Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Ancient sites near Edinburgh
2 archaeological and heritage sites within 800 km of Edinburgh, closest first. Distances are straight-line (“as the crow flies”); road journeys are longer.
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344km
Skara Brae
United Kingdom · c. 3180–2500 BCE · UNESCO
Stone beds, dressers and hearths in Neolithic houses revealed by a storm in 1850.
Nearest town: Stromness
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538km
Stonehenge
United Kingdom · c. 3000–1500 BCE · UNESCO
Built and rebuilt over many centuries, with stones hauled from as far away as Wales.
Nearest town: Salisbury
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1,250km
Lascaux Cave
France · c. 17,000 years ago · UNESCO
Some of the finest Palaeolithic cave art ever found — seen today through a full-scale replica.
Nearest town: Montignac
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2,123km
Pompeii
Italy · destroyed 79 CE · UNESCO
Streets, houses, shops and graffiti preserved under volcanic ash in 79 CE.
Nearest town: Naples
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2,824km
Acropolis of Athens
Greece · 5th c. BCE · UNESCO
Temples built under Pericles that became a symbol of classical Greece.
Nearest town: Athens
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3,141km
Knossos
Greece · c. 1900–1350 BCE · UNESCO
A sprawling Bronze Age palace complex linked to the legend of the Labyrinth.
Nearest town: Heraklion
Day trips and distances from Edinburgh
What is the closest ancient site to Edinburgh?
Skara Brae in United Kingdom is about 344 km from Edinburgh in a straight line; the nearest town is Stromness.