If your cruise ship is scheduled to dock in the Scottish port of Leith it is only a very short bus or taxi ride from here into the charming city of Edinburgh. Scotland’s capital city is picturesque and has charm and history in abundance. The city is overlooked by the imposing structure of Edinburgh Castle which sits atop an extinct volcano. If it is your first visit to the city then Edinburgh Castle is a must see attraction.

The road leading up to the castle is appropriately titled The Royal Mile (which at 1.1 miles is actually a Scots mile!). The Royal Mile is peppered with many mysterious looking closes, many of which have interesting tales to tell. For example, Mary King’s Close is the entrance to a collection of streets that run underneath the city. Rumour has it that after a breakout of the plague here in 1600s the streets were bricked up and the people left inside to die. As a result there are many ghosts said to be wandering the underground streets!

Just off The Royal Mile is an area called The Grassmarket where visitors to the city will find an abundance of cute shops and colourful cafés. The area is full of independent retailers so it’s the perfect spot to get a real flavour of the city, rather than visiting shops and cafes owned by the same international brands that can be found all over the world.

At the heart of Edinburgh visitors will find Princes Street and Gardens. The perfectly manicured gardens are a great place to walk through on a rare sunny day in the city in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle. Princes Street itself is lined with shops if you’re looking for treats for yourself or friends at home.

If you enjoy a spot of walking, or just want to burn off some of the extra calories you’ve no doubt indulged on during your cruise, then walking up Arthur’s Seat is a great idea. It’s an easy, comfortable walk that gives visitors some spectacular views of the city on the way up and from the top. Even on a hillside overlooking the city visitors can still experience some of the history which makes Edinburgh so intriguing. The remains of St. Anthony’s Chapel, which dates all the way back to the 15^th century can be found on the hill.

Edinburgh is a city which has something to offer everyone. From charm and history to chic shops, bars and restaurants, there’s something to please any visitors to the city.