Cheap Flights to Edinburgh (EDI) from UK Airports

Edinburgh has a long and colourful history stretching back to 617AD

Edinburgh is a great destination for a holiday. The capital city of Scotland is steeped in history and each year it hosts a fantastic menu of events and festivals, including the International Science Festival, the Film Festival and the world famous Edinburgh Festival, which includes jazz, book and fringe events. For those who can stay that bit longer, Edinburgh also makes a great base for touring the Highlands.

Flights to Edinburgh are offered by a number of airlines. Budget airlines such as EasyJet or BmiBaby offer cheap flights to Edinburgh. New Year is a big event in Scotland so if you want to visit Edinburgh during this period book early.

Edinburgh has a long and colourful history stretching back to 617AD when Edwin of Deira fortified the castle rock. Some of the buildings painted by 17th and 18th century artists or photographed by mid 19th century photographers can still be seen today. Visitors booking flights to Edinburgh should make a point of visiting Edinburgh Castle upon their arrival - it is a must for any trip to Scotland. First constructed in the 12th century the fortress sits on an extinct volcano and is one of the most breathtaking parts of the city skyline. Along with impressive views of the city visitors can explore the rooms, chapels and compartments of the fortress. Other attractions include the Scott Monument, which celebrates one of Scotland's most famous national poets, Sir Walter Scott. Visitors can climb the 287 steps to the top of the monument for impressive views of the surrounding area. Holyrood House is the official residence of the Queen when she visits Scotland and visitors can take guided tours around the palace and visit the gallery.

Arthur's Seat and the Salisbury Crags in the heart of the city of Edinburgh were both formed by an extinct volcano. The surrounding hills, cliffs and lochs make up Holyrood Park, which offers walking opportunities within the city. Arthur's Seat, at 251m, is the highest point in Edinburgh.

The National Gallery of Scotland is housed in a striking neoclassical building. It frequently hosts temporary exhibitions and its permanent collection includes a number of works by Van Gogh and Da Vinci, as well as Scottish artists. The City Art Centre was originally the home of the Scotsman newspaper, but today it is a gallery, which holds exhibitions that are modern, populist and fun, ranging from Star Trek to modern photography. Our Dynamic Earth is popular with families and teaches visitors about the formation of the Earth. Learn about survival in the Arctic or fascinating facts about the oceans of the world.

Edinburgh's long history is filled with heroes and villains. The City of the Dead tour is a fun way of exploring the darker side of the city's history, including the infamous Mackenzie Poltergeist. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, guided tours around the city can be both informative and great fun.

Pubs can be found everywhere in Edinburgh and range from stylish modern bars to traditional historical taverns. The Bow Bar, in the Old Town, is a lovely old pub whose walls are decorated with old advertising mirrors and it sells real ales. The Canny Man has a highly unusual bric-a-brac décor and serves an impressive selection of whiskies, whilst the Oxford Bar is an essential stop for fans of Ian Rankin. Edinburgh also has many clubs, offering everything from house to disco or for a more traditional evening head to Sandy Bell's, at the weekend, for live Scottish folk music. The city also has a number of theatres, some of which feature exciting and original work by contemporary Scottish playwrights, whilst others feature more traditional productions. The Queen's Hall is Edinburgh's top venue for Chamber music as well as world and folk music events.

Shoppers can find everything from designer labels to high street favourites to more quirky items. Princes Street is the main shopping area, but the West End, Stockbridge and Bruntsfield offer ideal hunting grounds for more unique items. Browse through the second-hand shops and galleries of Stockbridge to find something unusual or for everything hip head to Bruntsfield. For Scottish souvenirs, head to the Grassmarket, where visitors can browse through some of Edinburgh's most quirky shops or relax at one of the many pavement cafes, bars or restaurants and watch the world go by.

Edinburgh has many restaurants and cafes, ranging from the budget to high-end dining. Visitors can choose from modern Scottish or ethnic cuisines such as Indian, Chinese, Middle Eastern and a range of others.