Calton Hill, East end of Princes Street, Hillside
Calton Hill is a relatively easy walk, with the best breathtaking, panoramic views of the city and a number of interesting follies and monuments to explore. The view down Princes Street is particularly impressive. All sorts of events take place here including Hogmanay, the summer solstice and other Pagan events which can be energetic and a spectacle, including dancers and fire eaters. It’s not advised to visit at night.

Edinburgh Castle, Castlehill, Edinburgh
0131 225 9846
www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk
Edinburgh Castle dominates the city of Edinburgh like no other castle in Scotland. Sitting atop an extinct volcano the Castle keeps a watchful eye over the city. No trip to Edinburgh is complete without a visit to the Castle and see it's spectacular panoramic views across the city. Top of the list for many visitors are The Honours of Scotland, the nation’s crown jewels, as well as the One O'Clock gun which is fired every day across Princes Street Gardens.

National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street, New Town
0131 624 6200
www.natgalscot.ac.uk
Even if you can only nip in here for ten minutes, it often provides just the tonic you need. There's always something interesting to see and there's a great shop too. It exhibits a unique visual history of Scotland, told through portraits of the figures who shaped it: royals and rebels, poets and philosophers, heroes and villains. The collection includes work not only by Scottish artists but by great English, European and American masters such as Van Dyck, Gainsborough, Rodin and Kokoschka. In addition to paintings, the Portrait Gallery displays sculptures, miniatures, coins, medallions, drawings and watercolours. There’s a great café here too selling delicious home made food and some hard to resist cakes.

Royal  Botanic Gardens, Inverleith Row [East Gate] & Arboretum Place [West Gate], Inverleith
0131 552 7171
www.rbge.org.uk
The Botanic Gardens have one of most impressive collections of trees and plants in the world and is a gorgeous place to get lost in an while away a few hours. The glasshouses are where we Edinburgh folk used to go for a treat before the days of central heating! Inverleith House usually has an interesting modern art exhibition and the views of Edinburgh from here are stunning. It is also the home of the Queen Mother's Memorial Garden. The new John Hope Gateway has now opened its doors to the public, dramatically framing the west gate entrance to the garden and providing world-class facilities for visitors to match the quality of the garden beyond.  Inside, visitors can discover the world of plants and the scientific work of RBGE through a unique set of interative experiences and activities. There is also fantastic botanics shop and a new gateway restaurant with an outstanding menu which enjoys a stunning setting overlooking the Garden.

Edinburgh Castle, Castlehill, Old Town
0131 225 9846
www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk
Edinburgh Castle dominates the city of Edinburgh like no other castle in Scotland. Sitting atop an extinct volcano the Castle keeps a watchful eye over the city. No trip to Edinburgh is complete without a visit to the Castle and see it's spectacular panoramic views across the city. Top of the list for many visitors are The Honours of Scotland, the nation’s crown jewels, as well as the One O'Clock gun which is fired every day across Princes Street Gardens.

Royal Yacht Britannia, Ocean Terminal, Leith
0131 555 5566
www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk
This magnificent ship has played host to some of the most famous people in the world. But, above all, she was home to Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family. Now in Edinburgh you are welcome on board to discover the heart and soul of this most special of royal residences.

Lady Stair's House and The Writer's Museum, Lady Stair's Close, Old Town
0131 529 4901
Lady Stair's House was built in 1622 and is now home to The Writer's Museum which is dedicated to three of Scotland's most famous writers; Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson. It is crammed with pictures, etchings, busts and memorabilia of the three writers, including bibles, pipes and walking sticks.

The Scotch Whisky Experience, 354 Castlehill, Old Town
0131 220 0441
www.whisky-heritage.co.uk
A unique insight into the world of Scotch Whisky. Discover the secrets of the “water of life” with their guided tours which takes you through the differences between Malt, Grain and Blended Scotch Whisky. Enjoy a tutored tasting of a Scotch Whisky and discover how Scotland’s majestic scenery influences the flavour and character of the whiskies.

Golf East Lothian, Haddington, East Lothian
www.golfeastlothian.com
East Lothian is one of Scotland's best regions for golf. There are 19 courses catering for golfers of all standards and tastes. Some courses you will recognise; Dunbar, North Berwick, Musselburgh, Gullane and The Open Championship course at Muirfield. Check out their East Lothian Passport which offers unmissable discounts to some of the best golf courses including Gullane No. 2 & No. 3.

Forth Rail Bridge, South Queensferry, Edinburgh
www.forthbridges.org.uk
The 1.5 mile Forth Railway Bridge, the world’s first major steel bridge, with its gigantic girder spans of 1710 ft. ranks as one of the great feats of civilization. It was begun in 1883 and formally completed on 4 March 1890 when HRH Edward Prince of Wales tapped into place a ‘golden’ rivet.

The Georgian House, 7 Charlotte Square, New Town
0844 493 2118
www.nts.org.uk
The Georgian House has been magnificently restored to show a typical Edinburgh New Town House of the late 18th-early 19th century. The fine collection of period furniture, porcelain, silver and glass, reflect the lifestyle and social and economic conditions of the time.

National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street, New Town
0131  624 6200
www.natgalscot.ac.uk
Even if you can only nip in here for ten minutes, it often provides just the tonic you need. There's always something interesting to see and there's a great shop too. It exhibits a unique visual history of Scotland, told through portraits of the figures who shaped it: royals and rebels, poets and philosophers, heroes and villains. The collection includes work not only by Scottish artists but by great English, European and American masters such as Van Dyck, Gainsborough, Rodin and Kokoschka. In addition to paintings, the Portrait Gallery displays sculptures, miniatures, coins, medallions, drawings and watercolours. There’s a great café here too selling delicious home made food and some hard to resist cakes.

National Gallery, The Mound, Old Town
0131 624 6200
www.nationalgalleries.org
The National Gallery of Scotland, oldest of the five Galleries, is situated in the heart of Edinburgh on The Mound, between the ancient Old Town and the Georgian New Town. It is home to Scotland's greatest collection of European paintings and sculpture from the Renaissance to Post-Impressionism, and is one of the very finest galleries of its size in the world. The Gallery has a new modern extension which includes a restaurant. There is always a big exhibition on.

Royal Museum / Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Old Town
0131 247 4422
www.nms.ac.uk
The Royal Museum of Scotland, on Chambers St, is a Victorian building whose grey, solid exterior contrasts with its large, bright, galleried entrance hall of slim wrought-iron columns and glass roof. The museum houses an eclectic, comprehensive series of exhibitions. The adjacent Museum of Scotland, opened in 1998, houses archaeological artefacts from the old Museum of Antiquities. It shows the history of Scotland in chronological order starting with the country's earliest history in the basement. There’s a great restaurant on the top floor, The Tower.

Gallery of Modern Art  &  Dean Gallery, Belford Road, Dean
www.nationalgalleries.org
Home to Scotland’s outstanding national collection of modern and contemporary art. Both Galleries are set in extensive parkland, where visitors can discover sculpture works by important artists like Ian Hamilton Finlay, Henry Moore, Rachel Whiteread and Barbara Hepworth. The lawn to the front of the Gallery of Modern Art was re-landscaped in 2002 to a design by Charles Jencks.  The Gallery of Modern Art shows special exhibitions and works from c.1900 to the present day, while the Dean Gallery shows works from the Gallery’s internationally renowned Dada and Surrealist collection alongside pieces by Eduardo Paolozzi.

Dovecot Studios, 10 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh
0131 550 3660
www.dovecotstudios.com
Following an £8 million refurbishment, this former Victorian Baths is now the permanent home of The Edinburgh Tapestry Company. Forget images of Granny's with needles, this space is sleek, modern and beautifully designed with gallery space on the ground floor and the tapestry looms in a magnificent galleried room upstairs. A new gem for the Old Town.

Usher Hall, Lothian Road, Tollcross
0131 228 1155
www.usherhall.co.uk
The Usher Hall is one of the most outstanding concert halls in the world. A landmark in the heart of Scotland's capital, it stands for the highest level of musical and civic participation and is the home of The Royal Scottish National Orchestra which plays here every Friday night in its season. For the best part of a century it has hosted some of the greatest concerts and events in the city including conductors Herbert Von Karajan and Claudio Abbado, singers Ella Fitzgerald and Elton John and performers Stephane Grapelli and Simple Minds.

The Corn Exchange, 11 Newmarket Road, Slateford
0131 477 3500
www.ece.uk.com
Edinburgh’s premier venue for Conferences, Weddings, Banquets, Exhibitions, Christmas Parties and Functions. Many concerts are stoged here including some world-class artists like Oasis, Radiohead, Stereophonics, Blur, Travis, Paul Weller and Justin Timberlake.

Whistle Binkies, 4-6 South Bridge, Old Town
0131 557 5114
www.whistlebinkies.com
This is a popular pub which like most pubs/clubs is open till 5am during the Festival. The pub is a great music venue and is famed for is atmosphere and selection of beer.

The Queens Hall, 85-89 Clerk Street, Edinburgh
0131 668 2019
www.thequeenshall.net
The Queen's Hall offers a wide range of events to tempt you all year round - classical, jazz, blues, pop, rock, world, folk and comedy, and is also home to the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

Jazz Bar, 1A Chambers Street, Old Town
0131 220 4298
www.thejazzbar.co.uk
This basement bar is universally appealing is its unique, high-quality mix of good music, a stylish but non-trendy environment. They stage three gigs a day, seven nights a week, plus a Saturday afternoon jazz Trio session. The Jazz Bar was voted Scotland's ‘Jazz Venue of the Year’ at the Scottish Jazz Awards, Glasgow Jazz Festival 2009.

The Jam House, 5 Queen Street, New Town
0131 226 4380
www.thejamhouse.com
Based inside the 24,000sq ft former BBC Broadcasting House on Queen Street, the Jam House is a music club based on a similar American concept called House of Blues which can be found in LA and Chicago. The unique Jam House concept began in 1999 as an amalgamation between Jools Holland and designer Neil Tibbatt. The partnership wanted to produce a night out which had elements of live music, fine dining and good times.The venue has since hosted jazz, blues and rock artists and has featured performances from Chaka Khan, The Stylistics, The Specials, The Beat, Steve Gibbons, Buddy Greco, Pato Banton, Paul Carrick and of course, Jools and his Rhythm ‘n’ Blues orchestra.

Calton Hill, East end of Princes Street, Hillside
Calton Hill is a relatively easy walk, with the best breathtaking panoramic views of the city and a number of interesting follies and monuments to explore. The view down Princes Street is particularly impressive. All sorts of events take place here including Hogmanay, the summer solstice and other Pagan events which can be energetic and a spectacle, including dancers and fire eaters. It’s not advised to visit at night.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Inverleith Row [East Gate] & Arboretum Place [West Gate], Inverleith
0131 552 7171
www.rbge.org.uk
The Botanic Gardens have one of the most impressive collections of trees and plants in the world and is a gorgeous place to get lost in and while away a few hours. The glasshouses are where we Edinburgh folk used to go for a treat before the days of central heating! Inverleith House usually has an interesting modern art exhibition and the views of Edinburgh from here are stunning. The new John Hope Gateway has now opened its doors to the public, dramatically framing the west gate entrance to the garden and providing world-class facilities for visitors to match the quality of the garden beyond.  Inside, visitors can discover the world of plants and the scientific work of RBGE through a unique set of interative experiences and activities. There is also fantastic botanics shop and a new gateway restaurant with an outstanding menu which enjoys a stunning setting overlooking the Garden.

Princes Street Gardens, New Town
While in Edinburgh why not have a stroll through the picturesque Princes Street Gardens. In the summer you will see many people picnicking, taking a break from shopping and generally relaxing. While in the winter take a stroll in a ‘Winter Wonderland’ with ice-skating and funfairs. Princes Street garden is also a great venue and the famous Hogmanay Party boosts many famous musical acts performing in the gardens like Blondie, The Scissor Sisters and Texas to name but a few. These gardens are where the original stinking loch was drained at the time the New Town was built. This is the place to watch the amazing post festival fireworks display; surely one of the best in the world. Open til dusk.

Royal Mile, Old Town
The Royal Mile (The High Street) is an unforgettable sight surrounded by steeply sloping cobbled streets and stunning architecture. It stretches down from the Castle to the Place of Holyrood House and unlike ‘High streets’ in many cities it is rich with specialist shops, small restaurants and intimate little bars. The Royal Mile is the focal point of the Festival and during the month of August has a carnival like atmosphere with stages featuring live performances, street performers, market stalls and much much more. Fascinating wynds and closes lead off the High Street and it has played host to many Edinburgh characters such as John Knox and the body snatchers Burke and Hare.

Arthur’s Seat & Holyrood Park, Pleasance
Few cities in the world have such breath taking scenery. As a favoured ramble of many visitors to Edinburgh, Arthur’s Seat and the Crags are located in Holyrood Park and offer enchanting views of the city. The highest peak known as the ‘lions head’ dominates the skyline and adds to Edinburgh’s true uniqueness. Perfect too if you love running, the road around it is steep but the downhill all the more welcome because of that and the views whilst you’re at it are pretty special.

The Meadows, Newington, Bruntsfield, Marchmont
The Meadows is a large park in Edinburgh which is lined with trees and covered in well-kept green lawn. It is split into several parts, but is chiefly divided into two halves by a road. On the upper half is an open golf course, free to anyone who happens to own their own set of clubs, and on the lower half you'll often find people kicking around a football, playing tennis on the outdoor tennis courts or playing croquet. There is also a playground for kids and it's a great place for walking, cycling, rollerblading and scootering as there are footpaths everywhere.

Water of Leith, Edinburgh
www.waterofleith.org.uk
The Water of Leith is the main river flowing through Edinburgh, which is 24 miles long and runs from the Pentland Hills to the port of Leith where it flows into the sea via the Firth of Forth. The nearest it gets to the city centre is at the Dean Village, on the site of old watermills in a deep gorge and also where you’ll find St Bernard’s Well which rumour has it the water of which has medicinal properties. This ravine is dramatically spanned by the Dean Bridge, designed by Thomas Telford, which was built in 1832 for the road to Queensferry, and lies next to the New Town. There is a Water of Leith Walkway beside the river for the 12.25 miles from Balerno to Leith, with approximately half a mile of the route on roads. The route forms an attractive haven for wildlife, passing through areas of woodland, often well separated from roads. For some distance the walkway follows the route of former railway tracks, and the remains of tunnels, bridges and other features of more than one railway may be seen at many places along the route.

Edinburgh Playhouse, 18-21 Greenside Place, Hillside
0131 557 2692
www.edinburgh-playhouse.co.uk
One of the more famous venues in Edinburgh seating 3,000 people and hosting many different productions from musicals like Grease, Mamma Mia, Miss Saigon and My Fair Lady to performing artists like Katie Melua and George Benson. Playhouse also hosts the other popular shows like the Circus of Horrors and Horrible Histories.

Kings Theatre, 2 Leven Street, Tollcross
0131 529 6000
www.eft.co.uk
The King's houses visits from the Royal National Theatre and other major touring drama productions as well as being home to Edinburgh's annual pantomime and the local amateur societies' productions. This is a venue for The Edinburgh International Festival in the summer.

The Festival Theatre, 13/29 Nicolson Street, South Bridge
0131 529 6000
www.eft.co.uk
The Festival Theatre is the capital's arena for Scottish Opera and Scottish Ballet and is at the heart of the Edinburgh International Festival. The Theatre programmes a contemporary dance season, alongside large-scale musicals, international ballet companies and a variety of one night musical events.

Royal Lyceum Theatre, 30B Grindlay Street, Tollcross
0131 248 4848
www.lyceum.org.uk
One of Scotland's largest and most successful producing theatre companies, our main output is our season of high-quality drama productions running from September to May in the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh.

Traverse Theatre, 10 Cambridge Street, West End
0131 228 1404
www.traverse.co.uk
Now in its 46th year, Edinburgh's Traverse Theatre is Scotland's new writing theatre, with a record of excellence since 1963. With quality, award-winning productions and programming, the Traverse receives accolades at home and abroad from audiences and critics alike. The Traverse has an unrivalled reputation for producing contemporary theatre of the highest quality, invention and energy, commissioning and supporting writers from Scotland and around the world.

Film House, 88 Lothian Road, Tollcross
0131 228 2688
www.filmhousecinema.com
Scotland’s foremost independent cinema and home to the Edinburgh
International Film Festival. Has an eclectic choice of films from all over the world also has various exhibitions. There’s a popular bar/café here to and they sell an excellent range in independent movie DVD’s.

The Cameo, 38 Home Street, Tollcross
0870 7551231
www.picturehouses.co.uk
Blending a classic old world theme with the modern comforts one expects, this popular art house cinema screens the major art house films as soon as they surface. The Cameo is a licensed cinema which is an advantage for those who enjoy being able to watch a film while having a quiet drink. The bar is open from 8:45 am till late during the festival. The seats are comfy and it makes you wish that all cinemas were still like this.

The Omni Centre, Hillside
0131 524 7770
www.omniedinburgh.co.uk
Its large modern glass structure dominates but also complements the surrounding area. There’s a mix of nationwide bars and restaurants to suit most tastes. It also has a Holmes Place Gym and Vue cinema with the latest films showing.