Edinburgh and the Lothians
Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, is a beautiful city stepped in history. From the neoclassical architecture of the New Town to the fascinating cobbled streets of the Old Town this city is a true gem. There is attractions to suit everybody and many of them are free so ideal if you are on a budget. With Edinburgh Castle towering over the city from it’s ancient volcanic perch Edinburgh is a city ideal for any kind of break. The centre is small so easy to walk around although it is hilly so comfortable shoes are a must. Open top buses line Waverly Bridge ready to whisk you around the must see stops and the city buses are regular, safe and cheap. There are tonnes of restaurant and cafes, from big chains to quirky little independents so you can take your pick when it comes to cuisine. Similarly, on the shopping front there are many big chains as well as plenty cute independent shops.
Contents Table
- Get your bearings
- The Old Town
- Green Spaces
- The New Town
- Arriving in Edinburgh
- Accommodation in Edinburgh
- Food and Drink in Edinburgh
- Edinburgh's Weather
Get your bearings
Edinburgh is in Scotland's central belt, on the east coast. With the Firth of Forth and the famous Forth Rail Bridge to it's north, and Dunbar and North Berwick to it's south it ideally located to explore the rest of the country. It's 30 minutes away from Scotland's other main city of Glasgow and frequent trains connect the two.
As well as the Old Town and New Town in the city centre another popular area to visit is the Grassmarket which has lots of quirky independent shops, cafes and pubs. Stockbridge is an arty bohemian neighbourhood with a weekly Sunday market. The area of Leith, dominated by the Water of Leith, houses the Royals Yacht Britannia and some fantastic dockside restaurants and cafes. Bruntsfield and Morningside may sit side by side but they offer very different vibes, Upmarket Morningside has classy boutiques, designer independents and classy furniture shops, Bruntsfield is more of a relaxed and boho kind of places with indie chocolatiers, book shops and cafes. There is an area to suit every taste and budget in Edinburgh making it pretty ideal for a short weekend break or even a longer stay.
As well as the Old Town and New Town in the city centre another popular area to visit is the Grassmarket which has lots of quirky independent shops, cafes and pubs. Stockbridge is an arty bohemian neighbourhood with a weekly Sunday market. The area of Leith, dominated by the Water of Leith, houses the Royals Yacht Britannia and some fantastic dockside restaurants and cafes. Bruntsfield and Morningside may sit side by side but they offer very different vibes, Upmarket Morningside has classy boutiques, designer independents and classy furniture shops, Bruntsfield is more of a relaxed and boho kind of places with indie chocolatiers, book shops and cafes. There is an area to suit every taste and budget in Edinburgh making it pretty ideal for a short weekend break or even a longer stay.
The Old Town
The Old Town’s main attraction is the (just over a) mile long Royal Mile. With the Castle at the top and Holyrood Palace at the bottom it’s where you can find most of the historical attractions. The buildings here are centuries old and some hide tales of poverty and struggle, murder and witchery. The walking tours which leave from the old Market Cross will show you the winding alleyways and tell stories, good and bad, about the folks of the old time Edinburgh. Small museums such as the Childhood Museum and the People’s story show you how life was centuries ago and are absolutely fascinating. The Writer’s Museum is dedicated to the lives of famous Scottish Writers Robert Louis Stevenson, Sir Walter Scott and poet Robert Burns. The National Museum of Scotland is huge with several floors of artifacts and history which is hugely popular and well lover. The best part? All of these are free to enter.
Green Spaces
Separating the Old Town and the New Town is Princes Street Gardens, a beautiful green space perfect for relaxing with a picnic. Right in the centre you can spot most of Edinburgh’s main sights while sitting on the grass enjoying the space. There are tonnes of green spaces in Edinburgh, in fact 49% of the city is green so as busy as the city gets you’ll always be able to find somewhere quiet. You can take a stunning walk through Dean Village which is a top Instagram spot for those in the know. The Meadows is another park popular with locals or if you fancy giving your legs a good stretch you can tackle Arthur’s Seat for panoramic views over the city. Calton Hill offers fantastic views too and you can explore the acropolis and Nelson’s monument while you are there. The Pentland Hills are nearby, a range of hills covering 20 miles with over 100km of waymarked paths.
The New Town
The New Town in Edinburgh is neoclassical in style with grand Georgian Townhouses, black wrought iron railings and pretty neat gardens. It’s also where you will find shops aplenty. Princes Street has all the big names including Jenners and Apple. George Street runs parallel and has upmarket names such as Harvey Nichols and Cruise. If you’ve got cash to burn you could also head to Multrees Walk for shops like Louis Vuitton, Micheal Kors and Mulberry. For a rest and a bite to eat Rose Street, which runs in between Princes Street and George Street, has some lovely cafes and restaurants.
10 reasons to visit Edinburgh at Hogmanay
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Edinburgh Zoo
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Arriving in Edinburgh
Edinburgh has its own international airport which, although it’s the busiest in Scotland, is well organised and easy to navigate. It’s located five miles from the city centre and getting there is pretty straightforward. All the usual car hire companies operate from the airport including Avis, Alamo and Hertz, the Airlink bus service runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and the trams run all day every day taking you not only into the city centre but also to Waverly Station and Haymarket, Edinburgh’s two train stations which service the rest of Scotland.
Accommodation in Edinburgh
Accommodation options in Edinburgh are hugely varied. If you are on a budget there are many hostels and budget hotels as well as Airbnb apartments and chains such as Travel Lodge and Premier Inn. Luxury Hotels such as The Scotsman, The Balmoral and The Waldorf Astoria might blow the budget but are worth it for the utter indulgence. There are also over 2000 Airbnb properties and many B+B's located around the city.
The Roxburghe Hotel
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Search for accommodation with Airbnb
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Accommodation near Edinburgh
A Treehouse with a view in Dunbar
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Food and Drink in Edinburgh
For a bite to eat you can keep it cheap but delicious in eateries such as Union of Genius, Oink or Mosque Kitchen. If you are after some posh nosh try The Kitchin, 54 The Shore, 21212 or Number One. Either way there are tonnes of quality places to eat in Edinburgh so you’ll never want for a decent meal.
Edinburgh's Weather
The weather in Edinburgh is like the weather in the rest of Scotland. It’s unpredictable and it’s possible to see all four seasons in a day, sometimes even an hour. Pack for all eventualities, layers that can be be added and removed are best. Comfortable walking shoes are a must and a jacket with a hood will be a life saver as umbrellas can prove useless if it’s too windy. Average temperatures for the winter months range from 4°-7° in winter although can go below zero, especially at night. Summer temperatures average at 17°-20°. Whichever month you visit rain will be likely at times. The weather doesn’t dampen the spirits in a city like Edinburgh though, many attractions are indoors and the city is so beautiful you won’t mind the weather much.
