2 days in Edinburgh: itinerary with prices (2026)
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Two days covers Edinburgh's Old Town core: one day for the Castle, the Royal Mile and the Palace of Holyroodhouse at its foot, one day for two of the Mile's paid attractions plus a free walk up Arthur's Seat. Each day below leads with a stops table — entrance fee, time needed and a note — so the plan is visible at a glance.
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Quick answer
Edinburgh's Old Town is walkable from a central hotel, and buses cover the rest. Prices are standard adult admission for 2026 — book Edinburgh Castle and The Real Mary King's Close online in advance, as both sell out on busy days.
Day 1 — The Castle and the Royal Mile
Start at Edinburgh Castle at opening, then walk down the Royal Mile — with a short detour to the National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street — to the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the foot of the hill. Day 1's only named fee is the Castle, at £23.50; the Palace of Holyroodhouse is ticketed separately — check the official Royal Collection Trust site for current prices.
| Stop | Entrance | Time needed | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh Castle | £23.50 | 2–3 hrs | Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny; book online, sells out in summer |
| National Museum of Scotland | Free | 2–3 hrs | Natural history, world cultures and Scottish history in one building |
| Palace of Holyroodhouse | Ticketed — check official site | 1.5–2 hrs | The monarch's official Scottish residence; closed during royal visits |
Day 2 — Royal Mile curiosities and a viewpoint
Spend the morning on two Royal Mile attractions almost next door to each other — The Real Mary King's Close and Camera Obscura & World of Illusions — then walk up Arthur's Seat in Holyrood Park for the afternoon. Day 2's named fees come to £53.45; the summit walk itself is free.
| Stop | Entrance | Time needed | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Real Mary King's Close | £28.50 | 1 hr (guided tour) | Preserved 17th-century closes sealed beneath later buildings; pre-book, tours sell out |
| Camera Obscura & World of Illusions | £24.95 | 1.5–2 hrs | Victorian rooftop camera obscura above optical-illusion exhibits |
| Arthur's Seat | Free | 1.5–2.5 hrs round trip | Extinct volcano in Holyrood Park; marked footpaths to the summit |
What 2 days in Edinburgh costs
Named fees below are standard adult admission; the Palace of Holyroodhouse is excluded from the totals because its tickets are sold and priced separately — check the official site when you book. Add public transport and meals on top of the figures below.
| Item | Typical price (2026) |
|---|---|
| Day 1 named fee (Edinburgh Castle) | £23.50 |
| Day 2 named fees (The Real Mary King's Close + Camera Obscura) | £53.45 |
| Both days combined (named fees only, excludes Holyroodhouse) | £76.95 |
| Free-sights-only version (National Museum of Scotland + Arthur's Seat) | Free |
| Palace of Holyroodhouse | Ticketed — check official site |
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FAQ
- Is 2 days enough for Edinburgh?
- Yes for the Old Town core covered here — Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Royal Mile's underground and illusion attractions, and Arthur's Seat. Add a day for the Royal Yacht Britannia in Leith or the Scottish National Gallery if you have longer.
- How much are entrance fees in Edinburgh?
- The National Museum of Scotland, the Scottish National Gallery and the walk up Arthur's Seat are all free. Paid sights here are moderate to high: Edinburgh Castle £23.50, Camera Obscura & World of Illusions £24.95, The Real Mary King's Close £28.50. The Palace of Holyroodhouse is ticketed separately — check the official site for current prices.
- Do you need to book Edinburgh Castle in advance?
- Yes — online booking is recommended, as tickets sell out, especially in summer, and the walk-up price is higher. The Real Mary King's Close also sells out and should be pre-booked.
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