Edinburgh is one of the most beautiful and fascinating cities in the world. The city has many festivals, including the Edinburgh International Festival, Fringe Festival, Military Tattoo, Book Festival, Film Festival, Jazz Festival, Science Festival and Hogmanay (New Year) Celebrations. Information about all these events can be found at Edinburgh Festivals.

These festival times are popular times to visit Edinburgh but "Auld Reekie" also offers all year round interest, including the Royal Mile (including "ghost" tours taking you underground to excavations of the historical old city), many fine museums and galleries, performing arts in the Playhouse, the Lyceum and the Festival Theatre among many others, and concerts in the Usher Hall or the Queen's Hall.

To find out more, visit the City Guide to Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Festival and Fringe

The Edinburgh Festival and Fringe offer a world renowned array of cultural events. There are literally hundreds of performances in dance, theatre, music and mime with street entertainers, parades and Fringe Sunday in Queen's Park.

Favourite Places:

• The world-famous Edinburgh Castle
• Holyrood Palace, the Edinburgh Royal residence, including the 12th century Abbey and the Holyrood Gardens.

To find out more about the history of the city:

• Museum of Childhood
• Royal Museum of Scotland
• History of Edinburgh website

If the weather is nice:

• The Princes Street Gardens
• See Britannia in Leith
• The Royal Botanic Gardens
• Edinburgh Zoo
• Arthur's Seat for panoramic views of the city and the Firth of Forth
• Forth Bridges
• Cruises

Guided Tours:

• Mercat Tours (historical and/or "ghost" walking tours)
• Rabbies Tours, who offer mini coach tours throughout Scotland.)
• The Edinburgh Malt Whisky Tour)
• Edinburgh Crystal Factory)

For Fun with Children:

• The Butterfly Farm
• Portobello Promenade and "Shows" (amusements)
• Megabowl and Multiplex Cinema
• Beaches at North Berwick, Yellow Craigs, Gullane
• Alien Rock (Climbing Wall)
• Deep Sea World

Day Trips

• St. Andrews to see the cathedral
• Melrose, including Melrose Abbey
• Loch Lomond and the Trossachs
• Glasgow