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Home/Destinations/Edinburgh/Edinburgh in 3 days
3 days · Edinburgh itinerary

Edinburgh in 3 Days: The Complete Itinerary

Three days based in Edinburgh lets you add Stirling or St. Andrews to the city and the Highlands. Here is how to spend three perfect days in Edinburgh — with the best-rated tours and day trips to book for each.

At a glance

  1. 1Day 1: Castle & Old Town
  2. 2Day 2: Highlands & Loch Ness
  3. 3Day 3: Stirling or St. Andrews
  4. 4Whisky & ghost evenings

Day 1: the city

Tour Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile, with a ghost tour and whisky tasting.

Day 2: the Highlands

Day-trip to Glencoe, the Highlands and Loch Ness with a cruise.

Day 3: Stirling or St. Andrews

Choose historic Stirling Castle and Loch Lomond, or St. Andrews and the Fife coast.

Edinburgh in 3 days — FAQ

Is 3 days enough to see Edinburgh?
Three days is ideal — the city and its Castle, a Highlands and Loch Ness day trip, and a third day at Stirling and Loch Lomond or St. Andrews.
What is the best day trip from Edinburgh for 3 days?
The Highlands and Loch Ness is the most spectacular; Stirling and Loch Lomond are the easiest, and St. Andrews suits golf and coastal lovers.
How do I plan a 3-day Edinburgh itinerary?
Spend day one in the city, day two in the Highlands at Loch Ness, and day three at Stirling or St. Andrews, booking Edinburgh Castle and day trips ahead.

Explore more in Edinburgh

Edinburgh CastleRoyal Mile & Old TownGhost & VaultsWhisky TastingsHarry PotterDay Trips

Book the experiences in this itinerary

Top-rated tours for exactly what this plan recommends in Edinburgh — prices per person.

Private Tour of Highlands, Oban, Glencoe, Lochs & Castles from Glasgow
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Private Tour of Highlands, Oban, Glencoe, Lochs & Castles from Glasgow
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Luxury Private Tour of The Highlands Loch Ness from Edinburgh
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Luxury Private Tour of The Highlands Loch Ness from Edinburgh
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from$1,483/ person
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Stirling, Highlands & Distillery in Spanish
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Stirling, Highlands & Distillery in Spanish
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St Andrews Private Day Tour
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St Andrews Private Day Tour
5.0(49)·8 hours
from$880/ person
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Loch Ness,Culloden Battlefield,Cawdor Castle & Much More From Inverness City
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Loch Ness,Culloden Battlefield,Cawdor Castle & Much More From Inverness City
5.0(179)·7–8 hours
from$650/ person
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Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe and Loch Shiel Tour from Edinburgh
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Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe and Loch Shiel Tour from Edinburgh
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from$91/ person
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Glasgow: Loch Lomond, Glenfinnan Viaduct, Loch Ness & Highlands
−7%
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Glasgow: Loch Lomond, Glenfinnan Viaduct, Loch Ness & Highlands
4.9(213)·11 hours
from$69$74/ person
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Edinburgh: St Andrews & Kingdom of Fife Private Day Tour
Edinburgh
Edinburgh: St Andrews & Kingdom of Fife Private Day Tour
5.0(45)·8 hours
from$1,070/ person
via Viator