gray concrete castle
Edinburgh, United Kingdom · 3 days itinerary

Edinburgh & the Old Town

Photo by Jörg Angeli on Unsplash

This three-day itinerary covers Edinburgh's Old Town. It begins at the castle and moves downhill along the Royal Mile to allow a natural progression through the historic sites. The second day explores nearby museums and the parliament. The final day adds an outdoor hike before returning to the palace and Grassmarket area.

3 daysOld TownRoyal MileHikingBy travli· Checked by the travli team, September 2026

Day by day

Day 1

The Royal Mile

  1. 9:00Edinburgh CastleSight
  2. 11:30St Giles' CathedralSight
  3. 12:30The Real Mary King's CloseThe Real Mary King's CloseSight
  4. 15:30Walk down Royal Mile to HolyroodRoyal MileWalk
Day 2

Museum and Parliament

  1. 9:30National Museum of ScotlandSight
  2. 11:45Greyfriars KirkyardSight
  3. 14:00Scottish ParliamentSight
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Day 3

Arthur's Seat and Grassmarket

  1. 9:00Arthur's SeatSight
  2. 11:45Holyrood PalaceSight
  3. 14:30Traverse the GrassmarketGrassmarketWalk
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Edinburgh questions

Is 3 days enough for Edinburgh?

Three days covers the key Old Town sites with one major stop per half day. Book Edinburgh Castle and The Real Mary King's Close tickets online before arrival.

Do I need to book Edinburgh Castle tickets in advance?

Book Edinburgh Castle tickets online at least two weeks ahead in summer. Allow two hours and arrive at opening to skip the longest lines.

How long does the Arthur's Seat hike take?

The hike from Holyrood Palace to Arthur's Seat summit takes 45 to 60 minutes each way. Start early, wear sturdy shoes, and check the weather before leaving.

Do I need tickets for Holyrood Palace?

Buy Holyrood Palace tickets online the day before to secure a timed entry. Combine the visit with the adjacent Scottish Parliament for the same afternoon.

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