If you’re planning a trip to Edinburgh and want to experience it in a way that’s different from the norm, you’ll be glad to know that this city has plenty of unique places for you to visit. From museums and galleries to street art and markets, there are many ways to explore Edinburgh as you’ve never experienced before. And if you’re also willing to leave the city center, there are numerous hidden gems within easy reach of the city center as well. So if you’re looking for an unforgettable trip, keep reading for more information about these seven unique places in Edinburgh.
1. Edinburgh Dungeon
A trip to Edinburgh wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the city’s famous attraction – the Edinburgh Dungeon. Housed within a 19th-century prison, this interactive attraction is the world’s most popular horror attraction, and it has been entertaining visitors for more than 25 years. Visitors to the Dungeon will be taken on an interactive journey through the city’s past. Visitors will go on a journey through 10 scenes, each representing a different period in Edinburgh’s history, including the Plague and the Great Fire of 1666, the Jacobite Risings of 1715 and 1745, Witchcraft, the Battle of Prestonpans, and the City’s Criminal Underworld. At each stop, there will be a narrator telling you about the scene, and you will be given the chance to interact with the scene in some way.
2. Royal Society of Edinburgh
The Royal Society of Edinburgh is Scotland’s oldest learned society, and it was granted its royal title by King Charles II in 1683. Operating from a grand sandstone building that was constructed in 1911, the society is a unique place to visit in Edinburgh. The building has been converted into a cultural center where various exhibitions and lectures are held throughout the year, as well as a place to visit. When you visit the Royal Society of Edinburgh, you’ll be able to explore a historic building that is filled with intriguing items, including mineral and plant collections, rare books, and a planetarium. Other highlights include a gold medal that was awarded to the great scientist and mathematician Sir William Rowan Hamilton and a copy of the first edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica.
3. Street Art in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is widely regarded as one of the world’s most creative cities, and a visit to the city center will reveal why this is the case. You’ll come across numerous examples of street art, from giant murals to smaller works, and you’ll even find stencils and spray paintings on the sides of buildings. Edinburgh’s street art has been growing in popularity for many years, and it has even been included in the city’s annual calendar of events. At the end of each year, artists from around the world descend on Edinburgh to paint the city center, and many of these works stay on the walls long after the event is over.
4. Dynamic Food Market
If you’re planning to visit Edinburgh in the month of August, then you’ll want to make sure you visit the Dynamic Food Market, which is the city’s annual food festival. Running each year from the 12th of August to the 28th of August, this is a three-week celebration of all things food, drink, and culture. You’ll be able to explore a wide range of events and exhibitions, as well as many special food markets around Edinburgh, including the Dynamic Food Market. This event is held at the Dickson Gardens, which is just a short walk from the city center, and it’s here where you’ll be able to sample, taste, and experience a wide range of food from around the world.
5. Edinbane Games Experience
If you’re visiting Edinburgh in August during the Dynamic Food Market, then you may also want to visit the Edinbane Games Experience, which is a special event held at the Royal Commonwealth Pool, located on the city’s waterfront. The Edinbane Games Experience is a one-day sports event where you can take part in various sporting activities, including swimming, running, and cycling, as well as attend seminars and exhibitions related to health and fitness. But the highlight of the event is the chance to get up close and personal with some of the world’s most famous sports stars.
6. View from Calton Hill
If you’re visiting Edinburgh in August, you’ll also want to make sure you visit Calton Hill. This is one of the city’s most famous landmarks, and it’s a place where you’ll be able to see the city in all its glory. Calton Hill is home to the city’s oldest building, the Observatory, which was built in 1699, as well as many other structures, including the Nelson Monument and General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. But perhaps the main attraction of Calton Hill is the view it offers. When you reach the top, you’ll be able to look out over the city below, along with the Forth Bridge standing in the distance.
7. The Real Mary King’s Close
If you’ve ever wondered what Edinburgh was like many years ago, then you’ll want to visit the Real Mary King’s Close. This is a historic area that was once home to the city’s poor and was built in the 17th century, but it was buried beneath the ground in the 18th century after a cholera epidemic swept through the city. It remained buried until the 1940s when it was excavated and preserved as a historic site. Today you can visit the Real Mary King’s Close and see what life was like in Edinburgh during the 17th century. You’ll be able to explore the original Close, including the tenements where people once lived.
Conclusion
There are plenty of places to visit in Edinburgh if you’re looking for a unique travel experience. Street art has grown in popularity in recent years, and the Real Mary King’s Close is a historic site that was buried beneath the ground in the 18th century. If you’re planning a trip to Edinburgh, make sure you visit these seven unique places in Edinburgh. These are just a small selection of the many unique places to visit in Edinburgh. Whether you want to learn more about the city’s history, experience something different from the norm, or even meet some famous sports stars, Edinburgh has something for everyone.
