What to Do With 24 Hours in Edinburgh
I joined a well known travel forum the other night as I love to get ideas for future trips.
One post was a request for ideas for spending 24 hours in Edinburgh.
Having lived in Scotland's capital for a year in my teens I decided to write my own recommendations partly so I could share my favourites and secondly so I could reminisce.
I'm keeping everything within walking distance of the City Centre so here goes, 24 hour whistle stop tour of my favourite corners of Edinburgh.
Rise and Shine, it's breakfast time...
So first things first, you've just arrived in Edinburgh and the first thing on your mind is your stomach.
You could go for the traditional 'full Scottish' of eggs, beans, tattie scone and every form of meat known to man but with Patisserie Florentine on St Giles St, no matter how you arrived in Edinburgh I'm sure the hunger can wait 'till you've walked there.
With nothing but fabulous pastries available once you get there you'll be glad you skipped the 'full Scottish'! Why not take in Edinburgh Castle and Princes St Gardens on your way to cram in as much sight seeing as you can! Museum 'till Midday Edinburgh has a huge array of fantastic museums and art galleries but my favourite has got to be the National Museum of Scotland on Chamber's Street.
The building itself is fun to wander round and admire and you can easily spend the whole day here if you have the time.
It's a great place to learn about Scotland and its people or just a general wander! If you finish up early try the Museum of Childhood on the Royal Mile.
Let's Do Lunch So, after all the sightseeing in the morning it's finally time for lunch.
The Elephant house on George IV Bridge is the perfect location as it's so close to the museum, has terrific views of the Castle and is a good start for the afternoon activities.
The Elephant House has a really relaxing feel and I have spent many an hour wasting time in here so beware, if you make the mistake of getting a big coffee and your book out there is a fair chance you won't be making use of the rest of this guide :-) Underground, Overground...
Fancy scaring yourself silly? Then take a trip down Mary King's Close and see what it was like to live in Edinburgh in the 16th to the 19th Century.
It's pretty creepy down in the caverns (old streets that are now foundations for the Royal Exchange) as you learn about the Plague and grave digging! If you're not game for that, then how about a spot of shopping? Not you're usual Topshop and co.
Stay on the Royal Mile and sample the likes of the Fudge Kitchen, Edinburgh Organ Studio [http://www.
organstudio.
co.
uk/digital-organs/cart.
php] and the Cigar Box for a more unique souvenir! It's Thai Time! (tea time..
..
get it!?) My all time favourite Edinburgh restaurant has to be the Thai Orchid on Johnson Terrace.
Walk to the top of the Royal Mile facing the Castle and head left and you're there.
The lighting and atmosphere is relaxing, mellow and perfect for couples and families alike.
I kept the Thai Orchid until evening (despite their great lunch menu) as it will give you the opportunity to walk up the Royal Mile in the dark and get a good look at the Castle when it's all lit up - still my favourite view in Edinburgh and bring back so many happy memories! Last Orders! So after your meal you're probably looking for a few nightcaps unless of course you fancy a ghost tour along the Royal Mile that is! Clubbing's not my thing so I can only point you to good pubs but here goes anyway: 1)Follow in the steps of Rebus and try the Oxford Bar on Young St 2)Go to the Jekyll and Hyde, one of Edinburgh's eerie pubs.
You can even take the eerie pub tour and try to take in all of the pubs in the chain 3)For a good old fashioned pub try the Tass on High St.
No fuss, no fanciness just good old fashioned beer.
4)For something a little trendier there's always Iguana (41 Lothian St) for cocktails And so to bed...
Well, with such an active day you'll be dying to get your had down for a kip.
As I lived in Edinburgh I don't have too many suggestions for accommodation.
The last time we went over for a long weekend we got a Best Western in Bruntsfield which was lovely with big rooms and friendly staff.
A 20min walk out of town but worth it for the peaceful surroundings (and the fact you can easily park there!).
Whatever you decide to do with your 24 hours in Edinburgh, you're sure to have a wonderful time.
One post was a request for ideas for spending 24 hours in Edinburgh.
Having lived in Scotland's capital for a year in my teens I decided to write my own recommendations partly so I could share my favourites and secondly so I could reminisce.
I'm keeping everything within walking distance of the City Centre so here goes, 24 hour whistle stop tour of my favourite corners of Edinburgh.
Rise and Shine, it's breakfast time...
So first things first, you've just arrived in Edinburgh and the first thing on your mind is your stomach.
You could go for the traditional 'full Scottish' of eggs, beans, tattie scone and every form of meat known to man but with Patisserie Florentine on St Giles St, no matter how you arrived in Edinburgh I'm sure the hunger can wait 'till you've walked there.
With nothing but fabulous pastries available once you get there you'll be glad you skipped the 'full Scottish'! Why not take in Edinburgh Castle and Princes St Gardens on your way to cram in as much sight seeing as you can! Museum 'till Midday Edinburgh has a huge array of fantastic museums and art galleries but my favourite has got to be the National Museum of Scotland on Chamber's Street.
The building itself is fun to wander round and admire and you can easily spend the whole day here if you have the time.
It's a great place to learn about Scotland and its people or just a general wander! If you finish up early try the Museum of Childhood on the Royal Mile.
Let's Do Lunch So, after all the sightseeing in the morning it's finally time for lunch.
The Elephant house on George IV Bridge is the perfect location as it's so close to the museum, has terrific views of the Castle and is a good start for the afternoon activities.
The Elephant House has a really relaxing feel and I have spent many an hour wasting time in here so beware, if you make the mistake of getting a big coffee and your book out there is a fair chance you won't be making use of the rest of this guide :-) Underground, Overground...
Fancy scaring yourself silly? Then take a trip down Mary King's Close and see what it was like to live in Edinburgh in the 16th to the 19th Century.
It's pretty creepy down in the caverns (old streets that are now foundations for the Royal Exchange) as you learn about the Plague and grave digging! If you're not game for that, then how about a spot of shopping? Not you're usual Topshop and co.
Stay on the Royal Mile and sample the likes of the Fudge Kitchen, Edinburgh Organ Studio [http://www.
organstudio.
co.
uk/digital-organs/cart.
php] and the Cigar Box for a more unique souvenir! It's Thai Time! (tea time..
..
get it!?) My all time favourite Edinburgh restaurant has to be the Thai Orchid on Johnson Terrace.
Walk to the top of the Royal Mile facing the Castle and head left and you're there.
The lighting and atmosphere is relaxing, mellow and perfect for couples and families alike.
I kept the Thai Orchid until evening (despite their great lunch menu) as it will give you the opportunity to walk up the Royal Mile in the dark and get a good look at the Castle when it's all lit up - still my favourite view in Edinburgh and bring back so many happy memories! Last Orders! So after your meal you're probably looking for a few nightcaps unless of course you fancy a ghost tour along the Royal Mile that is! Clubbing's not my thing so I can only point you to good pubs but here goes anyway: 1)Follow in the steps of Rebus and try the Oxford Bar on Young St 2)Go to the Jekyll and Hyde, one of Edinburgh's eerie pubs.
You can even take the eerie pub tour and try to take in all of the pubs in the chain 3)For a good old fashioned pub try the Tass on High St.
No fuss, no fanciness just good old fashioned beer.
4)For something a little trendier there's always Iguana (41 Lothian St) for cocktails And so to bed...
Well, with such an active day you'll be dying to get your had down for a kip.
As I lived in Edinburgh I don't have too many suggestions for accommodation.
The last time we went over for a long weekend we got a Best Western in Bruntsfield which was lovely with big rooms and friendly staff.
A 20min walk out of town but worth it for the peaceful surroundings (and the fact you can easily park there!).
Whatever you decide to do with your 24 hours in Edinburgh, you're sure to have a wonderful time.
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