Scottish Day Tours: Edinburgh
Scottish Day Tours: Edinburgh
Princes’ Street Gardens looking over to the Old Town (Photo credit: Christopher Chan)
Often referred to as ‘The Athens of the North’, Edinburgh boasts some of the most spectacular and varied architecture in Scotland, justifiably deserving its status as a World Heritage Site. It’s a relatively small city, but there is so much to see that you won’t be short of things to do or see on a day tour!
Edinburgh’s New and Old Towns are roughly divided by the beautiful Princes’ Street Gardens which run the length of the city’s main street. The Old Town is distinguished by lofty tenement buildings and winding medieval closes which branch off from the iconic Royal Mile. The cobbled Mile itself leads from Edinburgh Castle all the way down to Holyrood Palace, the Royal Family‘s official residence in Scotland, which sits in stark yet beautiful contrast to the modern Scottish Parliament building.
Edinburgh is, of course, a city of contrast. The Palace and the Castle, surrounded by stunning medieval buildings, are juxtaposed on the other side of the gardens by the New Town. This side of town is defined by grand Georgian architecture and beautiful streets lined with modern bars, restaurants, shops, and galleries. The Old and New Towns are but a stone’s throw away from each other, and are truly a testament to the city’s diversity and dynamism.
On a clear day, you can get a view of the whole city and far beyond it from the top of Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano which sits dramatically at the bottom of the Royal Mile. From the top, you can survey the city and even look over the Firth of Forth river over to the Kingdom of Fife.
There is so much to do and so much to see on a day tour to Edinburgh. Shops, restaurants, museums, galleries, bustling streets and hidden gems. Whether you enjoy culture, night-life, shopping or exploring, there’s something for everyone. Come and see for yourself!
View over Edinburgh from Arthur’s Seat (Photo credit: Kyoshi Masamune)
