Edinburgh Castle
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I visited this castle 20+ years ago and it was raining so didn't really see it in its fully glory. I was so happy that this time around, I visited on a sunny day! Place is simply magical and a visit not be missed when visiting Edinburgh. There is a lot to see and admire about this place. Although it was in the middle of February, it was super busy. I am glad that we had reserved tickets and that we were early on site. By the time we left, it was super crowded.
I'm embarrassed to say that we didn't get to see the castle the first time we were in Edinburgh. My mother was visiting us for the summer, and we did what she wanted to do thinking we would go back before leaving the UK. That never happened. I remember staring up at the castle longingly from Princes Street. There was no way we would miss this opportunity again 35 years later. It was so worth the long wait. We arrived at the castle close to 1:00 PM. It was just in time to see and hear the One O'Clock Gun on the Argyle Battery. What a cool experience! Our guide for this walking tour made it more special with his countdown to the last second. It was perfect. He gave us a brief overview of the castle and the exhibits. Then, we were on our own to explore everything it has to offer. There's even a whisky experience there. Honestly though, we were more thirsty for water at that point. We took the grand walk up the Royal Mile. There is a shorter route to get there from Grassmarket if you're staying in the West End of Edinburgh. We took that route on the way back down. The Royal Mile just has so many sights to see along the way. It's totally worth the longer walk. The castle is an experience. You could spend half a day there. We stayed for a couple of hours. I think people stay longer in August during the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. We were there at the low end of the tourist season in November. It had its advantages being that it's not as crowded. It typically rains a lot, but fortunately it was a good weather day (just partly cloudy). It was great! We saw the Scottish National War Memorial (no pictures allowed inside) and gallery. It was a highlight along with St. Margaret's Chapel. There is a Prisons of War exhibit in the vaults under Crown Square. It's here where you can see the prisoners graffiti on the doors behind a glass display. There also is a model of the HMS St. George that French POWs made while imprisoned at Edinburgh Castle. It dates back to 1760. It's an interesting exhibit that gives a visual of how they lived in these prisons with audio recordings in the background. Another highlight worth mentioning is the Dog Cemetery and Mons Meg. If that's not enough, then you can also see the crown jewels (or not). There are just so many more interesting things to see in my opinion than the jewels, but why not? It's all included in the admission price. It's a must visit in Edinburgh. I regretted not seeing it all these years. It was great to finally experience it.
If you are in Edinburgh for the night, you need to ensure you have tickets for Edinburgh Castle. You can't go to Edinburgh without visiting the Castle if you have never been. The Castle is a venerable place overlooking Edinburgh and beyond. A glorious view surrounds you at all angles as you make your way through the grounds. There are many places to check out both inside and outside where you will take more than a few pictures. When you think of gloriously grand castles that impose over the surrounding landscape, it's Edinburgh Castle. God help any invader back in the day from trying to invade the castle, they would fail miserably. There is much to enjoy at the castle between The Great Hall, Margaret's Chapel, the castle jail, the Esplanade, as well as the views that will knock your socks off. Make sure to buy tickets in advance. For a few dollars more, you can do a flexible entrance at any time during the day, which allows you to go visit whenever you like on that day.
A must-do while in Edinburgh. You could spend hours roaming the castle and various museums included within. We spend about three hours and it wasn't even that crowded. You start on the main level which has some great views of the city. From there, you can head up, stopping off at various side points which have story boards and short videos speaking to the castle history. Once at the top, more views of the city, a little shop, and a prayer building. If I am remember correctly, you'll also find the Scottish crown jewels in this area as well Back down, you have a few museums which cover history both long ago and more recent. You'll learn of the Scottish involvement in the world wars and see plenty of artifacts to help you make your stay a bit education. Again, a must-do while here!
The Edinburgh Castle is by far the largest draw of tourists walking up a steep embankment to capture a glimps of Scottish history. There is a cost to enter the castle, although free to wander the exterior grounds and take amazing pictures and videos. The castle was worth the exhausting walk, and even for me as an anti-historian who does enjoy cool stuff, I was strangely impressed. Breathtaking views of the 15th century city of Edinburgh surrounding the beloved castle. Oddly, the massive castle structure was choppy and square instead of the traditional pointed sectionals.
I booked our guided tour tickets online to secure our spot for the tour. When we arrived we informed the staff that we had the Historic Scotland membership and we were brought to a separate and much shorter entrance line! The tour ran about 45 minutes and our guide was friendly and informative throughout. The tour brought us outside the main walls and then back inside. We later explored many of the buildings that the tour could not cover like St Margaret's chapel, Crown Jewels, War Memorial, prison and museums. We were surprised that we spent almost three hours here but there were just so many places to see along with the panoramic views of Edinburgh.
As far as tourist attractions go, you can rarely go wrong with a good old castle. Scotland may be rife with them, but this one is the closest to the rest of the hot spots in the city, so it's your best-bet for a family-friendly afternoon; that is, if the 20-odd pounds it takes to get in isn't a deterrent. I wish I could say it was super authentic, and while it IS an actual castle, it feels more like a museum than anything. There is plenty to see and do inside, but it's not the most riveting experience I've had here. The gift shops are surprisingly affordable, as far as souvenirs go, and I found a bit of everything I could possibly want to take home with me. They also have two cafés, one of which is a tea room, and the other more of an eating hall. The food does get a bit pricey, though. A sweet treat I discovered during my wanderings was a old-fashioned apothecary presentation in the Great Hall, featuring a darn-good actor willing to improvise and play with the crowd. The best part is probably the views - which are amazing - so bring those cameras, and take those Instagram-worthy winners.
Walked all the way to the top of the hill where the castle sat unobstructed. The Scottish castle is not lived in by a family although is occupied by the Scottish military. The view surrounding the castle is amazing which is evident by the pics. It's free to roam the front of the castle but will cost you a few bucks if you want a limited tour of the inside.
Edinburgh Castle is deservedly the most popular paid tourist attraction in all of Scotland. It's an imposing and impressive site and is a historic castle/fortress that sits atop volcanic Castle Rock. It's naturally at the center of Edinburgh and at the top of the Royal Mile and at the west end of Edinburgh's Old Town. Just some of the main features here include the housing of the Scottish crown jewels in the Royal Palace, the National War Museum, the Half Moon Battery of cannons, the gigantic Mons Meg cannon, the Great Hall, the Crown Square or courtyard, the military quarters, the historic 12th century St Margaret's chapel (and Edinburgh's oldest building), and the great vantage point of panoramic city views. We were very lucky to get our morning visit in as well as enjoy the scenic city views from up here before the remnants of Tropical Storm Amy hit the area after our visit. Rain or shine, Edinburgh Castle is a must-see 5 star attraction.
Edinburgh Castle, one of the city's most iconic structures, can be seen from a distance perched atop Castle Hill. Once a fortress & royal residence, the Castle is an active military base today. It is also home to the nation's Crown Jewels, the National War Museum of Scotland, St. Margaret's Chapel, & the Great Hall which displays armors and swords. The long lines to enter these rooms moved at a decent clip. Not to be missed is the the firing of the One O' Clock Gun (at, you guessed it, 1pm.) It's a practice that started in 1861 to signal the time to surrounding ships. Before leaving Edinburgh Castle, we stopped by their cafe (which boasts mind-blowing views) & tried Irn-Bru for the first time. Considered Scotland's "other national drink," Irn-Bru is a bright orange fizzy drink whose flavor is the subject of heated debates. It tasted like bubblegum to me but I've heard cream soda, banana, orange, & mixed fruit! Scandalous! Seeing the 900-year old castle on the hill where kings & queens once lived is priority #1 for most visitors; purchase timed-entry tickets online in advance (£19.50 per person) to avoid the disappointment of sold-out time slots.
3 years ago
To say that this castle embodies the pride of the Scots in their history and people would be as simply put as could be. This magnificent structure is well-preserved and serves as an active military barracks, a castle, and a location for impressive museums and the awe-inspiring National War Monument. We thought we would only spend a couple of hours here, but we ended up putting in a full day. We moved quickly, too, because of the cold and icy weather - so on a nice day, we would have meandered even more. The views of the area from here are magnificent, and the views of the castle from below are just as impressive. Try to get here as soon as it opens and prepare yourself for a full day of history, taking in some unforgettable sights and being blown over by tales of Scottish military bravery and honor. read more
I'm very grateful to be able to visit this place for my trip. We were visiting Edinburgh and was told this castle is a must. The castle is really popular tour spot for sure as they were fully sold out when we got there. Thankfully, we booked the tickets ahead of time to explore. The view at the top was amazing and we were able to get a lot of nice pictures. They also have snack/drink areas so you can get something there. There is a lot of history to read up here and cool things they preserved to look at. We also saw crown jewels there but couldn't take a picture of them. It's definitely a must to visit here if you're into history. Expect to walk a lot for sure. read more
This was a highlight of our brief time in Edinburgh. I would leave at least half a day to walk through if you plan to explore it much. Especially if you have young children. They fire the 1 o' clock gun at 1pm (obviously), but the best place to see it fire is from the area above where they have The Meg cannon. Get there at least 15 min early if you want to see it fire. My favorite areas were the great hall, Honours of Scotland exhibit and the site of The Black Dinner. It's worth doing the audio tour, and also don't miss the prison areas! read more
1 year ago
There's a little bit of everything here. History, architecture, city views, gifts shops and afternoon tea. Wandering around the castle grounds was more enjoyable than expected. The Crown Jewels are so cool. But the highlight was the afternoon tea. Make sure to schedule a reservation and then be prepared to be stuffed with the most delicious and beautiful, sweet and savory treats. I was full for hours after this dining experience and as an American it was particularly magical to have tea at a castle. This is an absolute must for everyone! read more
Reflecting on my trip to the UK especially right after the Queen's passing. Edinburgh Castle is amazing - how they built it during the time is beyond belief! The views of Edinburgh are excellent. The Scottish jewels are no where near as brilliant as the Crown Jewels in London, but still important to see. Make sure you book tickets ahead of time to get a day/time that you want! read more
The self guided tour from the mobile link was great but I forgot my headphones! We enjoyed milling about on our own. It was interesting to see. It's a hike to get up to the castle and it's a fun walk. It would be a good idea to have some filtered water fountains around so people can refill their water bottles. -- help folks to stay hydrated while at high altitudes and climbing. read more
3 years ago
Glad we came here for our first trip to Edinburgh to learn about the castle, but could skip on our next visit since it was so crowded. Through our trip, we learned a lot of history including the Jacobite revolt, and the history of the Highlands. The castle was so interesting because its history predates centuries. We ended up renting audio guides to listen throughout the castle. Great views of the surrounding city as well. read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
Definitely worth a trip going. I'm glad we booked our tickets ahead of time online. They sold out when we went. Upon entering you are greeting with a huge entry way. (Also, they were setting up a stadium like structure around the castle for an event in August.) This castle was beautiful. There is a lot of walking involved, small spaces, narrow steps, and steep inclines. There is a lot of history here. If you come it's an awesome experience. However, there is a lot to see that can't all be done in one day. I really enjoyed our visit. There are plenty of photo opportunities, small museums, Crown Jewels, a church and more. There are some areas that you're not allowed to take photos, or video so just be mindful. Add this place on your list as it is a must have experience. read more
It's a world class historical site and is worth a visit but it is really almost too busy to fully enjoy. Even with limited tickets (buy them in advance!!!) it feels like it's wall to wall people in every corner of the site with lines to get in every exhibit, crowds at every photo spot, etc. We weren't there on a peak day but it really felt like it. It's a lot of walking up and down but it is pretty simple to explore when you follow the audio guide. Many areas outside are a bit light on details but still worth seeing. There are toilets, snacks and a very large gift shop. Just bring your patience as exploring the castle can seem more like a stressful day in a theme park than a relaxed stroll. read more
1 year ago
Absolutely beautiful! Incredible amount of history here you could easily spend multiple days carefully wandering and reading the history. The opportunity for guides is wonderful. The tea room experience was on point and incredibly inclusive for vegans. I would absolutely love to make another trip back when I see Scotland again. read more
1 year ago
We toured Edinburgh Castle on a cold and drizzly day. We were happy to follow our very interesting tour with afternoon tea and get warmed up! The tea rooms themselves were beautifully decorated, and it was such a pleasure to be able to rest in a comfortable place for a while. Karina was attentive and prompt, taking care of our every request with a smile. The food was delicious - the best afternoon tea service we've ever had. We opted to ask for a takeaway container for the dessert course because we were so full, and Karina provided the cutest box ever! Each side had different Scottish characters. (Robert the Bruce made it into my husband's vacation scrapbook! ;) ) Our experience at Edinburgh Castle was one of the best days of our vacation. Thank you so much! read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
Edinburgh Castle is a stunning historic castle, right at the top of the Royal Mile and Castle Hill, in the city centre. It overlooks the whole city and can be seen from a distance while walking around Edinburgh, and adds great character to a great city. It is home to St Margaret's Chapel, which is the oldest surviving building in Scotland's capital, dating back to the 11th century. It is easy to understand why this is the number one paid tourist attraction in Scotland, attracting over 2 million visitors in 2019. The castle feels almost majestic through its medieval build. PRO TIP: Book tickets online and well in advance to avoid disappointment. It can get very busy at peak times, but once inside you are able to roam the rooms at your own speed without a time limit, within the opening hours. Well worth a visit while in Edinburgh, even if it's to admire the architecture. 4* read more
More than just a castle, this fortress, standing sentinel atop a rocky plateau and casting its protective eye upon the bustling streets below, dominates the skyline of Edinburgh. It is the crown jewel of an already noble and regal city filled with incredible heritage and history. There is so much to see here, it's honestly overwhelming. From a comprehensive military museum in the lower levels, a working cannon that fires six days a week at 1pm, several fantastic dioramas of medieval kitchens and workspaces, a walkthrough dungeon and barracks, a gorgeous chapel, great hall, gatehouse, and more ramparts, baileys and cloisters than you could possibly see in a single day's worth of exploration, you are not likely to find a more thorough castle experience anywhere in the world. And that's not even mentioning the café and gift shop! And those city views! I've seen a lot of castles, but Edinburgh takes the cake. And while this may no longer be true, I always laugh at one of my favorite comedian's sole critique of this incredible edifice (Kyle Kinane, for the curious): "I said the whitest thing I've ever said in my life, in Edinburgh, Scotland. I said, out loud: 'I can't believe this castle doesn't have wi-fi!'" So yeah, if you disagree that Edinburgh Castle isn't worth the price of admission, and then some, you're probably better off staring at your cellphone all day instead, wi-fi or not...although you may need to step outside the walls. read more
2 years ago
The castle is a must-do if you're in Edinburgh. There are so many mini museums packed into the castle. You can easily spend half a day here and not get bored. We came right at 9:30 when it opened and we left around noon. It was getting super crowded when we left - especially with school tours - so I'd recommend the early entry time. We pre-booked our tickets online and I'm really glad we did! read more
3 years ago
A beautiful spot in Edinburgh. You get most of the really neat pictures of the castle without even going in. I would say you 100% need to buy to ticket in advance online to reserve a time. This place is incredibly busy and is practically impossible to get in here without a ticket reservation. There was an enormous amount of people when I went on a week day. It was almost too busy with tourists to be enjoyable. It was a beautiful spot inside the castle with a lot of history. If I were to go again, I'd book a tour guide to really get the most out of it. I did book the tea at the castle. This was worth it and I would highly recommend this experience. read more
If you are a history buff, you should definitely make a visit to this castle. Worth the money and worth your time. A guide book sold separately (around 5-6 bucks) or you can rent an audio guide tour. Even though you get keep the book, I would have preferred the audio since I was not looking at the book as I walked around. The castle itself is not as showy or ornate as the the ones we visited in England but it definitely has its charm and beauty. Impressive to see where it is located and you will not find better views from anywhere else in the city. Their cafe is also good if you are in need of refreshments half way through your tour. I highly recommend getting. Tickets early on in the day as it can get crowded. read more
I loved visiting the Edinburgh Castle. This castle is overlooking all of Edinburgh so the views are incredible but there is just so much history to learn and see. I'm especially partial to Queen Mary of Scots so I loved getting to see more about her as well. The dog cemetery is also so touching This is a must stop on any trip to Edinburgh! read more
How could we go to Edinburgh and not see the castle? There is a pretty good uphill walk to see the castle. The castle has several exhibits, shops, cafes, and panoramic views. I enjoyed seeing the Crown Jewels and the Scottish Memorial to their fallen soldiers. The cafe was also really good! We spent about 4 hours at the castle. read more
3 years ago
While often very crowded and with some rather long lines, the castle can be a great way to take a break from a long day of exploring the streets of the historic city. The level of history on display here is truly wonderful, and the way the guided audio tour (available for an additional £3 fee) explains it all is very in depth and immersive, communicating how important certain parts are without getting too bogged down with random, uninteresting details. Great views for the most part but it is often crowded so book your entry time a few days in advance of your visit read more
There are so many wonderful castles to see in Scotland, but this one was our least favorite. You have to reserve your tickets online way in advance, as it gets very crowded. So, we bought our tickets for as soon as they opened to beat the crowds, and we set aside a morning to explore the Edinburgh Castle. Even with timed entry tickets, we had to wait in three different lines to get in, the main entry, the moat entry, and the line to get a guide tool to listen with, all while tons of other tourists are pushing their way in. Once you get inside, you then have to line up again to see the Crown Jewels, which was the best part of this experience, but the line moves very slow as the room can only hold a half a dozen people at a time. The actual castle only has two rooms open for you to walk through, and they are set up with vendors trying to sell you things. When I tried to ask the staff questions, they were very unwilling to interact with you. The great hall was incredible to see, but again six staff members huddled together complaining about tourists is a turn off. We tried to see the dungeons, but the crowds are so pushy you don't even have time to read the display boards without being pushed to the next display. On our way out, we tried shopping in the gift shop, but the crowds were overwhelming, and we gave up. Unless you want to spend an entire day at Edinburgh Castle, use your time to see any of the other amazing things the city has to offer. read more
Of course no trip to Edinburgh is complete without a visit to the castle. It can be EXTREMELY windy so take caution with outfits and layer!! The on-site cafe is tasty though the layout is completely bonkers- creates chaos from hot bar to cashiers line for no reason. There is no way to see and learn everything in a single visit but all the more excuse to return! read more
It's a Great looking castle that has been nicely preserved. Fun walk that talks a few hours. Eye candy everywhere. Views of the city at 180°....breathe taking! Great helpful employees, too. I'd say to start with the tour and then explore from there for sure! read more
4 years ago
It is a most stunning and impressive castle. It is filled with royal and military history of Scotland. The crown jewels of Scotland. And marvelous Vista views of the city all around. Make sure you bring the weather with you. read more
You can't miss this 11th century castle that sits atop Castle Rock. Visitors can freely wander around inside and enter various museums showcasing the military garrison, memorial, prison, and royal honors. A couple of exhibits had a long line shortly after opening time, particularly the Honours of Scotland. My favorite spot was by the Half Moon Battery where the ledge overlooks a vast view of the city. Stop by the Whisky and Finest Food shop too for a whiskey sample. 100 mL bottles are sold for those that travelled by plane. Tickets are £18 each. We spent roughly 1.5 hours. If in the area during evening times, I highly recommend attending the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo which takes place in the stadium by the entrance of the castle. read more
2 years ago
Really great! Make sure to buy tickets in advance and show up at opening. It gets really busy really fast. We did the tour by the castle employees which was maybe 5£? 100% worth it. Sean was our tour guide and he did such a great job. Highly suggest! read more
I don't think there is anything valuable I could possibly say about Edinburgh Castle that hasn't been said better by someone else. It was a great experience for the whole family. The only thing that would make it better is if I would buy tickets and return at a time when I could actually see the military tattoo Maybe someday. read more
2 years ago
6 years ago
Yelp 100 Challenge 2019 - # 71/100 Located on top of Castle Rock, the castle overlooks EdinburWe got our workout trudging up the daffodil covered hills to the top of Castle Rock. Edinburgh Castle is the most famous of all the castles in Scotland. Open 7 days a week, ticket price for an adult is £19.50; child is £11.50. It is one of Scotland's top tourist attractions, Esinburgh Castle has been a part of UNESCO World Heritage site since 1995. read more
2 years ago
4 years ago
The castle is the crown jewel of Edinburgh, sitting in the sky and overlooking the rest of the city. The best views of the castle are from OUTSIDE the castle, down along Princes Street. But for good views of the CITY (and to explore the castle interior), you'll need to buy a ticket (online in advance) to come inside. The castle grounds let you explore the cathedral and many state apartments. You can also learn about Scottish history while you're here. Overall fun, but where the castle truly excels (relative to others in the UK) is how it towers dramatically above the city, less so for its interior. Tickets are pricey and worth doing once, but not repeatable. Overall fun to see and worth a trip on a visit to Edinburgh. read more
More info about Edinburgh Castle
Castle Hill
Edinburgh EH1 2HG
United Kingdom
Old Town, Royal Mile
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0131 225 9846
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http://www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk/
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Edinburgh Castle - landmarks - Updated June 2026
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