What to do in Edinburgh while house and pet sitting

Edinburgh is a beautiful city, rising out of a rocky landscape close to the North Sea. It’s a city of two halves, with its medieval Old Town and elegant Georgian New Town, and there are so many narrow “winds” and streets to explore. The city is dotted with inviting green spaces, including the famous Holyrood Park and Arthur’s Seat. The dramatic castle oversees it all.

What is there to do in Edinburgh? The answer is a lot! As well as days and days’ worth of exploration, there are world-class attractions, some of Scotland’s best restaurants and beautiful surrounding countryside and coast to discover.

We love this city, not least because it’s super dog friendly! Here’s our TrustedHousesitters’ guide to the best things to do in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh attractions

Everyone has their favourite places to visit in Edinburgh. Here are the must-see places during your stay in the Scottish capital.

1. Old Town: any visitor to Edinburgh should start by getting their bearings and exploring the Old Town. The castle dominates the city at one end, then the famous Royal Mile leads to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Off these lead myriads of narrow old streets, hidden churches and heaps of history

2. Edinburgh Castle: this is the city’s best-known landmark, and an absolute must-see. Highlights include the Great Hall, the Stone of Destiny and St Margaret's Chapel. Try to catch the famous One O’Clock Gun.

3. Scottish National Gallery: Botticelli, Rembrandt, Titian, Vermeer, Turner… The art collection housed in this building is astonishing. We’d also recommend the cafe for a city centre pit stop.

4. The Palace of Holyroodhouse: this is the Queen’s official residence in Edinburgh and is an incredible place to visit. Walk through Mary Queen of Scots’ apartments and take a stroll through the beautiful gardens. The current Scottish Parliament building is nearby.

Free things to do in Edinburgh

Capital cities aren’t known for their low-cost attractions; however, there are plenty of free things to see in Edinburgh.

1. Arthur’s Seat: hike up this ancient volcano in the heart of Holyrood Park. At 251 metres above sea level, you will get the most fantastic views across the city. Worth doing towards the start of your stay, as it really helps you get your bearings.

2. Calton Hill: once an ancient hillfort, Carlton Hill is now a much-loved vantage point, picnic spot and home to the National Monument of Scotland. Head up in the evening to watch the sun set.

3. Royal Mile: this spectacular street connects the castle with the palace. It’s lined with shops and places to eat and drink and is the heart of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. 

4. Princes Street Gardens: Princes Street is the main shopping street in Edinburgh. Across the way, you’ll find the 37-acre gardens, which separate the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh. A lovely place for a break in the middle of all the bustle.

Fun things to do in Edinburgh

There are lots of fun things to do in Edinburgh. Try these for size...

1. Portobello Beach: people forget that Edinburgh is near the sea. Take the short drive or catch the bus to Portobello, an elegant Victorian seaside town.

2. The Scotch Whisky Experience: need we say more? Find out more about Scotland’s proudest export in this centre on the Royal Mile.

3. Camera Obscura: the original Camera Obscura was an early tourist attraction, founded in 1835. Today’s incredible museum and impressive camera obscura is next to Edinburgh Castle.

4. The Real Mary King’s Close: and now for something a little bit creepier… This perfectly preserved 17th-century close is hidden under the streets of today’s city. Fascinating and spooky in equal measures.

What to do in Edinburgh with pets?

There are plenty of things to do in Edinburgh with your canine friend. The city has so many parks and it’s not far from the seaside. Try these delightful doggie days out.

1. Portobello and Harry’s Treats: it’s back to the beach, this time with your four-footed friend. After a bracing walk along the coast, head for pet emporium Harry’s Treats, which serves incredible home-baked snacks for dogs.

2. Water of Leith Walkway: this public footpath passes through lots of lovely spots and it’s a lovely, sociable place to walk the dog. Look out for riverside pubs and cafes. 

3. Newhailes Estate: leave the town and head out for Musselburgh, where you’ll find this 86-acre National Trust Scotland estate. Dogs are welcome in the woods and fields and can go into the cafe on a short lead.

4. Holyrood Park: how many cities have somewhere like this so close to the centre? This 600+ acre park is one of the reasons Edinburgh is such a great city for dogs and pet sitting. After your walk, head for...

5. The Holyrood 9A: this friendly pub serves delicious doggie treats and canine visitors can be sure of a lovely welcome. Tip for the humans: try the burgers.

Best restaurants in Edinburgh: Food and drink

Edinburgh is a great place to eat out. As a capital city, it offers all types of dining from all over the world, as well as making the most of Scotland’s rich natural larder (think salmon, hearty soups and, of course, haggis).

We really struggled to come up with a shortlist; however, here is just a sample of the top restaurants in Edinburgh.

Best restaurants in Edinburgh for lunch 

Pause in the middle of your busy day to grab a bite to eat. Here are a few of the top spots for lunch.

1. The Little Larder: just off the Royal Mile, the award-winning Little Larder specialises in fabulous Scottish produce. Come a bit earlier for one of their splendid breakfasts.

2. El Cartel: these tacos are amazing. Simple Mexican street food, done really well. There's a great choice of taco fillings.

3. The Scran & Scallie: treat yourself to lunch at chef Tom Kitchin’s inviting gastropub. Fabulous seasonal, local food is served in a wonderfully cosy atmosphere and the great news is that your pooch is welcome to join you.

4. Kanpai: fancy something a little lighter? This popular sushi house is in an excellent location near the castle. Try their divine tempura or grilled wagyu steak.

5. Mammas: this American-style pizzeria in the Grassmarket is a local legend. Its pizzas win awards and it has a lovely, busy vibe. You must try the haggis pizza (yes, this works) and if you can, grab a pavement table.

Best restaurants in Edinburgh for dinner

Here are some of the best restaurants in Edinburgh in the evening. Again, it was hard to narrow it down: this really is a great city for food lovers. 

1. La Garrigue: this popular French bistro serves delicious rustic food and has an excellent wine list. Make sure that you leave room for pudding...

2. Timberyard: nordic-style, simple food cooked beautifully and served in this candlelit, converted warehouse near Grassmarket.

3. Ondine: this is one of the places to go in Edinburgh if you like seafood. It even does oyster happy hours. The Scottish seafood on offer here is prepared to perfection. 

4. Baba: amazing Yemeni cooking meets the best local ingredients. This welcoming restaurant is definitely a good option if you’re veggie.

5. Edinburgh Food Studio: if you take food seriously, book onto one of the evening dining events in this friendly, food-focused place. You all sit together, while the chefs take you through a nine-course tasting menu.

Or if you're after a light bite or breakfast break, check out these dog-friendly cafes Edinburgh has to offer.

If you were wondering what to do in Edinburgh, we hope we’ve answered your question! From famous historical attractions to sweeping parkland to lively restaurants, this city has so much to offer.

Like the idea of house and pet sitting in Edinburgh?

Does Edinburgh sound like your kind of place? Check out our Find a House Sit page to find house and pet sitting opportunities in Edinburgh and elsewhere in Scotland. If you’re new to our pack, find out more about life as a TrustedHousesitters’ pet sitter. You can also connect with other members in the TrustedHousesitters’ Community Forum.

There are so many places to see in Edinburgh and with all these parks, gardens and hills to explore, it’s a great city for pet sitting.