15 top romantic things to do in Edinburgh for couples
Edinburgh, Scotland’s beautiful capital city, is an ideal destination if you’re looking for a memorable romantic getaway.
Whether you’re exploring the cobblestone streets in the historic old town, enjoying breathtaking views, or dining in cosy and romantic restaurants, the city offers countless opportunities to create special moments. There’s certainly no shortage of romantic things to do in Edinburgh.
Below, you will find 15 of the best things to do in Edinburgh on a romantic trip and the most romantic places to visit.
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Top romantic things to do in Edinburgh
See the city’s skyline from Edinburgh Castle
Built atop an extinct volcano, Edinburgh Castle dominates the city’s skyline and was built as a royal residence and fortress.
It’s a perfect place to start your romantic trip and was the first place we headed to on our first day. You’ll get some great photo opportunities with your loved one and learn about the city’s history at the same time.
Wander around and see the different areas inside the battlements. These include the Hospital Square and War Museum, the Governor’s House, the New Barracks, and the Military Prison.
There is also the tiny St Margaret’s chapel, the castle’s oldest building.
Further into the castle grounds, you can visit the 16th century Great Hall, the Royal Palace, and the Scottish Crown Jewels.
And if you’re there at 1 pm, you can catch the One o’clock Gun which is fired from inside the castle walls from the Mills Mount Battery. It has been discharged at this time every Monday to Saturday (except Good Friday and Christmas Day) since 1861.
Go for a romantic stroll along the Royal Mile
The Royal Mile is the old town’s main street. It runs from Edinburgh Castle down to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
This old cobbled street is lined with shops and eateries and is where you’ll find some of the main attractions you may want to explore while in Edinburgh.
While you take your romantic walk, you’ll see St Giles’ Cathedral, the 15th century house of the Protestant reformer John Knox, The Edinburgh Whisky Experience, and the Camera Obscura.
The Real Mary King’s Close, a “warren of streets frozen in time” is also beneath it. This offers a unique and fascinating insight into life in the close between the 17th and 19th centuries and during the time of the plague.
The Royal Mile is a must on a short break to Edinburgh. If you visit in winter, when it’s misty or is snowing, it has a really romantic atmosphere.
See the sun set from Calton Hill
Calton Hill is a significant landmark in the centre of Edinburgh and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s an ideal spot to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, and on a fine day, you can take a picnic up and stretch out on the grass.
There are panoramic views of the city and beyond from here. There are also lots of sculptures to wander around see, including the National Monument which was inspired by Greece’s Parthenon.
Sunset is a great time to visit. There are benches dotted around where you can take the weight off your feet and soak up the fantastic views. Looking out from here as the sun goes down would be a perfect time to have a romantic moment.
Chill out in Princes Street Gardens
Another great place to chill out and have a picnic is in Princes Street Gardens. These landscaped gardens are in the city centre, just a stone’s throw from Waverley train station, Edinburgh’s main station.
The gardens are perfect for strolling around or for relaxing with a picnic on the grass. There are paths lined with impressive statues, and magnificent views of the grand buildings in the old town.
The atmosphere is lively: when we visited, the area was full of street artists and buskers and was a great place to spend time.
You’ll also be able to see the impressive Scott Monument while in the gardens. A magnificent Victorian Gothic monument, it commemorates Sir Walter Scott, a Scottish poet and novelist.
Standing at just over 200 feet high, it definitely has that ‘wow’ factor.
Get glammed up and have a cocktail (or afternoon tea) in the Caledonian Hotel
You might not be able to afford to stay at the Caledonian Hotel in Edinburgh (I couldn’t) but that doesn’t mean you can’t get glammed up and go for a cocktail in its Caley Bar.
Sitting right by Waverley Station, the hotel is housed in an old railway building from the early 1900s. It’s a beautiful place to go into and will be extra special if you’re on a romantic date or break with a railway buff.
Head to the swish Caley bar for a cocktail or to try some of the country’s famous whisky.
Or if that isn’t your thing, perhaps go for afternoon tea instead in The Court with piano and harp music in the background.
Visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse
The Palace of Holyroodhouse is another must-see on your romantic Edinburgh trip. It’s the official residence of the King when he’s in Edinburgh and is at the bottom of the Royal Mile.
It’s a lovely building from the outside: a small, attractive palace with turrets on the roof on either side.
When you step inside, you’ll see it’s grander than you might imagine, having seen the exterior. There is a succession of grand and colourful rooms to wander through, including the Great Gallery, a long room adorned with paintings of kings and one queen on the walls.
These are all fascinating rooms, but if you do nothing else inside the palace, make sure you climb up the narrow stone steps to the tower and bedchamber of Mary Queen of Scots. In her Outer Chamber, there is the spot that marks the place where her private secretary, David Rizzio, was murdered by a group riled up by her jealous husband.
You can then wander around the grounds and see the remains of the 12th century Holyrood Abbey. You get great views of Arthur’s Seat from here, a volcanic hill that sits over 800 feet high above the city.
Hike up to Arthur’s Seat for more spectacular views
Arthur’s Seat is an ancient volcano that overlooks the city from Holyrood Park and provides spectacular views of Edinburgh city centre. It’s a short drive or bus ride from the city centre and is popular with hikers.
It’s likely to be a romantic draw given its special setting for the protagonists in the Netflix version of David Nicholls’ book ‘One Day’.
If you decide to try out the hike, as they did, you can combine amazing views of the city with some strenuous exercise (it’s over 800 feet high!). You can celebrate your achievement together at the top.
There are different hikes to choose from, depending on your ability and available time. This website has a good overview of the different options.
Cosy up in an old pub and sample the whisky
Edinburgh has no shortage of old historic pubs to cosy up in. These are worth popping into to experience their charm and history and maybe even try a ‘wee dram’ of whisky.
We visited the Malt Shovel Inn just off of the Royal Mile, and found they had an extensive whisky menu separate from the standard drinks menu.
The menu had an array of different whiskies in all price brackets – if, however, you want more of a whisky ‘experience’, where you can sample different types and learn about its history and production, visit The Scotch Whisky Experience, which is just a short walk away.
Edinburgh’s pubs provide havens to duck into to escape the elements in the cold winter months. And at Christmas, they’ll be kitted out with loads of festive decorations.
You can see a list of some of the pubs in Edinburgh here.
Have a romantic evening out in Leith
Leith is just over 2 miles to the east of Edinburgh. It was once one of the largest fishing ports in Europe and still has an active harbour.
Parts of Leith have been regenerated and there are stylish bars and great restaurants for fine dining, particularly seafood ones. It’s a great place to head to for a romantic evening meal, perhaps preceded by a couple of cocktails.
We did this on our trip to Edinburgh. We had pre-dinner drinks in Commercial Quay, a strip of bars and restaurants with outdoor seating for the warmer months. Afterwards, we treated ourselves to a fabulous seafood meal in the Ship on the Shore along the Shore.
Other restaurants here include Fishers Leith, the King’s Wark pub, and Heron.
We caught the bus to Leith. This took around half an hour from the centre of Edinburgh. You can also walk along the 12 kilometre Water of Leith walkway, which also runs from the centre past different areas en route (including Stockbridge and the Royal Botanic Gardens).
Relax in the beautiful Royal Botanic Garden
Covering 70 acres, the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh is definitely one to head to with your partner.
The garden is Britain’s second oldest botanical garden, and is a relaxing space to wander around in and enjoy the peace and quiet. On the Sunday morning that we visited, there were very few people in the garden, and it had a really calm and tranquil atmosphere.
The garden comprises many varied sections. This includes an arboretum, the Woodland Garden, the Rock Garden, the Chinese Hillside, and the Alpine Houses.
You will also find glasshouses in the botanic gardens. These apparently house a third of the plant collection which is cared for here.
You can find out more about what to see in the Royal Botanic Gardens here.
Visit one of the city’s excellent museums and galleries
Edinburgh has an incredible array of museums to visit. If you’re someone who enjoys visiting museums, then this is an ideal thing to do on a romantic date. You won’t find it difficult to find somewhere that piques your interest.
Edinburgh’s museums and galleries include:
- The National Museum of Scotland. This “takes you on a discovery through the history of Scotland”. It showcases exhibits on arts and crafts, natural history and nature, science and technology, and different cultures around the world.
- The Scottish National Portrait Gallery has pictures taken through the centuries and that relate to different aspects of the country’s history. It includes portraits of famous Scots, both past and present.
- The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art houses more contemporary artefacts. There are two galleries, both housed in gorgeous 19th century buildings.
- The Museum of Edinburgh is on the Royal Mile and outlines why Edinburgh is one of Europe’s most fascinating cities.
Other museums are part of other sights you might visit during your trip – for example as part of the castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Experience luxury on the Royal Yacht Britannia
The Royal Yacht Britannia was used by Queen Elizabeth II and other royal family members from 1954 to 1997. Today it is open to the public and is moored in Edinburgh’s Ocean Terminal port in Leith.
Once on board, you can learn fascinating facts about this retired Royal yacht and explore various luxurious rooms. After your tour of the boat, you can stop off for tea and cake in the Royal Deck Tea Room.
Have fish and chips on the beach
Believe it or not, Edinburgh has a beach! Portobello beach is around four miles outside the city centre (around half an hour by bus), so is an easy place to head to on your couples’ trip away.
It is popular for sunbathing and swimming and on the sunny day we visited was quite busy. It’s a traditional beach resort: stalls along the promenade selling ice cream, candy floss, and burgers, and with play areas for children.
If you’re looking for a quiet, unspoilt stretch of sand, you probably won’t find it here. But it’s a great place to escape the city and eat fish and chips on the sand!
The main town of Portobello – where the bus drops you off – also has a reasonable choice of eateries to try out.
Get festive at Christmas and see in the new year in Edinburgh
The winter months are particularly romantic in Edinburgh. With its picturesque old town and cold weather, the city has a really romantic atmosphere, You can wander around in the dark with the small streets lit up, and dive into cosy bars and restaurants.
December in Edinburgh is perfect for getting into the Christmas spirit. Hogmanay – or New Year’s Eve – is also a wonderful time to be in the city. It’s a massive event in Edinburgh, and as a result, lasts for around three days.
There is music, street entertainers and dancers, a torchlight procession through the city centre, and street parties. There is also a spectacular fireworks display at the castle that you can watch with your loved one.
Take a romantic day trip outside the city
There are plenty of places outside Edinburgh to consider visiting if you have time. Many would definitely fit the bill if you’re planning a romantic trip away.
Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond is about an hour and a half’s drive from Edinburgh. It is part of the Trossachs National Park and is where you can see some of Scotland’s stunning landscape. It’s also only an hour from Stirling, which has a castle and other tourist attractions.
This tour combines a visit to both Loch Lomond and Stirling. There is a cruise across the loch, a visit to Stirling Castle, lunch in Aberfoyle, and a trip to see the Kelpies sculpture (the famous 30-metre-high horses’ heads).
The Hogwarts Express steam train
Lovers of trains (or Harry Potter!) will enjoy riding the iconic Jacobite Steam Train (or the Hogwarts Express) in the west of Scotland.
Check out this tour if this interests you. After stops in Pitlochry, Glenfinnan, and Mallaig, you ride the steam train and then head to Glencoe.
Glasgow
You can also visit Glasgow. The city is only an hour away from Edinburgh and there’s a lot to see and do.
Among these are superb galleries and museums, the 85-acre Kelvingrove Park, a cathedral, and a Science Centre. See my separate post on the top things to do in Glasgow.
To explore more day trips from Edinburgh, click here.
Romantic things to do in Edinburgh
I hope you enjoy your time in this romantic city.
Whether you’re visiting on Valentine’s Day, on an anniversary, a first date, or are just generally looking to have some quality time with your loved one, there are plenty of romantic things to do here and you’re bound to have a fantastic time.
For other ideas for romantic city breaks in Europe, see my collection of here. I also have specific posts on romantic things to do in Paris, Venice, and London.
