place so amazing that we ended up spending four hours there just admiring and looking at different things. 

10. Don’t miss the lively Grassmarket area

The Grassmarket area is located next to the castle, and it has colourful history as a market area, where also some riots and public executions took place back in the day. Nowadays, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, full of lovely shops and various restaurants, and has nice outdoor terraces during the summertime. We enjoyed there the traditional Fish & Chips. 

All and all, I found Edinburgh a spectacular travel destination definitely worth a visit. This time we only had three full days in the city, but next time I go, I would love to experience the moors of Scotland and get to know the country more. For now, I only have a glimpse of Edinburgh in my pocket – and memories to cherish for a long time. 

We fly from Helsinki to Edinburgh multiple times a week throughout the year.