Its most recognizable landmark, Edinburgh's Castle towers atop a volcanic crag, its stone walls seemingly a natural extension of the steep rock below. It has been a royal residence, a military stronghold and a merciless prison. Meandering down the hill, the cobbled Royal Mile is a collection of streets and squares peppered with Edinburgh's most historic buildings, including St. Giles Cathedral, parts of which are nearly 1,000 years old. The road ends at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the city's second famous manor, once home to Mary, Queen of Scots. On the Palace's grounds is an ancient Augustinian Abbey where the Queen's two marriages were held, and Arthur's Seat is the city's highest point.

As the country's capital, Edinburgh protects its most important artifacts. The National Galleries of Scotland exhibit more than 20,000 pieces of European paintings and sculpture, and the Royal Museum of Scotland traces the country's history from millions of years ago. Attracting thousands of visitors yearly, the Edinburgh International Festival showcases the arts, illustrating the city's ability to inspire and sustain the human spirit.