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Edinburgh Castle: Pinned to the peak of a volcanic rock, the imposing castle of the city is Scotland’s national monument. Through its long history it has been a military fortress, royal residence and War Museum. You must see the famous Crown Jewels of Scotland and the legendary Stone of Destiny, the giant Mons Meg cannon and the romantic chapel of Queen (St) Margaret. Before leaving, make sure you enjoy the unique view from the ramparts over the New Town and the Firth of Forth.
Address: Castlehill, Edinburgh, www.edinburghcastle.scot.

Holyroodhouse: This stunning palace of the 16th-17th centuries is the official residence of the Royal family in Scotland. Its history is bound up with the turbulent years of Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots. Today the visitor can tour the impressive royal apartments, the bedroom of Mary Stuart and the famous Great Gallery, an art gallery housing 89 portraits of members of the Scottish dynasty. 
Address: Canongate, Edinburgh, www.royalcollection.org.uk.

National Museum of Scotland: Divided between two impressive buildings, one Victorian (1861) and the other modern (1998), the collection of the National Museum of Scotland traces the country's history and culture in a wonderful way, from geological beginnings until today. Here you can admire exhibits from natural history, archaeology, industrial technology and the decorative arts. 
Address: Chambers Street, Edinburgh, www.nms.ac.uk.

Scottish Parliament: Since 2004, the Scottish Parliament has been housed in a building designed by the multi-award-winning Catalan architect Enric Miralles. In the shape of an open flower and with a plethora of symbolic motifs both on the facade and its interior, it is considered a masterpiece of modernism. Join one of the organised tours so you can visit both the impressive parliamentary chamber and the amazing offices of the deputies, inspired by monastic cells and meditation. 
Address: Horse Wynd, Edinburgh, www.parliament.scot

Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art: Two magnificent, neighbouring neoclassical buildings and a sculpture park comprise one of Scotland’s most important museums. Dedicated exclusively to 20th-century art, the collection in the first building covers all the large European movements, from post-Impressionism and German expressionism to cubism and pop art. Particular attention is given to the famous protagonists of Britart and the contemporary Scottish scene. In the second building you will find the Dadaist and surrealistic collection as well as many works by the local sculptor Sir Eduardo Paolozzi. 
Address: 75 Belford Rd, www.nationalgalleries.org

Arthur’s Seat: Arthur’s Seat is the tallest point (altitude 251 m) in the huge Holyrood Park and the rocky peak of a hill that once hid an active volcano. It is worth walking up the hill for 45 minutes to enjoy a panoramic view over the whole of Edinburgh, the bridges over the Firth of Forth and the Scottish Highlands.
Address: Holyrood Park, Edinburgh.

Greyfriars Kirk and Greyfriars Kirkyard: Built in 1620 on the site of a Franciscan monastery, Greyfriars is one of the most famous churches in Edinburgh. This is where the National Covenant was signed in 1638, which ratified the independence of the Church of Scotland. The adjacent cemetery is an oasis of green, dotted with ornate 17th-century monuments and famous residents. The bravest amongst you can take part in the nocturnal tour on the subject of the “City of the Dead”. 
Address: Candlemaker Row, www.greyfriarskirk.com.

Edinburgh Zoo: One of the world's major zoos in the conservation and reproduction of rare species that are under threat of extinction. The most famous attraction in the park is the midday parade of penguins, and the two giant pandas, Tian and Yang Guang, who arrived here in 2011. 
Address: 134 Corstorphine Road, www.edinburghzoo.org.uk.

National Gallery of Scotland: An impressive building of 1850 in the classical style, designed by William Playfair, the National Gallery houses masterpieces of European art from the Renaissance to post-Impressionism. The names alone in the collection are impressive: Verrocchio, Tintoretto, Titian, Holbein, Rubens, van Dyke, El Greco, Rembrandt, Monet, Picasso, Gauguin, Cezanne and many others.
Address: The Mound, www.nationalgalleries.org

Royal Botanic Garden: Spread out over 28 hectares since 1823, the Botanic Garden of Edinburgh is home to one of the world's most important plant collections. Come here to admire the wonderful Victorian greenhouses, colourful gardens with rhododendrons and azaleas, as well as the world-famous rock garden.
Address: 20A Inverleith Row, www.rbge.org.uk

Go to the famous Princes Street, the central road of the New Town, where all the large chain stores can be found as well as the landmark Scottish department store, the legendary Jenners. Housed in a grand Victorian building, it stocks a huge range of fashion and interior decoration goods. 

Walk along chic Georges Street with the expensive designer shops and the prestigious Multrees Walk, the road with exclusive boutiques from all the international fashion houses.  

For less conventional shopping with a distinct Scottish colour, go to the Old Town. Discover the wonderful shops along the Royal Mile with the luxury cashmere kilts, bagpipes and excellent whiskey shops. Gaze into the colourful windows of Victoria Street, where you will find fashion in authentic Scottish designs, Celtic jewellery, imaginative woven pullovers, tartan textiles, as well as many cheese shops. 
Explore the eccentric boutiques of Stockbridge and the West End. Walk down Cockburn Street, a paradise of vintage jewellery, antiques, books and crafts. Don't forget to take to take a trip to the legendary Grassmarket (the site of a market since 1477) to hunt for bargains that you won't find anywhere else. 

For a large shopping choice under one roof, go to the Leith waterfront where the Ocean Terminal is located, the largest shopping centre in Edinburgh with all the international brands. 

Irrepressible foodies will be enthused by the busy Saturday Farmers Market, to the west of the castle. Over 50 producers from south and east Scotland lay out their wares in its stores and share their handmade delicacies: from fish, meat and cheeses to excellent chutneys, local deserts and organic beer.

AEdinburgh’s gastronomic scene has really taken off recently. In both the Old and New Town you can find everything, from Michelin-starred international restaurants and atmospheric diners to relaxed bistros, traditional taverns and oyster bars. 

Avoid the tourist traps and choose restaurants that serve seasonal and local produce. Try classic dishes such as neeps and tatties (swede and potato mash), rumbledethumps (cabbage, potato and onion soufflé), the famous Aberdeen Angus steak, Scottish pie made from lamb mince, and fantastic fish pies, roast goose and, of course, the traditional haggis (a type of pudding with mince made from sheep intestines and spices) for the brave. In Edinburgh you should also try delicious fish and shellfish, such as scallops and oysters. The best spots are in the Port of Leith. 

Edinburgh is a city that never sleeps. Get a flavour of the Scottish nightlife in the open-air bars of the Royal Mile and Grassmarket. Mingle with the student crowds in the Cowgate hangouts. Stroll through the Bohemian Lothian Road. Enjoy a pint of lager or Scottish malt in the traditional 19th-century bars with the Victorian decoration. Experience a live Scottish folk concert in one of the hundreds of pubs in the historic centre. 

Try one of the modern style bars of Georges Street for an elegant cocktail to the sounds of house and dance music before experiencing the crème de la crème of DJing in the clubs of Cowgate and Carlton Road, for crazy partying until the early hours.

With awe-inspiring figures (25,000 artists, 3000-plus performances, 300 stages, 4.5million visitors from 70 countries) the annual Edinburgh Festival has given Edinburgh the title of world capital of festivals. Events begin with a three-day Scottish celebration of the New Year (Hogmanay) and they peak in August, the month of the major festival events. Note:

• Edinburgh International Festival: Discover leading performers in opera, theatre, music and dance from all over the world in Edinburgh. (4-28 August)
• Edinburgh Festival Fringe: The most important workshop of innovative art in the world, with hundreds of performers on stage and an emphasis on comedy acts. (4-28 August)
• Edinburgh Art Festival: The largest festival of contemporary art in Great Britain with over 40 exhibitions and 250 visual artists in museums, galleries and alternative art spaces. (27 July - 27 August). 
• Edinburgh International Book Festival: The biggest stars of world literature in a marathon of reading and fantastic discussions with the public in the wonderful Charlotte Square Gardens. (12-28 August)
• Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo: An Edinburgh institution, a spectacle with military drills, army drum and bagpipe bands, and traditional dances from the Highlands in the impressive Esplanade of the Edinburgh Castle. (4 - 26 August)
• Also, the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival (14 - 23 July), the Edinburgh International Film Festival (21 June - 2 July), the Edinburgh International Science Festival (1 - 16 April) and Imaginate Festival, with theatre and dance for children and young people. (27 May - 4 June)

Transportation from the airport

Aegean Airlines lands at Edinburgh International Airport, 12 km from the centre of Edinburgh. Here you will find duty-free shops, exclusive luxury brand boutiques, a bookshop, gift shops and galleries with contemporary Scottish art for sale. There are also a currency exchange bureau and ATMs, restaurants, cafes and pubs. The airport offers a free Wi-Fi service, internet desks with PCs (for a charge), internet kiosks and charging stations.

The easiest way to get here is by tram, which connects the airport with the city centre (Edinburgh Airport - York Place). Trams depart every 8-12 minutes and the journey time is approximately 35 minutes. Alternatively, you can take express Airlink 100 service, which also connects the city centre with the airport (Edinburgh Airport - Waverley Bridge) every 10 minutes. Journey time is approximately 30 minutes. Bus #22 (Edinburgh Airport - Waverley Steps) runs after midnight (between 00.45 - 04.15), every 30 minutes on weekdays and every 10 minutes at weekends, departing from Princes Street for the airport.