Places to See in Edinburgh

So you’re coming to the retreat in Edinburgh and you think you might want to do some fun things around the city. Have we got some ideas for you! From historical locations to outdoor places to museums to tours to places for coffee, a drink, and relaxing, almost anything you could think of is listed below. If you’re interested in something we haven’t listed, please comment or email us and we’ll help you locate the information you need.

We've created an interactive map where you can see where all these places are in relation to the retreat centre. Google seems to be having some hiccups this morning, so if the map doesn't load correctly, please save the link and try again later. The map will remain available through the retreat and beyond.

Retreat Centre Address: 100 Strathearn Rd, Edinburgh EH9 1BB
Lothian Buses http://lothianbuses.com £4 for a day ticket for unlimited rides in Edinburgh
Central Taxis http://taxis-edinburgh.co.uk 01312292468
City Cabs http://www.citycabs.co.uk/ 0131 228 1211
Edinburgh Minicabs http://www.alledinburghtaxis.co.uk 0131 510 0989
Waverley Train Station http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/EDB/details.aspx

Historical:
Edinburgh Castle http://www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk (Castlehill, Edinburgh, EH1 2NG)
Royal Mile http://royal-mile.com
Palace of Holyrood https://www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/palace-of-holyroodhouse (Canongate, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH8 8DX)
Conan Doyle Pub and Sherlock Holmes Statue (near 11 Picardy Place where Arthur Conan Doyle was born) http://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/theconandoyleedinburgh/ (71-73 York Pl, Edinburgh EH1 3JD)
St. Giles’ Cathedral http://www.stgilescathedral.org.uk/ (High St, Edinburgh, Midlothian EH1 1RE)

Outdoor Places:
Princes Street Gardens http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/directory_record/164144/princes_street_gardens (Princes Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2HG)
Arthur's Seat http://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/holyrood-park-and-arthurs-seat-p914341
Royal Botanic Garden http://www.rbge.org.uk (20a Inverleith Row, Edinburgh, EH3 5LR)
Scott Monument http://www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk/Venues/Scott-Monument.aspx (E. Princes St Gardens, Edinburgh EH2 2EJ)

Museums:
National Museum of Scotland http://www.nms.ac.uk/national-museum-of-scotland/ (Chambers Street, Edinburgh EH1 1JF)
Scottish National Gallery https://www.nationalgalleries.org/visit/introduction-114 (The Mound, Edinburgh, EH2 2EL)
Scottish National Portrait Gallery https://www.nationalgalleries.org/visit/introduction-298 (1 Queen Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1JD)

Yarn Shops:
We will be visiting these three yarn shops during the Yarn Crawl at the retreat, but if you want to visit before or after the retreat, we know they'd be happy to have you.
Ginger Twist Studio http://www.gingertwiststudios.com (11 London Road, Edinburgh, EH7 5AP)
Kathy’s Knits http://www.kathysknits.co.uk (64a Broughton Street, Edinburgh , EH1 3SA)
Be Inspired Fibres https://beinspiredfibres.wordpress.com (30 Marchmont Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1 HZ)

Coffee Shops + Pubs:
The Elephant House (where J.K. Rowling wrote Harry Potter) http://www.elephanthouse.biz/ (21 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, Midlothian EH1 1EN)
Toast http://toastedinburgh.co.uk/ (146 Marchmont Rd., Edinburgh, EH9 1AQ)
Cafe Artista (94-96 Marchmont Cres., Edinburgh, EH9 1HD)
The Earl of Marchmont (22 Marchmont Cres., Edinburgh, EH9 1HG)
Empire Cafe (21d Strathearn Rd., Edinburgh, EH9 2AB)
Cork and Cask http://www.corkandcask.co.uk/ (136 Marchmont Rd., Edinburgh, EH9 1AQ)
Happiee Daze Cafe (100 Marchmont Rd., Edinburgh, EH9 1HR)
Starbucks (2 Colinton Road, Edinburgh, EH10 5DN); this is the closest Starbucks, it's 0.6 mi from the retreat centre)
Starbucks (140 Nicolson St., Edinburgh, EH8 9EH); this is probably the closest Starbucks to many of the Hotels/B+B's/Guest Houses that we mention in this post, it’s 1.7 mi from the retreat centre)
Costa Store (10-14 Morningside Rd., Edinburgh EH10 4DB; it’s 0.6 mi from the retreat centre)
Costa Express (126-128 Marchmont Rd., Edinburgh, EH9 1AQ; it’s 0.3 mi from the retreat centre)

Edinburgh City Website with Leisure, Sport, and Culture Links http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/20011/leisure_sport_and_culture

Tours: (all these tours leave from Waverley Bridge)
Edinburgh City Bus Tour http://edinburghtour.com/tours/edinburgh-tour (Palace of Holyroodhouse, Scottish Parliament, Old Town, National Museum of Scotland, Grassmarket, Edinburgh Castle, New Town)
Edinburgh City Sightseeing Tour http://edinburghtour.com/tours/city-sightseeing-tour (New Town, Old Town, Grassmarket, Edinburgh Castle, National Museum of Scotland, Palace of Holyroodhouse, Our Dynamic Earth, Calton Hill)
MacTours City Tour http://edinburghtour.com/tours/mac-tours (Old Town, Palace of Holyroodhouse, Scottish Parliament, Surgeons' Hall, Edinburgh Castle, New Town)
Majestic Bus Tour http://edinburghtour.com/tours/majestic-tour (New Town, Royal Botanic Garden, Leith Cruise Terminal, Royal Yacht Britannia, Palace of Holyroodhouse, Scottish Parliament, Old Town)
Forth Bridge Bus and Boat Tour http://edinburghtour.com/tours/bus-and-boat-tour
Historic Tours & Ghost Tours http://www.mercattours.com/home.asp (these tours leave from various locations, see the website for details)

Edinburgh is an amazing city and we hope this post gives you ideas for things to do while you're here.

If you haven't signed up to attend the retreat yet, go here now and sign up! Our post next Monday will be about roommates and off-site lodging options. Happy Knitting!