Final Up to date on 1st June 2024 by Sophie Nadeau
A Sunday in Edinburgh is greatest spent exploring lazily and absorbing the appeal and magic of Scotland’s fairytale capital. A metropolis made up of two cities, the Previous and New City, that are historic gems full of treasures. Edinburgh can be near the seaside and sits on the foot of an historic extinct volcano. From historic excursions, whisky ingesting and hilltop mountaineering, right here’s the best way to spend an ideal Sunday in Edinburgh!
Is the whole lot closed on a Sunday in Edinburgh?
Most of Edinburgh’s companies stay open on Sunday, the one distinction you’ll discover is that locations are usually open for decreased hours, so you’ll want to test on-line prematurely.
What if it’s raining?
Typically described as a metropolis that by no means stops raining, you may be questioning the best way to take pleasure in exploring Edinburgh if being drizzled on isn’t what you had in thoughts. To not fear as we have now compiled a information to the perfect issues to do on a wet day in Edinburgh, which is typically extra enchanting when explored in gloomy climate.
Greatest issues to do in Edinburgh on a Sunday
Go for brunch
The last word enjoyable method to begin a Sunday is to brunch! Whereas you could have heard of a full English breakfast, you could not realise that Scotland has their very own model. A full Scottish breakfast has a number of further additions together with, haggis, Lorne sausage and tattie scones.
Edinburgh brunch deal with e-book:
- The Edinburgh Larder – 15 Blackfriars St, Edinburgh EH1 1NB
- Loudons – 2 Sibbald Stroll, Edinburgh EH8 8FT
- Toast – 65 Shore, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6RA
- Roseleaf – 23/24 Sandport Pl, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6EW
- Hula juice bar – 103-105 West Bow, Edinburgh EH1 2JP
- Snax Café – Guildford Arms, 15-17 W Register St, Edinburgh EH2 2AA
- Cairngorm Espresso – 1 Melville Pl, Edinburgh EH3 7PR
There are such a lot of locations to select from, all providing all kinds of candy and savoury (as you possibly can see under) in addition to loads of choices which are vegetarian and vegan pleasant!
Uncover a small museum
Because the capital metropolis of Scotland, Edinburgh is dwelling to the nation’s nationwide museums and galleries, however there are many small and distinctive museums price exploring too!
Probably the most distinctive spots to go to (however definitely not for the faint hearted) is Surgeon’s Corridor Museum, which is a museum devoted to all issues anatomy and is one largest and most historic pathology collections within the UK.
Tucked away simply off the Royal Mile, each of that are free to go to, you possibly can see the Museum of Edinburgh and the Museum of Childhood, which was the primary museum on this planet to be solely devoted to specialise within the historical past of childhood.
One other tiny museum which is free to go to is The Author’s Museum which is housed in a historic constructing and showcases the the lives of three of the foremost Scottish writers: Robert Burns, Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson.
Head to a market
The most well-liked market to go to on a Sunday in Edinburgh is the Stockbridge Market, which occurs on a weekly foundation come rain or shine from 10 AM – 4 PM. With native merchants promoting handmade crafts, artisanal bread, cheese, meats and baked items, there are additionally a number of meals stalls the place you should buy sizzling meals and snacks to munch on as you wander round.
Take a tour of the Previous City
Considered one of Edinburgh’s fundamental neighbourhoods is the Previous City, which can be a UNESCO World Heritage Website, full of historic structure that dates again so far as the twelfth century. Edinburgh’s well-known citadel, sits atop a rock and the looms over the Grassmarket, which is among the oldest elements of town, traditionally it was a bustling market but in addition has a darker previous as the positioning of public executions.
House to the Royal Mile, which is the size of a Scot’s mile, right here you’ll discover native pubs tucked away on hidden alleyways, in addition to St Giles Cathedral, the largest sacred area of town and a masterpiece of Gothic structure.
The Previous City is so wealthy with historical past that one of the simplest ways to discover it’s by taking a guided tour, this manner you’ll get to listen to the perfect tales, study the spooky historical past and see the hidden spots that aren’t so apparent to these passing by. Guide a guided tour of the Previous City like this one.
Go to a whisky (or gin) distillery
Whisky is Scotland’s largest export and what the nation is greatest identified for worldwide, dwelling to over 150 lively whisky distilleries! Spend an ideal Sunday afternoon taking a whisky distillery tour, studying the fascinating historical past and heritage behind this tasty golden liquid.
Holyrood Distillery – A tour round this distillery takes round 1 hour and also you’ll have the ability to pattern all types of spirits, from their gin to new make (un-aged whisky) and their aged whisky. It’s attention-grabbing to learn the way a brand new distillery is pushing the boundaries of experimenting with yeast and malt relating to making whisky. Guide a whisky tour for Holyrood Distillery right here.
Port of Leith – That is Scotland’s tallest vertical distillery, which stands at 9 tales excessive. Uncommon for a distillery due to the large copper stills which are required to make the golden malt, Port of Leith sits proudly on the water’s edge and there’s additionally a bar on the eighth ground the place you possibly can sip on whisky with a view and revel in scrumptious meals. Guide a tour and tasting for Port of Leith right here.
Lind & Lime – This regionally produced gin has one of the crucial stunning bottles! Head to their distillery for an enchanting perception into the world of gin, how they make their spirit and get to style a G & T on the finish. Guide a tour and tasting for Lind & Lime right here.
Climb Arthur’s Seat
One of many issues that makes Edinburgh so particular is that you’ve got a world of mountaineering in your doorstep! Round a 15-minute stroll from town centre is Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano that erupted over 340 million years in the past, and at present is among the most iconic walks and boasts of beautiful views over town.
A good way to spend a Sunday afternoon in Edinburgh having fun with the recent air of town’s inexperienced areas! Learn our information on the best way to climb Arthur’s Seat right here.
After having fun with the recent air and views, head to Edinburgh’s oldest pub, the Sheep Heid Inn, which is tucked away behind Arthur’s Seat. This cosy little spot serves a Sunday lunch too, however they have an inclination to get actually busy so e-book prematurely to keep away from disappointment.
Discover Harry Potter places
A world of wizardry awaits in Edinburgh! The enchanting metropolis of Edinburgh was very a lot the inspiration for a lot of the beloved story’s setting, full of Harry Potter places and spots the place J.Okay. Rowling herself penned her novels, and an historic cemetery the place many characters’ surnames from the books might be present in, Greyfriars Kirkyard.
There’s additionally a small store/exhibition of all issues Harry Potter discovered on the attractive winding row of vibrant homes, Victoria Road. Right here you should buy a memento and take a look at a number of the wands on show, although there are sometimes queues to go to because the area is so tiny.
Merely strolling round and absorbing the Gothic structure of town, you’ll quickly perceive how this metropolis got here to encourage such a magical story!
Take pleasure in a Sunday roast
A ‘Sunday Roast’ is a really British custom that started approach again within the fifteenth century and though it may be eaten any day, it’s believed to have grow to be a practice as a result of sure faiths would abstain from consuming meat on sure days in the course of the week. The dish is usually a meat (now there are many vegetation choices too), roast potatoes, roast greens all smothered in gravy.
Edinburgh Sunday roast deal with e-book:
- Barony bar – 81-85 Broughton St, Edinburgh EH1 3RJ
- The Bon Vivant – 55 Thistle St, Edinburgh EH2 1DY
- Hawksmoor – 23 W Register St, Edinburgh EH2 2AA
- The Scran & Scallie – 1 Comely Financial institution Rd, Edinburgh EH4 1DR
- The King’s Wark – 36 Shore, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6QU
Uncover Dean Village
Uncover the quaint space of Dean Village which is tucked away and never too far faraway from the conventional hustle and bustle of Edinburgh metropolis life. This hidden little gem is located alongside the Water of Leith, and has a historical past that traces again to the twelfth century, for its unique function as a milling settlement.
Stroll the Water of Leith
If the climate is nice, the most effective walks in Edinburgh you possibly can take is through the Water of Leith, which is town’s fundamental river and flows proper from the Port of Leith all the way in which into the Firth of Forth (round 12 miles).
There are pedestrian and cycle paths which observe the water nearly all the way in which, alongside you possibly can cease off at completely different elements of town and benefit from the completely different neighbourhoods of Edinburgh. You’ll additionally come alongside a number of bronze solid statues of Anthony Gormley located alongside the river, these act as a mark of the water’s peak in addition to bearing witness to the change in seasons.
Take a chocolate making class at The Chocolatarium
Simply off of the Royal Mile is a world of chocolate! Spend your Sunday exploring this historical past of how cacao is changed into the edible delight everyone knows and love a lot, tasting some after which attempting to make chocolate your self! This expertise has proved to be tremendous widespread because it was voted #1 greatest meals expertise within the UK by Journey Advisor in 2022.
Go to the botanic gardens
Wander across the verdant inexperienced expanse of luscious foliage, tropical crops and uncommon species of bushes at The Royal Botanic Gardens of Edinburgh. They’re free to wander round, though there’s a small price to go to the glasshouses, and are open on Sundays from 10 AM – 6 PM.
With over 350 years of historical past, Edinburgh’s botanic gardens are Edinburgh’s botanic gardens are one of the crucial essential and various huge collections of biodiversity. House to over 273,000 particular person residing species are grown within the gardens, representing round 13,000 species from everywhere in the world. Whereas the herbarium comprises an extra of three million preserved specimens!
See stay music at a pub
To have a real expertise of Edinburgh, head to an area pub and revel in an area Scottish beer or whisky (or get a half-and-half, which is a half pint of beer with a dram of whisky) and see some stay conventional folks music! There are such a lot of pubs throughout town that, particularly on a Sunday, exhibiting stay music and welcoming guests to take pleasure in and embrace the jovial environment.
Head to the seaside
Edinburgh is a metropolis of many landscapes and one of many biggest elements of town is that you just’re by no means too far-off from the ocean. Spend a lazy Sunday morning or afternoon strolling alongside the shoreline and marvelling on the reality you might be nonetheless in a metropolis!
The closest spots to town are Wardie Bay in Newhaven, the place you possibly can take pleasure in a scrumptious fish & chips, Portobello, which is dwelling to a promenade and retro arcade. And, Cramond Seaside, which is dwelling to the Scottish gem, Cramond Island, a distant and uninhabited island that may solely be attain by foot at low tide.
On the lookout for extra Edinburgh primarily based inspiration? Why not try our the best way to spend the right 3 days in Edinburgh information.
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Charlotte is a photographer, cat lover and an avid knitter. When she’s not curled up on the couch together with her latest knitting challenge (and Rico her cat!) yow will discover her out and about on lengthy walks. At present residing within the magical metropolis of Edinburgh, she appears ahead to travelling and seeing extra of the world!