The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the biggest arts festival in the world, with nearly 3,500 shows. This year, Playbill is in Edinburgh for the entire month in August for the festival and we’re taking you with us. Follow along as we cover every single aspect of the Fringe, aka our real-life Brigadoon!

The binding element of magic that holds together the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is in truth the city itself. While much of our Fringe focus has (rightly) been on the incredible shows that are staged, it takes quite a city to support such an outpouring of artistry. Thankfully, Edinburgh is more than up to the task.

Known colloquially as the "Empress of the North," Edinburgh, Scotland is a metropolis where inspiration and innovation collide. Nowhere else in the world can such a bustling city contort itself to make space for the artistry and audiences provided by the Fringe. In celebration of that awe-inspiring achievement, we're turning our attentions to Edinburgh itself: the home of the Fringe, and a must-visit location for any traveller with wanderlust.

Edinburgh has been the capital of Scotland since the 15th century, and has been a bustling city center since the Bronze Age; that leaves thousands of years of history and tradition for you to explore! Make sure to visit the famed Edinburgh Castle to take in a view of the city from above.

The environment of Edinburgh is perfectly suited to dichotomies. Both ancient and modern, you can find yourself ruminating on medieval folklore while walking the cobblestoned streets of Old Town, dreaming up the next big thing on the boulevards of New Town, or taking in the natural wonder of Scotland on a quick trip outside of the city limits. You're bound to discover magic in one of the city's many inspiring enclaves.

Don't forget to stop and smell the heather, however! Natural beauty can be found both inside and outside the city, with gardens, greenery, and untamed meadows dotting the medieval landscape.

Art is everywhere in Edinburgh, and its architecture is no exception. From towering Gothic structures like the Scott Monument to medieval fortresses like Edinburgh Castle, all you have to do is look up to find inspiration. And if that isn't enough, many of the awe-inspiring structures are open to the public, allowing you to explore inside!

If the hustle and bustle ever get to be too much, you can always retreat into one of Edinburgh's many museums, which are filled to the brim with cultural and natural wonders. Perhaps a visit to the City Art Centre, the Museum of Edinburgh, The People's Museum, or the Museum of Childhood will hold the very thing you didn't know you were looking for!

If Edinburgh Castle isn't quite your speed, why not climb Calton Hill for a calming view next to the unfinished National Monument? This spot is the perfect place to watch the sunset with your travel companion.

If you prefer your nature a bit more manicured, why not visit the bountiful offerings at the Royal Botanic Gardens?

Dean Village is a hidden oasis next to the famed Water of Leith, and the perfect place to visit for a moment of rest and reflection in the midst of a busy Fringe.

Don't forget a bit of shopping either! Edinburgh is home to hundreds of small shops specializing in just about every product you can imagine. Make sure to leave time for a stroll down Victoria Street to find an unusual souvenir.

Check out even more photos of Auld Reeky below, and don't forget to book your trip to the Edinburgh Fringe next summer on the Playbill FringeShip!