• Edinburgh Attractions

    No matter how high your expectations, Edinburgh will surpass them. It really is one of Europe's most stunning and vibrant cities; the castle, the gardens, the royal palace might be the city's icons, but there's so much more to discover.

    In fact, there are thousands of things to do in this city. We've taken a very Apex approach to the whole affair, and only selected the very best in our top ten Edinburgh attractions.

    1. Edinburgh Castle

    Towering over the city and dominating the skyline, the instantly recognisable Edinburgh Castle is a powerful Scottish symbol. Learn all about this historic landmark with the daily guided tours, view the Scottish crown jewels, and see the 1 o'clock cannon being fired.

    Edinburgh Castle tickets

    2. City Sightseeing Tours

    Edinburgh's 'hop on, hop off' open top bus tours offer an ideal way to see all the sights of the Scottish capital. Tickets are valid for 24 hours, so they are perfect if you only have a day or two to spend in the city.

    City Bus Tour tickets

    3. Holyrood Palace & The Scottish Parliament

    You've seen the Castle? Well at the other end of the Royal Mile you'll find Holyrood Palace, which is the Queen's Official Residence in Edinburgh. And just opposite, you'll find it impossible to miss the Scottish Parliament. There's no denying this is one of the most impressive modern buildings in Europe.

    Holyrood Palace tickets

    4. Royal Yacht Britannia

    From Queen Elizabeth II to Sir Winston Churchill, some of the world's most famous and influential people have been welcomed aboard this magnificent ship. Now it's your turn to discover the splendour of this royal residence.

    Royal Yacht Britannia tickets

    5. Edinburgh Dungeons

    At the other end of the attraction spectrum, is the infinitely more blood-curdling Edinburgh Dungeon. Did you know one solution to the plague was simply to build over infected areas? Now you can discover what lurks within and beneath.

    Edinburgh Dungeons tickets

    6. The Real Mary King's Close

    Beneath the Royal Mile lies Edinburgh's deepest secret - a warren of hidden streets where real people lived, worked and died. For centuries they have lain abandoned and forgotten.... until now! Step back in time on a tour of Mary King's Close and witness 17th century life- and afterlife- in plague ridden Edinburgh.

    Mary King's Close tickets

    7. Our Dynamic Earth

    If the weather isn't looking great, then another sure-fire hit is Dynamic Earth, which is a Tyrannosaurus-hop from the new Scottish Parliament. The whole family will take a journey through Earth's history from the dawn of time, with plenty of interactive fun to keep the kids well-and-truly happy.

    Dynamic Earth tickets

    8. Camera Obscura

    View the city from a different angle with the Camera Obscura Show, where you'll see live moving images of Edinburgh projected onto a viewing table through a giant periscope. Fantastic views of Edinburgh, and three galleries packed full of optical experiences will keep you entertained.

    Camera Obscura tickets

    9. The Scotch Whisky Experience

    Take a swirling, bubbling barrel ride through a replica distillery as you become part of the whisky making process, with expert tour guides and whisky advisors on hand to help you discover new aromas and flavours leading you to your perfect Single Malt Whisky.

    Scotch Whisky Experience tickets

    10. Edinburgh Zoo

    Meet over 1000 different animals in this beautiful parkland setting on the outskirts of Edinburgh. Exciting attractions, daily events and activities are scheduled throughout the year. The Penguin Parade is a particular favourite amongst visitors.

    Edinburgh Zoo tickets