Edinburgh sits on the southern shores of The Firth of Forth, which connects eastern Scotland directly to the North Sea. The exciting capital covers 250 square kilometres from Portobello Beach in the north-east right down to the Pentland Hills.

Alba's first city is by far the best-connected when travelling by road in Scotland, with quick and easy access to the M8 in the direction of Glasgow, the A1 and the south, and the A90/M90 to Perth, Dundee and St Andrews.

The city bypass (A720) provides the easiest access into central Edinburgh, although plan some time in for the Sheriffhall Roundabout, which can become quite congested as the main access point to the A7 that connects the city to Carlisle.

When driving in the city, aside from the usual peak traffic times, you will find it a simple city to negotiate. When it comes to parking it is worth paying as on-street parking is limited due to resident-only permit zones, bus lanes, loading bays and City Car Club spots.

Part of Edinburgh's charm is driving around the two halves of this city – roads are winding and steep in the medieval Old Town, but wide, uniform and organised along a simple grid system in the New Town. As with any city centre driving, you may want to have a satnav with you, such as our Hertz NeverLost system that you can hire on booking your car.

It is also worth noting that Edinburgh Trams operate in the centre, connecting the centre such as Princes Street and York Place to the airport. Services operate throughout the day.

The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh have been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the unique blend of old-time charm and innovative town planning make Edinburgh one of the world's most popular tourist destinations.

Explore the history

Highlights of the Old Town include Edinburgh Castle, which affords a majestic view of the city from Castle Rock and attracts many visitors – over 1.3 million in 2011 – making it the most popular paid tourist hotspot in the country. The Royal Mile, which connects the Castle to Holyrood Palace, is made up of four distinct streets. It takes in Cannonball House, which has a cannon ball embedded in its wall (there are many theories about how it got there), St Giles Cathedral and the City Chambers.

From the vast Holyrood Park, which shares its history with the palace, you'll get the best access to Arthur's Seat, the 823ft high hill and dormant volcano that rises above the city. Stay in the park to explore its stunning 600 acres, which include various lochs and the ruins of St Anthony's Chapel.

In the New Town, the beautiful Georgian buildings have been preserved in and around Princes Street, Edinburgh's primary shopping destination and home to the city's famous Jennings department store, among others.

Enjoy the museums

The city is home to a number of national museums and galleries that cement the city's status as a worldwide leader of culture. The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art hosts one of the world's foremost collections of European surrealist art, while the Scottish National Gallery displays from over 96,000 works of arts at its location on The Mound. Alternatively, a visit to the Museum of Childhood makes for a light-hearted and nostalgic afternoon.

Festival Fun

Each and every August, Edinburgh gets festival fever as the world's foremost comedians and creatives descend on venues all over the city for a month-long engagement of art, music and entertainment. During this flamboyant celebration, you'll be part of something that's like nothing else you've ever experienced, as the city plays host to more than a staggering 3,000 different shows.

It's also at this time of year that you can marvel at the iconic Edinburgh institution that is the Tattoo, which showcases musicians and performers from around the world against the spectacular backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.

Beyond the city

When hiring a car in Edinburgh, the wider city area is well worth exploring. Venture to the waterside suburb of Leith, where you can follow in the footsteps of royalty and explore the Royal Yacht Britannia, which served Queen Elizabeth II for 40 years.

The breath-taking Lothian countryside offers a stark contrast to the thriving city. You will find peaceful woodland walks and some of Scotland's most beautiful scenery. Whatever your reason for visiting this dynamic city, with its majestic landscapes, stunning coastline and architectural masterpieces, it's clear why The Rough Guide named Edinburgh as one of the most beautiful cities in the world in 2015.