🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Edinburgh One-Day Itinerary: 3 Perfect Routes

Edinburgh's compact size makes it ideal for a day trip! With its moody, gothic charm, we recommend dressing in neutral tones to match the city's aesthetic. Here are three curated routes + food recs: 📍 Route 1: Classic Highlights 1️⃣ Edinburgh Castle (£21.50 | 9:30-18:00) Explore St. Margaret’s Chapel and royal apartments. 2️⃣ Royal Mile Medieval meets Renaissance—lined with churches and monuments. 3️⃣ Scottish National Gallery (Free | 10:00-17:00) Renaissance masterpieces. 4️⃣ Princes Street Gardens Best castle photo spot! 5️⃣ Princes Street Shop for wool scarves & whisky. 6️⃣ Scott Monument Gothic spire with stairway views. 7️⃣ Calton Hill Sunset over the city 🌇 (Insta gold). 📍 Route 2: Quirky & Dark 1️⃣ The Elephant House Harry Potter’s birthplace (try butterbeer!). 2️⃣ Royal Mile (as above). 3️⃣ Mary King’s Close (£22 | 10:00-17:00) Haunted underground streets! 4️⃣ Edinburgh Dungeon (£22 | 11:00-15:45) Theatrical horror shows. 5️⃣ Waverley Station (for departure). 6️⃣ Calton Hill (again—it’s that good). 📍 Route 3: Museum Hopping 1️⃣ National Museum of Scotland (Free | 10:00-17:00) Dolly the Sheep + rooftop views. 2️⃣ Museum of Edinburgh (Free | 10:00-17:00) Local history exhibits. 3️⃣ Burns Monument Quick poetic pitstop. 4️⃣ Calton Hill (yes, again). 🍴 Must-Eat: Makars Mash Bar ⭐️4.8 📍 9-12 Bank St Signature red wine lamb shank over creamy mash—heavenly! Affordable Scottish comfort food. #EdinburghGuide #UKTravel #CastleVibes #DarkTourism