More than kilts and bagpipes: 10 tips for Edinburgh

In August the Festival Fringe transforms the city into a huge theatre for stand-up comedy, acrobatics and performances. At 300 venues, the focus is on the unusual and controversial. Established in 1947 as an alternative to the International Festival, the Fringe is now the biggest attraction among all the 12 festivals in Edinburgh.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is one of the festivities that take place in August, with Edinburgh Castle, Scotland's most-visited castle, as a striking backdrop. The extravaganza marked by kilts and bagpipes is led by the Royal Regiment of Scotland. The highlight is the Massed Pipes and Drums. The event is crowned by a fireworks display above the iconic fortress

Not only is the medieval fortified castle a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the New Town, which dates from the 18th century, has also been one since 1995. It is home to neoclassical buildings such as the National Gallery (center), which exhibits artistic masterpieces from Rembrandt to Monet. Climbing the 61-meter Scott Monument (right) rewards you with a panoramic view of the Old and New Towns.

No trip to Edinburgh would be complete without visiting the official residence of the British royal family in Scotland The Palace of Holyroodhouse. The state apartments of the present monarch and the historical apartments of Mary, Queen of Scots can be viewed almost all year long. Make sure you take a look at the futuristic parliament building opposite it.

In front of Holyrood Palace the Royal Mile begins, a series of cobblestone streets nearly two kilometers in length. It leads past Edinburgh's oldest church, St. Giles' Cathedral (right) up to Edinburgh Castle. Deep below the grand buildings and small side streets lies a maze of subterranean alleyways in which the poorest of the poor lived until the 18th century.

Once a market for livestock and horse trading and a place of public executions, the Grassmarket, with its pubs, restaurants and cafes, is now a popular meeting place. There is a vegan market every Saturday. J.K. Rowling is said to have worked on what became her Harry Potter series in one of the many cafes, deriving inspiration from a view of the castle and a nearby private school.

The fact that dogs are welcome in many pubs, cafes and hotels here might have something to do with this one: Bobby, the Skye terrier who faithfully guarded his master's grave. A small statue of a dog stands at the entrance to the old graveyard Greyfriars Kirkyard as a reminder of him. Rubbing its nose is said to bring good luck.

Blood-drenched history and Art Nouveau design, science and engineering skill — in the National Museum of Scotland, all that is typically Scottish has its place. That includes what must be the world's best-known sheep, Dolly, the first mammal cloned from an adult cell. And if you climb up to this universal museum's roof, you'll enjoy one of the best views of Edinburgh Castle.

Portobello Beach, with its two miles of fine sand on the Firth of Forth, is Edinburgh's bathing paradise. cafes, pubs, food vans and restaurants line the promenade. The Victorian houses add to the nostalgic charm of this 19th century seaside suburb.

Art made of animal bones on the wall and an adjustable operating table in the bar — what once housed Edinburgh University's veterinary school is now a hip events venue. Even when the Festival Fringe isn't running, it hosts comedy, exhibitions, live music and dance courses. The gin at the bar comes from its own distillery. So here's to your health — or as the Scots say: Slàinte Mhath!