14 things to do in Edinburgh

Hollyrood Palace: 28 minutes from Seton Sands

At the opposite end of The Royal Mile from the Castle, you’ll find another legendary royal home, Holyrood Palace. This is the King’s official residence when in Edinburgh and contains an impressive collection of artworks and artefacts including works by Rubens, Rembrandt, Holbein, and others.  

What you’re probably visiting for, of course, is the opportunity to gawp at the opulent interiors of the royal chambers, including a beautiful suite created in the 16th century for Mary, Queen of Scots. As well as public access, you can book a private tour, walk the ornate grounds, and check out the remains of the 12th century Holyrood Abbey.

32 minutes from Seton Sands

For more old Edinburgh history, a ghost tour is a must. Several operators run spooky walks among Edinburgh’s scariest places, including the Blair Street underground vaults and Mary King’s Close, a buried medieval street in the Old Town. You’ll hear tales of murder, grave robbing, plagues, hauntings, hangings, and witch hunts.  

If you want to construct your own tour, seek out the closes and lanes which lead off the Royal Mile. From Milnes Court to Fleshmarket Close, there are plenty of picturesque, cobbled alleyways to explore. Stop off for a hot toddy in the Jolly Judge (James Court) or pop into the Writer’s Museum on Lady Stair’s Close, where you can learn about Scottish luminaries like Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson.

34 minutes from Seton Sands

If you fancy getting out into the countryside to enjoy a stroll, Edinburgh boasts a gorgeous country park on its doorstep. The Pentland Hills can be reached from Flotterstone on the A702, or Bonaly Park, not far from Edinburgh’s bypass at Dreghorn. 

Park up and explore beautiful trails, reservoirs, woodland, and hills, which can often contain more sheep than fellow hikers. You can even swim in some of the reservoirs here, and the hills are quite accessible and manageable for any reasonably able-bodied walker.  

The Pentland Hills and Bonaly Country Park is a real hidden gem, known mostly to locals. Breathe fresh air and enjoy spectacular 360° views over the whole city.

35 minutes from Seton Sands

Just off Prince’s Street, at The Mound, you’ll find two large, classically styled galleries. The northernmost is home to the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA) and features contemporary art from some of Scotland’s most celebrated artists. Behind it is the National Gallery, which houses a large selection of old masters including Italian Renaissance legends and Scottish masterpieces. 

The galleries are linked by a modern, glass-fronted under croft overlooking the gardens, which includes an excellent restaurant and shop. On the square adjacent to the galleries, you’ll often find a marketplace or, during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, street performers and entertainers. 

If you still have an appetite for great art after visiting these two, the Scottish National Portrait Gallery on Queen Street is only 10 minutes away. It holds a varied collection of portraiture, both historic and contemporary and is housed in a stunning, neo-gothic building of red sandstone.

35 minutes from Seton Sands

Edinburgh’s Botanic Gardens is free to visit, although there’s a small fee to enter the ornate, temperate and humidity-controlled glasshouses. Situated on 70 hilly acres north of Stockbridge, the gardens are exquisitely laid-out and offer a range of different environments and facilities including a woodland garden, Chinese hillside, arboretum, ornate pond, and streams. 

There’s a gallery at Inverleith House which specialises in botanic-themed art and photography and a wonderful café and restaurant on Arboretum Place. Because it’s built on a hillside, the gardens, which date back over 350 years, offer fantastic vistas of the city, and a wide range of formal and more relaxed garden styles.   

The Gardens do important and fascinating conservation work, and holds regular events, talks, and exhibits.

36 minutes from Seton Sands

The Georgian “New Town” dates to the 18th century, where a grand town planning scheme laid out a grid of wide avenues and ornate circuses. It’s now where many of the big brands, boutiques and fashionable bars can be found. From art supplies to designer watches, there’s plenty to keep your magpie tendencies occupied. 

Rose Street is a must-see, containing small restaurants, pubs, and specialist shops. There’s a relatively new enclave of designer brands east of St Andrews Square too, including whisky shops, fine art, and clothing. For art and antiques, Dundas Street is worth a wander (you’ll get great views over the Firth of Forth from this high vantage point too).

36 minutes from Seton Sands

One of the prettiest spots in the city can be found to the northeast of the New Town, by walking down Howe Street and either passing through Royal Circus or, better still, taking the tiny, steep, and picturesque Circus Lane. Turn right at its end and you’re in Stockbridge, a well-to-do area with cobbled streets, famous pubs (such as the Bailie Bar) and restaurants.  

Continue your wander along the Water of Leith walkway past the Grecian-styled St Bernard’s Well, where Georgians and Victorians once took health-giving mineral waters. You’ll soon reach the Dean Bridge, and the surrounding streets comprising the Dean Village, once the sight of several mills and mill workers cottages.

36 minutes from Seton Sands

The Grassmarket is one of Edinburgh’s best-known landmarks. As well as famous pubs like The Last Drop, you’ll find cute second-hand bookshops, markets, boutiques, cafes, and Victoria Street, one of the city’s loveliest cobbled lanes. 

The area has a sinister past too; The Last Drop’s name doesn’t just refer to alcohol – it’s adjacent to where the city’s scaffold for public hangings was once situated. The Grassmarket was a cattle, horse, and corn market as far back as the 14th century, and is still a hub of commerce, although retailers rule the roost now. 

Famous local stores include Armstrong’s vintage clothes emporium and Mr Wood’s fossils, where you’ll find prehistoric shark’s teeth.

38 minutes from Seton Sands

No trip to Edinburgh would be complete without a tour of the castle. Visible on its scenic rocky hillside from all over the city, the best exterior view is probably from Prince’s Street Garden. Walk from the gardens up to the top of the Royal Mile, and you’ll find the Castle Esplanade, a wide area which hosts the Military Tattoo every year during the Edinburgh International Festival. 

You can tour the castle interior, parts of which date back to the 11th century, and there’s lots to see. Highlights include St Margaret’s Chapel, the vaulted Great Hall, and the Stone of Destiny upon which Scottish (and British) Kings and Queens were crowned. Watch out for the One o'clock Gun, a cannon blast which marks the hour of 1pm each day!

Edinburgh’s annual Fringe Festival in August is the world’s largest arts festival, so it’s well worth a visit during a time when Edinburgh is buzzing with thousands of comedy, theatre, dance, music and arts events.  

However, there isn’t just one summer festival in Edinburgh. In July, there’s a 10-day Jazz and Blues Festival. August also boasts the long-running Edinburgh Book Festival, one of the UK’s premiere literary events, which features hundreds of visiting authors and speakers. 

The official Edinburgh Festival features “high art” events such as opera, classical music, and theatre from all over the globe and runs concurrently with the Fringe, which specialises in smaller shows and gigs in hundreds of pop-up venues ranging from church halls to double decker buses. 

Finally, if you’re visiting at Christmas or New Year, you’ve chosen another great time to see Edinburgh. Fireworks, street parties, ceilidhs, torchlit processions and German markets make Edinburgh’s Yuletide and Hogmanay one of the most spectacular seasonal celebrations in the UK.

We’re pleased to say there are plenty of dog-friendly places in Edinburgh to visit, whatever you like to do. Here are our favourite recommendations for a jam-packed day out to get tails wagging.

St James's Quarter

30 minutes from Seton Sands

St James's Quarter is an openly dog-friendly shopping centre packed full of dozens of well-known chains, independent shops, and eateries. Most of the establishments here accept dogs—just look for the blue paw print sticker on the window. To make your retail therapy easier, stop by Pet Services. They can offer you a dog pram or dog backpack for if your pooch gets tired! We’re sure you’ll work up an appetite, so stop off for something to eat or drink to fuel your journey back to Seton Sands Holiday Village. Don’t worry—there are plenty of drinking spots for four-legged friends too.

Brewhemia

30 minutes from Seton Sands

Brewhemia in Edinburgh is a popular restaurant and bar located in the heart of the city, directly opposite Waverley train station. It’s a pretty unique and vibrant spot with live entertainment like drag acts and brass bands! Tuck into tank beers and artisanal cocktails while you order from the food menu. Dogs are treated like any other guest—on arrival, the friendly staff provide your pooch with a comfy bed, water, and snacks to eat them going. It’s a must-visit for dog owners.

West Regent Gardens

31 minutes from Seton Sands

Also known as the Regent, Royal, and Carlton Terrace Gardens, this beautiful garden is privately owned in the New Town area of Edinburgh. It spans across 12 acres on the east side of Carlton Hill. Share the impressive views with your pooch as you look out over the South East, but please keep them on a short lead! This somewhat secret garden is a blend of finely landscaped gardens that have kept their early 19th-century structure, a lime terrace, pathways, a central lawn and secluded woodland. Perfect for a bit of quiet among the city noise.

The Meadows

35 minutes from Seton Sands

The Meadows is a large green park situated in the heart of the city, making it an ideal place to come and wind down. From here, you can see Arthur’s Seat and Edinburgh Castle! Stroll or jog down the paved pathways through the park, or bring a picnic and sit in the shade of the trees. In true Edinburgh style, you’ll find artwork installations dotted around with signs to give you more information.

Starbank Park in Newhaven

38 minutes from Seton Sands

Starbank Park is a beautiful mix of sculpted flowerbeds, trees, and green lawn areas over nearly three acres. It’s been kept as a public garden since the late 19th century and still boasts a cultivated Victorian rose garden, cared for by volunteers. The ‘star’ attraction has to be the eight-pointed flowerbed, designed to look like a compass as a nod to the view of the Firth of Forth. There are three access points from around the city via pedestrian gates. Wheelchair users and those with pushchairs can access via a flat, paved path. Dogs are more than welcome to visit with you—be sure to keep them on a lead.

Camera Obscura

36 minutes from Seton Sands

The Camera Obscura is one of the best dog-friendly places to visit in Edinburgh! There are five floors and over 100 interactive exhibits full of Illusions. Each floor has something unique to bend your mind - mirror mazes, 3D cityscapes, and kaleidoscope tunnels galore! If you make it to the top, enjoy a scenic view of the entire city reflected onto a large table in real-time.

Dogs are more than welcome to join in the fun - they’ll be greeted at the entrance with water and snacks. It’s really easy to get here from the city, as you’ll find it next to Edinburgh Castle. Although there’s no cafe here, you’ll find snacks to fill hungry bellies at the gift shop.

Jupiter Artland

40 minutes from Seton Sands

Inspired by the unique landscape of Edinburgh, Jupiter Artland is an outdoor space to enjoy permanent and temporary sculptures and artworks between May to September. You’ll spot famous names such as Tracey Emin and Helen Chadwick here. There are five galleries set over 100 acres all chock-a-block with experimental art, and fear not - dogs are welcomed in with open arms! There are even events dedicated to dogs, such as ‘Dogs Love Art Too’.

The venue is set in the grounds of Bonnington House, where you can grab a bite to eat or indulge in an afternoon tea at the bistro. Take home a souvenir - the gift shop sells all kinds of items by local artists and authors.