Edinburgh Castle

Google Glober★★★★★★★★★★4.02 months ago

Visiting Edinburgh Castle was definitely an interesting experience, especially because of how famous and historically important it is, sitting right in the heart of Edinburgh. The views from the castle are honestly beautiful, and you can really feel the history just by walking around the grounds. However, I have to be honest — the experience didn’t fully live up to expectations. One of the biggest issues was how overcrowded it was. At times, it felt less like exploring a historic landmark and more like being stuck in a slow-moving crowd, which made it harder to actually enjoy the atmosphere. Another downside was that many areas were either closed off, restricted, or required additional payment, even after buying what is already quite an expensive ticket. That was pretty disappointing, as you expect to have access to most of the main attractions once you’re inside. In terms of exhibits, there wasn’t as much variety or excitement as expected. There was only one modern (non-historic) cannon, which was quite cool to see, but aside from that, nothing really stood out as particularly special or memorable. That said, one of the highlights of the visit was definitely the staff. The people working there — like many British locals — were very friendly, helpful, and welcoming, which made the overall experience a bit better despite the downsides. Overall, while Edinburgh Castle is worth visiting at least once for its history and views, it may not be as exciting or unique as expected, especially considering the crowds and cost. I’d give it 3 stars ⭐⭐⭐.

Neil Williams★★★★★★★★★★5.03 months ago

Great experience and views from the castle. We arrived around 12pm, plenty of time to make our way through the castle to the 1 o'clock gun and watch the ceremony. Historic place with plenty to see. Well worth a visit and the views are amazing.

Jeremy Galeone★★★★★★★★★★5.0a month ago

Amazing experience, the views from the castle are rivaled only by those on top of Arthur's seat. The grounds have so much to see and do - the jail, the regimental museums, the memorial to fallen soldiers to the bailey, the batteries, and the keep. One of my favorite experiences in Scotland from my visit. It can get a little crowded, so go early for the best shots. The lines to see the palace and crown jewels can get a little long too during prime time. Weekdays first thing in the morning or late afternoon are ideal timing. But some crowd is to be expected from something this majestic and inspiring. If you're in Edinburgh, this is a "must do". Oh absolutely buy tickets in advance. I personally think the guided tour is not really necessary, as its totally possible to explore the castle and take in all its history and scope and scale on your own at your own pace. That said, the tour does offer some additional factoids and context, and once its over nothing prevents you from exploring more on your own. Great experience, its one of the things that if i had an extra day i'd do a second time during the trip and would do again when I go back.

Emin Ozturk★★★★★★★★★★5.02 weeks ago

Edinburgh Castle was one of the highlights of our trip to Scotland and is an absolute must-visit when exploring Edinburgh. The castle offers breathtaking views over the city and provides a fascinating insight into Scotland’s rich history. There is so much to see, from the Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny to the impressive military exhibits throughout the grounds. One of the most memorable parts of our visit was seeing Mons Meg, the famous medieval siege cannon. Standing next to it really gives you an appreciation of the scale and engineering of the period. Another unique experience is the One O’Clock Gun, a tradition that has been carried out for more than 150 years. Watching the cannon fire at exactly 1:00 PM is a fun and memorable part of the visit, so try to plan your visit around that time if possible. A piece of advice for future visitors: be sure to purchase your tickets in advance. The castle is extremely popular, and booking ahead will save you time and help guarantee entry on your preferred date and time. We spent several hours exploring the site and thoroughly enjoyed every moment. Whether you are interested in history, architecture, military heritage, or simply the best views in Edinburgh, Edinburgh Castle is well worth the visit. Highly recommended.

Sanjay Gupta★★★★★★★★★★5.04 months ago

Edinburgh Castle is the most visited attraction in Scotland, welcoming over 1.3 million visitors each year who come in search of views, royal history, and a glimpse at the ‘Honours of Scotland’ – Britain’s oldest crown jewels. Edinburgh Castle is not only the dominant feature of the city’s skyline, visible from miles around, it’s also the feature which gives the city its name — the old Gaelic name translates roughly as ‘the fort on the hill’. trust me, you might underestimate this castle, and even i have kept 2 hrs for this, but it needs more time. With several museums, a large war memorial, a royal palace, a Great Hall & several other little stops/activities, if you want to actually see all of Edinburgh Castle’s sights and attractions, you’ll need much more than two hours… especially considering the line to see the Honours of Scotland (AKA the Crown Jewels) can last 20+ minutes. * Three regimental military museums * The National War Museum * The Scottish National War Memorial * The Honours of Scotland, featuring the Scottish crown jewels and Stone of Destiny * St Margaret’s Chapel, the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh * Optional 30-minute introductory tours available throughout the day * Prisons of War exhibition * The Great Hall where banquets were held * The One O'Clock Gun, fired every day (except Sunday) at 1pm * Visit the small antechamber where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to her son, James VI of Scotland * Three gift shops and two cafes The oldest surviving structure at the castle (and the oldest in the city) dates back to the 12th century. It is of course St Margaret’s Chapel, built by King David I in honour of his mother. This same king is the one credited with turning Edinburgh Castle into a royal residence. As the years rolled on, royals came and went, with new additions being made to the castle, creating the complex we see today. The Renaissance of the 1400s for instance brought us the Royal Palace that now houses various royal paintings and displays (including THE closet where Mary, Queen of Scots gave birth to King James VI of Scotland, AKA King James I of England). The 1500s brought us the Great Hall, which was needed of course for fancy banquets. The 1600s brought new defences and barracks as the castle eased into its role of a military outpost more than swanky royal digs Tickets to Edinburgh Castle should be booked online before you arrive. Tip: these spots across the city offers great view of the castle- Calton Hill, The Grassmarket, Salisbury Crags, Castle Esplanade, Ross Fountain, St Cuthbert’s Churchyard, The Vennel