Old Town
In downtown
Edinburgh Old Town oozes mystery. Its cobbled “wynds” (narrow alleyways) entice and delight with unexpected nooks and crannies that urge you to explore. In the town that spawned Stevenson’s “Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde”, let Grassmarket’s cosy pubs bring out the bard in you. To unravel the ghostly tales behind Old Town’s hidden gems, join a guided tour.
Places to stay from $35 a night
New Town
0.5 miles from downtown
Don’t be fooled by the name – New Town’s not that new. But its open spaces and elegant Georgian façades stand in stark contrast to the scrunched mediaeval maze of Old Town. Hidden behind neo-classical columns, New Town’s flats are among the city’s most sought after. If you fancy going the full Scottish, pick up a bespoke kilt from 21st Century Kilts.
Places to stay from $42 a night
West End
0.9 miles from downtown
West End’s all about performance. This district’s chock-full of theatres, cinemas and concert venues. It really comes into its own during August’s Fringe Festival, when you can barely walk for grinning street comics or touts thrusting flyers into your hand. Need a break from the theatricality? Slip into Caley Sample Rooms for an off-stage brew.
Places to stay from $40 a night
Haymarket
0.9 miles from downtown
Hay ho, let’s go! Commuters zoom in and out of Edinburgh’s central business district in a whirl of brogues and briefcases. On match days, you’ll see (and hear) rugby fans bustle their way to iconic Murrayfield Stadium. There’s plenty to please foodies, too – from First Coast’s Scottish fare to Lovecrumbs’ exceedingly good cakes.
Places to stay from $20 a night
Bruntsfield
0.9 miles from downtown
Bruntsfield’s a leafy district where students eat, drink and sleep. On sunny days, grab a corner-shop beer and join the fresh-faced crowds in The Meadows Park, where you’ll find picnics, frisbees and sun cream galore. Head to funky gastro-pub Blackbird for Sunday brunch, before stopping off at Cameo Cinema’s cosy bar for a pre-film pint.
Places to stay from $57 a night
Compact, hilly, and packed with landmarks, Edinburgh delights visitors with its medieval old town and vibrant personality. Dominating the skyline is Edinburgh Castle, where Scotland’s rich history is on display, along with the crown jewels. Take a free guided tour of the impressive citadel to hear stories of its fascinating past, then head up to the Argyle Battery for incredible city views.
From the castle, the legendary Royal Mile leads down to Holyrood Palace through a mix of museums and gift shops, selling everything from kilts to vintage whisky. Some of the city’s best food can be found here, too. However, if the smell of fish and chips doesn’t tempt you, why not try a traditional pub lunch of "haggis, neeps, and tatties"?
Later, burn it all off with a walk to the top of Arthur’s Seat—an extinct volcano overlooking the city in nearby Holyrood Park—to admire the natural landscape that stretches for miles around.
Edinburgh promises a great time, no matter the time of year. In the winter there’s Hogmanay, a 3-day festival of street parties and events to celebrate the new year. Summer brings balmier weather, before rounding up with the world’s biggest arts festival: The Fringe. Lasting an entire month, this all-out celebration packs stand-up comedy, magic shows, and dramatic theater into a full schedule, creating a buzz that draws huge crowds to the Scottish capital year after year.
Tonight
From $379 per night
Next weekend
From $580 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October-December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January-March |
| Local currency | £1 = $1.27 |
| Language | English |
| Average weekend price | $216 per night |
| Average weekday price | $226 per night |
| Average stay | 2 nights |
Edinburgh Castle
0.2 miles from downtown
Grassmarket
0.1 miles from downtown
Edinburgh Playhouse
0.7 miles from downtown
Usher Hall
0.5 miles from downtown
Arthur's Seat
1.2 miles from downtown
Royal Botanic Garden
1.3 miles from downtown
Royal Yacht Britannia
2.4 miles from downtown
Royal Mile
0.1 miles from downtown
Murrayfield Stadium
1.9 miles from downtown
Charlotte Square
0.6 miles from downtown
Destination inspiration: Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Take a scenic walk through Edinburgh’s legend-laden history.
What to read and watch before visiting Edinburgh
Lose yourself in cult classics and historic tales inspired by the Scottish capital.
It was a very nice hotel smack dab in the midst of all...
October 24, 2018
It was a very nice hotel smack dab in the midst of all sights. The staff were friendly and helpful. Our room was a pleasant surprise because we unexpectedly had a side view of the castle. The accommodations were comfortable and spotless. We had a huge bathroom and amenities were plentiful. I want to go back there!
What a place!
August 12, 2023
What a place! Particularly this time of year. I highly recommend going to watch as much as you can of the fringe but in particular Rock Choir. Very friendly people out and about; felt very safe with police around everywhere. Prices were a bit expensive but it is a tourist magnet. For those with medical issues / back and knee problems I’d recommend finding less direct routes to the castle - the steps by Waverley are very very steep and the winding road by Mary king close is too hard to walk with a bad back. Mary King Close was my fav attraction to visit. Watching the bands and military March from the castle to their coaches was incredible and the crowd was well marshalled. Lovely fish and chips shop open late into the evening on the Royal mile too Ciao Roma is a fabulous Italian just off the mile which is well worth a look All the locals and shopkeepers were incredibly friendly and the busses are easy - tap on no need to tap off and capped at 4.80 a day.
Fantastic city, so much to see.
August 12, 2023
Fantastic city, so much to see. Plenty of restaurants and cafes. Large shops and independent shops in equal measure. Excellent public transport, reliable and frequent. Friendly and welcoming city, can’t wait to return
Great medieval history.
August 12, 2023
Great medieval history. Well done museums like the Scottish National Museum. Proud presentation of a proud, ancient culture. Scots are descendant from Celts, Irish, Viking/Nordic people, Romans as well as English. Despite having been part of the UK for centuries, they remain a proudly separate people. Go to the Tattoo at the Castle. But don’t go to Edinburgh in August at all. Too many tourists. Prices insane. Crowds. Get out of the city while there. The beaches, neighborhoods and parks are worth the ride. Ride a bike there. Great bike trails from old railroad rights of way. Hire Tartan Bikes and E-bike Tours to guide you and provide the bikes. Great little company.
We primarily went for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo...
August 11, 2023
We primarily went for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo which was wonderful. We were lucky with the weather as it was warm with no rain for the duration of our stay. If I went again to explore it wouldn’t be during August as the city is so busy, but there so much to experience it’s a place you could visit several times and do new things each time. We used the Tram to get from the airport in to the city centre and it was a lovely way to travel, quick and easy and excellent value for money. We also did the Edinburgh Tours live-guide hop-on/off bus which is an excellent way to familiarise yourself with the city.
Lots of great shows, a myriad of places to eat & drink,...
August 10, 2023
Lots of great shows, a myriad of places to eat & drink, friendly helpful people . For folks with mobility issues or sensory impairment it might be advisable to call ahead to venues and to check location of performances .
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