Help to see if my itinerary make sense for Edinburgh

Rushed, but doable if you are only looking for a peek at some things. When we were there in 2023, Mercat Tours offered a 2-hour tour that included a Royal Mile walk with an add-on extension for Edinburgh Castle. We had already been to the castle so didn't do that part, but the Royal Mile walk was excellent and helped us see beyond the restaurants and souvenir shops lining the Mile.

Depending in your interest, the castle can eat up a lot of our time, as can the National Museum which is huge. I do recommend the People's Story Museum. It will take a couple of hours.

Though these are all quite close together (with the exception of the Georgian House) I think you would really struggle to fit them into two days- even three might be tight. You could spend a whole day in the National Museum of Scotland and for me visiting Holyroodhouse is at least half a day. I would try to prioritise if you only have two days.

Visiting the castle at opening, then wandering down the royal mile and poking my nose in the shops, visiting St. Giles, then stopping for lunch before spending the afternoon at Holyrood was literally a whole day for me. To do justice to the other places on your list I think you will need a lot more time. I think I spent a couple hours in the Georgian house, and when I get into a museum I really don’t like to rush. You have to prioritize your most important visits. Plan one for before lunch, and one after, and expect to be at each for at least two hours. Then maybe plan another smaller site in between. But, I think trying to fit everything on your list into two days might end up leaving you feeling like you didn’t really see any of them.

Day 1
- Royal Mile
- Edinburgh Castle (my estimation of 3 hours tour. Opens at 9:30am) I need to take a bus to Edinburgh Castle in the early morning in order to save time. (first place for sightseeing)
- Camera Obscura (Very tempting)
- Gladstone's Land (my estimation of 1.5 hour sightseeing)
- St. Giles' Cathedral (5 mins walk from Edinburgh castle and I think it may be approximately a hour's tour)

Day 2
- Palace of Holyroodhouse in the early morning (first place for sightseeing)
- National Museum of Scotland (drop off from my itinerary due to time constraints)
- Georgian House (tentative)
- People's Story Museum (the last day probably)

The Real Mary King's Close - what do you think? I'm not certain if it is worthwhile to visit.

I guess i have to spend 2 whole days and a half day. No choice. I guess i might drop off National Museum of Scotland although it looks interesting and educational for me. I think i have to start first from Edinburgh castle int he early morning at 9:30am and then walk along Royal Mile to visit each interesting place. What do you think?

I was in Edinburgh in April this year and visited many of your sites. As I recall my timings:

People's Story Museum - I think I had only one hour before closing. I found it very interesting and would have liked 90 minutes - lots to read if you are interested.

Georgian House - Didn't visit, but it is not on the Royal Mile. Many of your attractions are and can be visited quite efficiently. I was delighted at how little time was spent going from spot to spot.

National Museum - This could take all day. I have written elsewhere that my visit was disappointing. Even as a visitor to many museums on many continents, I had trouble making sense of this one. I gave up after a couple hours when I'd planned to spend 1/2 to a full day. I found the organization rather random, especially in the historic exhibits I'd hoped to explore more fully. I do hope to try again sometime, but am not sure how I can better prepare.

Holyrood House - Palace probably 45 minutes to an hour. There is a good audio guide. I also wandered outside for another 30 or so minutes - many don't do this.

St Giles Cathedral - 30 - 45 minutes (or less or more depending on interest and if one joins a tour).

Gladstone's Land - I was disappointed here. There are attendant guides in each room. A person had to work hard when I was there to elicit information. Very little written info, just a printed brief guide that didn't much lend itself to informing a visitor. I was a solo traveler, maybe the attendants thought they'd done enough work explaining the rooms to the couples and family groups and that I should just listen to the tail ends of their presentations. In any case, I spent less than 30 minutes at a spot I'd expected to quite enjoy, but found wanting. The attendants did respond when asked direct questions.

Edinburgh Castle - Visited many years ago. I was disappointed then, I still remember specifics. When I looked at current reviews, I found the same reactions I recalled.

Gladstone's Land - I was disappointed here. There are attendant guides
in each room. A person had to work hard when I was there to elicit
information. Very little written info, just a printed brief guide that
didn't much lend itself to informing a visitor.

May i check if you had ice-cream from Gladstone's land?
https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/gladstones-land-p246281

This website says, "Steeped in history, the ice cream parlour is the perfect place for you to relax after a visit to the house, catch up with friends or pop in for an afternoon treat. Serving a wide range of Equi’s ice cream flavours, sundaes, delicious cakes and hot drinks, you can either sit in or take out. Vegan and gluten-free options are available."

ChatGPT estimates Palace of Holyroodhouse might take approximately 2 hours to visit around.

Please see the main post above which i amended earlier.