Edinburgh is revered as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, and it’s not hard to see why. The majestic Edinburgh Castle towers above the city, fringed by soaring landmarks like Salisbury Crags and Calton Hill. With a rich history of culture, art, literature, philosophy and science, it’s easy to see how Edinburgh earned its “Athens of the North” nickname.

The enchanting Old Town charms visitors with its cobblestone streets, medieval tenements and picturesque Royal Mile that serves as a grand thoroughfare to the castle. After dark, “Auld Reekie” comes alive with cavernous bars, crowded pubs and live music. Across Princes Street Gardens is the elegant New Town. Anchored by bustling Princes Street, the district is home to magnificent Georgian facades, a stylish nightlife scene and a myriad of upscale hotels, restaurants, bars and boutiques.

Within the UK, most visitors arrive via Edinburgh’s Waverley Train Station which is located in the heart of the city. The airport is a short 30-minute drive from the city centre, with transport options including taxis, a tram and an airport shuttle. Once in the city, the best way to explore Edinburgh is on foot. The city is amazingly walkable, and stumbling across hidden alleyways, courtyards and staircases are all part of the fun.

Plenty have tried to capture Edinburgh’s beauty over the centuries, but no one says it better than Scottish poet Robert Louis Stevenson, who described the city as “a dream in masonry and living rock.” It’s also famous for being the birthplace of Harry Potter, with author J.K Rowling jotting down chapters at a tiny Old Town café.