Discover the top things to see and do in Edinburgh when Taylor Swift | Eras Tour is in town.
With over 200,000 Taylor Swift fans travelling to Edinburgh for the Eras Tour at the Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium for Scotland’s only Eras dates, we’re poised to welcome Swifties eager to explore the beauty of our historic city. Use our perfect Taylor-made itinerary to help you get the most out of your visit and discover Edinburgh’s best spots before and after the gig.
A few key points about the city:
- Always be prepared for light showers or rain – it can be a Cruel Summer in Edinburgh and even the brightest days can involve some rain.
- Be The Man and bring sensible shoes – while the city is very walkable and compact, we don’t recommend high heels on our historic cobblestones.
- Remember, you’ll be in densely populated areas with people moving through busy streets and busy lives. Please be mindful of local residents and dispose of rubbish in marked bins.
- Edinburgh is an accessible city, with a fantastic public transport service. Apps like Google Maps, CityMapper, Edinburgh Trams and Lothian Buses will show you how to get around the city, no Getaway Car needed. Find out more about public transport in Edinburgh.
- Make sure you have plenty of Blank Space on your phone – Edinburgh has plenty of TikTok-able and Insta-worthy spots, so ensure you have enough memory on your phone for the perfect picture. Long Live all the memories you’ll make!
- Edinburgh is a family-friendly city, offering something for visitors of all ages. Explore some of the city’s best kids activities in our Local Kids Guide to Edinburgh.
- Are you Ready for it? This will likely be a very busy weekend in the city – be prepared for places to be busier than normal. If eating out, make sure you book a table in advance to secure a space.
Welcome to Edinburgh, it’s been waiting for you!
Day 1: Friday 07 June. Exploring the Old Town
Morning
Start your day right with a delicious breakfast. Our top breakfast and brunch places in Edinburgh has some mouth-watering-suggestions. You’re going to need lots of energy for the 3 hour concert in the evening!
If this is your first time in Edinburgh You Need to Calm Down and have a look in the shops along the city’s historic Royal Mile. Bursting with a variety of Scottish gifts, you can browse and buy cashmere, tartan and whisky, or pick up some magic from one of Edinburgh’s Harry Potter shops.
Don’t miss the chance to go to Camera Obscura & World of Illusions. Dive into the colours and illusions from your Wildest Dreams by viewing the exclusive Taylor Swift exhibition Kaleidosphere. Please note, the building does not have a lift, but the team will do their best to accommodate any accessibility needs.
Afternoon
Edinburgh is full of Gorgeous lunchtime delights. Take a short walk to the lively Grassmarket neighbourhood where you’ll find bars and cafes like The Beehive Inn, Cold Town House and Hula Juice Bar.
If you’re as big a cat lover as Taylor, you can’t miss the sanctuary of cat cuddles, coffee and cake, that is Maison de Moggy, Scotland’s first cat café. Meet some friendly felines, including Ragdoll Amelie, who is the same breed as Taylor’s cat Benjamin Button. If you want other animal company while in the city, Edinburgh Zoo is home to over 2,500 incredible animals from around the world, while the Edinburgh Chihuahua Café is perfect for dog lovers.
To discover Edinburgh’s most famous furry resident, make your way through the Grassmarket, up Candlemaker Row and to Greyfriars Bobby statue. This honours the terrier dog who sat by his master’s grave for 14 years, before he himself died in 1872.
Get immersed in the history at the National Museum of Scotland. Free to visit (charges may apply for special exhibitions), spend your day exploring the museums vast array of exhibits, spanning art, design, science and technology. Their Find Out Fridays offer children the chance to deepen their museum experience through object handling, practical demonstrations or quick crafts.
If you’ve got time, don’t miss The Writers’ Museum, where you can find out all about members of Edinburgh’s Tortured Poets Department.
Evening
Feeling hungry? Head to one of Edinburgh’s fantastic street food markets for a choice of different cuisines. Walk towards St James Quarter to Bonnie and Wild or across the road to Edinburgh Street Food, where you’ll be spoiled for choice – the only Bad Blood you’ll have is deciding what to order.
Next, make your way to St Andrew Square and catch one of the frequent Edinburgh Trams (running every 7 minutes), transporting you straight to Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium. Alternatively, disembark at the Balgreen stop and walk the short distance to the stadium. Tickets must be purchased before boarding, either from the vending machines on platforms, via the mobile app or website. Edinburgh Trams are accessible to all, with high visibility handrails, passenger alert buttons signposted in Braille, dedicated disabled priority seats and low entrances throughout.
It’s almost showtime! Stay hydrated, fuelled up from the delicious food, and get ready to have the best night ever!
Night-time
Edinburgh has a vibrant bar scene waiting to be explored. Why not embark on our Taylored Taste Trail, stopping by one of one of the city’s bars to cap off the night with a delicious Taylor-themed cocktail?
Day 2: Saturday 08 June. Discovering the New Town and Holyrood Park
Morning
Kick off your day in Edinburgh’s New Town, home to a wonder of cafes, restaurants and bars. Don’t miss Dishoom’s iconic breakfast naan rolls or Knoops for an artisanal chocolate drink.
St James Quarter is the perfect shopping location, where you can discover everything from high street stores to luxury brands. Maybe you can even pick up something Eras themed to wear at the concert – cue the cowboy boots!
Afternoon
From here, Stockbridge is easily accessible by foot, wheels, or by bus. This neighbourhood is known for its artisanal food shops and cosy cafes. Enjoy a leisurely lunch at The Pantry, or treat yourself to cake for lunch at Mimi’s Bakehouse. Or check out Söderberg for delicious baked goods or Cowan and Sons for sweet and savoury delights.
From Stockbridge, you can either walk, wheel, take the bus or hire a bike from one of Edinburgh’s cycle hire shops to take you to your next stop – Holyrood Park. This green space has been part of Edinburgh’s dramatic landscape for centuries. Fearless explorers can climb Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano, for the city’s highest viewpoint, but don’t forget to wear sensible shoes. Alternatively, visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the King’s official residence in Edinburgh, to marvel at the regal state apartments and throne room. The majority of the Palace has step-free access but there may be some sections that require stairs.
Evening
Hop on the tram to Leith for dinner by the shore. With so many fantastic independent restaurants, bars and pubs it’s easy to see why it’s one of Europe’s coolest neighbourhoods.
Your vitamin D levels replenished, hop back on the tram and make your way to Murrayfield Stadium.
Night-time
No trip to Edinburgh is complete without tasting the best drinks Scotland has to offer – Irn Bru and whisky (just never together, like ever!). Take a look at our guide to bars and pubs in Edinburgh for some refreshing suggestions.
Day 3: Sunday 09 June. Immerse yourself in Edinburgh’s cultural heritage
Morning
If you fancy exploring a different neighbourhood, try some of the brunch options in Bruntsfield and Morningside. This popular area also has some fantastic charity shops – perfect for picking up some bargains.
Afternoon
Afterwards, delve into Edinburgh’s artistic heritage with a visit to the National Galleries of Scotland: National, where works by renowned artists like Rembrandt, Monet and Van Gogh await – all artists with a big Reputation.
After your gallery visit, take a leisurely stroll through Princes Street Gardens. There’s plenty of green space for children to run around, and also a play park at the west end.
Evening
As the evening approaches, make you way to the nearby West End to discover even more fantastic restaurants and bars, such as Indigo Yard, The Huxley, BABA Restaurant, Taco Libre and The Grosvenor.
With an all-day tram ticket in hand, hop on again for tonight’s concert at Murrayfield, marking Taylor’s final night in Edinburgh.
Night-time
If you’re still in the mood for some live music after the gig and in a post-concert Lavender Haze, Edinburgh has an eclectic live music scene. Visit the decadent Voodoo Rooms, or enjoy live music until the wee hours at the lively Irish themed bar, Finnegan’s Wake – hopefully there’ll be no Teardrops on My Guitar after the concerts end.
Day4: Monday 09 June. Unwind before travelling home
Morning / Afternoon
If you’re lucky enough to be staying in Edinburgh until Monday 09 June, treat yourself to a relaxing day after a jam-packed weekend. Pamper yourself at one of Edinburgh’s top spas, or if you’re still buzzing from the excitement of the weekend, why not pay a visit to one of the city’s top attractions, several of which are free to visit. Don’t forgot to take a look at our What’s on guide to discover other events, exhibitions, talks and festivals that are taking place in Edinburgh.
We’d love to see what all the Swifties get up to in Edinburgh over the weekend, so don’t forget to tag us in your social posts.
Forever Edinburgh’s social channels:
We hope you’ve loved your time in Edinburgh – we were Enchanted to meet you. Haste ye back!
Taylored Taste Trail
From cocktails to cupcakes, take a look at the local businesses offering Taylor-Swift inspired treats inspired by her iconic songs.