Welcome to a semi-regular series where I recap my visit to a European city with recommendations of the best activities I found. Semi-regular because I’m on a budget and I have class.
class.
Today’s destination: Edinburgh, Scotland.
I went to Scotland for my friend’s birthday weekend and it was the perfect location. It was an easy train ride to the city and we found lots of great things to do. The majority of our activities were free, which makes Edinburgh the perfect location if you’re on a budget.
1. Arthur’s Seat
This dormant volcano provides a gorgeous panorama of the city. Getting to the summit requires a bit of a hike but the views are definitely worth it. I climbed with a cold and it was still a doable hike. Definitely go earlier in the day to avoid crowds.
2. National Museum of Scotland
This free museum reminded me of a lot of the museums I went to as a kid. It was full of fun interactive exhibits that are perfect for people of all ages. The museum is easy to navigate and the range of information displayed is great. Plus, you can see Dolly the sheep, who was the first mammal to be cloned back in the 90’s.
3. Elephant House
For fans of Harry Potter, this café is the perfect stop. J.K. Rowling wrote some of the series here and visiting is a must. The bathrooms are covered in messages from fans, which creates a magical atmosphere and the perfect place for selfies. As a bonus, the food is yummy and affordable!
4. Victoria Street
Edinburgh is full of Harry Potter related sites, from a graveyard that inspired characters’ names to the aforementioned Elephant House, and to another great stop, Victoria Street. Rowling used the street as inspiration for Diagon Alley and it’s easy to see why. The street is lined with cute shops and fun taverns. There’s even a joke shop, although it’s no Weasley’s Wizarding Wheezes! Victoria Street is a perfect place to shop and eat.
5. Calton Hill
This park is full of monuments and tributes to various figures in Scottish history. Climbing to the top of the hills is easy and you’ll be rewarded with great views of the city. Plus, you get a great shot of Arthur’s Seat.