We explore some of the best ways to spend summer days in Edinburgh. The summer months are an ideal time to visit Edinburgh. The weather is (usually!) warm and pleasant and because it doesn’t get dark until well after 9pm there is plenty time to explore the city or to enjoy a slow afternoon in one of its many green spaces. Image And, as the days get warmer and the nights longer, Edinburgh’s unique vibe, charm and originality really comes to life. In fact, as a visitor of the city you could feel a bit spoiled for choice in terms of the range of events, exhibitions and experiences on offer. But don’t worry, in Scotland there’s always a friendly local on hand to offer some advice, and so, in keeping with that tradition, we’re sharing some of our most favourite things to do in Edinburgh in the summertime. First up… Long Walks with Panoramic Views There are no shortage of beautiful walks that can be taken right in the heart of Edinburgh. Holyrood Park is just a short walk from the Royal Mile and spans 640 acres. It’s located right next to Holyrood Palace and the Scottish Parliament and the highest point in the park is Arthur’s Seat, an ancient volcano that sits 251m above sea level. It’s a vigorous walk to the top, but if you make the trek, you’ll be rewarded with probably THE BEST views in the city. And don’t worry, there are many well-worn paths to follow and places to stop and soak up the views on the way up. Nearby, Carlton Hill has views across Edinburgh’s old town and various monuments at the top including an incomplete acropolis, originally built as the National Monument of Scotland, this has contributed to Edinburgh earning the nickname ‘Athens of the North’. For a more leisurely stroll, you can pick up the riverside Water of Leith walkway from the city centre, through the picturesque villages of Dean and Stockbridge, past the National Scottish Gallery of Modern Art and ending up in the historic port of Leith. Of course it’s not just about the walks that can be taken in the city, the surrounding area of Edinburgh is also bountiful in hikes and coastal paths. But to see it is really to believe it and so we hope to welcome you here for the 2022 University of Edinburgh Summer School and help you to discover what you love most about our city in the summer. Explore our courses This article was published on 2024-10-14
