The best things to do near Edinburgh Castle

If you can’t get into Edinburgh Castle, the best things to do nearby include the Scotch Whisky Experience and Real Mary King’s Close.

Missing out on Edinburgh Castle tickets

There’s a strong chance that you’re reading this because you tried to get into Edinburgh Castle, but discovered that the daily ticket allocation has sold out. If that’s the case, there’s often a sneaky workaround – book on to an Edinburgh Castle tour and you can often get in before more general admission tickets become available.

If this is the case, book those tour tickets now to get into Edinburgh Castle as soon as possible, even if it’s tomorrow.

Edinburgh underground tours

Either way, you’ll probably need something else to do. That’s where this little guide to the best things to do near Edinburgh Castle comes in.

Luckily, there are dozens of tours and experiences available in Edinburgh, many of which can be booked at short notice. For example, the fascinating tours of underground vaults in the Old Town leave every half hour in summer. These are full of stories and sites most visitors miss, with mobile-friendly tickets instantly bookable online.

Hop-on hop-off buses in Edinburgh

Then there’s the stalwart hop-on, hop-off sightseeing buses, which run frequently in a circuit that takes in most of Edinburgh’s key sites.

The nearest stops to Edinburgh Castle are a short walk away on either Grassmarket or Lawnmarket. You can book online, then jump aboard the next service within the next few minutes.

Scotch Whisky Experience near Edinburgh Castle

However, if you’re looking for a specific attraction, the first port of call should probably be the Scotch Whisky Experience. This is aimed at whisky novices, telling the history of whisky amid eye-popping high tech displays and an extraordinary tasting room. You’ll learn about the different flavour profiles of Scotland’s five Scotch whisky regions, and be able to pick your preferred sampling drink accordingly.

Timed tickets are required, but tours run frequently. Book ASAP if you fancy it.

Books set in Edinburgh

If you want to get a good feel for Edinburgh before visiting, it’s worth reading a book or two set there. Options include…

• Muriel Spark’s The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie – an inspirational teacher changes lives with equal parts comedy and tragedy.
• The Heart of Midlothian – arguably Sir Walter Scott’s finest work.
• Ian Rankin’s Rebus books – gripping, grouchy detective novels.
• Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting series – for the city’s gritty side.
• David Nicholls’ One Day – an innovative and emotive romance, tracked by the same date each year.

The links above are to Amazon. You can probably get them all cheaper at World of Books, which is where I buy most of my books.

Camera Obscura vs Real Mary King’s Close

Other things to do near Edinburgh Castle include the Camera Obscura and World Of Illusions, which shows off optical illusions and other trickery over six floors.

My favourite experience near Edinburgh Castle, however, is Real Mary King’s Close. It’s a preserved 17^th century street that has long since been built over. Underground tours tell of often-grisly life in the tenement houses, with sprinkling of ghost stories thrown into the mix.

Disclosure: There are affiliate links within this article. If you buy a product after clicking through on these links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to yourself.

More Scotland travel

Other Scotland travel articles on Planet Whitley include:

• National Museum of Scotland review: Which bit to visit first?
• The Dean Village: Edinburgh’s secret, scenic escape.
• How to spend a perfect day in Edinburgh.
• Is Edinburgh Castle open on Mondays?
• Guide to Glasgow’s West End for first time visitors.