10 Best Things to do in Edinburgh for Couples in 2023
Edinburgh is a magical city, perfect for a couple to explore together on the weekend. The best things to do in Edinburgh for couples really depend on what you enjoy doing.
Whether that is exploring historic castles, wandering through fairy tale villages or having a taste of the local food and drinks the city offers.
Edinburgh has such a wonderful charm, ideal for a romantic trip away. If you have read our previous blog, 10 romantic cities blog, you will see that we ranked Edinburgh 2nd! We genuinely believe this is a must-see city for couples seeking a break in the UK.
One thing we haven’t done is include all the typical stuff you’ll find on other blogs; yes, there is the Royal Observatory, Arthurs Seat, Craigmillar Castle, Botanic Gardens and Cramond Island, but we don’t want to be like every basic blog out there. These are some of the best couples things to do in Edinburgh.
Below we have compiled a list of some of the best things to do in Edinburgh for couples. Aiming to help you decide what to do in this magical city.
Why Edinburgh for couples?
With cobbled streets, historic buildings, quaint side streets and villages and the beautiful castle, why wouldn’t you opt for a romantic weekend away to Edinburgh?
With Edinburgh being the capital of Scotland, it is a great place to start when exploring Scotland. Being at the heart of the country, it is full of magical experiences and rich history you can immerse yourself in as a couple.
If you are anything like Robyn, you will love that Edinburgh has the best spots for sunrises and sunsets. So cosy up together and take in the best views of Edinburgh as you enjoy quality time together on your romantic getaway.
If you’re looking for romantic hotels, feel free to use our Booking.com widget below before you plan your date night or day trip!
10 Fun things to do for Couples in Edinburgh
Henry did the NC500 in 2021, and we love it as a city to visit. So to save your time when looking for fun things to do for couples in Edinburgh, we have added a list of 10 of the best things below.
If we have missed anything, feel free to get in touch with the Couples Things To Do Team and we’ll include it in a future blog!
#1 Edinburgh Castle
First, we must go with a noticeable but solid option: Edinburgh castle.
It is really hard to miss Edinburgh castle as it towers over the whole city and can be seen from all angles. The castle adds that magical feel to the town that is hard to replicate in most UK cities.
The castle has been in Edinburgh for almost 3000 years! It was used by the Scottish Monarchs until 1633, and James VI was born there. It is super interesting, and you can feel all the history that has been kept between the walls.
Standing tall over the city, the castle is the masterpiece of the city, especially in the winter, as it is super romantic for couples. Robyn loves Christmas and would recommend going in the winter as the castle looks straight out of Harry Potter when covered in snow.
Now, if you are anything like us (especially Henry), we don’t like to queue. Therefore, we would suggest taking a walking tour of the castle to avoid the queues! The huge benefit of this is that you know what time your tour will be and how long it will take, meaning you aren’t wasting any time you could spend doing other activities.
#2 Victoria Street
Suppose there is one place in Edinburgh that deserves a couple’s photo. In that case, Victoria Street is the iconic place for it!
The street is plastered with colourful boutique shops on a steep hill leading up to the castle. Not to mention the quintessential cobbles stones that glide all the way up this charming street.
Built by Thomas Hamilton over 15 years and finished in 1834, the street is one of Edinburgh’s most treasured attractions. This is one of the best things to do in Edinburgh for couples who love Harry Potter, as it was the inspiration for JK Rowling.
As mentioned above, the city replicates Harry Potter scenes, and it is no surprise that it was based on the city. It is also the inspiration for Diagon Alley.
If you love shopping as Robyn does, Victoria Street boasts many independent shops selling artisan cheese, books and art. Perfect for a rainy day, wandering around shops browsing for hours to see if you can find any good souvenirs.
#3 One of the Best things to do in Edinburgh for Couples: The Scotch Whisky Experience
Scotland is the right place to be for the whiskey lovers among you. With a wealth of Scottish whisky history, it is the best place for an immersive experience.
We recommend the scotch whisky experience as it is affordable at only £19 each! Located on the infamous royal mile, it is an informative journey through Scottish history.
Passionate storytellers share their knowledge of the creation of whisky and the variety of flavours. This interactive experience gives you the chance to try out lots of whiskies.
This is one of the best things to do in Edinburgh for couples who want to explore the world’s most extensive collection of Scotch Whiskies.
To find out more about this sort of experience, check out The Man Blueprints’ Scotland Whiskey Tour Itinerary.
#4 Dean Village
Dean village is in the heart of the village of the water of Leith just outside of the city. So if you find that one day you fancy exploring a nearby quaint village, Dean Village must be on your to-do list.
Some of the best things you can do in Edinburgh for couples are hidden gems outside the city centre. The village has been compared to cities in Germany and Brugge. It is that pretty!
You can take the Dean Village audio tour while walking along the water or cross the green bridge connecting north to the city’s centre.
This is definitely more for the couples the appreciate stunning architecture and quiet village life. The perfect escape from the city.
#5 Calton Hill
If you are early risers like us, you must go up to Calton Hill for sunrise.
Start the day by walking up the hill in time to see the sun rise over the stunning city. Whilst you are up there, you will find the National Monument of Scotland, a 12-pillar Parthenon made of stone. Also, the tower called Nelson Monument replicates a telescope.
Not only will you get picturesque views, but you get the chance to take in some culture of these iconic Scottish monuments.
We recommend doing this at the beginning of your visit as it is a great way to get your bearings over the city. In addition, seeing it from a bird’s eye can give you a chance to plan the rest of your visit together as a couple.
You could also go up for sunset in the summertime and take a picnic filled with food from all the local shops. However, even though Scotland is a great city, temperatures can drop relatively quickly, so wrap up warm!
#6 Camera Obscura
One of the best things to do in Edinburgh for couples is camera obscura. It is perfect for some light-hearted fun.
It Is actually based at the top of the royal mile in a gorgeous six-story building full of illusions, interactive activities and even amazing views from the top.
Our top pick out of all of the rooms is the mirror maze. Warning it does have flashing lights and intense pressure music. It aims to instil panic so you get through the maze as quick as possible.
If you successfully get through the maze, then try the vortex! Unfortunately, this might not be for you if you are anything like Robyn, who gets motion sickness. However, see if you can successfully get across the spinning bridge without feeling like you are going to fall off!
Now, a hidden secret we will let you in on is that the top of Camera Obscura has the best views of Edinburgh! This is, in our opinion, the best place in Edinburgh for couples to take a picture. If you have read out ‘things to do in bath’ blog, you will know we love a view of a city like when we climbed Bath Abbey’s Tower.
If you are lucky, you could catch the 1 o’clock gunshot that goes off just next to the castle!
#6 Loch Ness Scottish Highlands
Would it be a trip to Scotland without a visit to the famous Loch Ness Scottish highlands? While this is not in Edinburgh, there is plenty of day excursion from the city on offer.
If you do find yourself in Scotland for longer than a weekend, the loch ness tour is great to get the most out of your visit.
We would recommend the Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe & Hairy Coos Tour from Edinburgh. At an affordable price, it takes away the stress of finding transport and planning your route.
If you have been to the highlands before, you’ll know that it is enormous and vast. Therefore, it is a life saver if someone else does the planning for you, so all you have to do is turn up and enjoy the day.
On tour, you will see iconic landmarks such as Ben Nevis and Stirling castle. Challenge each other to see if you can spot Loch Ness!
#7 Underground Walking Tour
Not for the faint-hearted, wander round under the grounds of Edinburgh city in the walking tour. Really immerse yourself in the history of the city and picture how the city was hundreds of years ago.
This is one of the best things in Edinburgh for couples because it is unique to the city. Lots of activities you get you can do in many cities across the world; however, you can only do this underground walking tour in Edinburgh,
It reveals the hardships of the city in the 18th Century and its gruesome and thankless past. You will be amazed at the city’s rich history tainted by disease and crime.
The tour’s highlight is the witchcraft temple with large stone circles, which holds several haunted stories. Hold on to your partner as you discover the dark history of Edinburgh in the underground world.
Don’t miss this side of Edinburgh as it is one that many slip past. This has to be Robyn’s top pick for one of the best things to do in Edinburgh for couples.
#8 Sunset at South Queensferry
The South Queensferry is on the shore of the infamous Forth Bridges. So, two tourist attractions in one!
The Forth Bridge is a railway bridge that is actually a UNESCO World Heritage site. There is a ferry crossing you can take where you can admire the bridge as you make your way to South Queensferry.
Or you can take a boat trip under the bridge and learn about all the wildlife that inhabits the area. This is great for couples that love water and architectural structure. Henry studied civil engineering at university, so a bridge like this would be really fascinating for him.
Again, this is out of the city centre and is an excellent option for couples looking for an activity that includes nature and water.
#9 The Milkman Cafe
Guilty, we are a sucker for a Pret subscription as we do love to treat ourselves to coffees. However, we love trying new coffee shops, especially ones with tasty treats.
When we learned about the Milkman, we had to mention it in this blog. The independent coffee shop is the perfect stop-off during your day of busy plans.
Treat your significant other to a croissant, cinnamon roll or choccy brownie alongside a tasty coffee. The ideal spot for couples exploring the city.
#10 The Witchery Restaurant and Hotel
Along with the Camera obscure, the Edinburgh castle and the scotch whiskey experience, you will also find the exquisite Witchery at the top of the Royal Mile.
For a proper traditional Scottish dining experience, you need to dine at the Witchery. Feel as though you have travelled back in time with the Edinburgh castle towering over you as you eat in the shadows of the royals.
The authentic ancient feel of the dining room enhanced by candlelit tables adds to the atmosphere of your surroundings.
Not only is the Witchery a fantastic fine dining experience it also offers immaculate suites to stay in. Suppose you are looking to impress your significant other on your romantic trip away. In that case, this is one of the best things you can do in Edinburgh for couples.
However, if you are looking for other restaurants, check out the scran and scallie, which we included in our top 10 most romantic cities in the UK blog.
Final Thoughts on The Best thing to do in Edinburgh for couples
If we haven’t convinced you about how great Edinburgh is for a break away with your partner, then the only thing to do is go and try it out for yourself!
Some of the best things to do in Edinburgh for couples are your preference and how you want to see the city. However, we really recommend the Loch Ness tour, the Edinburgh Castle and the Witchery for an all-over amazing experience.
After reading this blog, we hope there has been at least one thing that stood out for you to try, if not more. We will be going to Edinburgh ourselves soon and can’t wait to revisit some of the fantastic spots mentioned above.
Let us know if we have missed anything and whether you have tried any of our suggestions! Please get in contact to let us know.
