Edinburgh is one of the most historically significant cities in the United Kingdom and, over the years, has become a popular destination for those who want to dive deeper into Scottish history, experience its vibrant cultural scene, and enjoy the warmth and friendliness of its locals.
So what is Edinburgh famous for, and why is it so popular? Take a look at the top points of interest that make Edinburgh the fantastic city it is today.
Arts and culture festivals
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the world’s largest arts festival and usually features around 59,600 performances across over 300 venues throughout the city. It attracts artists and performers from around the globe, making it a truly international celebration of creativity.
The Fringe has a rich history dating back to 1947, when it started as an alternative to the more established Edinburgh International Festival. It was founded on being open-access, allowing any performer to participate.
Edinburgh hosts several other major festivals throughout the year, including the Edinburgh International Festival, the Edinburgh Art Festival, and the Edinburgh International Book Festival. These year-round cultural events are what give the city its reputation as a hub for arts and culture.
Inspiring Harry Potter
The city played a big role in inspiring JK Rowling to write the Harry Potter series. Rowling wrote parts of the early books in the Elephant House cafe, drawing inspiration from the cosy atmosphere. Greyfriars Kirkyard’s ancient gravestones, including Thomas Riddell’s, influenced character names like Tom Riddle (Lord Voldemort).
The colourful, winding Victoria Street is said to be the inspiration behind Diagon Alley. At the same time, the city’s prestigious private schools, like George Heriot’s and Fettes College, likely contributed to Rowling’s vision for Hogwarts. Edinburgh’s historic charm and literary heritage provided the perfect backdrop for Rowling to imagine and write the Harry Potter books, from cafes to graveyards to castle-like schools.
Greek inspired architecture
It’s well known that Athens is known for its characteristic architecture. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Edinburgh underwent an architectural transformation by constructing many neo-classical buildings reminiscent of ancient Greek and Roman styles. This included the National Monument on Calton Hill, which was designed as a replica of the Parthenon in Athens. This is the main reason that Edinburgh is known as the “Athens of the North”.
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is arguably the landmark that best characterises the city given its location that looks down to the rest of the city and its distinct architecture. It is a historic royal residence and fortress that has played a prominent role in Scottish history for over 1,000 years. Many Scottish kings and queens have lived in the castle, including Mary Queen of Scots who gave birth to James VI there in 1566. It’s now a popular tourist site where visitors can take tours and learn more about the Castles’ contribution to the city’s history.
Underground networks
Edinburgh is famous for its extensive underground networks, particularly the South Bridge Vaults and the Real Mary King’s Close. The South Bridge Vaults are a series of chambers formed in the arches of the South Bridge, built in the late 18th century. These vaults were initially used as taverns, workshops, and storage spaces, but later became living quarters for the city’s poorest residents and criminals.
The Real Mary King’s Close, a 400-year-old alley in the Old Town, is one of the most famous underground attractions in Edinburgh. It was partially buried after a plague epidemic and remained forgotten for 150 years, preserving a glimpse into 17th-century life in the city.
Gothic architecture
When you walk around the city, you can’t help but notice the buildings designed along very similar lines. Edinburgh is famous for its Gothic architecture, particularly in buildings like St. Giles’ Cathedral, the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Scott Monument, and Dalmeny House. The neo-Gothic style was particularly popular in the 19th century due to industrialisation. These buildings also give Edinburgh the reputation of being one of the most haunted cities in the world.
Ghost stories
Edinburgh is considered one of the most haunted cities in the world for several reasons. The city has a long and bloody history, with the likes of Edinburgh Castle being sites of violence, torture, and death that are now believed to be haunted. The underground networks are also said to be particularly paranormally active, as the vaults and hidden chambers were once home to slum housing, brothels, and criminal activity.
The grim history of Mary King’s Close was the site of plague victims being quarantined. Today the haunted history is a great draw card for tourists who want to test their nerves, with bars like the Banshee marketing itself as ‘the world’s most haunted pub’.
Scotch whiskey
Edinburgh is home to several distilleries, including Holyrood Distillery, the first new malt distillery in the city in nearly a century. Visitors can take guided tours and masterclasses to learn about the production process and taste different varieties. The city is also home to what’s deemed the best whiskey experience in the world, given the local knowledge, incredible variety and cultural attachment to the spirit.
Edinburgh University
With over 45,000 students flocking to campus from over 150 countries, Edinburgh University is the 8th largest in the UK, which also makes it the 3rd most popular. The university played a crucial role in Edinburgh becoming a leading intellectual centre during the Scottish Enlightenment in the 18th century and contributed to the city being nicknamed the “Athens of the North”, given its focus on new ideas, philosophy, and scientific research.
World famous monuments
Edinburgh is home to many world-famous monuments and landmarks that reflect the city’s rich history, architecture, and cultural significance. These landmarks draw millions of visitors annually, from the imposing Edinburgh Castle to the iconic Scott Monument. The Scott Monument is a Gothic-style monument that was built to commemorate the Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott. Visitors can climb the 287 steps to the top for panoramic city views.
Something more endearing is the Greyfriars Bobby Statue, which commemorates the loyal Skye Terrier who guarded his owner’s grave for 14 years, becoming a beloved Edinburgh icon. Other monuments to keep an eye out for include The National Monument on Calton Hill, The Melville Monument in St Andrew Square, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Haggis
Haggis is a traditional Scottish food that has been eaten in Edinburgh and throughout Scotland for centuries. It is made from sheep offal (heart, liver, lungs) minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt, stuffed into a sheep’s stomach bag and boiled. Edinburgh hosts an annual Haggis Festival every January to celebrate Burns Night, commemorating the life of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns.
Burns’ poem “Address to a Haggis” helped popularise the dish. Many restaurants and pubs in Edinburgh specialise in serving haggis, often accompanied by mashed potatoes and turnips (known as “neeps and tatties”). It can be served as a main course, as part of a full Scottish breakfast, or as an appetiser.
Literature
Edinburgh is a popular destination for those who love books and literary history. The city was chosen as the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature in 2004, recognising its contributions to literature and its role in creating a culture of writing and storytelling. Visitors can also go to some of the famous literary landmarks, including the Scott Monument, the Writers’ Museum, and the Scottish Storytelling Centre. These sites celebrate the city’s literary past and provide a glimpse into the lives of its famous authors who used to live and work in the city.
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