Edinburgh, the capital and second largest city of Scotland lies near the North Sea, on the Firth of Forth. The city is one of the most attractive in Europe, with its stunning setting and beautiful architecture.

There is much to explore in Edinburgh. The Edinburgh Zoo in Corstorphine attracts more than 600,000 visitors annually and is well known for its conservation initiatives. Edinburgh’s Old and New Town Districts have been named UNESCO World Heritage Sites and there are more than 4,500 listed edifices in the city.

Edinburgh is full of museums and art galleries with interesting exhibitions. The world famous Edinburgh Festival is held here in August every year and includes events like the biggest performing arts festival Edinburgh Fringe, the Edinburgh International Book Festival and the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. You can even visit an extinct volcano in this city, hiking up through Holyrood Park and enjoying spectacular views on the way. Tourists flock to the Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Royal Museum of Scotland, the Royal Scottish Regimental Museum, the National Gallery of Scotland, the Scottish United Services Museum, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Museum of Childhood and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. Edinburgh is well known for its patronage of the theatre and has many production groups that present plays at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, the King’s Theatre and Bedlam Theatre, among many others.

The main sights to see in the Old Town include are the Reformation buildings, the Law Courts, St. Giles Cathedral, Surgeon’s Hall, McEwan Hall and of course, Edinburgh Castle; while the Georgian buildings in the New Town are well worth exploring.

Edinburgh is often called the Windy City. The weather here is not the usual cold, rainy weather associated with Scotland but is characterized by cool summers and moderate winters. Warm clothes are definitely required here, though. Edinburgh is a tourist magnet and well worth a visit. 13 million visitors a year can’t be wrong!