The following is an introduction to the top 10 attractions that you can't miss after arriving in Edinburgh:
National Museum of Scotland
After an extensive renovation in 2011, the National Museum reopened and became a very popular destination for tourists and locals alike, especially for children, and was considered the "most child-friendly" museum in the world. There is a large all-ages play area at the back of the ground floor, with more educational play space for older children, and many of the exhibits are highly interactive. By the way, the world's first cloned sheep, Dolly, was made into a taxidermy after his death and is displayed here.
Address: Chambers Street Edinburgh EH1 1JF
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 10:00--17:00
Admission: Free
Edinburgh Zoo
Opened in 1913 in the west of the city in the area of Mount Cordorfer, the zoo has long been considered Scotland's main tourist attraction – breaking into the top 10 in the country. The last animals to come first are of course a pair of giant pandas from China in 2011. There is also a daily penguin parade that allows them to get out of the fence and roam around. Although it has been more than half a century, it still attracts many people. The zoo also has an impressively array of ferocious animals, such as leopards and lions. There are also cute animals such as chimpanzees and koalas. It is the only zoo in the UK where koalas live.
Address: Corstorphine Road Edinburgh EH12 6TS
Opening hours: 9:00-18:00 daily from April to September, 9:00--17:00 daily in October and March, 9:00-16:30 daily from November to February
Tickets: £19 for adults, £14.55 for children, with discounts available for early online bookings.
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is one of the most famous landmarks in the UK and one of Scotland's most popular tourist attractions. In addition to showcasing the history of the Scottish royal family and its military functions, the castle also tells the story of the centuries-old love-hate relationship between the happy enemies of Scotland and England in many places. It served as the palace of the Scottish royal family from the 12th century until 1603, when King James IV of Scotland succeeded to the throne of England. In fact, it was in this castle that James IV's mother, Mary Queen of Scots, gave birth to the future James IV. So, in this way, although England was much stronger economically than Scotland, politically, the beginning of the "United Kingdom" was when the King of Scotland became King of England.
Address: Castlehill Edinburgh EH1 2NG
Opening hours: April to September 9:30-18:00, last entry 17:00, October to March, 9:30-17:00, last entry 16:00.
Tickets: £17 for adults, £10.2 for children
Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh
The Botanical Garden was founded in 1670 near Holyrood Park, before moving to the old Nor Loch neighbourhood, where Waverley Station is located, before moving to its current location in 1820. It's away from the hustle and bustle of the city. People come here for different reasons. The Botanic Gardens have two dining areas – the Terrace Café in the heart of the garden with a lawn with views of Edinburgh Castle in the distance, the Gateway Restaurant located within the teaching centre near the West Gate, and the Inverleith House, a prestigious contemporary art gallery and the former site of the city's modern art gallery.
Address: 20a Inverleith Row Edinburgh EH3 5LR
Opening Hours: Nov-Jan: 10am - 4pm; February & October: 10am – 5pm; March to September: 10am - 6pm
Tickets: £6.5 for adults, £5.5 for seniors, free for children under 15
Our vibrant planet
Opened in 1999, Our Living Planet is a Millennium Commission project and a major project in the regeneration of the old town near the Holly-Roodhouse Palace, which, along with the Scottish Parliament House, was completed at the same time to unleash the potential of the Holly-Lutheran area in Edinburgh. It is a unique landmark with a tented roof that mimics the canvas of a ship. This is actually a science center whose purpose is to teach about the geological structure of the earth, which is very educational for children.
Address: Holyrood Road Edinburgh EH8 8AS
Opening hours: April, May, June, September, October, 10:00-17:30 daily; July and August from 10:00 to 18:00 every day, November to March, Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:30
Tickets: £13.5 for adults, £8.55 for children (official price)
Scottish Parliament Building
The construction of the Scottish Parliament building was not without its challenges. The start was a few years late, and at the same time there were millions of pounds over budget. However, due to the architectural significance and character of the building, it became the seat of the Scottish Government and a popular tourist attraction. Outside of council working hours, the building is open to those who wish to observe the debate in the debate room, as well as those who just want to visit the building and enjoy a free guided tour.
Address: Edinburgh EH99 1SP
Opening hours: 10:00-17:00
Admission: Free
Camera obsccura and phantom world
A Gothic tourist attraction that gives a glimpse of Edinburgh's Old Town, the 'Camera Obscura' tour includes a visual 'tour' of the city, using the famous camera psychedelic optical illusion to give visitors a panoramic view of the surrounding area. In addition to the equipment itself, the building has a wide variety of interactive optical exhibits, including the 'Fantasy World', the 'Dream of Light' hologram exhibit, the Corridor of Light and the display of old Edinburgh photographs. It can even be traced back to the earliest days when photography existed.
Address: 28 Castlehill, Royal Mile Edinburgh EH1 1NY
Opening hours: July and August: 09:00 - 21:00 daily, September and October: 09:30 -19:00 daily, November - March, 10:00 - 18:00 (closed on December 25), April - June: 09:30 -19:00 daily
Tickets: Adults £15.00, Students (identification required): £13.00, Seniors £13.00, Children (5-15 years): £11.00
Royal Breton Cruise
Regardless, the Royal Brittania Cruise is one of Edinburgh's most popular attractions. Whether you're a royalist or not, there's always plenty to enjoy as the Queen's water residence for 40 years. The deluxe cabins, crew quarters, honeymoon suites and engine bay are the real highlights. You can also enjoy a pot of tea and scones or sandwiches at your leisure in the ship's Royal Deck Tea Room. Its fabulous location also offers beautiful waterfront views.
Address: Ocean Drive Leith Edinburgh EH6 6JJ
Opening hours: 10:00-15:30 in January, February, March, November and December, 9:30-16:30 from April to September, 9:30-16:00 in October
Tickets: Adults £15.50, Seniors £13.75, Children (Ages 5–17): £8.50
Hollyroodhouse Palace
Edinburgh's most famous street is the Royal Mile. At the top of the Royal Mile are two of the most famous attractions, Edinburgh Castle and Hollyroodhouse Palace. The Palace of Holyroodhouse is the Queen's official residence in Scotland and attracts many visitors every year. Now the palace is mainly used for state ceremonies and official entertainment, including the annual garden party. Today, there are also plenty to see, including 14 luxurious rooms, as well as the ruins of the Hollyrood Abbey.
Address: Edinburgh EH8 8DX
Opening hours: 09:30-16:30 from November to March, 09:30-18:00 from April to October
Tickets: Adults £12.50, Seniors £11.40, Children (Ages 5–17): £7.50
Scott Monument
Dedicated to Sir Walter Scott, author of "Ivanhoe", "Waverley" and "Rob Roy", the Scott Monument is the largest monument to writers in the world and is enough to make the city proud. You can watch from below, or with just a few pounds, you can climb the 287-step steps. The view of Aierborg Castle is just across the garden, while there is also a view of the Forth of Fife Bridge.
Address: Princes Street Edinburgh EH2 2EJ
Opening Hours: April to September: Monday to Sunday 10am - 7pm, October to March: Monday to Sunday 10am - 4pm
Tickets: Flat £5, cash only.
Conclusion
Edinburgh looks forward to welcoming you.