The Royal Yacht Britannia in Leith celebrates the festive season as the world's top-rated attraction

Leith is home to an attraction that visitors from all over the world rate as the best anywhere. The Royal Yacht Britannia, Queen Elizabeth II's former royal residence, describes itself as the number one attraction in the world on Tripadvisor, with more than 19,000 five-star reviews.

Berthed at Ocean Drive in Leith, Britannia welcomes visitors aboard five highly accessible decks, with lifts to each level. It describes itself as an all-weather visit, with plenty of sea air between the decks. The tour is shared through audio guides in 36 languages, a junior audio guide, BSL and ASL tablets and Braille script, so as many people as possible can explore life aboard, from the royal apartments to the crew's quarters below decks. The yacht has also appeared on screen, with filming stories from productions including Downton Abbey and The Crown.

This year is the centenary of Queen Elizabeth II's birth, and Britannia is marking the festive season in style. Christmas decorations will sparkle on board from 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, and visitors can enjoy a festive cream tea with spiced scones in the Royal Deck Tearoom. On 12 and 13 December, special guided festive tours include exclusive access to the Engine Room and stories from a former royal butler, and on New Year's Eve guests can be piped aboard for a Hogmanay celebration.

The team behind Britannia also owns and operates Fingal, the floating hotel about ten minutes away, which this year was named Europe and Scotland's Leading Boutique Hotel at the World Travel Awards. Fingal hosts festive wreath-making workshops in its ballroom, and the two ships together make Leith's waterfront a destination in their own right.

After a visit, guests can apply for a free annual pass, which gives free admission for 12 months, making it easy for locals to return with visiting friends and family.

For a winter day out that is entirely under cover, with a dose of royal history and a scone at the end, it is hard to beat.

Tickets, Christmas events and Hogmanay details are on The Royal Yacht Britannia website.