Hotels near Edinburgh Castle

Topping every list of things to do in Edinburgh, Edinburgh Castle sits on Castle Rock - the plug of an extinct volcano that has been fortified for at least nine centuries. The site has seen sieges by every army that wanted Scotland, from English kings to Jacobite rebels, and the views from the ramparts over Princes Street Gardens and the New Town are among the best in the city.

Inside the walls you can see the Honours of Scotland (the Crown Jewels, older than the English ones), the Stone of Destiny on which Scottish kings were crowned, and the tiny St Margaret's Chapel - the oldest building in Edinburgh, dating from the 12th century. The Great Hall and the Scottish National War Memorial are equally worth a slow walk through. The famous One O'Clock Gun fires from the half-moon battery every day except Sunday at exactly 1pm, a tradition since 1861.

Pro Tip: Buy your timed-entry ticket online from Historic Environment Scotland at least 48 hours ahead in summer - walk-ups frequently sell out by mid-morning. Arrive at opening (9:30am) to walk the ramparts before the cruise crowds.