Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland and is located in south-east Scotland. It bound to the north by the Firth of Forth estuary and to the south by the Pentland Hills. Edinburgh has a population of about 1/2 a million, making it the second-most populous city in Scotland and the seventh-most populous in the United Kingdom.
Recognized as the capital of Scotland since at least the 15th century, Edinburgh is the seat of the Scottish Government, the Scottish Parliament, the highest courts in Scotland, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland. It is also the annual venue of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. The city has long been a center of education, particularly in the fields of medicine, Scottish law, literature, philosophy, the sciences and engineering. The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1582 and now one of three in the city, is considered one of the best research institutions in the world. It is the second-largest financial center in the United Kingdom, the fourth largest in Europe, and the thirteenth largest internationally.
The city is a cultural center, and is the home of institutions including the National Museum of Scotland, the National Library of Scotland and the Scottish National Gallery. The city is also known for the Edinburgh International Festival and the Fringe, the latter being the world’s largest annual international arts festival. Historic sites in Edinburgh include Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the churches of St. Giles, Greyfriars and the Canongate, and the extensive Georgian New Town built in the 18th/19th centuries. Edinburgh’s Old Town and New Town together are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which has been managed by Edinburgh World Heritage since 1999. The city’s historical and cultural attractions have made it the UK’s second-most visited tourist destination, attracting 4.9 million visits, including 2.4 million from overseas in 2018. (adapted from Wikipedia)
💡 National Museums in the UK are free for all visitors. 💡
Local Transport
Edinburgh is a very compact and walkable city. It is not unlikely that you will not need public transport for your entire stay, besides the connection to and from the Airport. Edinburgh has an extensive Bus network that is operated by Lothian Buses. You can pay contactless, or using Apple Pay, or Google Pay, when entering the bus. There is an automated daily cap so that you will always pay the lowest fare. To use the Tram you need to buy a ticket before you board. You can pay contactless, or using Apple Pay, or Google Pay at the ticket machines at every station. Uber works as a ride-hailing app in Edinburgh.