22 Things to Do in Edinburgh in Winter for Solo Travelers

I spent a full week in Edinburgh last December 2025 going into January 2026, which meant that I was in the city for the legendary Scotland New Year’s celebration—Hogmanay.

And spoiler alert: if you’re looking for the best things to do in Edinburgh in winter, it doesn’t get much better than Hogmanay and Christmas markets.

I fell head-over-heels in love with this city the second I stepped off the bus from Glasgow. The architecture is every bit as stunning as everyone says—but you don’t truly understand the magnitude until you experience it yourself.

My friend and I filled our week with the best that Edinburgh has to offer: castle tours, Harry Potter sites, Scottish food tastings, pub crawls, purse-making workshops, long walks down the Royal Mile, and even an Outlander day trip through the Scottish Lowlands.

A week was the perfect amount of time to explore the city—while still allowing ample time for hungover mornings. If you’re itching to visit this iconic city (or just to release your inner Harry Potter fangirl), read on for the absolute best activities to do in Edinburgh in the winter.

1. Ring in the New Year at Hogmanay

If you’re visiting Edinburgh in winter, planning your trip around Hogmanay is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We actually built our entire Scotland itinerary around attending the Hogmanay New Year’s Eve street party.

Hogmanay isn’t just one night—it’s a four-day celebration with events happening all over the city. Some are free, some require tickets, and others need to be reserved well in advance. We chose to attend the two most popular events: the Torchlight Procession on December 29 and the massive New Year’s Eve Street Party on December 31.

If you’re thinking about doing the same, book everything early. I’m talking flights, accommodation, and event tickets.

We waited longer than we should have to secure our hotel, and by the time we booked, the options were slim and wildly expensive. Treat Hogmanay the same way you’d treat Oktoberfest—the earlier you plan, the better your experience (and your wallet) will be.

Before we went, I’d heard tickets sell out instantly. After attending, I’m not convinced that’s always true anymore—but I still recommend booking through the official Hogmanay website as soon as events are released. It’s better to be safe than left scrambling in December.

The Torchlight Procession

The Torchlight Procession is one of the most iconic Hogmanay events—and it can either be really fun or really tedious. Since it was our first time attending, we learned very quickly what not to do.

If I’m being honest, if I went back, I might skip walking in it altogether and instead grab a cozy seat in a bar along the route. Watching the glowing river of torches from inside, with a pint in hand and warm fingers, sounds significantly more enjoyable than shuffling shoulder-to-shoulder in the cold for hours.

That said, if you do decide to participate, here are the things you need to know:

• We paid £20 per ticket + entry torch (as of 2026—you must purchase at least one torch per every two people).
• They recommend that you pick up your wristbands and torches earlier in the day—please heed this advice. I picked ours up right before the deadline and waited about five minutes. The line of people waiting to pick theirs up before the start of the procession looked like it was hours long.
• Get there early. I cannot stress this enough. We arrived about 30-45 minutes late and we waited hours to get our torches lit. We were freezing and exhausted by the time we even started moving in the procession.
• Dress warm. Like usual, we were inadequately dressed and we paid the price. I highly recommend bringing a set of these electric hand warmers and proper rain gear.

The New Year’s Eve Street Party

This is the main event of the entire Hogmanay celebration. On New Year’s Eve, they block off Princes Street for the massive street party complete with food stands, alcohol carts, live bands, DJs, and fireworks.

Like the Torchlight Procession, this is an event you’ll enjoy way more if you plan properly. Here’s what you need to know before you go:

• We paid £44 per ticket for the South Gate entry + the Silent Disco.
• You can bring alcohol into the street party, but only in plastic or metal containers under 500ml, and you’re limited to four per person. We didn’t bring any, which was a huge mistake because the lines at the alcohol carts were easily 30 minutes long.
• Eat before you go—the lines for the food carts were just as long as the drinks.
• Dress warmer than you think you need to. You’ll be outside for hours and standing most of the time.
• Use the bathroom before entering. The porta-potty situation inside was truly disgusting.
• You can’t bring bags larger than an A3 sheet of paper.
• Last entry is 11PM, and re-entry is not allowed.

To be honest, this wasn’t my favorite event of the trip. I don’t typically love situations where it’s wall-to-wall people and you can barely move because it’s so crowded. We also misread our tickets and didn’t realize we had access to the Silent Disco—so we completely missed that.

That said, if you plan better than we did and you enjoy massive, high-energy street parties packed with thousands of people, this could easily be the highlight of your Edinburgh trip.

2. Browse the Edinburgh Christmas Market

There’s nothing better than Christmas market season in Europe, and Edinburgh has one of the best I’ve ever been to. It’s set up in East Princes Street Gardens beneath the Scott Monument, with Edinburgh Castle towering above you—which means the views are unbelievable from all angles.

You’ll find exactly what you’d expect: mulled wine, endless food stalls, sweet treats, handmade gifts, cheeses, sauces, and even a few fun rides.

We started with a steaming mug of mulled wine and I grabbed a Yorkshire pudding wrap that I had very high hopes for…but it honestly kind of let me down. Thankfully, there are a million other options.

Unlike Hogmanay, there’s no complicated planning when it comes to the Christmas market. You just wander in, take your time, and enjoy it.

3. Tour Edinburgh Castle

One of the top Edinburgh sights in any season is Edinburgh Castle, which sits high on a rock above the city and can be seen from almost anywhere. It’s absolutely stunning and was a non-negotiable activity for us.

We booked our tickets a couple days in advance. They’re often sold out if you try to buy them the day of or the day before, so I highly recommend planning ahead and booking directly through the official website.

I would recommend budgeting an hour and a half to two hours for your self-guided visit.

Set on top of an extinct volcanic rock for over 1,000 years, Edinburgh Castle has been a royal residence, a military fortress, and the site of countless battles, including the Wars of Independence. Today, it’s home to the Honours of Scotland—the oldest Crown Jewels in Britain—and some of the best views in the entire city.

Standard admission is £24*, which is the option we booked, but if you want to truly learn as much of the history as possible—then I highly recommend booking a guided tour. If you’re visiting solo—this could be a great way to make new friends!

*Keep in mind that Edinburgh Castle entry is included on the Explorer Pass.

4. Walk the Royal Mile

Even if you don’t intentionally add the Royal Mile to your itinerary, you’ll end up walking it countless times during your trip—I know we did. It’s the most historic street in Edinburgh’s Old Town, stretching from Edinburgh Castle all the way down to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

The Royal Mile is lined with historic landmarks, quirky shops, traditional pubs, and restaurants, which makes it the perfect place to wander. Between sightseeing, souvenir shopping, and pub hopping, we spent more time here than we initially expected.

5. Take in the Views from Calton Hill

I love a good viewpoint, so I knew we couldn’t miss checking out one of the most famous views in the city at Calton Hill.

It’s a super easy lookout to access, and the walk to the top is short—which was honestly very welcome in the winter because it got our blood pumping and warmed us up a bit.

Once we reached the top, it was beyond windy. It’s 100% worth it…but this might not be the day to spend a lot of time doing your hair. From up there, we got 360-degree panoramic views over the entire city, and it truly doesn’t get more beautiful than this.

It’s also one of the best free things to do in Edinburgh—which is especially helpful if you’re spending a little more than planned, like we were.

6. Explore Dean Village

Speaking of the best free activities in Edinburgh, we couldn’t leave the city without a quick visit to the picturesque Dean Village. Originally a 19th-century milling town, it now looks like something straight out of a fairy tale.

It doesn’t take long to explore. We wandered along the river, snapped a few photos, and soaked in the storybook architecture before heading back toward the city. And if you’re visiting in January, this is usually when you pop into a nearby pub to warm up—the typical routine for a winter visit to Edinburgh.

7. Take a Harry Potter Walking Tour

I’ve read every single Harry Potter book at least 14 times. I promise it’s true—it says so on my Hinge profile. When I was a kid, I was so obsessed that my mom would literally hide the books when friends came over because I’d ignore them to just keep reading.

So when I found out there was a Potter Trail walking tour in Edinburgh, I knew immediately we had to book it. Thankfully, we reserved our spots in advance because I’m sure it would’ve filled up otherwise. The walking tour is free, but you still need to register ahead of time.

They also recommend bringing something wand-like for the tour, which is when I surprised my friend with Hermione wands from Amazon—honestly a great Christmas gift for the Potter-lover in your life.

The tour takes you to iconic spots around the city like Greyfriars Kirkyard, The Elephant House (where J.K. Rowling famously wrote the first book), and even the street that inspired Diagon Alley.

Don’t forget to tip your tour guide!

8. Hike to Arthur’s Seat

If you truly want some of the best views that Edinburgh has to offer, pack your hiking shoes and plan for the 1.5–2 hour round trip hike up Arthur’s Seat. It’s one of the most iconic viewpoints in the city and gives you sweeping views over Edinburgh and beyond.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have the right footwear to attempt the hike ourselves, so we admired it from nearby Calton Hill instead. But if you’re looking to balance out all that heavy Scottish food and beer with a little exercise, this is absolutely worth adding to your itinerary.

P.S. If you’re looking to see more of the natural beauty in the U.K., I highly recommend fitting in a visit to the scenic Isle of Skye and the Highlands.

9. Wander Victoria Street

Victoria Street is widely believed to be the inspiration behind Diagon Alley, and if you’ve ever watched the Harry Potter movies, you’ll immediately understand why.

It’s a super picturesque, winding street lined with colorful storefronts, quirky shops, and a steady flow of people wandering through.

Although you probably won’t find Ollivander’s Wand Shop or Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, it’s a great place to grab souvenirs, stop for a pint, or have a bite to eat.

After we had a nice wander, we headed up to the Scotts Kitchen terrace for a mulled wine and an iconic photo spot. From up there, we were treated to a perfect view looking down over the curve of the street—it’s easily one of the most Instagram-worthy spots in the city.

10. Take an Edinburgh Food Tour

While we were in Scotland, I was lucky enough to partner with Eating Edinburgh, an incredible food tour company that runs curated culinary experiences across Europe. We joined their Eating Edinburgh tour to taste some of the most iconic and historic bites in the city.

We started at Café Royal with a warm bowl of Cullen skink and ended in the Grassmarket with a deep-fried Mars bar (it was actually soooooo good). Along the way, we sampled Irn-Bru, haggis bonbons, steak and ale pie, an iconic pint of Tennent’s, and more.

If you love experiencing a city through its food, this is such a fun way to get a true taste of Scotland in just a few hours, as well as make some new friends if you’re traveling solo!

👉🏼 Try the most iconic Scottish dishes on the Eating Edinburgh food tour!

11. Visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse

Unfortunately, this is one site we didn’t make it to during our week in Edinburgh. Our trip budget was disappearing quickly, and we couldn’t justify spending another £21 on an entrance ticket (the palace isn’t included on the Explorer Pass).

However, we did get a nice view of the palace from Calton Hill!

That said, if you love palaces and royal history, the Palace of Holyroodhouse is definitely one of the best places to visit in Edinburgh. It’s the official residence of King Charles III when he’s in the city, and it was once home to Mary, Queen of Scots.

The site dates back to the early 1100s when it began as Holyrood Abbey. A palace was later built beside the abbey in the 16th century. Today, you can tour the palace, explore the abbey ruins, and wander through the palace gardens.

12. Book the Islander UK Experience

If you’re on TikTok and have anything Scotland-related in your algorithm, you’ve probably seen videos about the Islander UK experience in Edinburgh. It’s a super unique purse-making workshop where you design your own bag from start to finish.

You choose everything—the size, the materials, the clan tartan or Harris Tweed top, the handles, and even the front straps. My friend and I had way too much fun sorting through all the different options, and our instructor was hilarious, which made the entire experience even better.

If this is on your Edinburgh wishlist, definitely book in advance. The workshops fill up quickly, especially around the holidays.

👉🏼 Make your own Islander UK bag in Edinburgh!

13. Have a Pint in the Grassmarket

The Grassmarket is the neighborhood at the bottom of Victoria Street in Edinburgh’s Old Town, and it’s one of the most atmospheric areas in the city.

Since the 15th century, it served as a marketplace for cattle and horses—hence the name. From the 1600s to the late 1700s, it was also the site of public executions.

Thankfully, today it’s a lot more fun.

Now the Grassmarket is packed with shops, pubs, incredible castle views, and even a few youth hostels. We spent a good amount of time here, and the photo below was taken at The White Hart Inn—the oldest pub in Edinburgh.

Just a little farther down the street is The Last Drop, another pub we loved, with a fascinating (and slightly morbid) backstory. It’s said that prisoners heading to the gallows were given their “last drop” of whisky there before their execution.

Hint hint 👀 it’s also a great place to sit and chat with potential new friends as a solo traveler.

14. Experience the Nightlife on a Pub Crawl

If there’s one thing we can’t resist, it’s a pub crawl.

After a few days staying in New Town, we moved to Old Town and checked into the Kick Ass Grassmarket Hostel. And honestly, whenever we stay at a hostel, booking the pub crawl is basically mandatory. We signed up through their sister hostel down the street, Kick Ass Greyfriars.

The pub crawl runs every single day at 7:30 PM starting at the Greyfriars bar. For £15 during the week and £20 on weekends, you get entry to seven bars, free shots, discounted drinks, no waiting in lines, and the chance to make a bunch of new friends.

We were out until 4:00 AM—which made our Outlander day trip the next morning excruciatingly painful—but it was 100% worth it. This was genuinely one of the most fun pub crawls I’ve ever done in Europe.

If you’re staying nearby, just head to the hostel to sign up or send them an email.

15. Visit the National Museum of Scotland

The National Museum of Scotland houses tens of millions of artifacts, with exhibits covering art and design, the natural world, history, archaeology, and world cultures.

It’s completely free to enter (so it’s a great budget-friendly activity) and open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

I popped in briefly one evening right before closing just to have a quick look around. If you’re really into museums, it’s definitely worth spending more time here.

Personally, I got the sense that many of the exhibits leaned a bit more toward kids—but I was visiting during Hogmanay, when they host a lot of family-friendly programming, so that may have influenced my experience.

If you have some time to kill or need a warm indoor activity, it’s a solid option.

16. Stroll Down Circus Lane

If you’re looking for one of the most Instagrammable spots in Edinburgh, it doesn’t get much better than Circus Lane. This winding cobblestone street is lined with ivy-covered houses, colorful flowers, and beautiful views of St. Stephen’s Church Tower in the background.

I didn’t actually make it here myself because I was on our Outlander day trip while my friend was recovering from the pub crawl the night before. She ended up exploring Circus Lane on her own and said it was a super cute area that’s well worth a visit—especially if you love charming photo spots.

If you’re visiting Edinburgh solo, be sure to grab my guide to taking amazing travel shots all by yourself! 📸

17. Pop in the St. Giles Cathedral

St. Giles’ Cathedral sits right along the Royal Mile, so it’s basically impossible to miss while exploring Edinburgh’s Old Town. It’s incredibly distinctive and especially beautiful at sunset, as you can see below.

Founded in 1124 by King David I, the cathedral has been a functioning church for over 900 years. It’s free to enter and open Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Sunday from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

I planned to visit during my trip, but when I walked by, the line was wrapped around the block, so I never made it inside. Based on the stained glass I’ve seen in photos, though, it’s definitely something I’ll prioritize on my next trip to Edinburgh.

18. Admire the Scott Monument

The Scott Monument was a little tricky to access during our trip since one side sat inside the Christmas market and the other faced Princes Street, which was blocked off for Hogmanay.

Even so, it’s one of the most striking features of Edinburgh’s skyline.

Standing 200 feet tall, this Victorian Gothic spire was built to honor Scottish author Sir Walter Scott. It’s incredibly imposing in person, and for £8 you can climb 287 steps to the top for panoramic city views—something I’d love to do next time.

There’s also a great photo spot on the steps leading up from Princes Street Gardens, though that area was roped off during our visit. Thankfully, it’s beautiful from just about anywhere in the city.

19. Have Dinner at the Witchery

One of the first reservations I made in Edinburgh was at The Witchery, one of the city’s most famous restaurants, located just steps from the entrance to Edinburgh Castle (yes, it’s uphill).

Dining here feels like stepping straight onto the set of Hocus Pocus. It’s dark, candlelit, dramatic, and deliciously witchy. Opened in 1979, the restaurant takes its name from the hundreds of accused witches executed on Castle Hill in the 16th and 17th centuries.

It’s also undeniably expensive. We actually ate beforehand because we couldn’t justify a full dinner. But if you’re looking to splurge on one atmospheric night out, this is the place—just book well in advance because reservations fill up fast.

20. Take Photos with the Castle from the Vennel Viewpoint

The Vennel Viewpoint is just up the street from where we stayed at the Kick Ass Grassmarket Hostel, and it’s easily the most iconic castle photo spot in the city. It’s only a short walk uphill—nothing crazy—and the view of Edinburgh Castle framed perfectly at the end of the steps is unreal.

When we visited in January, it wasn’t overly crowded, but there were definitely a few groups waiting to snap photos. I can only imagine that in the summer it’s much harder to get a clear shot without people in the background—although you might get some pretty flowers to elevate your shot.

If you’re visiting during high season, I’d recommend coming early in the morning, ideally around sunrise, for your best chance at a crowd-free photo.

21. Have High Tea at The Dome

I have to admit, I’ve always considered tea incredibly unexciting—until I had high tea at The Dome. It completely blew my mind and was worth every single cent we paid for it (and it was a lot of cents).

I had to make this reservation far in advance, and I only secured it because of a cancellation. Around Christmas and New Year, The Dome books up months ahead, so if this is on your list, make the reservation as soon as possible.

They offer two options: high tea with Prosecco or without. Every single item was phenomenal. The scones with clotted cream and homemade jam were probably my favorite, but the sandwiches, pastries, and tea were all 10/10.

P.S. We booked the Georgian Tea Room, which was lovely, but I wish we could have gotten into the Grill Room. The Christmas decor was insane.

22. Take an Outlander Tour

I’m a huge Outlander fan. I’ve watched the entire series, including the spinoff, and honestly, it was one of the main reasons I was so excited to visit Scotland in the first place.

So while I was in Edinburgh, I knew I had to book a day trip to see some of the filming locations around the Scottish Lowlands.

I went with Rabbie’s, a highly rated tour company in Scotland and across the UK, and it ended up being one of the highlights of my trip (I did this day trip solo).

For $77, you get transportation to all the filming locations, admission to select castles, and an incredible English-speaking guide who shares behind-the-scenes details and Scottish history along the way. It’s also a small-group tour, which makes a huge difference.

Our day started at the Edinburgh Bus Station before heading out to:

• Midhope Castle: Jamie’s Lallybroch home in the series
• Blackness Castle: Fort William in Outlander (pictured below)
• Linlithgow Palace: The birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots, and used as Wentworth Prison in the show
• Doune Castle: Castle Leoch in Outlander and also featured as Winterfell in Game of Thrones
• Culross: A preserved 16th-century village that served as Cranesmuir in the show

👉🏼 Book your Outlander Day Trip with Rabbie’s!

The Explorer Pass

Before our trip, we sat down and did the math. Based on the sites we wanted to visit in Edinburgh and around the Lowlands, the Explorer Pass ended up making the most sense for us financially.

The pass costs…
£42 from November through March
£48 for the rest of the year

…and covers a period of 14 days. You can check out the list of included attractions on their website, and I recommend doing some math to find out if the price tag makes sense for you (Edinburgh Castle is included).

One important thing to know: just because a site is included with your Explorer Pass doesn’t mean you can just show up. For many attractions, you still need to reserve a timed entry ticket online in advance.

More Must Sees in Edinburgh in Winter

We saw some of the best sites that Edinburgh has to offer, but that doesn’t mean there’s not plenty more to do in this charming city.

If you have more time to kill, you might enjoy these more unique things to do in Edinburgh in winter…

• Scotch Whiskey Experience
• Day Trip to Loch Ness, Glencoe, and the Highlands
• Free Edinburgh Walking Tour with Sandeman’s New Europe
• 3-day Isle of Skye Tour from Edinburgh with Scotland’s Wild
• Swanston Farm for Highland coos
• Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
• The Royal Yacht Britannia
• Edinburgh Ghost Bus Tour
• The Real Mary King’s Close
• Portobello Beach

Where to Stay in Edinburgh

For most of the year, you’ll have plenty of accommodation options in Edinburgh across every budget. Honestly, I found prices to be more affordable than I expected—just not during the dates we were visiting.

Hogmanay is one of the most expensive times of the entire year to stay in the city, and prices reflect that. August during the Fringe Festival is another peak period. But outside of those major events, you can usually find great options without completely blowing your budget.

Here are my top picks for where to stay in Edinburgh.

📍Budget-Friendly: Kick Ass Grassmarket Hostel

For our last couple of nights in Edinburgh, we decided to stay in a hostel and wanted to be right in the middle of everything—so we booked Kick Ass Grassmarket Hostel, located (you guessed it) in the Grassmarket.

Like everything else, this hostel had its fair share of pros and cons. Here’s our breakdown:

Pros:

• Great for solo travelers
• Unbeatable location
• Comfortable pod-style dorm beds with privacy curtains, outlets, and lights
• 24-hour reception, luggage storage, adapters available, restaurant and bar, shared kitchen, laundry facilities, and in-room security lockers
• Pub crawl hosted by their sister hostel right down the street

Cons:

• Pod dorms are on the 3rd floor with no elevator (we lugged 70 lbs of luggage each up 6 flights of stairs)
• Bathrooms 👎🏼 The showers had push-button water that shut off every 20 seconds and the sinks were tiny and impossible to use without getting water everywhere

If you pack light and aren’t picky about bathrooms, this could be a great budget-friendly option for you!

👉🏼 Book your Edinburgh stay at the Kick Ass Grassmarket Hostel!

📍Mid-Range: The Bruntsfield Hotel

During our week in Edinburgh, my friend and I actually stayed at two different accommodations in New Town, just down the street from each other.

We had originally booked Menzies Guesthouse, which is a solid mid-range option if you’re traveling solo or with a partner—but the full beds were simply too small for two friends to share comfortably (although they do have twin bed options that weren’t available for our dates).

So my friend ended up booking a room at The Bruntsfield Hotel nearby, and it was honestly the perfect mid-range accommodation.

The hotel offers private parking, a 24-hour front desk, an on-site restaurant, and a really nice lobby area. Both the rooms and bathrooms were spacious and very comfortable.

It is quite expensive during Christmas and Hogmanay, but outside of peak holiday periods, prices are much more reasonable.

👉🏼 Book your stay at The Bruntsfield Hotel in New Town!

📍Luxury: The Balmoral Hotel

If you’re looking for true luxury in Edinburgh, it doesn’t get more iconic than The Balmoral Hotel. It’s probably the most recognizable hotel in the entire city, thanks to its grand clock tower overlooking Princes Street.

J.K. Rowling famously finished writing the seventh Harry Potter book in one of the hotel’s suites—and yes, you can actually book the J.K. Rowling Suite today if you want a once-in-a-lifetime stay.

The Balmoral features an indoor swimming pool, a full-service spa, a fitness center, two restaurants, a bar, and incredibly luxurious rooms. If money isn’t a concern and you’re looking for the most elevated stay Edinburgh has to offer, this is it.

👉🏼 Book your stay in luxury at The Balmoral Hotel!

From Edinburgh to the Rest of Scotland

After spending a full week experiencing the best things to do in Edinburgh in winter, I can honestly say this city lives up to the hype.

Between Hogmanay celebrations, Christmas markets, castle views, cozy pubs, Harry Potter moments, and unforgettable day trips, Edinburgh completely exceeded my expectations. It’s historic, dramatic, festive, and somehow feels both lively and intimate at the same time.

But as much as I fell in love with Edinburgh, it was only part of our Scotland adventure.

We also spent five days exploring Glasgow and three days road-tripping through the Highlands and the Isle of Skye—and let me tell you, Scotland just keeps getting better and better the more you explore.

So if you’re planning a trip to Scotland, don’t stop at Edinburgh. Stay tuned—I have a lot more Scotland tips, itineraries, and guides coming to the blog very soon.

3-Day Isle of Skye Tour with Scotland’s Wild

My Review of Eating Europe’s Edinburgh Food Tour

How to Spend 4 Days in Dublin as a Solo Traveler

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