A Culture Lover’s Guide to Edinburgh

Avid readers will be spoiled in Edinburgh, the first ever UNESCO City of Literature. Arthur Conan Doyle (creator of Sherlock Holmes) and Robert Louis Stevenson (author of the Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde) were born here, while the city’s charms have long inspired an array of famed non-Scottish writers, too. Visit the Writers’ Museum to uncover more about Scottish literary giants.

Meanwhile, Harry Potter fans can take a tour of the locations said to have inspired J.K. Rowling while she wrote the stories in various cafés across the city.

Insider tip: The city is full of charming bookshops; a bench in Princes Street Gardens, looking up to Edinburgh Castle, is the perfect place to start a new book.

Whether you’re a fan of musicals or prefer to watch an opera, Edinburgh is home to many theaters and performance halls that cater to grand productions and experimental one-offs alike. Culture vultures will be in their element during the annual Fringe Festival, the place to be to spot emerging comedy writers and performers. However, there’s plenty to satisfy all appetites year-round, from evening comedy shows to family-friendly holiday productions at the King’s Theater.

For the big-name shows, head to the Royal Lyceum or Festival Theater. If you’re interested in under-the-radar performances or want to discover the next big thing, take in a show at the Traverse Theater, which describes itself as “Scotland’s new writing theatre.”

Edinburgh is bustling with artisans and creative workshops, all producing pieces that display their artistry. Scotland’s design specialties include tartan weaving, silverwork, and glassmaking, while its mills are known for creating wool, cashmere, and Harris Tweed. Head to the National Museum of Scotland for exhibits that chart this history, or join a workshop to make your own tweed satchel.

If you’re in the market for an out-of-the-ordinary souvenir, visit the galleries, craft shops, and independent boutiques around Edinburgh’s colorful Grassmarket area, where woodwork, housewares, and fashion created by local makers fill the shelves.

Scottish traditions and music are interconnected, and live performances are a key part of Edinburgh’s cultural landscape. Pipes and fiddles are the sound to follow if you’d like to immerse yourself in the heritage of Scottish folk music, perhaps over dinner or while enjoying a pint of craft beer at The Royal Oak. If saxophones and a double bass are more your jam, the musicians at the appropriately named Jazz Bar in the Cowgate area will keep you in harmony.

Rock bands and indie singer-songwriters can also be heard in venues around Bruntsfield and Leith. For big-name concerts with crowds to match, keep an eye on the listings at the Usher Hall—a grand venue praised for its acoustics.

The grand neoclassical facades of the buildings in the city’s New Town contrast beautifully with the medieval makeup of its Old Town, the jewel of which is, of course, Edinburgh Castle. From elegant townhouses to crumbling ruins, the city has it all. Architectural buffs will love a deep-dive tour into the skyline with a local expert, while many self-guided experiences highlight architecturally significant locations.

It’s not all about the past, though, as many points of interest are much more contemporary. The design of the Scottish Parliament, completed in 2004, continues to divide local opinion, while the Dynamic Earth science center boasts one of the city’s most unique facades.

Art lovers will find a diverse mix of museums and contemporary galleries in Edinburgh. The art, design, and fashion galleries at the National Museum of Scotland offer an excellent representation of the city’s cultural evolution. The National Galleries Scotland: Portrait displays work by artists from Diane Arbus to Vermeer. A short bus ride from the city center are the National Galleries Scotland: Modern One and Modern Two—two separate galleries directly opposite each other.

Find a new favorite artist by exploring smaller galleries such as Stills, a center for photography, or discover a name you might otherwise have missed with a visit to Fruitmarket, which features an adjoining café and bookshop.

Related: An Art Lover’s Guide to Edinburgh

Edinburgh is the home of royal history in Scotland. King Charles III officially calls the Palace of Holyroodhouse home when he’s in the country; however, the complex is also a Scottish history attraction open to visitors, where you can explore the historic chambers in which Mary, Queen of Scots, once lived. Situated atop a volcanic rock, Edinburgh Castle is a major landmark packed with medieval royal history. You can follow the route between the two sites on a Royal Mile walking tour.

Today, the city marks royal traditions with military ceremonies and other events. It is also home to the decommissioned Royal Yacht Britannia, which you can board to tour the State Apartments and Royal Deck.

Edinburgh is full of restaurants, pubs, and bars dishing up traditional Scottish food and drink. For a true Highland classic, you can’t go wrong with haggis. Seafood is a staple, too—Scottish smoked salmon is world-famous, after all—while you can satisfy your sweet tooth with a bite of tablet or some tasty shortbread. Take the stress out of making restaurant reservations and try a variety of Edinburgh favorites on a food tour.

Whisky is less of a drink and more of a tradition in Scotland, and Edinburgh’s Johnnie Walker Experience is an interactive lesson in why it remains the national drink. Or join a guided pub crawl to visit the city’s watering holes and sample whisky, Scottish cider, and more.

Related: Food in Edinburgh: 9 Quintessentially Scottish Dishes and Where to Eat Them

Haunted graveyards and other landmarks with a dark history are well worth a spot on your cultural itinerary for Edinburgh. For a playful take on the city’s macabre past, the Edinburgh Dungeon offers a frighteningly entertaining glimpse into grave-robbing, torture methods, and executions.

The Old Town tends to be the eeriest part of the city, and Greyfriars Kirkyard is said to host more than just the graves of notable former residents: You can discover more on a ghost tour. It’s also in this area that you’ll find The Real Mary King’s Close—a labyrinth of underground streets that preserve mysteries and chilling legends.

Related: Scottish Storytelling Stole the Show on This Tour of Edinburgh’s Underground Vaults