Florence Pugh has a nomination for the eighth wonder of the world, and it is not a remote island or a glittering resort. In a recent travel interview, the British actress championed Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh, the ancient volcanic hill that rises above the Scottish capital and can be seen from streets across the city.
Her choice has struck a chord with travellers because it is both grand and accessible. Arthur’s Seat sits in Holyrood Park, close to the city centre, yet from its summit the view opens out over Edinburgh Castle, the Old Town rooftops, the Firth of Forth and, on a clear day, far beyond. For Pugh, part of the appeal is the ritual itself: the climb, the pause at the top to catch her breath and enjoy a snack, and then the walk back down in search of a good pint.
Why Arthur’s Seat Feels Like a Wonder
Unlike the classic seven wonders, which are often defined by scale and antiquity, Arthur’s Seat earns its affection in a different way. It is woven into everyday life in Edinburgh. Locals walk dogs on its lower slopes before work, students picnic on its grass in summer, and visitors discover that a capital city can contain a genuinely wild-feeling landscape only a short stroll from its main station.
Geologists trace the hill to volcanic activity hundreds of millions of years ago, and its craggy silhouette has shaped how Edinburgh grew around it. That long history, combined with the changing Scottish light, means the hill rarely looks the same twice. Morning mist, bright midday sun and a golden evening glow each give the summit a different character, which helps explain why it keeps drawing people back.
The full interview, in which Pugh shares her favourite places and travel habits, was published by Condé Nast Traveler, and it has quickly become part of a wider conversation about which modern places deserve wonder status.
A Traveller Who Prefers the Sun Lounger
Perhaps the most relatable part of Pugh’s travel philosophy is how unhurried it is. Asked to choose between sightseeing and a sun lounger, she comes down firmly on the side of rest: reading, swimming in the sea, eating well, and then repeating the cycle. It is a reminder that a memorable trip does not have to be a race through landmarks.
For warm-weather escapes, she names Greece as a favourite, praising its people and its food, from fresh seafood to a simple bowl of tzatziki eaten slowly in the shade. That preference for places where hospitality and cuisine are part of the landscape fits a broader shift among travellers, who increasingly rank food, rest and a sense of welcome as highly as famous sights.
Her small irritations will also sound familiar to many holidaymakers. She jokes about companions who apply sun cream and then sit straight down in the sand, only to be surprised when it sticks everywhere, and about the low-level disaster of arriving at a hotel, tired and hungry, to find the room is not ready and the bags cannot be left. Neither is a catastrophe, but both are the kind of moments that can colour the first day of a trip.
The Acropolis Memory She Treasures Most
When it comes to the established wonders and historic sites she has actually visited, one experience stands out for Pugh: the Acropolis in Athens at night. She recalls filming there after dark with only a cast and crew around her, the ancient pillars lit up while a dance sequence was shot under the direction of Park Chan-wook. It is the kind of behind-the-scenes access few travellers ever get, and it clearly left a lasting impression.
That contrast, between a quiet hill in Edinburgh she can climb whenever she is in the city and an extraordinary night above Athens, captures something honest about travel. The places that stay with us are not always the most famous ones. Sometimes they are the ones tied to a routine, a view earned on foot, or a single evening that felt entirely out of the ordinary.
Planning Your Own Edinburgh Climb
For visitors inspired to follow her lead, Arthur’s Seat is free to climb and open year-round, with several routes ranging from a gentle walk around Salisbury Crags to a steeper direct ascent. Sturdy shoes, water and a layer for the wind at the top are sensible, even in summer, and early morning or late afternoon tend to be quieter and more atmospheric.
Good preparation makes any city break smoother, whether you are timing a hill walk around the weather or sorting the practical details before you go. Readers planning bigger life moves alongside their travels can also browse the latest coverage on OneOne News and our practical guide on what to check before accepting an offer, a useful reminder to read the small print before committing to any big decision.
Whether Arthur’s Seat ever gains any official eighth-wonder title is beside the point. Pugh’s endorsement has already done what the best travel recommendations do: it has made people look again at a familiar place, imagine themselves at the top, and start planning the climb.
