Quick answerEdinburgh is a city in the United Kingdom, with 531,370 people inside the city limits in 2025. The wider metropolitan area had about 0.9 million people in 2025. It is best known for the Edinburgh Castle, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Old and New Towns (UNESCO). Its official language is English, and its currency is the Pound sterling.
Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and the second-largest city in Scotland, with 531,370 residents in 2025. It stands on the south shore of the Firth of Forth in south-east Scotland. The city is known for its castle, its Georgian New Town and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Key facts
| Country | United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Population (city) | 531,370 (2025) |
| Population (metro) | 912,490 (2025) · OECD functional urban area, 2020 |
| Time zone | Europe/London |
| Language | English |
| Currency | Pound sterling (GBP, £) |
| Coordinates | 55.9533° N, 3.1892° W |
Overview
Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and one of its 32 council areas. It stands on the south shore of the Firth of Forth in south-east Scotland, between the Pentland Hills and the sea. The city grew around Castle Rock, where Edinburgh Castle stands, and it has been recognised as the capital of Scotland since at least the 15th century. Its Old Town, with the Royal Mile running down from the castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and its Georgian New Town are together a UNESCO World Heritage site.
About 531,000 people lived in Edinburgh in 2025, and about 912,000 in its wider metropolitan area. The city is the seat of the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government, and of Scotland's highest courts. It is also Scotland's financial centre, and it is home to the University of Edinburgh, founded in 1582, and to three other universities.
Edinburgh is known around the world for its festivals. The Edinburgh International Festival and the Fringe, the world's largest arts festival, fill the city every August, along with the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. The city's Hogmanay street party is one of the world's great New Year celebrations. Arthur's Seat, the extinct volcano in Holyrood Park, offers the best view over the city and the Forth.
What Edinburgh is known for
- Edinburgh Castle
- Edinburgh Festival Fringe
- Old and New Towns (UNESCO)
- Scottish Parliament
- Arthur's Seat
Landmarks
- Edinburgh Castle
- Palace of Holyroodhouse
- Royal Mile
- St Giles' Cathedral
- Arthur's Seat
- National Museum of Scotland
- Scott Monument
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Edinburgh?
Edinburgh had 531,370 residents in 2025, according to the Office for National Statistics, making it the second-largest city in Scotland after Glasgow. Its wider metropolitan area had 912,490 people in 2020. The council area includes outlying towns and villages as well as the city itself.
What is Edinburgh famous for?
Edinburgh is famous for its castle, which stands on Castle Rock above the city, and for the Royal Mile, the street that runs down to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. It is also known for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world's largest arts festival, and for its Old Town and Georgian New Town, both UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Where is Edinburgh located?
Edinburgh is in south-east Scotland, on the south shore of the Firth of Forth. It is the capital of Scotland, not of the United Kingdom — London is the capital of the UK, and Edinburgh is the seat of the Scottish Parliament and Government. Its coordinates are 55.95° N, 3.19° W, and its time zone is Greenwich Mean Time.
Quick quiz
Three questions from the facts on this page. No sign-up, no score is saved.
Keep exploring
- United Kingdom — the country Edinburgh is in
- London — another city in the United Kingdom
- Birmingham — another city in the United Kingdom
- Manchester — another city in the United Kingdom
- Charles Darwin — English science figure
- Isaac Newton — English science figure
- All cities in the United Kingdom
- All countries — the full list
Sources & last updated
Last updated: . Figures are shown with their year; where sources disagree, the value is left out rather than estimated.