Day two swaps the Old Town crowds for Edinburgh’s villages and its wild green heart. You start with breakfast by the water in Leith or among the boutiques of Stockbridge, wander the Water of Leith to fairytale Dean Village, then finish with the climb up Arthur’s Seat for the best free view in the city.
There is a natural fork at the start: seaside Leith or genteel Stockbridge. Both flow into the same afternoon along the river and through Holyrood, so pick whichever suits your mood and save the other for next time.
Breakfast in Leith
Leith Walk runs from the city centre down to the Foot of the Walk and the old port, now one of Edinburgh’s best eating quarters. Start with a proper feed: Nobles does a hearty full Scottish, while The Kings Wharf is the spot for eggs Benedict. Time it for a Saturday and you can browse Leith Farmers’ Market afterwards.
The Shore & the Waterfront
Walk it off along The Shore, the prettiest stretch of Leith, where the Water of Leith meets the harbour and old warehouses have become bars and seafood restaurants. Nearby sits the Royal Yacht Britannia, the retired royal ship you can tour from the Ocean Terminal, and a clutch of distilleries have opened along the waterfront.
Whisky and gin fans should factor in the Port of Leith Distillery, whose vertical tower gives you a tasting with a view over the Forth.
Alternative Start: Stockbridge
Prefer boutiques to boats? Begin in Stockbridge instead, a village-like corner of the New Town with independent shops, brunch spots, beer gardens and one of the city’s most photogenic streets. The Stockbridge Market runs on Sundays, and the colonies of pastel cottages and the bridge over the Water of Leith are among the most photographed spots in Edinburgh.
Dean Village
Follow the Water of Leith walkway southwest and you reach Dean Village, a pocket of restored millers’ housing tucked in a gorge below the city. It looks centuries removed from the streets just above it, and the view from Dean Bridge and the riverside path is one of Edinburgh’s signature photographs. It is small, so it fits neatly between Stockbridge and the New Town.
Princes Street Gardens
Cut back toward the centre through Princes Street Gardens, the sunken park in the valley below the Castle where the old Nor Loch once sat. It is the city’s front garden: the Scott Monument, the Ross Fountain and Castle views make it a good place to sit with a coffee before the afternoon’s climb.
Canongate & Holyrood
Rejoin the foot of the Royal Mile at Canongate, the lower, quieter stretch that runs down to the Scottish Parliament and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Holyrood Palace is the King’s official residence in Scotland; you can tour the state apartments and the ruined abbey when the royal family is not in residence.
Hike Arthur’s Seat & Salisbury Crags
End the day where the city turns wild. Holyrood Park rises straight from the Palace gates, and the path up Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano, delivers a 360-degree panorama over Edinburgh, the Forth and out to Fife. If you are short on time or energy, the lower Salisbury Crags walk gives you most of the view for half the climb.
- Allow 1.5-2 hours return for Arthur’s Seat at an easy pace
- Salisbury Crags is a flatter, shorter alternative with big views
- Wear proper shoes; the paths are rocky and exposed to wind
- Go near sunset for the best light over the city
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I choose Leith or Stockbridge for Day 2?
Both work and both lead into the same riverside afternoon. Choose Leith for seafood, the waterfront and the Royal Yacht Britannia; choose Stockbridge for boutiques, brunch and the Sunday market. If you have a third day, do one each.
How hard is the Arthur’s Seat hike?
It is a moderate walk rather than a technical climb, taking most people 1.5 to 2 hours return. The gentler Salisbury Crags route gives similar views with less effort. Wear grippy shoes and a windproof layer, as the summit is exposed.
Is Dean Village worth the detour?
Yes. It is one of the most photogenic corners of Edinburgh and sits right on the Water of Leith walkway between Stockbridge and the centre, so it barely adds any distance to Day 2. It is small, so 20-30 minutes is enough.
