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.

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.

National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street, Central New Town 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], Stockbridge 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.

Film House, 88 Lothian Road, Tollcross, Edinburgh 0131 228 2688
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, Edinburgh 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, Edinburgh
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.

National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street, Central New Town, Edinburgh 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, Central, Edinburgh 0131 624 6200
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, Central, Edinburgh 0131 247 4422
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.

Usher Hall, Lothian Road, Tollcross, Edinburgh  0131 228 1155
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, Edinburgh 0131 477 3500
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.

The Liquid Rooms 9c Victoria Street, Old Town, Edinburgh 0131 225 2564
One of the hottest venues in Edinburgh hosting many club nights and live events.

Whistle Binkies, 4-6 South Bridge, Old Town, Edinburgh 0131 557 5114
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 Stand Comedy Club, 5 York Place, Central New Town, Edinburgh 558 7272
Stand up shows feature the best Scottish and international comedians on the contemporary live circuit, hosted by our seasoned team of top comperes. Acts include Daniel Kitson, Johnny Vegas, Dylan Moran and Simon Munnery.

Calton Hill, East end of Princes Street, Hillside, Edinburgh
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], Stockbridge, Edinburgh 552 7171
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.

Princes Street Gardens, Central New Town, Edinburgh
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, Edinburgh
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 & the Crags /Holyrood Park, Pleasance, Edinburgh
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.

Edinburgh Playhouse, 18-21 Greenside Place, Hillside, Edijburgh 0131 557 2692
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, Edinburgh 0131 529 6000
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, Pleasance, Edinburgh 0131 529 6000
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, Edinburgh 0131 248 4848
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.

Pleasance Theatre Festival, Pleasance, Edinburgh – (Aug - 665 5660) – (Other times 020 7609 1800)
Pleasance Edinburgh opened as part of the 1985 Festival Fringe with two theatres facing onto a deserted courtyard-come-car-park at an unfashionably eastern end of Edinburgh's old town. Twenty-one seasons later the Pleasance has become one of the biggest and most highly respected venues at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, with an international profile and a network of alumni that reads like a Who's Who of contemporary comedy, drama and entertainment including Stephen Berkoff, Paul Merton, Jo Brand, Graham Norton, Frank Skinner, The Mighty Boosch and Omid Djalili.