5 day Edinburgh trip

We just returned from Edinburgh and loved the city. So beautiful. I highly recommend BrewDog DogHouse as a hotel stay. It's located a few steps off the Royal Mile and a short walk to Waverley Train Station. Although the hotel is attached to a bar and restaurant, it's very quiet and our room was spacious -- loft bedroom with sleeper sofa, kitchen and bathroom on the lower level. The hotel has a fun vibe and you'll find a beer fridge in the shower. Every day that you reuse your towels, you get token for a free beer in the bar. Hotel guests also have access to a private lounge with games, coffee and candy bars. The staff was super friendly and helpful. I would avoid hotels that are closer to Edinburgh Castle because that area was noisy and crowded.

For transport from the airport to city center, we used the tram and found it efficient. You buy your tickets at the station or online if you download the app.

Since you're planning to see major attractions, I recommend purchasing the Edinburgh Royal Ticket. You get access to the hop-on/hop-off bus plus tickets for Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse and Royal Yacht Britannia. We enjoyed all three sites -- especially the palace and yacht.

Stirling Castle is a nice attraction and an easy 45-minute train ride from Waverley Station. You could see one of the Edinburgh sites in the morning and take an afternoon train to Stirling Castle.

We loved David Bann's restaurant. It's vegetarian but the meat lovers in our family enjoyed it too. We also enjoyed Meza Meza, which is a Mediterranean Restaurant in the new town area.

If you like hikes, you'll find a short uphill walk on Carlton Hill to see the memorials and get great views of the city. We also hiked Arthur's Seat on our last morning and loved it despite the heavy cloud cover.

Enjoy your visit!

Don't miss St Giles Cathedral.

There is also the statue of Greyfriars Bobby It's a lovely story - read about it here.

I also like the ruined Craigmillar Castle with its links to Mary Queen of Scots. It is always a lot quieter than Edinburgh Castle.

There is alos Gladstone's Land, one of the oldest houses in Edinburgh. (Check it out on Undiscovered Scotland. )

Roslyn Chapel is just a short bus ride from the centre.

The Undiscovered Scotland website is a wonderful source of ideas. Have a look at teh relevant map pages and follow the links for text pages with lots of information and pictures.

I have stayed twice at the Parliment House Hotel and was very comfortable. It is tucked away down a lane at the bottom of Calton Hill so it was quiet but close to tram stops and buses, restaurants and shops.
I especially enjoyed touring the Royal Yacht Britannia which is moored in Leith, only a 30 minute tram ride from downtown. I came away feeling like I had been a guest in the royal family's summer home.

Thank you so much!