How We’d Spend 3 Days in Edinburgh (And Where to Stay for Easy Access)

We didn’t expect Edinburgh to be this easy to fall into.

It’s the kind of city where everything feels close—but at the same time, every area has its own personality. After a few days of walking (a lot of walking), we realised something: where you stay here actually makes a big difference.

So if you’re planning three days in Edinburgh, here’s how we’d do it—and where we’d stay to make everything simple.

Where We’d Stay (To Make Life Easy)

If we had to pick one area again, it would be around Princes Street / Waverley Station (between Old Town and New Town).

It’s not just central—it’s strategic.

You can:

• Walk straight into Old Town (Royal Mile, castle)
• Be in New Town in minutes
• Easily reach Calton Hill, Stockbridge, and even Leith

After a full day out, not having to climb endless hills or figure out transport made a huge difference.

Where we’d book:
The Balmoral

It sits right at that perfect junction. Yes, it’s a bit of a splurge—but even if you stay somewhere nearby, this is the exact area we’d aim for again.

Day 1: The Edinburgh You Imagine

We started with the classics—but didn’t rush them.

Walking up toward Edinburgh Castle in the morning felt like stepping into a film set. The earlier you go, the better—it’s quieter, and the city feels calmer.

From there, we just let the day unfold along the Royal Mile. We didn’t try to “cover” everything—we stopped where it felt interesting, ducked into side streets, and took our time.

At some point, we ended up inside St Giles’ Cathedral, mostly to escape the crowd—but it turned into one of those unexpectedly peaceful moments.

By late afternoon, we walked over to Calton Hill.

If there’s one thing we’d tell you not to skip—it’s this. The view over the city at sunset just hits differently. We stayed longer than planned, just watching the light change.

That night, we did a ghost tour, which honestly sounded a bit cheesy—but ended up being one of the most fun things we did.

Day 2: A Bit More Effort, A Lot More Views

This was our “let’s be active” day.

We headed up Arthur’s Seat in the morning, slightly unsure if we were up for it. Halfway through, we questioned the decision—but at the top, it all made sense.

It’s one of those views that gives you perspective on the whole city.

After that, we slowed things down in New Town. Wide streets, a completely different feel, and a nice break from the intensity of Old Town.

We walked through Princes Street Gardens, grabbed lunch nearby, and then wandered without much of a plan.

Later, we made our way to Stockbridge—and this ended up being one of our favourite parts of the trip. It felt more local, less rushed, and easy to spend time in.

If we had more days, we’d probably hang out here even longer.

Day 3: Slower, or Slightly Different

By day three, we didn’t feel like rushing anymore.

We started in Dean Village, which almost feels hidden. It’s quiet, scenic, and a nice contrast to everything else you’ve seen.

From there, we followed part of the Water of Leith walkway—nothing intense, just a relaxed way to explore.

Later, we headed down to Leith.

This area surprised us the most. It’s a bit outside the centre, but it has its own energy—great food, waterfront views, and a more modern feel.

We ended up staying here longer than planned, especially around dinner time.

What Made This Work So Well

Looking back, it wasn’t just the itinerary—it was the pace.

We didn’t try to do everything. We:

• Walked more than we planned
• Stopped when something caught our attention
• Let some parts of the city surprise us

And staying centrally made all of that easier.

Final Thought

Three days in Edinburgh is enough to see a lot—but more importantly, to feel the city.

Stay somewhere central, don’t over-plan, and leave room for the unexpected.

That’s where Edinburgh really shines.

Travey Club is your personal travel planning partner, dedicated to crafting truly bespoke itineraries shaped around how you travel. We believe every journey is unique—no single template, and no purely AI-generated plan, can fit all travel needs. Rather than booking flights or hotels, we focus on thoughtful, human-led planning for our members, working alongside trusted travel agents who manage reservations. Our itineraries highlight key experiences, while Travey Club brings them together through personalized insight, expertise, and attention to detail—ensuring every trip feels intentional, seamless, and distinctly yours.

Look at our Edinburgh Itinerary: Travey Club