Attracting nearly 12 million visitors a year, Edinburgh, Scotland's capital seamlessly blends ancient with modern living. Examples are dotted throughout the city from the new Scottish Parliament building to the imposing Edinburgh Castle that sits high on the hilltop commanding every visitor’s attention. Most people who book a flight to Edinburgh make sure and book a tour of the castle well in advance to beat the crowds
It may sound ironic that an ancient city with its winding medieval streets and gothic architecture would be one of the liveliest cities in Europe. Not only does it have a buzzing nightlife scene but every August four festivals including the world’s largest, “the Fringe”, take place there transforming the city into one big celebration. Beyond the city walls, visitors can explore the rural area of the Lothians: East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian. All three areas provide a relaxing break to the hustle and bustle of modern day life. Midlothian is probably the most visited thanks to its Rosslyn Chapel being featured in the Da Vinci Code. Fans of the movie who are booking flights to Edinburgh should plan a stop to Midlothian as part of their visit.
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The Gulf Stream keeps Edinburgh’s climate mild, although the weather can change quickly — a rainy morning can give way to a sunny afternoon. Edinburgh is also subject to the haar, a cold mist or fog that blows in from the North Sea.May and June are dry and sunny, with average temperatures ranging from the single digits (Celsius) to mid teens, and the temperature rises to the high teens for July and August. Summer days are long, staying light until 10pm or 11pm. Winters are damp and chilly, with temperatures close to, but rarely dropping, below freezing.
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Peak Season:
Edinburgh has up to six major arts festivals in August, and flights to Edinburgh get booked up very quickly. July and August are further inundated with visitors when the British schools are on holiday. For this time of year, reserve your hotels and event tickets well in advance.
Hogmanay, the New Year celebration, is also a holiday that requires advance reservations.
Off Season:
The shoulder season of May, June, September, and October has mild weather, all attractions are open, there are fewer crowds, and hotels and hostels easy to find.
Some tourist attractions close from November to Easter, but there are lots of indoor attractions and activities throughout the winter.
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Stops for public buses are situated at stand 18 on the terminal forecourt road outside the UK arrivals hall. The designated taxi rank is also outside the UK arrivals hall beside the coach park. There are buses that run directly to the city centre via a couple of stops en route. Journey time to the city centre is about 25 minutes.
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Edinburgh is best explored on foot, but bring good, sturdy shoes for the cobblestone streets. Bicycling is also a popular way to get around. Although a hilly city, Edinburgh’s bike paths and lanes are well-marked, and everything is within a half-hour ride.
The public transport is a network of buses that cover the city effectively, including a night bus service. Buses have exclusive use of certain lanes, resulting in efficient service. Exact change is required, and there are day tickets that allow unlimited travel.
There are also hop-on hop-off tour buses that provide a guided tour of the city with stops at the major tourist attractions.
Taxis are easily hailed or picked up at one of several taxi stands.
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- There are many places in Edinburgh to enjoy the view. One of the more unusual is the Scott Monument, a huge black Victorian gothic monument to honour Sir Walter Scott, directly opposite Princes Street. You can pay £3 to walk up to the top of the 200ft tower; there are fabulous views of the city centre from the top.
- One of the most exciting times to visit is during the Edinburgh Festival in August, however, the city is packed during this time, so be sure to reserve your hotel or hostel well in advance.
- The annual Edinburgh Tattoo has been running for more than 50 years. Taking place in front of Edinburgh Castle, around 1,000 performers take place in the Tattoo, in front of an audience of more than 200,000. Tickets for the Tattoo sell out extremely quickly, often six months in advance.
- If you want to buy tartan while you're in town, head for the Royal Mile. There are lots of kilt makers' shops and you can pick up anything from the genuine article, made in your own tartan, for around £500, to a more wallet-friendly acrylic imitation for £20.
- Edinburgh is a very green city: there are plenty of parks and public spaces to enjoy within the city centre. The Royal Botanic Garden is especially worth a visit. Founded in the 17th century as a place to grow medicinal plants, today the Botanics is one of the most popular tourist spots. Entrance to the gardens is free, but there is an admission charge to the glasshouses of £3.50 for adults.
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