Edinburgh in 2 days: complete itinerary + ideas for trips to the Highlands

Scotland is not new to us, yet every time it still manages to surprise us. Fabio and I had already been there a few years ago, during a longer trip between Edinburgh and Fort William, and it’s one of those journeys we always remember with a big smile.

And yet, just a few days ago we came back from a new trip and, once again, Edinburgh completely won us over. We dedicated two full days to the city, walking without rushing, rediscovering its most iconic places as well as many corners we had missed the first time.

In this article, you’ll find our new 2-day itinerary in Edinburgh, perfect for those who want to experience the city fully even with limited time.

And since I know many of you love to add a quick escape into nature or a taste of the Highlands, I’ve also included some recommended trips to take from Edinburgh, both as day trips and as 2–3 day adventures. From Harry Potter locations to scenic roads leading toward Fort William.

Ready to return to Scotland with us?

Update March 2025: ETA.

From March 2025, all Italian citizens traveling to the United Kingdom for tourism are required to obtain the new electronic authorization ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation).
The authorization costs £16 per person if purchased through the official website or app, while it is more expensive on third-party websites.

How to apply:

The fastest way is through the official “UK ETA” app, available on both the App Store (link here) and Google Play (link here).

You will need:

the original passport you will travel with (no photocopies or digital versions), access to your email, and a payment method among Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. You will not need to enter specific details about your trip.
If you cannot use the app, you can apply directly online on the official website:https://apply-for-an-eta.homeoffice.gov.uk/apply/electronic-travel-authorisation

Where to stay in Edinburgh

The absolute best area to stay in Edinburgh is, of course, the historic center, especially along the Royal Mile or in the small streets around it. It’s the most atmospheric part of the city, very convenient for getting around on foot, and perfect if you have limited time.
That said, be prepared: prices are really high, especially during peak periods. And I’ll be very honest with you—the standards of Scottish 4-star hotels often feel closer to Italian 3-star hotels, so it’s better to lower your expectations a bit and focus more on location than on luxury room standards.

To help you choose without going crazy, here’s a list of hotels and areas that, in my opinion, offer a great balance between location, comfort, and budget:

CoDE Pod: if saving money is your priority, a hostel is definitely a great option. This one is excellent in my opinion because it’s in a fantastic location, and you can choose between rooms with shared bathrooms or private rooms with an en-suite (I know shared bathrooms are often the hardest part to accept about hostels).Take a look HERE.
Motel One Edinburgh-Royal:a 3-star hotel just a 5-minute walk from historic spots like Cockburn Street and the Royal Mile, with good reviews! You can find it HERE
Cosy Flat in Heart of Edinburgh: near Calton Hill, good price for an apartment with excellent reviews! You can find it HERE.
Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh City West by IHG: if taking public transport isn’t an issue, this one is perfect! Just a short walk from the bus stop that takes you into the center, and with a great price for Edinburgh standards. You can find it HERE.
Radisson Blu Hotel: right in the heart of the Old Town! Very nice rooms, top location, a 4-star option worth considering.You can find it HERE.
Luxury Bonus: the Balmoral Hotel. One of the symbols of the city. Staying here is definitely an experience for those who don’t mind splurging! You can find it HERE.

From the airport to the city center: Airlink 100

Getting to the city center from Edinburgh Airport is very easy: just take the Airlink 100 bus, the express service that connects the airport to Waverley Bridge, right in the heart of the city.
It runs 24/7, departs every 10 minutes, and takes about 30 minutes to reach the center.

Prices (updated November 2025):

Single ticket: £6.00

Return ticket (usable on a day of your choice): £8.50

You can easily pay with a contactless card or buy tickets on the spot. It’s the most convenient and fastest way to reach Edinburgh without any hassle.
Once you arrive at Waverley Bridge and leave your luggage at the hotel… it’s time to start exploring the most magical part of the city!

Itinerary

Day 1

Our first impression of Edinburgh is always the Old Town: the part of the city that feels like it came straight out of a novel, with narrow alleys, stone houses, steep streets, and an irresistibly “dark & cozy” atmosphere.

From here branch off some of the city’s most iconic places, perfect for a first day that’s full but not too demanding.

We start with magical Victoria Street: the most photogenic street in Edinburgh and the one everyone falls in love with. Curved, colorful, with little houses that look hand-painted and an atmosphere that truly recalls Diagon Alley. In fact, this is where you’ll also find the Museum Context, the famous shop dedicated to the world of Harry Potter. Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s magical to visit. If you walk up the side alleys, you’ll find an elevated level that runs along the street from above— from there, the view is stunning. On Victoria Street you’ll also find The Elephant House, the café where J.K. Rowling wrote the first chapters of Harry Potter.

You can then continue along the Royal Mile: the heart of the Old Town, and visit St Giles’ Cathedral, one of the most beautiful and historic churches in the city. Entry is free, but you can leave a donation if you wish.

At the end of the Royal Mile, you can also visit Edinburgh Castle. Make sure to book well in advance! You can find the official ticket website HERE with tickets at around €24 per person. We didn’t go inside because many guides, as well as people we know, advised against it, saying it’s not particularly atmospheric.
Remember to step into the courtyard of New College for an amazing photo!

Then head toward Grassmarket, a charming square with pubs, small shops, and views of the castle. Here, don’t miss one of my absolute favorite spots to see Edinburgh from above: The Vennel Steps. If you climb all the way to the top, you’ll get one of the most stunning views of the entire Old Town, especially at sunset!

From The Vennel, head toward one of the most famous cemeteries in Scotland: Greyfriars Kirkyard. It’s a truly unique place, full of ancient gravestones and legends. And if you’re a Harry Potter fan, you can’t miss the grave of Tom Riddell. 🙂

If you feel like a snack, I recommend Black Medicine Coffee. I completely fell in love with their Danish pastries with apricot jam.

For dinner, if you want to treat yourself to something special, here are two options:

The Dome Edinburgh: we visited during the Christmas period, when the atmosphere is magical. Unfortunately, everything was fully booked until the end of January. Usually, to get a table you need to book at least 2–3 months in advance. Even just for the afternoon tea experience, booking well ahead is essential! I’ll leave the official website HERE.. Alternatively, there is always a queue if you just want to have a drink standing at the bar.
The Spence: we booked about 15 days in advance, and I have to say I ate extremely well in a magical atmosphere. Prices are mid-to-high but not excessive, and in any case, it was absolutely worth it. You can find the updated menu (with prices included) on the official website, where you can also reserve a table. You’ll find it HERE.

Day 2

Ready for breakfast? Here are a few options, starting with my favorite:

Soderberg Bakery: amazing kanelbulle, especially the blueberry one.
Mary’s cafe Edinburgh: here I had oats with yogurt and fruit, while Fabio chose scones (which are more of an afternoon snack for Scots and Brits).
Blank Street: croissants and pain au chocolat here are incredible!
Black Sheep Coffee: I know it’s a chain, but trust me, don’t rule it out—quite the opposite!

Given the fame of The Milkman I also wanted to try one of their pastries, a pear puff pastry. It would have been good if it weren’t for three things: first, the food was ice-cold; second, the places are tiny with very few seats, so you have to eat outside; third, the queues are ridiculous. In short, if it wasn’t clear enough, I didn’t particularly enjoy it. Maybe in summer it’s different, who knows!
Other places recommended by people who follow me on Instagram (and I really trust their suggestions): Laila Edinburgh, Lannan Bakery, Room& Rumours Cafe.

A girl also recommended Clarinda’s Tea Room and I swear I promised myself every day that I would go because it looks amazing, but it opens at 9:30 and closes around 5:30 PM, and I was never in the area.

After breakfast, we can start exploring the more elegant part of the city: the New Town, with its orderly avenues and perfectly kept gardens.

We pass by the historic and iconic Balmoral Hotel, elegant and famous because J.K. Rowling finished writing Harry Potter right here.

We then walk past the Scott Monument, dedicated to writer Sir Walter Scott, and enter Princes Street Gardens to enjoy some peace and quiet. These gardens are set between the Old Town and the New Town and offer stunning views of the castle. Inside the gardens, you’ll also find the Ross Fountain, a beautiful fountain in shades of gold and turquoise.

Stop by the Waterstones bookstore and go up to the top floor: there’s a small café corner with a wonderful panoramic view.

Now head toward one of the most photographed (and honestly cutest) spots in the city: Circus Lane. It’s a narrow, picture-perfect street with stone houses, colorful doors, flower-filled windows, and the tower of St Stephen’s Church in the background.
It’s considered one of the most beautiful streets in the United Kingdom, and once you walk along it, you immediately understand why.

Just a few steps away is Stockbridge, a very well-kept residential neighborhood full of small shops, bakeries, cafés, and flowers everywhere.

From here, walk down toward Dean Village: an ancient millers’ village along the Water of Leith river, with historic houses and small bridges.
For lunch, we chose The Painted Rooster and ate really well. Alternatively, if you’re craving something warm and comforting, right in front of the next stop you’ll find Maki Ramen: perfect for recharging before the afternoon and especially great for warming up with a nice bowl of ramen on a cold day.

In the afternoon, dedicate some time to the National Museum of Scotland one of the most surprising museums we’ve ever see, and the best part is that it’s free.
It’s not a classic museum because it’s very interactive, full of installations also designed for children. There are sections dedicated to nature, science, history, and technology, and here you can also see the famous sheep Dolly, the first mammal ever cloned. It’s perfect on a rainy day, but even on sunny days it’s absolutely worth a visit.

When you leave the museum, stop by to see the statue of Greyfriars Bobby, the most beloved dog in Scotland. For 14 years, this little dog stayed by his owner’s grave every single day. Near the statue, you’ll see many tourists touching his nose, believing it brings good luck, but in reality this gesture is damaging the statue by wearing down the metal and fading it. For this reason, locals always ask people not to do it.

End the day with a sunset at Calton Hill, which offers an incredible panoramic view over the city.

Fort William: mini guide and travel story

Do you have a few extra days? Then consider spending a night in Fort William, one of the perfect starting points for those who want to discover Scotland’s wild nature: mountains, lochs, and valleys that look like paintings. We were there years ago, and even today this part of the trip remains one of our most beautiful memories.

How to get from Edinburgh to Fort William

You can reach Fort William in several ways: by train or bus, which take about three and a half hours, or you can rent a car!

At the time, we took the train to Glasgow, had a quick walk around, and then continued on to Fort William. I’ll admit it: Glasgow didn’t really win me over at first impression.
But the truly special part begins on the next train: a journey through incredible landscapes, lochs, valleys, and mountains that change color every few minutes. An absolute spectacle.

Once we arrived in Fort William, after leaving our luggage in the room, we took a quick walk around town and stopped for lunch at the Crannog Seafood Restaurant, a harbor-side restaurant with a beautiful view over the water.

Right in front of the restaurant, the Crannog Cruise also departs—a boat trip that takes you out on Loch Linnhe for about 90 minutes.
During the cruise, there’s a chance to spot seals (we saw them!), and inside there’s a small heated area where you can grab something warm. Highly recommended, even in summer—it’s always cold.

The following day we were supposed to go on an excursion to Glencoe, but the weather was terrible. A bit disappointed, we asked a taxi driver to take us to a nearby village. When he realized we loved photography, he decided to personally take us to the most beautiful panoramic spots in the Highlands. He waited while we took photos and told us anecdotes about the area.

The Jacobite Train

Speaking of Harry Potter, I told him how much I dreamed of seeing the famous Jacobite Steam Train, but that unfortunately it was impossible to find tickets online (they sell out even a year in advance).
And he, with incredible calm, said: “No problem, we’ll sort it out.” He took us to the train depot, spoke with the staff, and then explained what to do: “Go straight to the ticket barriers at Fort William station. Every day they sell a very small number of tickets directly on the train. Get in line now.”
And that’s exactly what we did: two very long hours of waiting, but in the end we boarded the most iconic train in Scotland. The interior was exactly how I imagined it: warm, vintage, full of details.

During the journey, they pass by with a trolley selling Chocolate Frogs and all kinds of candies, and there’s also a small souvenir shop.

The most emotional moment?
Crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct, supported by 21 arches—exactly the scene we all remember from the films.

The train then stops for about an hour in the lovely village of Mallaig: take a walk, grab an ice cream (delicious, I swear), and enjoy the little harbor.

To buy Jacobite Train tickets in advance:
https://westcoastrailways.co.uk/jacobite/fare-prices

Other day trips from Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a perfect starting point for exploring some of the most beautiful landscapes in Scotland.
Here are my favorite suggestions: easy to organize, scenic, and perfect both for couples and families.
In any case, all of these trips can be found HERE on GetYourGuide, which, as you know, I’ve been using for years. Just a reminder that with the code ANGELAISAI5 you also get a 5% discount on any activity.

A day tour to the Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe, and the Scottish Highlands. The best time to go is when the Jacobite Steam Train passes by, the train used in the films. The atmosphere is magical.
Loch Ness, Glencoe, and the Scottish Highlands. . If you love myths and nature, you’ll enjoy this tour. It’s long, but it allows you to see villages, lochs, and landscapes throughout the Highlands, all the way to the legendary Loch Ness.
Stirling about one hour from Edinburgh. Perfect for a day dedicated to castles and history.
Glasgow , about an hour and a half from Edinburgh. I took a short walk there and it didn’t particularly impress me, but it probably deserves a bit more time.

Scotland is one of those countries that always manages to surprise you, even when you think you’ve already seen it all.

Whether this is your first trip here or, like us, you’re coming back to rediscover it, I hope this itinerary helps you experience it with eyes full of wonder.

If you found this article useful, save the page to plan your trip or share it with anyone who’s organizing a getaway to Scotland.

Have a great trip. ✨