Things to do on your second visit to Edinburgh
Wondering what to do in Edinburgh if you’ve visited before? Once you’ve explored Edinburgh Castle, walked the Royal Mile, wandered through the Old Town and ticked off some of the city’s best-known attractions, it’s not uncommon for returning visitors to ask us, “What else?”
If this is your first visit to Edinburgh, we’ve already put together plenty of ideas to help you get started:
- Where to Shop, Stay and Eat Around George Street, Edinburgh
- A Complete Guide of Things to See & Do in Edinburgh’s West End
- How to Spend a Day (or Two) in Edinburgh
- Secret Gardens and Hidden Parks in Edinburgh
- Great Stops and Things to See on Edinburgh’s Water of Leith Walkway
But what if you’ve already done all of those?
If this is your second, third or even fourth visit to Edinburgh, it’s time to widen the radius a little. There are whole neighbourhoods beyond the usual tourist routes that are worth giving an afternoon to, while some of the best days out are waiting just beyond the city itself.
So, if you’re wondering what to do in Edinburgh when you’ve visited before, this time we’re going a little further, from exploring more of the city’s neighbourhoods to escaping Edinburgh altogether for coastlines, islands, historic villages and some very easy day trips.
What should you do in Edinburgh if you’ve visited before?
This time, skip the sightseeing checklist. Pick a neighbourhood you’ve never properly explored, give yourself an excuse to spend an afternoon eating and shopping somewhere new, or go beyond Edinburgh for the day. Here are a few places we would put on the list …
Leith
Leith is one of the easiest parts of Edinburgh to explore from The Bonham. The West End tram stop is less than a ten-minute walk from the hotel, and from there you can take a tram straight down Leith Walk and get off at Foot of the Walk.
This end of Leith has become a real weekend favourite with Edinburgh locals, and it’s easy to spend a few hours dipping in and out of the independent businesses around the bottom of Leith Walk and Duke Street. Pick up something sweet from Krema Bakehouse, browse the shelves at Argonaut Books and Logan Malloch, or stop at FacePlant Foods for one of their plant-based grilled cheese sandwiches.
Just across the road you’ll find South Leith Parish Church and its beautiful kirkyard, while Trinity House offers a glimpse into Leith’s long maritime history.
From here, it’s only another five to ten minutes on foot to The Shore. With its colourful waterfront buildings lining the Water of Leith, this part of the neighbourhood has an almost Copenhagen feel to it, with plenty of places to stop for seafood, coffee or a drink. On Saturdays, you can also browse Leith Market.
One of our more recent favourites is Brown’s of Leith at 4-6 The Shore. Opened in 2025 inside the former George Brown & Sons Engineering Works, the building was home to engineers and metalworkers for more than 130 years. Today it’s a collaborative food, drink and creative space, bringing several independent businesses together under one roof while retaining much of the building’s industrial past.
Morningside
For a very different Edinburgh afternoon, head south to Morningside. This affluent residential neighbourhood has long been known for its independent shops, cafés and restaurants, but if you love vintage fashion, there’s another reason to visit.
Morningside Road has one of the best concentrations of charity shops in Edinburgh, and its location can make for some particularly good rummaging. You’ll find Shelter, Oxfam, British Heart Foundation, St Columba’s Hospice and plenty more along the same stretch. There’s never any guarantee what will be on the rails, of course, but that’s half the fun. Keep looking and you might just come across a designer label or brilliant vintage piece amongst it all.
There is also one of Edinburgh’s stranger photo stops hidden just off Morningside Road. Wild West is a tiny American frontier-style street built in the early 1990s, complete with wooden façades for a cantina, jail and general store. It was originally created to advertise a furniture business and, although it’s looking rather weathered these days, it’s still worth seeking out if you enjoy finding the slightly odder corners of a city.
BONHAM TEAM TIP: Sarah from our team loves Fourdish on Morningside Road for brunch. The menu is colourful and a little different, with poke bowls, sushi and house bakes such as Basque cheesecake. The drinks are just as fun, including iced lattes and their coffee teddy, a frozen coffee bear served in your glass that slowly melts into your drink.
What are the best day trips from Edinburgh?
South Queensferry and Inchcolm Island
South Queensferry is less than half an hour from central Edinburgh by train, but feels like a complete change of scene. The town sits right beneath the three Forth Bridges, including the unmistakable red Forth Bridge, and has a cobbled High Street with colourful, Instagrammable houses, small harbour, independent shops and plenty of places to stop for lunch overlooking the water.
It’s very easy to visit without a car. Trains from Edinburgh Waverley to Dalmeny take around 20 minutes, followed by a 15-minute walk down into South Queensferry. You can also take the number 43 bus from Princes Street.
If you’re visiting without a car, there are a few ways to make the trip. Trains from Edinburgh Waverley to Dalmeny take around 20 minutes, followed by a walk down into South Queensferry, or you can take the number 43 bus from the city centre.
For an even easier option, particularly if you want to see the Forth from the water, look at the sightseeing bus and boat tours that leave from central Edinburgh. The Three Bridges Bus and Boat Tour combines the journey out to South Queensferry with a cruise from Hawes Pier, taking much of the planning out of the day.
The boat trip takes you beneath the three Forth Bridges and out towards Inchcolm Island, with the chance to spot seals and seabirds along the way. If you want to actually set foot on Inchcolm, rather than simply cruise around it, check the ticket carefully when booking and choose an option that includes an island landing.
It’s well worth doing. Inchcolm is home to a remarkably well-preserved medieval abbey, as well as beaches, walking paths and remnants of the island’s First and Second World War defences. Give yourself enough time to explore before catching the boat back to South Queensferry.
A GOOD TO KNOW TIP FROM THE BONHAM TEAM: Allow a full day if you’re combining South Queensferry with an Inchcolm landing. If you’re short on time, South Queensferry works equally well on its own for a few hours, particularly if you want somewhere easy to reach from Edinburgh without hiring a car.
TEAM TIP 2: Make time for Dune Bakery. The counter is piled with huge, freshly made pastries and sandwiches, and the café has a beautiful spot looking out towards the Forth Bridges. On sunny weekends the best bakes can disappear quickly, so we’d recommend getting there early if you want the full choice.
Jupiter Artland
If you’ve already visited Edinburgh’s major galleries, Jupiter Artland offers something completely different. Set within 120 acres of countryside just outside the city, the contemporary sculpture park combines art, woodland and landscaped gardens, with works appearing as you make your way around the estate.
There isn’t a prescribed route to follow. Instead, you wander through the grounds discovering artworks along the way. Shows have included pieces from artists such as Tracey Emin, Ian Hamilton Finlay and Joana Vasconcelos. Allow around two hours to walk the full collection, although we’d leave longer if you want to stop for lunch or explore the galleries too.
It’s also possible to visit Jupiter Artland from Edinburgh without a car. The X27 Lothian Country bus runs from Edinburgh towards Bathgate and stops at Coxydene/Jupiter Artland. Alternatively, you can take the train to Kirknewton, although the station is around a 30-minute walk from the entrance, so the bus is likely to be the easier option for most visitors.
GOOD TO KNOW: Jupiter Artland is seasonal, so check opening dates before planning your trip. During its main 2026 season it is open seven days a week from April until October, with more limited opening in March.
North Berwick
For a day by the sea, North Berwick is one of our easiest recommendations. Regular trains run directly from Edinburgh Waverley, taking around 30 to 35 minutes, and once you arrive, almost everything you’ll want to see is within walking distance.
Start with a wander through the town centre, where the High Street has a good mix of independent shops, galleries and places to eat, before heading towards the harbour and West Beach. From the sand you’ll see the islands of the Firth of Forth, including the distinctive Bass Rock sitting just offshore.
The harbour is also home to the Scottish Seabird Centre, where you can learn more about the wildlife found along this stretch of coast or join one of its seasonal boat trips. If puffins are the main attraction, these are seasonal too, with the Seabird Centre recommending April to July for the best chance of seeing them.
If you’re making a full day of it, we’d also consider a trip out to Tantallon Castle. Around three miles east of North Berwick, this ruined 14th-century fortress sits right on the cliffs overlooking the Firth of Forth and Bass Rock. It was built by William Douglas in the mid-1300s and survived a succession of sieges before Oliver Cromwell’s army caused extensive damage in 1651.
You don’t need a car to get there either. The 120 bus runs between North Berwick and Tantallon Castle, with the journey taking around ten minutes. Alternatively, a taxi from town is a quick option. Check the return bus times before setting off, particularly if you’re visiting later in the day.
AN EXTRA BONHAM TEAM RECOMMENDATION FOR CASTLE LOVERS: Don’t leave North Berwick without stopping at Steampunk Coffee. The coffee is roasted right there in their old warehouse at Kirk Ports, a fantastic two-storey building that was originally a joiner’s workshop. Inside, there’s lots of wood, exposed brick and an old industrial feel, with the roastery itself forming part of the space.
Roslin and Rosslyn Chapel
Just seven miles south of Edinburgh, Roslin is another easy day trip that doesn’t require a car. Most visitors come for Rosslyn Chapel, but we’d give yourself enough time to explore beyond it too.
Founded in 1446, Rosslyn Chapel is famous for the extraordinary carvings that cover almost every surface. Its appearance in The Da Vinci Code brought it to a much wider audience, but you don’t need to know anything about the book or film to appreciate the craftsmanship inside – and its history very much pre-dates that!
Once you’ve visited the Chapel, don’t head straight back to Edinburgh. A ten-minute walk takes you down to Rosslyn Castle, the ancestral home of the St Clair family. The oldest parts date from the early 14th century and the ruins sit on a rocky promontory, crossed onto by a stone bridge with a dizzying sheer drop the path leading around the back of the castle below.
From here, you can continue into Roslin Glen. It’s worth noting here that some sections are steep, uneven and can get slippery, so sensible shoes are a good idea. The trodden path down from the bridge to the glen is not suitable for those with limited mobility. This area contains the largest surviving stretch of ancient woodland in Midlothian, with paths following the river through the trees. There are several routes to choose from, so you can add a short woodland walk or spend much longer exploring the Glen.
GETTING THERE WITHOUT A CAR: The easiest option from Edinburgh is the number 37 Lothian bus. Make sure you choose a service showing Penicuik/Deanburn via Roslin, as not every number 37 follows the same route. You can catch it from Princes Street or North Bridge, and the journey takes around 45 to 60 minutes. Get off at the Hotel stop in Roslin and Rosslyn Chapel is only a couple of minutes away on foot (look for the signs to Rosslyn Chapel car park.)
You can also take the Borders Railway from Edinburgh Waverley to Eskbank in around 18 minutes, but you’ll then need to connect with a bus or taxi to Roslin. For most visitors, we’d stick with the direct number 37.
What are some alternative things to do in Edinburgh?
If you want to stay in the city, there are plenty of ways to fill a day without returning to the usual sightseeing spots. This time, we’d look for something you can actually take part in, somewhere you’ve probably walked past before, or an experience that gives you a different side of Edinburgh.
- See the weavers at work at Dovecot Studios (and book a workshop if the dates line up.) Founded in 1912 and housed in a refurbished Victorian bathhouse in Edinburgh’s Old Town, visitors can look down from a public viewing gallery to watch master weavers and apprentices at work on large floor looms. Viewing times run from Monday- Friday:12pm–3pm and Saturday:10am–5pm.
The Studios hosts a great program of changing exhibitions focusing on textile art, fashion, craft, and modern design, alongside creative workshops that sell out fast. Visit the Dovecot Studios’ website.
- Make your own print at Edinburgh Printmakers. Edinburgh Printmakers is a creative centre that features art galleries, a shop selling original prints, a café, a courtyard, and a community garden. They host print events all year round, from beginner taster workshops to drink and paint evenings, and they offer 15% off the course price with Early Bird tickets.
Find all of the Edinburgh Printmaker Workshops here. - Visit Surgeons’ Hall Museum, for the stranger side of Edinburgh’s history.
Now an award winning Museum, the Surgeon’s Hall began as a teaching collection for medical students in the 17th century. Today, visitors can learn about 500 years of surgical progress, featuring antique tools, mock anatomy theatre, human specimens, and infamous artifacts from the grave robbers and murderers Burke and Hare. Visit the Surgeons’ Hall website. - Make your own chocolate bar at The Chocolatarium. This is a great activity for a rainy day, or for when you’re looking to fill a shorter gap of time. In their 90-minute workshop, you’ll see how chocolate is made and then create your own dream chocolate bar to take away choosing from 40 flavours in their Tasting Room.
Visit the Chocolatarium website.
Make The Bonham Hotel your base for exploring more of Edinburgh
The Bonham makes a handy base for your return visit to Edinburgh. We are tucked away on a quieter street in Edinburgh’s West End, but still within easy walking distance of Princes Street, Haymarket, bus stops and the West End tram stop, making it easy to head off for the day and come back to the hotel afterwards.