Edinburgh Attractions

Edinburgh Castle

Summer
9:30am - 6:00pm
1 Apr - 30 Sep
Winter
9:30am - 5:00pm
1 Oct - 31 Mar

Scotland's best known and most visited historic building, Edinburgh Castle dominates the skyline of Scotland's capital city.  Resting on an extinct volcano, Edinburgh Castle has a dynamic history that dates back to the 1100s.  With stewards providing guided tours and audio tours in different languages, exploration of the castle could not be easier.

The Edinburgh Castle Esplanade also plays host to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo every August.  A spectacular display of traditional Scottish bagpipes, drums, marching and dancing along with displays from many countries from across the world.

Closest Dreamhouse Apartments - Abercromby & Holyrood

Edinburgh Zoo

Open every day of the year including Christmas Day from 9am, and close at the following times:
6pm      April-September
5pm      October & March
430pm  November - February

Owned by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Edinburgh Zoo is one of the city's biggest attractions.  Home to many different species, Edinburgh Zoo is a great day out for all the family.  The Zoo is the only one in Britain to house Polar Bears and Koalas as well as being the first to breed penguins in captivity.

Set in 82 acres of parkland, Edinburgh Zoo has many fascinating talks and presentations about the residents.  Behind the enjoyable attractions, the zoo also carries out important scientific work including the conservation of many endangered species.

The closest Dreamhouse Apartments:  The Gyle & Eglinton

Edinburgh Dungeons

10am-7pm   July & August
10am-5pm   Sep & Oct
11am-4pm   Nov - Feb
10am-5pm   Mar - June

Visit the darker side of Edinburgh's History with the Edinburgh Dungeons.  Choose from many different exhibits, shows and displays and be swept away in a wave of nasty historical unpleasantry, barbaric savagery, putrid disease and inhumane medical practices!!  Not for the faint hearted!

The closest Dreamhouse Apartments:  Abercromby & Rothesay

Royal Yacht Britannia

Open daily from 10.00am (July/August from 9.30am).  Last admission is at 4.30pm (April to October) or 3.30pm (November to March).  Closed Christmas Day and New Years's Day.
 
The Royal Yacht Britannia served the royal family for over forty years, travelling over 1 million miles and visiting to ever corner of the globe.  Playing host to many famous faces over the years, the yacht now rests in the docks at Leith.  Explore the bridge, the sun lounge, the admiral's cabin and quarters, the Queen's sitting room and the royal barge on a tour of the Royal yacht.

Scottish Parliament

The closest Dreamhouse Apartments:  Holyrood

Our Dynamic Earth

10am - 6pm (Last entry 1hr 10 minutes before closing)

Our Dynamic Earth is a charitable trust committed to the education and lifelong learning of Earth Sciences, through the running of the exhibition and dedicated education service.

Visitors will be taken on a voyage of discovery through the ages, from the big bang to the present day.  Exploring the creation of the planets, the Earth's structure, evolution, extinction and much more.  With Experimental and interactive exhibitions Our Dynamic Earth is the perfect day out for inquisitive minds, both young and old alike!!

The closest Dreamhouse Apartments:  Holyrood

The Ceramic Experience 

Opening times

10-530 Fri-Wed
10-4.00 Thurs

The ceramic experience is an award-winning visitor attraction and painting studio based in Marchmont and also the Ocean Terminal at Leith.  A relaxing, stimulating and family friendly environment where anyone can go and be creative.

The Water Of Leith Visitor Centre 

Open every day from 10am to 4pm.  (Closed 24th Dec to 3rd Jan)

Explore Edinburgh's hidden natural asset the Water of Leith.  Visit the free interactive exhibition at the visitor centre and discover the river's wildlife and heritage.

The water of Leith also has cycling and walking trails totalling 12 miles where visitors can enjoy the great out doors and beautiful scenery.

The Spirit of the Tattoo 

Open 10am - 430pm (admission free)

While many people may not get the chance to watch Edinburgh's military Tattoo in August, The visitor centre is the ideal opportunity to learn about the history of this world famous event. 

Comprising of an educational exhibition, video presentations, gift shop and ticket office the Edinburgh Tattoo Visitor centre is factual and engaging and provides a flavour of the colour and excitement for which the Tattoo is renowned.

The 3D Loch Ness Experience in Edinburgh 

Open July & August 9.30am - 8pm (last entry 7.30pm)
         Sep to June 10am - 6pm (last entry 530pm)

The legend of Loch Ness is the World's most famous mystery.  Explore "Nessie's" story with awesome 3D effects, photographs, illusions, hoaxes and eye witness accounts.
 
Adrian Shine, scientist & the foremost authority on Loch Ness, presents the whole story, his findings and the findings of many others.
 
National Flag Heritage Centre 

Open from April to October 9am-6pm (also open on St. Andrews Day)

The Scottish Flag Trust was established in 1984 to repair and maintain the Flag memorial at Athelstaneford.  The Trust also run the Heritage Centre at Athelstaneford, the birth place of the Scottish Flag.

Visitors can enjoy a short audio-visual dramitisation of the 9th century when the St Andrew's Cross first appeared in the sky, a visit to the original church in Athelstaneford and the spectacular views towards the battle site from the viewing point with interpretive panel.

Palace Of Holyroodhouse

Opening hours:  The Palace is open daily
1 November -20 March 09:30-16:30 (last admission 15:30)
22 March to 31 October 9:30-18:00 (last admission 17:00)
11 August 9:30-14:00 (last admission 13:00)
24 December 09:30-14:00 (last admission 13:00)
31 December 09:00-15:00 (last admission 14:00)
1 January1:00-16:30 (last admission 15:30)
closed:  25-26 December and during Royal Visits

Founded as a monastery in 1128, the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh is The Queen's official residence in Scotland. Situated at the end of the Royal Mile, the Palace of Holyroodhouse is closely associated with Scotland's turbulent past, including Mary, Queen of Scots, who lived here between 1561 and 1567. Successive kings and queens have made the Palace of Holyroodhouse the premier royal residence in Scotland. Today, the Palace is the setting for State ceremonies and official entertaining.

Museum Of Childhood 

Open Monday to Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm, Admission Free.

Known as the noisiest museum in the world, the Museum of Childhood is crammed full of objects telling the story of childhood past present.  There is a regular programme of temporary exhibitions so there is always something new for you to see and do.

National Museum of Flight 

Open Daily from 10am- 5pm.

The National Museum of Flight in Edinburgh explores man's obsession with the skies and the development of flight from the Wright Brothers to Concorde.

There are many different exhibits and activities to choose from; aircraft, engines, rockets, photographs, reference library, archives, models, flying clothing, instruments and propellers.

National Museum of Scotland

Open 10am to 5pm

The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh is dedicated to the history, people and culture of Scotland. The museum, which is on Chambers Street, in central Edinburgh was opened in 1998, incorporating collections from the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland and Scottish items from the Royal Museum.  Admission is free.

Scottish Mining Museum 

Open daily from 10am to 5pm.

The Scottish Mining Museum is the National coal mining museum for Scotland and cared for the lady Victoria Colliery and the national coal mining collections.  Visitor can view over 60,000 items, including archive material, photographs, books, tools, clothing, geological specimens and much more.

The museum also includes two major exhibitions - "The Story of Coal" and "A Race Apart", a hands on Operations Centre, a re-created underground roadway and coalface, audio visual shows, a massive machinery tour and licensed restaurant with play and picnic area.

The Real Mary King's Close

Open 7 days a week, tours departing every 20 minutes.  All tours must be pre booked.
November - March  10am-6pm (Sun-Fri)
                             10am-9pm (Sat)
March - October     10am-9pm
August                   9am-9pm

Hidden beneath the Royal Mile lie a warren of hidden "closes" where real people lived, worked and died.  Experience the sights, sounds and smells of Edinburgh's most famous close.  Walk in the footsteps of the everyday people who lived there.  Discover the truth about living with the plague.

Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre

Open 10am to 6pm (last tour 5.30pm)

Discover the secrets of the "water of life" with a guided tour which takes you through the processes used for making Scotland's national drink.  Take the barrel ride through whisky's history, enjoy a tutored tasting and meet the resident ghost.

Also featuring at the centre is the Amber Restaurant which specialises in Scotland's finest produce and recipes and a whisky bar with over 300 different Scotch Whiskies.

Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art & The Dean Gallery

Open daily 10am-5pm, Admission Free

The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Gallery and The Dean Gallery are set in extensive parkland where visitors can discover sculpture works by important artists, such as Ian Hamilton Finlay, Henry Moore and Rachel Whiteread.

The Gallery pf Modern Art shows exhibitions and works from 1900 to the present day and Deans Gallery shows works from the Gallery's internationally renowned Dada and Surrealist collection alongside pieces by Eduardo Paolozzi.

Rosslyn Chapel 

Opening times (last admission 30 mins before close)
April - Sep  Mon-Sat 9.30am-6pm & Sun 12pm-430pm
Oct - Mar Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm & Sun 12pm-430pm

Just to the South of Edinburgh lies one of the most remarkable pieces of church architecture in Scotland.  Serving as a family house of catholic worship though out most of the 1500s to the St Clair's, Rosslyn Chapel is now more famous as the church used in "The Da Vinci Code" a film adaptation of Dan Browns novel.

St Giles' Cathedral 

Summer (May-September)
Monday - Friday 09.00-19.00
Saturday 09.00-17.00
Sunday 13.00-17.00 and for services

Winter (October-April)
Monday - Saturday 09.00-17.00
Sunday 13.00-17.00 and for services

St Giles Cathedral or the High Kirk of Edinburgh is the mother church of Presbyterianism and home to the Chapel of the Order of the Thistle.  The Cathedral which is part of Edinburgh's "Old Town" dates back over 900 years and still holds Church of Scotland Services and welcomes over 400,000 visitors every year.

The church retains most of its ancient character including a wealth of carved ornaments and impressive stained glass windows.

Camera Obscura

July & August - 9.30am-730pm
September & October - 930am-6pm
November to March 10am-5pm
April to June 9.30am-6pm

The Camera Obscura has 5 floors of interactive exhibitions topped by a mysterious Victorian rooftop chamber where you can see a unique view of Edinburgh though a giant periscope.  Explore the world of Illusion, magic, holograms and thermal imaging and enjoy the views of Edinburgh from the rooftop terrace.

Royal Botanic Gardens

Open Daily

November & February 10am - 4pm
March & October 10am - 6pm
April to September 10am - 7pm

Comprising of 70 acres of stunning scenery, the Royal Botanic Garden is home to the largest collection of wild origin Chinese plants outside China.  The beautiful landscapes are just a stone's throw from Edinburgh city centre and are a favourite with sight seers and horticulturists.  Enjoy exploring the Glasshouses, Inverleith House, The Rock Garden and the Queen Mother's Memorial Garden.

Our Dynamic Earth

Opening times
April to October - 10.00 to 17.00 daily
July & August - 10.00 to 18.00 daily
November to March -10.00 to 17.00 Wed - Sun (Closed Mon & Tues)

Our Dynamic Earth is an interactive exhibition which explores the story of our planet from the big bang to the current day.  Children and adults will have the "mother of all adventures" through the various activities and exhibitions, from a trip in a time machine to learning the secrets of the oceans and the polar extremes.  A great day out for all!