Are you planning a trip to Edinburgh? Sure, you can’t miss the Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, dinner in a pub, and whisky tasting, but you also cannot miss the best views of Edinburgh. No trip to Edinburgh would be complete without a climb up Arthur’s Seat or a view from the Scott Monument.
Where to Get the Best Views of Edinburgh
Arthur’s Seat
Arthur’s Seat arguably has the best views over Edinburgh. Sure, it’s a hike (literally) to get there, but that’s part of the fun. You have the option of climbing to the top of Arthur’s Seat for the best 360° views of Edinburgh or sticking to the paved path along the Salisbury Crags.
Everything you need to know to hike to the top of Arthur’s Seat.
Edinburgh Castle
The Edinburgh Castle is the most popular tourist attraction in all of Scotland. Did you know that it also provides one of the best views over the city? The castle sits atop Castle Rock, making it the centerpiece of the city. On your visit to the castle, enjoy more sweeping 360° views over the Edinburgh.
Things to know as you plan your visit to Edinburgh Castle.
The Scott Monument
The Scott Monument is a Gothic tower dedicated to the writer Sir Walter Scott. Located adjacent to Princes Street Gardens, this monument offers an interesting perspective of the city. It’s also a fun, and sometimes crowded, climb to the top on narrow spiral staircases. It’s 287 steps to the top and you can get updated pricing and hours here.
Camera Obscura
This spot may come as a surprise. Camera Obscura is located very close to Edinburgh Castle on the Royal Mile. It’s a multi-level building filled with illusions, fun for kids and families. At the very top you can watch the camera obscura show, with its live moving images of Edinburgh projected onto a viewing table via a periscope.
Or, step out onto the rooftop terrace for one of the best views down the Royal Mile.
Scotland Travel Guide
See all of our articles
Calton Hill
Calton Hill is a relatively small hill located at the end of Princes Street in Edinburgh. It’s much easier to walk up to the top of this hill compared with Arthur’s Seat. Nelson Monument, a commemorative tower in honor of Horatio Nelson, gets you a little higher for some of the best views of Edinburgh. It is 143 steps to the top for these views.
Nelson Monument
Calton Hill
View of Arthur’s Seat
View down Princes Street
Have you been to Edinburgh? What is your favorite view of the city?
Edinburgh is a wonderful city to explore. Climb a volcano, see where JK Rowling got her inspiration for the Harry Potter series, tour a castle, and learn all about whisky. If you have 2 days in Edinburgh, you have enough time to visit the best spots in the city. Follow our itinerary, complete with maps, […]
Edinburgh is one of the best cities in Europe to take your kids. Visit a castle, climb an extinct volcano, take a Harry Potter tour, learn about medieval history, and pay a visit to a spooky dungeon. What kid would not find this interesting? If you plan on visiting Edinburgh with kids, we have great […]
The list of must-see sights in Edinburgh is long. Every visitor knows to visit the Edinburgh Castle, walk the Royal Mile, eat haggis, climb Arthur’s Seat, and go whisky tasting. But there are sights off the main tourist trail that are so worth your time. One of these underrated but incredibly scenic spots is Dean […]
On a map, Scotland may look small. But don’t let that fool you…there is a lot to see and do here. From visiting castles to sipping whisky to bagging some Munros to exploring the mystical Isle of Skye…there is enough to keep you busy for weeks. In this 10 day Scotland itinerary, you will be […]
Arthur’s Seat…a jagged, grassy prominence rising up from the urban sprawl of Edinburgh, offers one of the best views of the city. It’s a short, slightly strenuous hike to the highest point, but absolutely worth it to look out over Edinburgh from this vantage point. There are several different ways to hike to Arthur’s Seat […]
The Isle of Skye is one of Scotland’s most popular destinations. It may seem like a long drive to get there, but by adding in scenic pitstops along the way, you can turn the journey into a sightseeing adventure. In fact, the journey through Scotland is almost as good as the destination! There are multiple […]
The Isle of Skye is one of the best places to visit in Scotland. If you want to see some truly spectacular scenery, then you must come here. We were amazed at the beauty of this island. In this post, we cover the best things to do in the Isle of Skye with tips to […]
Glasgow is often an overlooked destination in Scotland. Most people tour Edinburgh and then head to the Highlands, for good reason, as both of these places are amazing. But Glasgow is worth a visit. It’s a great Scottish city and all you need is 24 hours to see the best of it. Whereas Edinburgh is […]
If you are taking a road trip through Scotland, Glencoe should be on your list of places to visit. This gorgeous valley is a great place for families, hikers, and those that love the great outdoors. You can either drive through it, spending just an hour here, or you could easily spend an entire day hiking […]
The Isle of Skye is one of Scotland’s hottest destinations. Every year, thousands of visitors flock to the island to see its breathtaking scenery, quaint towns, and stunning coastline. So, how do you plan the perfect Isle of Skye itinerary? Whether you have one, two, or three days (or more, if you are really lucky!), […]
Without a doubt, Loch Ness is Scotland’s most famous loch. Legend has it that this lake is home to Nessie, the Loch Ness monster. People travel all over the world to visit this famous loch, hoping to get a chance to spot the elusive underwater monster. But does that make Loch Ness worth visiting? Our […]
Brothers Point, also known as Rubha nam Brathairean, is a beautiful place to visit on the Isle of Skye. The views of the peninsula are stunning. And because very few people know about this gem, you just may have it all to yourself. If you are traveling to the Isle of Skye, put Brothers Point […]
United Kingdom Travel Guide The United Kingdom is an island nation off northwestern Europe and it is made up of the countries England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This collection of nations offers an fascinating blend of history to learn, culture to take part in, and natural beauty to explore. Dive into royal lineage in […]
Julie is the main author for Earth Trekkers. Hiker, foodie, photographer, and triathlete, Julie loves traveling the world in search of new experiences and then sharing them on this site. Her goal is to make your travel planning process easier and to inspire you to visit new places.
Comments 2