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Edinburgh: Inside and Out
Edinburgh is arguably one of Europe's most beautiful cities. Rocky hills and picturesque seascapes are the perfect backdrop for a city that's intricately entwined within its own landscape. Buildings and monuments sit atop crags whilst other parts are overshadowed by the cliffs that frame the city.
On the south side of the city you can find the Old Town, a warren of winding alleyways, secret courtyards and medieval tenements. The Old Town's famous Royal Mile stretches from Edinburgh Castle to the Scottish Parliament, both of which make interesting spots to visit. There are also plenty of attractions situated between these two landmarks.
The Writers' Museum is homage to three writers - Sir Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Robert Burns - who all at one time lived in Edinburgh. The museum boasts an interesting array of pictures, etchings and memorabilia. Another quirky museum on the Royal Mile is the Museum of Childhood which holds a fascinating collection of toys, dolls and games from Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian times right through to the present day. Founded in 1955, the museum is popular with both the locals and tourists and is a great place to take a trip down memory lane.
One of the great benefits of Edinburgh is the city's proximity to the great outdoors. With an array of parks and green spaces to choose from you'll never be stuck for choices whether you're looking for somewhere to take an energetic walk or simply a quiet spot to have a picnic.
Arthur's Seat, an extinct volcano which stands at 823ft, is situated smack bang in the middle of the city. A former hunting ground of Scottish monarchs the park stretches over 650 acres and is interwoven with moorland and lochs. You can climb to the top for spectacular views across the city or simply take a leisurely stroll around the periphery.
Blackford Hill is another spot that offers excellent views and offers a pleasant place to walk. Situated to the south of the city, the panoramic view gives great outlooks to the north where you can spot Edinburgh Castle, as well as the monuments on Calton Hill to the east.
Calton Hill is another outdoor attraction worth a look. Situated towards the east end of Princes Street the hill is dotted with grandiose monuments dating mostly from the first half of the 19th century. The views are spectacular too and afford you some of the best glimpses of the city you'll find - you can see right to the other end of Princes Street not to mention the views of the castle, Holyrood, Arthur's Seat, the Firth of Forth and the uniformly designed neoclassical New Town.
It is good to know that Edinburgh airport is a mere hop, skip and jump away from the city centre; therefore, should you arrive having taken direct flights to Edinburgh, you can start your explorations of this popular city almost immediately.
About the Author Disclaimer:
The information contained within this article is the opinion of the author and is intended purely for information and interest purposes only. It should not be used to make any decisions or take any actions. Any links are included for information purposes only.
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