Rick Steves Says This Popular European Tourist Hotspot Is Worth Visiting For The History

There are scores of modern delights and attractions in European cities, but if you're a history buff, the continent can be an absolute treasure trove. One spot in particular is a must-visit for people exploring the past, and that's Edinburgh, Scotland. It's something travel pro Rick Steves knows well. On his website, he explains that Edinburgh is "a place of stunning vistas — nestled among craggy bluffs and studded with a prickly skyline of spires, towers, domes, and steeples. The city hums with life." He notes that this has been the center of the country for over 1,000 years, and there are plenty of places to visit that illustrate its fascinating past. 

Edinburgh's city center is less than 10 miles from the Edinburgh Airport, so you're close to the action. You can also get from the airport to the city center by train, bus, or taxi. That means you can land, drop off your bags at your hotel, and be inside the gorgeous Edinburgh Castle before lunch. You can hike to Arthur's Seat for some peace and quiet, see the famous 12th-century Lewis Chessmen at the National Museum of Scotland, stop at one of the oldest buildings on the Royal Mile while you shop, purchase some whisky, explore the 15th-century John Knox House, and so much more. Even better? Many attractions in Edinburgh are free to visit.

Edinburgh Castle looks like it belongs in an adventure tale. Rick Steves writes, "Over the centuries, this mighty fortress was home to many of Scotland's kings and queens. Today it's well worth touring to see the old buildings, stunning views, and crown jewels." The castle was once an Iron Age fort and survived several sieges. Queen Margaret lived (and died) here, as did her son, King David I, who built the castle's beautiful chapel for her. Mary, Queen of Scots, gave birth here to James VI, who later ruled over England as James I. You can see the Honours of Scotland, aka the crown jewels, the oldest in the country. The castle has also been a military base and a prison (and you can see a place where some prisoners escaped through a hole). Tickets for the castle are around $28 for adults at the time of this writing, and around $17 for kids. Book early, because they do sell out. 

Though Steves says that many distillery tours are in the Highlands of Scotland, he makes sure to stop at Cadenhead's. "[R]ight in the middle of the city, a visit to a fine whisky shop like Cadenhead's offers connoisseurs a chance to buy a small bottle filled directly from the cask of their choice," he shares. Steves goes there for a bottle to enjoy at his hotel. Make sure to also head to Dean Village, right inside the city, which feels like you've stepped into a 19th-century fairy tale with cobblestone streets, charming architecture, and green spaces. By the Water of Leith, this village is a great place to wander and look for stone plaques adorned with baked goods in honor of the milling that was once done here.

Rick Steves suggests wandering the Royal Mile down from the castle, and while it has lots of souvenir shops, the travel guru says, "Look closer and you'll notice narrow lanes leading to tiny squares, where you'll find a few rough edges surviving from the area's medieval heyday. Altogether it's one of Europe's best sightseeing walks." This hotspot of the 17th century has lots of hidden gems like Gladstone's Land, a tenement building purchased by a merchant in 1617 that gives you a look at what life was like for ordinary people in Edinburgh. It's one of the oldest buildings on the Mile, and you can visit for around $15 for adults, with pricing for kids and families. It has both self-guided and guided tours, as well as an ice cream parlor and coffee shop. 

Also on the Royal Mile is the 1470 home of John Knox, a pivotal player in the Scottish Reformation. It's around $9 to get in and learn all about what took place during that fraught time. The museums on the Mile are fantastic as well. The People's Story Museum, located in the 1591 Canongate Tollbooth, is free and has artifacts, tableaux, and tales of the people who lived and worked in the city. The free Museum of Edinburgh has even more with a costume gallery, crafts from all over the country, and insights into the history of the city. Both of these museums are open from Wednesday through Sunday. A little way from the Royal Mile, the National Museum of Scotland is also free, and you can see the Lewis Chessmen and even Dolly the cloned sheep.

If you want a gorgeous view, hike the 2.7-mile loop to the top of Arthur's Seat right in the city's Holyrood Park, and contemplate its sleeping dragon legend. The trek is fairly steep, and you'll need good hiking shoes, as it can be slippery and muddy if it rains. It's close to Holyroodhouse Palace, also inside the park. This is where the British monarch lives when in Edinburgh, and you can visit for around $29 per adult, if you get tickets in advance. Admission includes the remnants of Holyrood Abbey from the 12th century, the palace, and the gardens. You'll see the rich furnishings of the State Apartments; the Royal Dining Room; the Throne Room; and even where Mary, Queen of Scots, lived for a number of years.

If you have a car with you, it's worth taking a day trip to nearby Roslin, which is less than 8 miles away. Not only is Roslin a lovely and scenic village to explore, but it's the home of the ornately decorated Rosslyn Chapel, founded in 1446. It has to be seen to be believed, though you may know of it if you've read Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code." It's roughly $15 for entry, with discounts for seniors, kids, students, and other select groups. You can also take a bus from the Edinburgh city center with a short walk to the chapel, or take the train from Edinburgh Waverley Station to Eskbank Station. Finally, while you're in the area, Rick Steves says that Glasgow is the most underrated destination in all Scotland, so it's worth the hour-long drive west to check it out.