48 Hours in Edinburgh: A Love Letter to Scotland’s Most Enchanting City

We arrived in Edinburgh around 1:30 pm after a beautiful scenic train ride from King’s Cross. The views along the way were so peaceful, with rolling green hills, patches of wildflowers, and the occasional group of cows lounging in the fields. Once we arrived, we checked into our Airbnb just off the Royal Mile, a cozy little spot tucked between historic stone buildings. Navigating the cobblestone paths with our suitcases was a bit of a struggle, so if you’re planning a trip, definitely opt for small, lightweight bags.

After settling in, we wandered over to admire the towering Scott Monument before grabbing a late lunch at Tani Modi Brunch House. The paninis and sandwiches here were incredible, especially their flavorful vegetarian options. We loved it so much we ended up going back the next morning. The rest of the afternoon was spent exploring the Royal Mile, popping into cute shops, and soaking in the old-world atmosphere of the city.

As golden hour approached, we headed to Edinburgh Castle for an evening tour. The timing was perfect, the castle looked absolutely magical as the sun started to set, and we couldn’t resist turning it into a little photoshoot moment. We wrapped up the evening with dinner on the Royal Mile, enjoying a warm, hearty meal in one of the cozy local restaurants.

On our second day in Edinburgh, we dressed in flowy, dressy outfits paired with comfy walking shoes, practical yet perfect for the amount of ground we were planning to cover. We started the morning with breakfast at Greenwoods Edinburgh, one of the cutest brunch spots we found on the trip. Everything from the cozy ambiance to the beautifully plated food made it a standout experience.

After breakfast, we walked over to Holyrood House for some photos. Unfortunately, the palace was closed because royalty was visiting (casual!), but the exterior was still stunning and made for great pictures. From there, we began our Arthur’s Seat hike in the early morning light. The trail was a bit muddy, but not too difficult, and the highlight was definitely the castle ruins. We stopped there for what felt like hours, taking hundreds of cinematic photos and videos in our dresses, feeling like we were in a movie.

Later in the day, we made our way to the National Museum of Scotland—easily our favorite museum of the entire 20-day Europe trip. The massive art pieces and historical exhibits were impressive, and we even got to see Dolly the sheep, the original clone. Before dinner, we returned to the Royal Mile for one last round of souvenir shopping. I bought a beautiful real Scottish wool tartan scarf and picked up adorable gifts for friends, including stuffed Highland cows, extra scarves, and postcards.

We ended our night with dinner and a Scotch tasting at The Copper Still, which was such a fun way to wind down the trip. Afterward, we walked up to Calton Hill hoping for a sunset view of the city, but the fog had rolled in thick. Still, we enjoyed the peaceful moment and admired the dramatic monuments emerging from the mist, the perfect quiet close to a whirlwind two days in Edinburgh.

On our final morning in Edinburgh, we packed up our bags and checked out of our Airbnb, feeling a little reluctant to leave such a magical city. After one last stroll through the Royal Mile with coffee in hand, we made our way to the train station. The ride back was just as scenic as the way in—lush green hills, grazing cows, and charming countryside towns gliding by as we looked out the window, reminiscing about the castle views, dramatic hikes, and all the little cozy moments that made this trip so special.