Florine Huininga
6 February 2026
Edinburgh in autumn… we had high expectations, but this city truly surprised us. Misty mornings, warm autumn colours, centuries-old streets and an atmosphere that almost feels like a fairytale. The capital of Scotland has so many different faces: rugged, mysterious, historic, green and incredibly cosy.
What makes Edinburgh so special is that you can perfectly combine a classic city trip with nature and even a real hike. You don’t see that often in a European capital. That contrast is exactly what made this trip so special for us.
We wanted a hotel that really matched the Scottish atmosphere: not too modern, but charming and full of character. That’s why we chose to stay in the neighbourhood of ‘Bruntsfield’.
This area is located next to a beautiful park, is slightly quieter than the touristy centre and more reasonably priced, yet still very central. You can reach the Old Town in no time. For us, it was the perfect balance between peace and liveliness.
Public transport in Edinburgh is also very easy and well organised. Trams and buses take you everywhere, and the tram runs directly from the airport to the city centre, which is ideal on arrival and departure days.
Arthur’s Seat – hiking in the middle of the city Our absolute highlight was without a doubt ‘Arthur’s Seat’. This ancient volcano lies right next to the city centre and once you start climbing, it feels as if you are leaving the city behind.
The hike is doable for anyone with a normal level of fitness, but in autumn the path can be quite slippery, so good shoes are definitely recommended. At the top you’re rewarded with stunning views over Edinburgh, the sea and the surrounding landscape.
It’s something really special to be standing in nature like this during a city trip.
Edinburgh Castle towers above the city and is visible from almost everywhere. That alone already makes the city feel impressive. The castle itself is truly fascinating.
• The audio tour is highly recommended: clear, interesting and very informative. • Seeing the famous cannon that is fired daily is a fun experience. • Many parts of the castle are outdoors, so dress warmly and be prepared for the weather. • Buy your tickets online in advance to avoid queues. Near the castle you’ll also find a lovely restaurant for a real Scottish high tea, with a beautiful view over the city. A perfect moment of rest during a busy sightseeing day.
From the castle you can walk straight down the ‘Royal Mile’ towards Holyrood Palace. This street is full of small shops, hidden closes, street musicians (especially bagpipers) and centuries-old pubs. This is where you really feel the Scottish atmosphere.
Holyrood Palace surprised us even more than the castle. It is special to realise that this palace is still actively used by the Royal Family.
Everything is beautifully preserved and the audio tour here is excellent. Walking through rooms that played such an important role in Scottish history felt truly special.
We were very happy we still had time for this on our last day, because it turned out to be one of the most beautiful highlights of our trip.
Edinburgh is known for its mysterious side, and you really experience that at The Real Mary King’s Close. Beneath the city lie old streets and vaults that were once actually lived in. During the tour you clearly see how people lived here in different periods. Stories about poverty, disease and crime suddenly feel very real.
Thrilling, educational and incredibly interesting. What stayed with us most is how tangible the history still is here.
We are not big whisky drinkers, yet this was one of the most fun experiences.
The explanation of the production process, the enormous whisky collection and the way everything is presented make it interesting for everyone. Even if you normally don’t drink whisky, this is still great to do.
Tip: if you want to eat or drink here as well, make sure to reserve a table in advance, as it can get very busy.
What made Edinburgh so charming for us are the little details: • many boutique shops with specific products (lots of whisky and cashmere) • cosy and historic pubs • live music in the evenings • bagpipers everywhere The city feels warm and welcoming, despite its rugged appearance.
One honest note: the pub beer is delicious, but we were less impressed by the pub food. Much of it felt like it came from the microwave and was quite expensive. Traditional Scottish dishes like haggis and black pudding are also not really our thing. It’s worth checking where you go for dinner.
Edinburgh is surprisingly green. Perfect to escape the city bustle every now and then: • Princes Street Gardens – a beautiful park right in the city centre • Holyrood Park – surrounding Arthur’s Seat • peaceful walking paths around Arthur’s Seat Also highly recommended: • Calton Hill – amazing viewpoints, especially at sunrise or sunset • Scott Monument – impressive and very photogenic • Dean Village, the fairytale neighbourhood. It lies a bit outside the centre and requires a walk, but it’s absolutely worth it. It feels like stepping into a small village, with old houses, bridges and water. Not exactly “around the corner”, but a lovely extra walk.
• Such a charming city: everything is beautiful and photogenic • Many small shops with unique products, few standard chains • The university buildings are stunning • Not overly crowded or overrun by tourists • Cemeteries are unexpectedly beautiful, especially with autumn leaves in the city • We just missed the Christmas market, but it looked very cosy online
Edinburgh is without a doubt high on our list of favourite city trips.
It is a wonderful combination of culture, nature, history, mystery and cosiness. Looking for something different from Paris, Rome or Barcelona? Then Edinburgh is an absolute recommendation.
Reisblogger & Avonturier
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Florine Huininga
6 Feb 2026
Edinburgh in autumn… we had high expectations, but this city truly surprised us. Misty mornings, warm autumn colours, centuries-old streets and an atmosphere that almost feels like a fairytale. The capital of Scotland has so many different faces: rugged, mysterious, historic, green and incredibly cosy.
What makes Edinburgh so special is that you can perfectly combine a classic city trip with nature and even a real hike. You don’t see that often in a European capital. That contrast is exactly what made this trip so special for us.
We wanted a hotel that really matched the Scottish atmosphere: not too modern, but charming and full of character. That’s why we chose to stay in the neighbourhood of ‘Bruntsfield’.
This area is located next to a beautiful park, is slightly quieter than the touristy centre and more reasonably priced, yet still very central. You can reach the Old Town in no time. For us, it was the perfect balance between peace and liveliness.
Public transport in Edinburgh is also very easy and well organised. Trams and buses take you everywhere, and the tram runs directly from the airport to the city centre, which is ideal on arrival and departure days.
Arthur’s Seat – hiking in the middle of the city Our absolute highlight was without a doubt ‘Arthur’s Seat’. This ancient volcano lies right next to the city centre and once you start climbing, it feels as if you are leaving the city behind.
The hike is doable for anyone with a normal level of fitness, but in autumn the path can be quite slippery, so good shoes are definitely recommended. At the top you’re rewarded with stunning views over Edinburgh, the sea and the surrounding landscape.
It’s something really special to be standing in nature like this during a city trip.
Edinburgh Castle towers above the city and is visible from almost everywhere. That alone already makes the city feel impressive. The castle itself is truly fascinating.
• The audio tour is highly recommended: clear, interesting and very informative. • Seeing the famous cannon that is fired daily is a fun experience. • Many parts of the castle are outdoors, so dress warmly and be prepared for the weather. • Buy your tickets online in advance to avoid queues. Near the castle you’ll also find a lovely restaurant for a real Scottish high tea, with a beautiful view over the city. A perfect moment of rest during a busy sightseeing day.
From the castle you can walk straight down the ‘Royal Mile’ towards Holyrood Palace. This street is full of small shops, hidden closes, street musicians (especially bagpipers) and centuries-old pubs. This is where you really feel the Scottish atmosphere.
Holyrood Palace surprised us even more than the castle. It is special to realise that this palace is still actively used by the Royal Family.
Everything is beautifully preserved and the audio tour here is excellent. Walking through rooms that played such an important role in Scottish history felt truly special.
We were very happy we still had time for this on our last day, because it turned out to be one of the most beautiful highlights of our trip.
Edinburgh is known for its mysterious side, and you really experience that at The Real Mary King’s Close. Beneath the city lie old streets and vaults that were once actually lived in. During the tour you clearly see how people lived here in different periods. Stories about poverty, disease and crime suddenly feel very real.
Thrilling, educational and incredibly interesting. What stayed with us most is how tangible the history still is here.
We are not big whisky drinkers, yet this was one of the most fun experiences.
The explanation of the production process, the enormous whisky collection and the way everything is presented make it interesting for everyone. Even if you normally don’t drink whisky, this is still great to do.
Tip: if you want to eat or drink here as well, make sure to reserve a table in advance, as it can get very busy.
What made Edinburgh so charming for us are the little details: • many boutique shops with specific products (lots of whisky and cashmere) • cosy and historic pubs • live music in the evenings • bagpipers everywhere The city feels warm and welcoming, despite its rugged appearance.
One honest note: the pub beer is delicious, but we were less impressed by the pub food. Much of it felt like it came from the microwave and was quite expensive. Traditional Scottish dishes like haggis and black pudding are also not really our thing. It’s worth checking where you go for dinner.
Edinburgh is surprisingly green. Perfect to escape the city bustle every now and then: • Princes Street Gardens – a beautiful park right in the city centre • Holyrood Park – surrounding Arthur’s Seat • peaceful walking paths around Arthur’s Seat Also highly recommended: • Calton Hill – amazing viewpoints, especially at sunrise or sunset • Scott Monument – impressive and very photogenic • Dean Village, the fairytale neighbourhood. It lies a bit outside the centre and requires a walk, but it’s absolutely worth it. It feels like stepping into a small village, with old houses, bridges and water. Not exactly “around the corner”, but a lovely extra walk.
• Such a charming city: everything is beautiful and photogenic • Many small shops with unique products, few standard chains • The university buildings are stunning • Not overly crowded or overrun by tourists • Cemeteries are unexpectedly beautiful, especially with autumn leaves in the city • We just missed the Christmas market, but it looked very cosy online
Edinburgh is without a doubt high on our list of favourite city trips.
It is a wonderful combination of culture, nature, history, mystery and cosiness. Looking for something different from Paris, Rome or Barcelona? Then Edinburgh is an absolute recommendation.
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