There’s Something for Everyone in Edinburgh

London may be the world-renowned capital of the UK and a major global financial artery, but for those not overly familiar with the UK's political and geographical set-up, prospective visitors are spoilt for choice for capital cities, with Belfast, Cardiff and Edinburgh all splendid cities in their own right.

Indeed, the latter of these is perhaps one of the finest cities in the world and one that any visitor will leave positively gushing with praise.

London has all the bells and whistles of any major conurbation. Edinburgh, on the other hand, may be more understated than its English counterpart, but one look at the Scottish capital's skyline from any one of the city's seven hills will take your breath away.

Edinburgh's jagged landscape, consisting of countless architectural forms from cathedrals and churches, to castles and palaces, is perhaps best viewed from Arthur's Seat, which offers a splendid 360 degrees panoramic view of the cityscape. The bottom of the hill is only a mile or so from the city centre and the hike isn't exactly tantamount to Everest, but the half-hour climb to the summit will probably leave you a little out of breath.

Arthur's Seat is an extinct volcano, consisting of rocky crags and basalt cliffs and rises to around 250 metres above the ground. The walk is worth it though, and the iconic edifice of Edinburgh Castle takes a starring role right in the centre of the skyline. The one thing you'll notice about the Edinburgh skyline is that there are no particularly tall buildings. It's not that Edinburgh is stuck in the dark ages, it's just that this has been a calculated attempt to preserve the celebrated cityscape that has seen both the old and new town districts of Edinburgh listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

The beauty of Edinburgh is that it is genuinely unique. There's a sense that it is a city like no other and given the main highlights are located within a few miles of each other across the Old Town and New Town, you can get to grips with the city in a long weekend. However, we must warn you - you'll wish you had longer.

It's these two aforementioned districts that make Edinburgh what it is. The ancient, winding streets and alleys of the Old Town are sandwiched in between Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace. This contrasts rather impressively with the gorgeous Georgian architecture and Greek-inspired neo-classical designs that are spread throughout the New Town. Indeed, the New Town has been dubbed 'The Athens of the North', which is certainly some comparison to be making.

If you only have a couple of days in Edinburgh, then the must-see sights would probably be the Royal Mile, Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh Castle and Scott's Monument. If you have more time or if you're on a return visit, then you should certainly check out some of the fine bars and eateries in Leith to the north of the city centre. Head to South Queensferry just outside the city, where you can cruise around the River Forth and gawp at the spectacular Forth Rail and Road Bridges.

After London, Edinburgh receives the most international visitors than any other town or city in the UK, with a total of 13 million tourists arriving in the city every year. So it goes without saying that hotels in Edinburgh are always in great demand. So book well in advance, and prepare to be dazzled by a city of history, culture and spectacular scenery.

Adam Singleton writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.