Landmark

Edinburgh Castle

The castle on the rock above the city, home of the Honours of Scotland, Mons Meg and the One o'Clock Gun. It sits within a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Time needed 2 to 3 hours

With kids

Insider tip

The castle's own page suggests setting aside at least 2 hours for the main attractions.

What the guides say about Edinburgh Castle

Start with Edinburgh Castle, walk the Royal Mile down to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, then climb Arthur's Seat or Calton Hill for the view.

From Things to Do in Edinburgh: What the Guides Agree On for a First Visit

Tap to open the interactive map

View on the interactive map Google Maps directions

What's on at Edinburgh Castle

Upcoming events at Edinburgh Castle and within a ten-minute walk, from the weekly Edinburgh events calendar.

Theatre and shows

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2027

6 Aug to 28 Aug 2027 Edinburgh Castle Esplanade, Old Town

Military tattoo on the Castle Esplanade, 6 to 28 August 2027. The 2027 show is called The Same Heart Beat.

See on the map Event listing

Stay nearby Hotels near Edinburgh Castle Esplanade, 6 to 8 August

nairnbairn, CC BY-SA 2.0

Festival Starts in 2 days

Edinburgh's Christmas

14 Nov 2026 to 3 Jan 2027 East and West Princes Street Gardens and George Street, New Town

Time 10:00 to 22:00

Christmas market in East Princes Street Gardens open daily 10:00 to 22:00, with fairground rides in West Princes Street Gardens, from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Closed on 25 December.

See on the map Event listing Hotels nearby

The Ross Fountain in Princes Street Gardens with Edinburgh Castle on its rock behind

Matt Kieffer, CC BY-SA 2.0

Theatre and shows

Night Afore Party with The Fratellis

30 Dec West Princes Street Gardens, New Town

Time 18:00

Party beneath Edinburgh Castle with The Fratellis on 30 December 2026, starting at 18:00. Ticketed, ages 12 and over.

See on the map Event listing

Stay nearby Hotels near West Princes Street Gardens, 30 to 31 December

Matt Kieffer, CC BY-SA 2.0

Theatre and shows

Hogmanay in the Gardens with Underworld

31 Dec West Princes Street Gardens, New Town

Time From 20:00

Concert with Underworld and special guests beneath Edinburgh Castle on 31 December 2026, doors at 20:00, with the Midnight Moment fireworks. Ticketed, ages 12 and over, last entry 23:00.

See on the map Event listing

Stay nearby Hotels near West Princes Street Gardens, 31 December to 1 January

Matt Kieffer, CC BY-SA 2.0

Sports

Tour de France Grand Départ

2 Jul 2027 Edinburgh Old Town to Southside, Old Town

Stage 1 of the 114th Tour de France leaves Edinburgh's Old Town on 2 July 2027, through the city centre and the Southside towards Midlothian and the Borders.

See on the map Event listing

Stay nearby Hotels near Edinburgh Old Town to Southside, 2 to 3 July

Smaller local events nearby

Imaginate Scratch That! Theatre and shows
Thu 12 Nov · Traverse 2, Tollcross
Performance at Traverse 2, Tollcross.
£5.50 · from 19:00 · Map · Source: Traverse Theatre
No Apologies Theatre and shows
12 to 13 Nov · Traverse 1, Tollcross
Performance at Traverse 1, Tollcross.
£5.50 to £20 · from 19:30 · Map · Source: Traverse Theatre

See every upcoming event in Edinburgh

Nearby

Princes Street Gardens Park · 2 min walk The gardens in the valley between the Old Town and Princes Street, managed by the City of Edinburgh Council. The Scotch Whisky Experience Museum · 4 min walk A whisky attraction on Castlehill with tours, tastings, a shop and a free audio guide. Grassmarket Landmark · 4 min walk A historic marketplace below the castle, now lined with independent shops, bars and restaurants, according to the official city guide. Traverse Theatre Landmark · 4 min walk Scotland's new writing theatre, in Cambridge Street. Camera Obscura and World of Illusions Museum · 4 min walk A five-floor attraction on Castlehill with more than 100 illusions and a rooftop terrace over the city. Royal Lyceum Theatre Landmark · 4 min walk A theatre on Grindlay Street, whose company is registered at 30b Grindlay Street.

Around Old Town

Castle, Royal Mile and the closes

The Old Town runs down a ridge from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood. It sits within a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the museums, closes and kirks here are mostly a short walk from each other.

Old Town has 32 places on the Roam Edinburgh map: 17 museums, 5 bars, 3 landmarks, 3 churches and cathedrals, 1 shop, 1 park or garden, 1 market and 1 pub. Read the Old Town guide.

Museum on the Mound Museum · 4 min walk
Edinburgh Farmers' Market Market · 5 min walk
The Jolly Judge Pub · 5 min walk
Victoria Street Shopping · 5 min walk
The Liquid Room Nightlife · 5 min walk
The Writers' Museum Museum · 5 min walk
National Library of Scotland Museum · 7 min walk
The Bongo Club Nightlife · 7 min walk

Stay near Edinburgh Castle

Browse live availability and compare prices around Old Town.

See hotels near Edinburgh Castle on Booking.comPrices are for the night of Saturday 14 November. You can change the dates on Booking.com. If you book, Roam Edinburgh earns a small commission from Stay22 at no extra cost to you.