The Dugald Stewart Monument overlooking the Edinburgh skyline at golden hour
Edinburgh, United Kingdom · 5 days itinerary

Edinburgh in 5 Days

Photo by Connor Mollison on Unsplash

This five day trip covers central Edinburgh before moving to Leith and Stirling. The first two days focus on the Old Town with the Royal Mile, Arthur's Seat and the National Museum. Day three explores the New Town. The final days reach Leith for the Royal Yacht and Stirling for its castle and monument.

5 daysOld TownNew TownLeithStirlingBy travli· Checked by the travli team, September 2026

Day by day

Day 1

The Royal Mile

  1. 9:30Old TownSight
  2. 12:30Old TownWalk
  3. 13:30Old TownSight
  4. 15:30HolyroodSight
Day 2

Arthur's Seat and the Old Town

  1. 9:00Holyrood ParkWalk
  2. 12:00Old TownSight
  3. 14:30Old TownSight
  4. 16:00Old TownWalk
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Day 3

The New Town

  1. 10:00The MoundSight
  2. 12:30New TownWalk
  3. 14:00New TownSight
  4. 16:00New TownWalk
Day 4

Leith

  1. 10:00LeithSight
  2. 13:00LeithWalk
  3. 15:30Water of Leith WalkwayLeith to StockbridgeWalk
Day 5

Stirling

  1. 9:30StirlingDay trip
  2. 13:30StirlingSight
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Edinburgh questions

Is 5 days enough for Edinburgh?

Five days covers the Old Town, the New Town and Leith, plus a day trip to Stirling. Advance train tickets to Stirling are usually a little cheaper.

Do I need to book Edinburgh Castle tickets ahead?

Yes, buy timed tickets online at least one week in advance. Peak season slots often sell out by midday.

How long does the train from Edinburgh to Stirling take?

Trains from Waverley station reach Stirling in 45 minutes. Services run every 30 minutes and advance returns cost about 15 pounds.

Do I need a car for day trips from Edinburgh?

No, trains and buses reach Stirling and nearby sites directly. Public transport from the city center takes under an hour each way.

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