I'm an American living in Edinburgh. Here are 6 of my favorite underrated places to explore.

• I’ve loved living in Edinburgh and exploring popular tourist destinations, like Arthur’s Seat.
• But over the years, I’ve curated a list of underrated recommendations, too, like Cramond Island.

In addition to Arthur’s Seat, I recommend hiking the nearby Pentland Hills and Blackford Hill.

I recommend wandering through Old Town’s ancient closes and underground vaults.

The history of both the vaults and closes offers a haunting glimpse into Edinburgh’s layered and often overlooked past — one I believe is worth exploring.

This story was originally published on November 26, 2025, and most recently updated on August 27, 2026.