Edinburgh (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Edinburgh is one of the favorite spots among tourists. You can catch up with the best views of the city and get the best experience. There is no doubt Edinburgh is known as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It boasts many historic attractions and UNESCO World Heritage sites. Travelers will like to explore the rich history and culture. If you want to enjoy the best festivals, this city is the place to be. It has become a powerhouse for arts, comedy, culture, and heritage.
Top Things To Experience In Edinburgh
If you are planning a trip to Edinburg, don’t forget to experience all the top things:
1. Art Festivals
Edinburgh is regarded as one of the top cities for the festival. Travelers will like to experience Edinburgh Festivals each year. Whether it is a must, comedy, art, or book, there’s something for everyone. These festivals are celebrated on a large scale and you can visit one of your choices while traveling. One of the most popular festivals includes the Fringe Festival. The theme of this festival is the celebration of arts and culture. Another famous one is Edinburgh international book festival.
2. Harry Potter Books
Nearly everyone is a fan of harry potter books. Edinburgh is most famous as J. K. Rowling has written most of the Harry Potter books. You will be surprised to know that the café where she wrote her first Harry Potter book still exists. According to the authorities, her favorite spot for writing early books was in the back room. She sat there in a cozy seat and wrote interesting things by taking a view of Edinburgh castle.
3. The Royal Mile
The Royal Mile is a famous street that links two different locations in Edinburgh. The street stretches to the heart of the Old Town. On one side Edinburgh castle is located while on the other side, Holyrood Palace exists. It is the official residence of the Queen and her family whenever they visit Scotland. For centuries this Edinburgh Street has become famous among people. There are plenty of pubs, restaurants, and shops on this road.
4. The Knighted Penguin
The Knighted Penguin at the Edinburgh Zoo has become very famous among people. Interestingly you will find the only penguin here that is named Brigadier Sir Nils Olav III. In 2003 this Penguin became a site for the 130 guardsmen from the Norwegian Army. He was approved by the King of Norway named Harald V of that time. Later he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier. Even today he remains to be one of the mascots and colonel-in-chief of the King’s Guard.
5. Home of Encyclopedia
Many centuries ago, the first ever Encyclopedia, Britannica was published and introduced in Edinburgh. Nowadays everyone consults the Encyclopedia for various reasons. However, in the past few years, it was more like a revolution for many. While many dictionaries and thesauruses were introduced, Encyclopedia had a different status. It was much more ambitious and consisted of relevant and useful information. In other words, it is like an old-school Google that will never go down in popularity.
6. Old and New Town
Edinburgh is quite famous for its mesmerizing and visually appealing architecture. If you visit the Old and New Town it is located in the city center. In 1995 both these areas have become an integral part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. When you visit these areas you will know exactly why. Old Town features medieval architecture. It blends well with the different contrasts and Georgian designs of the New Town. These towns resemble the fictional towns that are introduced in storybooks. You can also take a trip to the palace of Holyrood house.
7. Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle has a majestic appeal and is located on Castle Rock. You will not be surprised to know that it is one of the biggest attractions in the city. If you want to dwell in the fascinating history this castle will excite you the most. According to Edinburgh’s history, this castle served as a prison during the war. Moreover, it was a military fortress and a prominent residence of the Royal Family. It holds the record for being the biggest castle in Europe. This castle was attacked 23 times by the enemies but with the renovations, it is still in top form.
8. Arthur’s Seat
You can catch up with the best views of Edinburgh from Arthur’s seat. It is an old volcano that gives a good view of the entire city as you stand at the top. Unfortunately, this volcano is not available. This area takes its name from the epic legends of King Arthur. There are plenty of routes through which you can climb Arthur’s seat. Want to catch up with the best views? Start walking straight from the Holyrood Palace and in two hours you will reach the right spot.
9. Grave Robbers
Grave robbing was quite common during the 16th and 18th centuries. It is still quite common in most parts of the United Kingdom. You will be surprised to know that the dead bodies were stolen from the graveyards. The reason was obvious as big medical schools and colleges in the city paid a big amount of money to get them. As anatomical research was going on during the era, these dead bodies were used. However, there were not many bodies to research on. Edinburgh is famous for having the two most popular robbers named Burke and Hare.
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10. An Underground City
If you think that the Old Town is the oldest part of Edinburgh, think again. The underground city is much more historic and intriguing. Originally this place was created to offer good storage to the merchants and tradespeople. However, this area was abandoned due to a faulty design. The problem in this space led to the deterioration of supplies that was very precious for the merchants. These underground halls and chambers were rebuilt in the 80s and still going strong.