48 Hours in Edinburgh: Quick Weekend Trip
Set off on a weekend of adventure to Edinburgh, the heart of Scottish heritage and culture, and the inspiring setting where J.K. Rowling brought the Harry Potter series to life. This picturesque city, with its dramatic skyline dominated by the ancient Edinburgh Castle, offers a perfect blend of historic sites, modern arts, vibrant street life, and magical corners that sparked the imagination of Rowling to bring Harry Potter to life.
In this guide, I’ll take you through a carefully planned itinerary that covers all the must-visit attractions in Edinburgh, including the cafes where Rowling penned her famous novels and the enchanting streets that inspired the alleys of Diagon Alley. Prepare to immerse yourself in the deep history, lively atmosphere, and the wizarding wonders of Edinburgh as we explore its iconic landmarks and hidden gems. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a lover of natural beauty, or a Harry Potter fan, Edinburgh has something to enchant everyone.
Day 1
The day we arrived to Edinburgh was actually a beautiful sunny day, not typical for Scotland! We took a Lumo train from London’s Kings Cross to Edinburgh train station. The journey was about 4 hours but it went by really fast. We took this day to settle into our hotel (we stayed at the Virgin Hotel right on Victoria Street and it was lovely) and get the lay of the land, but definitely had some fun on day 1!
Food
- Makers Mash: So I came across this place on google, and it had over 2000 5 star reviews, so of course I had to try it. UGH I had such a great dinner, the menu works like this: you pick a meat (I choose lamb and my friend choose the beef) and then choose a type of mash potato (cheesey, bacon, etc) solid option, make reservations if you can
- The Edinburgh Lader: A great place for breakfast or lunch
- The Rabbit Hole: A family run bistro with a mouth watering menu definitely a top restaurant in Edinburgh
- Panda & Sons: Cute panda themed speakeasy cocktail bar.
Activities
- Stroll through Victoria Street: Victoria street is the iconic colorful shops and cobble stone road in Edinburgh. Stroll around the shops and nearby markets if you’re coming during a weekend.
- Edinburgh Castle: The beautiful cliff side castle is a must visit when in Edinburgh. Be sure to buy tickets in advance, time slots do sell out day of.
- Scotch Whiskey Experience: A blend of whiskey and cuisine, take a tour through the scotch whiskey experience where you will learn about the wonders and history of scotch whiskey.
- Jupiter Artland: A contemporary sculpture park located about a 30 minute drive outside Edinburgh.
- Calton Hill: Go up to Calton Hill for great views of Edinburgh and the beautiful national monument
Day 2
On day 2 we really dove deep into all parts of Edinburgh and the main sights. We got a later start to the morning but going to Edinburgh during spring and summer means the sun stays out well past 8pm 🙂
Food
- Duck & Waffle: We had dinner here on night 2 it was fantastic! Highly recommend the lemon meringue waffle for dessert and the bacon wrapped dates as an appetizer (get at least 2 each haha).
- Howies Restaurant: Great for traditional Scottish cuisine. They have a couple of locations in Edinburgh, perfect for dinner.
- Dishoom: A chain through out the UK, but definitely some of the best Indian food I’ve ever had. Whether you go for breakfast, lunch or dinner, Dishoom will not disappoint. But book in advance, it’s always packed!
- Cocktail Geek: Cute themed cocktail bar that changes theme every 4 months. When we went it was Mario Bros themed 🙂
Activities
- The Colonnades at the Signet Library: Truly such an amazing experience at the Signet Library. We had afternoon tea and it was nothing short of amazing. Located in an actual library, the vibes in here are unforgettable. Be sure you book in advance, but even if you don’t email them and see if they can fit you in 🙂
- Arthers seat: Hike up Arthers Seat for one of the best views in Edinburgh. About a two hour hike down and back
- Highland Experience Tour: If you fancy a guided tour throughout Edinburgh and Scotland the Highland experience tours are for you. The beautiful greenery and highlands of Scotland are picture perfect.
- Johnnie Walker Tour: We did the Johnnie Walker tour and it was a cool experience. Not one of the better whiskey tours I’ve been on (if we are comparing this to Jameson tour in nearby Dublin, definitely not as fun). But still recommend going if you are a whiskey lover.
Conclusion
As our enchanting weekend in comes to an end, it’s hard not to fall under the spell of this historic city. From the majestic Edinburgh Castle to the charming alleys that inspired the world of Harry Potter, each moment here feels like stepping through the pages of a storybook. Edinburgh seamlessly blends ancient history with literary magic, making it a dream destination for any traveler.
I truly loved visiting this city, 48 hours is really all you need to hit the hot spots (you can absolutely spend way more time here). It’s a quick detour if you are starting out in London or pretty much anywhere in the UK, I have a feeling I will be back someday. If you found this blog post helpful checkout my 48 hours in Dublin post <3
