Tourists guide to impressive Edinburgh buildings

Tourists guide to impressive Edinburgh buildings, Scottish capital architecture design, Scotland travel tips

Tourists Guide to Impressive Buildings in Edinburgh, Scotland

2 April 2022

Edinburgh is a city that is famed for its architecture. When you are wandering the steep cobbled streets, you’re likely to get distracted from the various historical buildings lining the road. Some are joyful and come in rainbow colours, like on The Royal Mile, and others are standing moments of history that look like something from a fantasy epic.

It’s not hard to run into someone with a tripod, for example. And no wonder when even football stadiums attract onlookers. If you’re a football fan it’s not one to miss. And you can take your football predictions with you by clicking on the link.

If you’re looking for the best architectural spots in Scotland’s capital, look no further. Take a look at our picks for the most impressive architecture in Edinburgh.

Tourists guide to impressive Edinburgh buildings

A Tourists Guide to the Most Impressive Buildings in Edinburgh

Easter Road Football Stadium

The home of Hibs Football Club, the Easter Road football stadium is the fifth largest football club in Scotland and often fills its over 20,000 seats. It’s a favourite of football fans across Scotland, holding the record for the highest attendance outside Glasgow.

The stadium gets regular visits from football and music fans, who head to Easter Road for all the latest shows whenever there isn’t a game on.

If you’re looking to visit for yourself, you can grab a ticket and catch a game, or even see a Queen tribute night straight from the London West End.

Scottish National Gallery

Aside from a select few, the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art is definitely one of the grandest buildings in Edinburgh.

Glasgow, recently, has become known for its extensive collection of street art and murals that pop up under bridges and down alleyways. Edinburgh is severely lacking in such art pieces, most likely because just about every building in the city is considered a historical artifact. But that doesn’t mean it’s devoid of art.

In fact, some of the most important and impressive artworks collected in the country are on display at the Scottish National Gallery. The high ceiling rooms are piled to the top with works from every genre through history.

Once you get outside, things are even more impressive. You could almost say the building – and the view – are a work of art in themselves. The wide building has its distinctive columns and Parthenon entrance, which looks out over Princes Street Gardens, which hosts its own impressive piece of architecture in the form of the Victorian Gothic Scott Monument.

Scottish Poetry Library

The Scottish Poetry library proves that us Scots aren’t entirely stuck in the past. It stands out amongst Old Town, (yes, really) as a modern example of the brilliance of Edinburgh architecture.

It has a combination of wood, steel, and large glass windows that offers a unique experience in a city steeped in history. And that’s all before you’ve even entered.

It is a particular favourite of book lovers, as its cosy library offers a range of reading opportunities. Being only one of three poetry houses in the world to have a library of its size, you will not be short of material.

Not only does it offer poetry through the ages, including in traditional Scots language, but also a range of events to take part in, and a cosy space to read as much as you wish.

Edinburgh Castle

And then there is what you will see people trekking up the Royal Mile to admire. There is nothing quite as stunning as seeing Edinburgh Castle sitting atop The Mound, overlooking its city.

Taking a tour is like wandering around days of the past, where you will find artifacts of past royalty and the grandeur of royal living dripping from every room.

A favourite spot to see the castle is in fact on Princess Street. If you visit the cafe on the second floor of Waterstones you will have undisturbed views of the castle behind the greens of Princes Gardens, the bustling citizens of the high street, and a coffee and book nearby for your people watching experience.

Comments on this Tourists guide to impressive Edinburgh buildings article are welcome.

Architecture

St James Quarter Edinburgh
St James Quarter Edinburgh
image of the development
St James Quarter

Moxy Hotel Fountainbridge
Moxy Hotel Fountainbridge Edinburgh
image courtesy of architects practice
Moxy Hotel Fountainbridge

Comments / photos for the Tourists guide to impressive Edinburgh buildings advice page welcome