Edinburgh Offers History and Haggis on the Cheap

Genteel Edinburgh would never want to boast — but its tea, scones and palatial history is every bit as enthralling as London's — and can be had for a fraction of the price and at a much more leisurely pace.

A crowd gather to watch the unveiling of a 10ft bronze statue of Scottish economist, philosopher and...

A crowd gather to watch the unveiling of a 10ft bronze statue of Scottish economist, philosopher and author Adam Smith (1723-1790) at the Royal Mile on July 4, 2008 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Genteel Edinburgh would never want to boast but its tea, scones and palatial history is every bit as enthralling as London's and can be had for a fraction of the price and at a much more leisurely pace.

(Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

As a bonus, this Georgian gem is small and endlessly walkable with history along every cobblestone street.

GETTING AROUND: Walking is the best way to see Edinburgh. With streets like the Royal Mile, which stretches from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to Edinburgh Castle, tourists can amble from site to site and soak up the history along the way. The castle, perched high, is a good landmark for finding your way, viewable from many points within the city.

The terrain is hilly. After all, the 100-square-mile city is built on volcanic crags. It's easy to get lost among the winding streets and alleyways, but that's all part of Edinburgh's charm.

If time is short, or if you want to see some of the city from the height of a double-decker tour bus, hop on. The local bus system, Lothian Buses, offers single one-way tickets for $2 (1.2 pounds) or unlimited one-day travel for $5 (3 pounds), and goes throughout the city; http://lothianbuses.com/.

If you want to learn some history on your travels, check out Edinburgh Bus tours. They have four bus lines, each featuring a different colored bus, that hit all the major tourist stops, either with recorded or live guides. Day passes can be bought outside Waverly Rail Station starting at $25 (15 pounds) for all four lines, or two days plus a boat cruise along the Firth of Forth for $40 (24 pounds).

You can even get a two-day pass with entry to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Castle and the Queen's yacht, Britannia, for $64.25 (38.50 pounds). The price is steep but if you visit all three sites (which cost $55 or 33 pounds alone), you end up saving enough money to treat yourself to afternoon tea.

And hang onto your tickets. They offer discounts at attractions like the Royal Botanic Garden and the Scottish Whiskey Experience, where you can ride in a whiskey barrel. Details can be had at: http://www.edinburghtour.com/.

HISTORIC SITES AND MUSEUMS: Edinburgh's central area is so rich in history that it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The organization cited the architecture and juxtaposition of the Old Town, which dates to medieval times, with winding streets and alleys, and the New Town, steeped in stately Georgian architecture.