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Home » Things to do

History, heritage & things to do in Edinburgh

The Vennel, looking to Edinburgh Castle
The Vennel, looking to Edinburgh Castle © Forever Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s historic sites & other attractions

There are monuments and statues to admire, beautiful open spaces, historic castles and palaces, with orderly New Town streets and higgledy-piggledy Old Town closes and wynds just waiting to be explored.

Explore the many attractions and activities Edinburgh has to offer through our curated sections. Below, you’ll find links to themed pages that delve deeper into specific categories.

Whether you’re interested in historical sites, green spaces, cultural venues, or other points of interest, these sections will help you plan your visit to Edinburgh.

Scroll down to start exploring
Scotch Whisky Experience

Whisky in Edinburgh: distilleries, bars, tours and tastings

Read moreWhisky in Edinburgh: distilleries, bars, tours and tastings
Gin in Edinburgh

gin in Edinburgh: a guide to distilleries, bars and more

Read moregin in Edinburgh: a guide to distilleries, bars and more
St Cuthbert graveyard

Edinburgh historical snippets: bite-sized history

Read moreEdinburgh historical snippets: bite-sized history
Edinburgh NTS Malleny Garden

NTS properties in Edinburgh & nearby

Read moreNTS properties in Edinburgh & nearby
Royal Mile

Royal Mile: a historic walk through Edinburgh Old Town

Read moreRoyal Mile: a historic walk through Edinburgh Old Town
Dirleton CastleGardens

Edinburgh parks and gardens

Read moreEdinburgh parks and gardens
St Cuthbert's Church, Edinburgh

Edinburgh historic churches and graveyards

Read moreEdinburgh historic churches and graveyards
Craigmillar Castle

12 castles in and near Edinburgh worth visiting

Read more12 castles in and near Edinburgh worth visiting
New Town Charlotte Square

Edinburgh New Town: symbol of the Scottish Enlightenment

Read moreEdinburgh New Town: symbol of the Scottish Enlightenment

More Edinburgh content

Edinburgh: Mary King's Close

Explore Edinburgh’s Old Town closes and wynds

Read moreExplore Edinburgh’s Old Town closes and wynds
King Charles II, Edinburgh statue

Edinburgh’s statues and monuments: a historical journey

Read moreEdinburgh’s statues and monuments: a historical journey
Edinburgh attraction: Laurieston castle

Top attractions in Edinburgh: a visitor’s guide

Read moreTop attractions in Edinburgh: a visitor’s guide

Edinburgh history

While many of the articles in the Edinburgh index have some historic information, the feature-length articles below go into more detail.

Grassmarket Edinburgh Old Town

History of the Grassmarket and other Old Town streets

Leith

History of Leith: from the Bronze Age to the vibrant Shore scene

16th century Edinburgh: university of Edinburgh

the University of Edinburgh: explore its history from 1583

Lauriston Castle: history & visitor information

national museum scotland

39 Free things to do in edinburgh: a visitor’s guide for 2025

Read more39 Free things to do in edinburgh: a visitor’s guide for 2025
Jupiter Artland

Unusual things to see in Edinburgh: 24 suggestions

Read moreUnusual things to see in Edinburgh: 24 suggestions
Writers' Museum

the best Edinburgh museums: a visitors’ guide (2025)

Read morethe best Edinburgh museums: a visitors’ guide (2025)

Edinburgh people

Edinburgh scientists

31 Edinburgh scientists whose work changed our lives

Read more31 Edinburgh scientists whose work changed our lives
History of Scotland: St Giles Cathedral

George Heriot: Jingling Geordie

Read moreGeorge Heriot: Jingling Geordie
Edinburgh fire engine

James Braidwood: Edinburgh’s firefighting pioneer

Read moreJames Braidwood: Edinburgh’s firefighting pioneer
Old College University of Edinburgh

William Cullen: Edinburgh teacher of clinical medicine

Read moreWilliam Cullen: Edinburgh teacher of clinical medicine
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