Tourism

"Edinburgh is one of the best-performing hotel markets in Europe, and we are delighted to increase our presence in this thriving market."

– Ashley Shaw, Chief Executive and Co-Founder,  Millemont Capital Partners

Edinburgh is a popular visitor destination due to the combination of majestic architecture and stunning natural scenery; a variety of leading visitor attractions; delicious cuisine and a vibrant nightlife; and a rich year-round cultural offering. The UK’s second most popular visitor destination (after London), in 2024 it received 5.048 million overnight visitors who stayed a total of 17.786 million nights in the city and spent a total of £2.565 billion.

In the year ending April 2026, Edinburgh’s hotel market recorded an average occupancy rate of 84.6%, the highest of any European market assessed by Savills. In the same period, RevPAR averaged £141. Demand for accomodation is forecast to increase by 3% per annum until 2040, triggering demand for around 700 new hotel, aparthotel, and serviced apartment rooms each year.

Edinburgh is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Old and New Towns and the Forth Bridge. The Old Town is the medieval heart of Edinburgh, characterised by its traditional layout with many characterful closes and wynds and a wide selection of historic buildings. The New Town is the masterplanned Georgian expansion of Edinburgh, known for its carefully laid out streets and classical architecture. The Forth Bridge - a 1.6 mile (2.5 kilometre) cantilever rail bridge - is a world-renowned masterpiece of civil engineering, linking Edinburgh with Fife and beyond to the Scottish Highlands. A new visitor centre, the Forth Bridge Experience, is currently under development in the historic village of South Queensferry on the outskirts of Edinburgh. 

"Edinburgh continues to sit steadfast at the top of our UK ranking as an attractive, safe and growth investment opportunity as a popular tourist destination."

– Leila Jiwnani, Head of Hospitality & Leisure Advisory, Deloitte

Edinburgh is home to a wide variety of visitor attractions ranging from historic monuments to interactive exhibitions. Among the popular attractions in Edinburgh are:

• Edinburgh Castle, a medieval castle overlooking the city centre which has played a key role in the history of Scotland, located upon Castle Rock at the top of the Royal Mile.
• The National Museum of Scotland, home to collections ranging from prehistoric remnants to cutting-edge technology.
• The Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of King Charles III, located at the foot of the Royal Mile. 
• The Scottish National Gallery, an international collection of fine art featuring works by renowned artsists such as Botticelli, Constable, Raphael, Rembrandt, and Titian, housed in two buildings overlooking Princes Street Gardens in the Old Town.
• Edinburgh Zoo, home to animals from around the world including penguins, sloths, rhinoceroses, giraffes, and giant pandas.
• The Scottish National Portrait Gallery, a collection of portraits of key figures from Scottish history, housed in an iconic red sandstone neo-gothic building in the New Town.
• St. Giles' Cathedral, a medieval church on the Royal Mile.
• The Royal Yacht Britannia, formerly the royal yacht of Queen Elizabeth II, now permanently berthed in Leith.
• The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, a large botanic garden featuring plants from around the world.
• Edinburgh Dungeon, an immersive experience bringing to life the darkest episodes in Edinburgh's history.
• The Johnnie Walker Experience, a flagship new visitor attraction showcasing Johnnie Walker whisky.
• The Museum of Edinburgh, a collection of artefacts from Edinburgh's lengthy history.

Each August, the world-renowned Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe feature a staggering number of performances including opera, music, theatre, dance, and stand-up comedy. The city is also known for its extravagent Christmas and Hogamany celebrations. Other festivals include the Edinburgh Art Festival, the Royal Highland Show, Edinburgh Science, the Edinburgh International Film Festival, and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. 

Alongside its Festivals, Edinburgh has a rich year-round cultural offering with the city hosting multiple music halls, theatres, exhibition centres, and independent cinemas. 

There is a wide range of visitor accommodation in Edinburgh, ranging from traditional inns and guesthouses to full-service five-star hotels. Global brands already represented in Edinburgh include Marriot, Hilton, Radisson, Accor, Virgin, Leonardo, and Rocco Forte Hotels (“The Balmoral”). The city is also home to multiple boutique luxury hotels such as the Gleneagles Townhouse, The Witchery, and MV Fingal, a floating hotel. Planned upcoming hotel openings include a Ruby hotel on Princes Street and a Hyatt Centric at Haymarket.

Edinburgh offers a rich variety of places to eat and drink, including several Michelin Star restaurants. Other nightlife attractions include casinos, clubs, and karaoke venues.

Edinburgh's tourism sector is supported by the city's strong connectivity, including air, rail, and cruise ship links.