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Missed the Fringe? Panic not – our pick of the best things to do in Edinburgh brims with year-round delights

You probably know Edinburgh as home to the Fringe, the world’s largest arts festival. For three weeks every August, this citywide mega-jamboree involves thousands of plays, stand-up, live music and literary events cropping up all over town. The fun, feverish, slightly chaotic atmosphere makes this quite easily the best time to visit, but we must say the bustling Edinburgh restaurant scene and its vast array of hard-to-beat pubs make it an excellent, exhilarating year-round destination, too – especially if you’re into your food and drink.

And boy, that scenery. The Scottish capital isn’t known as ‘the Athens of the North’ for nothing. The rugged surrounding landscape and particularly Arthur’s Seat – a volcano, fortunately extinct – make it a prime spot for urban exploration, with winding alleys, hill-top landmarks and all that surrounding woodland creating picture-postcard views everywhere you turn. It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say Edinburgh’s a photographer’s dream, and quite possibly the most beautiful city in the UK.

So, planning a holiday here and need some inspiration? Here’s what you should get up to next time you’re in town: 20 things to do in Edinburgh you simply have to tick off. Just don’t forget to take some pics.

Done something on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutDoList and tag @TimeOutEverywhere. You can also find out more about how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world.