Edinburgh Castle

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Edinburgh Castle: Tours & Tickets

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Find the Best View of Edinburgh Castle

If you're looking for picturesque, you'll love Edinburgh. The cityscape of the Scottish capital is a feast for the eyes, topped by the imposing Edinburgh Castle at its highest point. To get the best view of this beautiful city, head to these five points.

  • Calton Hill

    1. Calton Hill

    One of the oldest public parks in Scotland, Calton Hill is a local favorite. It's also an easy climb – in just five minutes, you'll be able enjoy the spectacular views.

  • Princes Street Gardens

    2. Princes Street Gardens

    This lovely, perfectly-maintained public garden offers a breathtaking view of the castle from below. Just head to the Ross Fountain to the West and look up, you'll be amazed.

  • Arthur's Seat

    3. Arthur's Seat

    A dormant volcano sitting 251m above sea level, Arthur's Seat offers a magnificent aerial view of the city and castle. Be sure to check out the historic fort there, too.

  • Blackford Hill

    4. Blackford Hill

    It may not be as famous as Calton Hill or Arthur's Seat, but Blackford Hill has views that are just as gorgeous. It's also home to the Royal Observatory, a favorite of astronomy lovers.

  • Dorothy's Eye View

    5. Dorothy's Eye View

    This view of the castle inspired George Gibson to paint the Emerald City from Wizard of Oz. Head to the corner of Bread Street and Spittal Street and behold: Emerald City!

Planning Your Visit

  • Sunset over Edinburgh Castle

    For a view that you'll remember for the rest of your life, watch the sun set over Edinburgh Castle. The best spots for this are Arthur's Seat and Calton Hill, both located to the East of the city center. The deep-red sun, the colors in the sky, and the black silhouette of the castle come together in an absolutely magnificent panorama.

  • Fireworks

    If you're lucky enough to be in Edinburgh when there are fireworks going off over Edinburgh Castle, for example on Hogmanay or at the end of the Edinburgh Festival, then make sure to head to one of these viewpoints to admire the show and snap some amazing photographs. Princes Street Gardens and Calton Hill are likely to be the most popular spots to watch the fireworks, so if you're looking for a less crowded experience, Blackford Hill and Arthur's Seat are better bets.

Good to know

  • When should I visit?
    Opening hours from 9:30AM - 6PM year-round, except for December 25th and 26th.
  • Is it expensive?
    Free to look at from the outside, £17 for adult entry.
  • Will I need a guide?
    Only if you want one.
  • How to get there
    Hop-on-hop-off buses stop at the Castle. You can make your own way by taking bus 24 to Waverly Bridge and walking.
  • Additional information

    • It never hurts to carry an umbrella when in Scotland!

    • Since you'll be climbing hills, good walking shoes are a must.

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What people are saying about Edinburgh Castle

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 10,124 reviews

Very informative tours and great to have 3 options to choose from. Opportunity to hop on and off and theres plenty of warning before approaching stops.

Edinburgh: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Pass with 3 City Tours Reviewed by Andrea, 10/13/2020

Helpful?

Friendly, helpful staff... extremely clean which was reassuring ...use the tour to get our bearings then just hopped off wherever we wanted to explore

Edinburgh: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Pass with 3 City Tours Reviewed by Jane, 9/19/2020

Helpful?

Very helpful staff, and a great way to see the city, very informative audio guide, and very funny guide on the live tour.

Edinburgh: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Pass with 3 City Tours Reviewed by Anonymous, 9/16/2020

Helpful?

Very informative tour hosted by Nicky. Really enjoyed finding out all about medieval Edinburgh!

Edinburgh: Old Town Historical Walking Tour Reviewed by Rebecca, 10/5/2020

Helpful?

Stuart Usher is a great guide. Full of local knowledge and insights. Engaging and fun.

Edinburgh: 3-Hour Guided Walking Tour Reviewed by David, 10/10/2020

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