Our Guide to Edinburgh
Sightseeing
Walk from the Castle at the top of the Royal Mile down to Holyrood Palace and the Scottish Parliament at the bottom, stopping at the many museums, coffee shops, restaurants and bars on the way. During August there is street theatre half way down the Royal Mile - well worth a visit
53 locals recommend
The Royal Mile Jewellery
Walk from the Castle at the top of the Royal Mile down to Holyrood Palace and the Scottish Parliament at the bottom, stopping at the many museums, coffee shops, restaurants and bars on the way. During August there is street theatre half way down the Royal Mile - well worth a visit
The walk up Arthur's Seat - Edinburgh's inner-city mountain - is worth it for the stunning views over the city. Best done on a clear day.
1860 locals recommend
Arthur's Seat
The walk up Arthur's Seat - Edinburgh's inner-city mountain - is worth it for the stunning views over the city. Best done on a clear day.
The Botanical Gardens are about 15 minutes walk from our house, and on the direct route into town.
1228 locals recommend
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Arboretum PlaceThe Botanical Gardens are about 15 minutes walk from our house, and on the direct route into town.
best if you have a lot of time to spend there - probably not worth paying the £17 for a quick visit
1964 locals recommend
Edinburgh Castle
Castlehillbest if you have a lot of time to spend there - probably not worth paying the £17 for a quick visit
Step aboard The Royal Yacht Britannia, Her Majesty The Queen’s former floating palace for over 40 years. Berthed in Edinburgh, follow in the footsteps of Royalty to discover the heart and soul of this most special of Royal residences.
630 locals recommend
Royal Yacht Britannia
Ocean DriveStep aboard The Royal Yacht Britannia, Her Majesty The Queen’s former floating palace for over 40 years. Berthed in Edinburgh, follow in the footsteps of Royalty to discover the heart and soul of this most special of Royal residences.
A bridge to the future
The Queensferry Crossing opened to traffic on 30 August 2017. This forms the centrepiece of a major upgrade to the cross-Forth transport corridor in the east of Scotland, representing a total Scottish Government investment of over £1.3 billion.
https://www.theforthbridges.org/queensferry-crossing/
The Queensferry Crossing
Queensferry Crossing BridgeA bridge to the future
The Queensferry Crossing opened to traffic on 30 August 2017. This forms the centrepiece of a major upgrade to the cross-Forth transport corridor in the east of Scotland, representing a total Scottish Government investment of over £1.3 billion.
https://www.theforthbridges.org/queensferry-crossing/
Get off the beaten track and explore the Old Town's 'closes' and 'courts'. This one is accessible from The Mound (up the steps next to The Maker's Rest restaurant) or from The Lawnmarket.
Makars' Court
Get off the beaten track and explore the Old Town's 'closes' and 'courts'. This one is accessible from The Mound (up the steps next to The Maker's Rest restaurant) or from The Lawnmarket.
Getting Around
We have a guided walk from our house into town - it takes around 45 minutes - more if you take in the Botanic Gardens, coffee shops and bars on the way into town. Stockbridge is worth lingering in. https://tinyurl.com/3e69nnwj
351 locals recommend
Stockbridge
We have a guided walk from our house into town - it takes around 45 minutes - more if you take in the Botanic Gardens, coffee shops and bars on the way into town. Stockbridge is worth lingering in. https://tinyurl.com/3e69nnwj
Parks & Nature
Amazing views from the top of this small hill right in the centre of town.
Just continue eastwards along Princes Street and after a few minutes you'll see the steps on the left.
We'll worth the climb.
1099 locals recommend
Calton Hill
Calton HillAmazing views from the top of this small hill right in the centre of town.
Just continue eastwards along Princes Street and after a few minutes you'll see the steps on the left.
We'll worth the climb.
Just a 10 minute walk from our house - spend some time in the peace and quiet before heading into town. Free entry.
1228 locals recommend
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Arboretum PlaceJust a 10 minute walk from our house - spend some time in the peace and quiet before heading into town. Free entry.
This is our local beach. Became really popular during lockdown as a place where locals could meet and wild swimmers could - well - wild swim😂
A 5 minute walk from our house.
8 locals recommend
Wardie Bay
92 Lower Granton RdThis is our local beach. Became really popular during lockdown as a place where locals could meet and wild swimmers could - well - wild swim😂
A 5 minute walk from our house.
Beautiful secluded gardens just off the Royal Mile - easy to miss!
20 locals recommend
Dunbars Close Garden
137 CanongateBeautiful secluded gardens just off the Royal Mile - easy to miss!
Entertainment & Activities
During August there will be a supply of Fringe programmes in your room.
From Wikipedia - The Edinburgh Festival Fringe (often referred to as simply The Fringe) is the world's largest arts festival, which in 2016, spanned 25 days and featured 50,266 performances of 3,269 shows in 294 venues.[1] Established in 1947 as an alternative to the Edinburgh International Festival, it takes place annually in Edinburgh, Scotland, in the month of August.
18 locals recommend
Fringe Box Office
High StreetDuring August there will be a supply of Fringe programmes in your room.
From Wikipedia - The Edinburgh Festival Fringe (often referred to as simply The Fringe) is the world's largest arts festival, which in 2016, spanned 25 days and featured 50,266 performances of 3,269 shows in 294 venues.[1] Established in 1947 as an alternative to the Edinburgh International Festival, it takes place annually in Edinburgh, Scotland, in the month of August.
Food Scene
The Old Chain Pier pub is a 20 minute walk from our house and serves wonderful Scottish and international food. Also does a nice range of real ales and serves prosecco by the glas on tap (one of Gillian's favourites.
It's a nice walk down by the sea.
Mid-range prices
94 locals recommend
The Old Chain Pier
32 Trinity CresThe Old Chain Pier pub is a 20 minute walk from our house and serves wonderful Scottish and international food. Also does a nice range of real ales and serves prosecco by the glas on tap (one of Gillian's favourites.
It's a nice walk down by the sea.
Mid-range prices
This new bar and restaurant is quickly becoming a favourite for locals and visitors alike. It's a 13 minute walk from our house and serves good quality food, great beers, good atmosphere and reasonable priced.
70 locals recommend
The Herringbone
2 S Trinity RdThis new bar and restaurant is quickly becoming a favourite for locals and visitors alike. It's a 13 minute walk from our house and serves good quality food, great beers, good atmosphere and reasonable priced.
Our local Indian retaurant is just a 10 minute walk from home and we love the food there. Reasonably priced
35 locals recommend
In Touch
8 Inverleith AveOur local Indian retaurant is just a 10 minute walk from home and we love the food there. Reasonably priced
This great little pub serves wonderful food and drink. One of our favourite haunts, it's a bit quirky - don't expect matching crockery and your menu will come in an old copy of National Geographic magazine!
281 locals recommend
Roseleaf bar cafe
23-24 Sandport PlaceThis great little pub serves wonderful food and drink. One of our favourite haunts, it's a bit quirky - don't expect matching crockery and your menu will come in an old copy of National Geographic magazine!
Brilliant cosy little Italian restaurant in Leith. Best to book, even weeknights because it's small and very popular - but worth the planning. They do a wine and pasta deal on Tuesdays and Wednesdays that's great value, but really has a very affordable menu
37 locals recommend
Domenico's
30 Sandport StBrilliant cosy little Italian restaurant in Leith. Best to book, even weeknights because it's small and very popular - but worth the planning. They do a wine and pasta deal on Tuesdays and Wednesdays that's great value, but really has a very affordable menu
The best Thai food in Edinburgh (we think!). Lunch menu is amazing value, but great in the evening as well. It's a 25 minute walk from home or a 10 minute drive.
76 locals recommend
Nok's Kitchen
8 Gloucester StThe best Thai food in Edinburgh (we think!). Lunch menu is amazing value, but great in the evening as well. It's a 25 minute walk from home or a 10 minute drive.
Pub that does brilliant food, right in the heart of Leith. Good prices and a great base for a Leith pub-crawl!
144 locals recommend
The King's Wark
36 ShorePub that does brilliant food, right in the heart of Leith. Good prices and a great base for a Leith pub-crawl!
A wee bit more expensive because it's in the centre of town. Serves great traditional Scottish fare like mince &tatties and haggis. Great views across Edinburgh's New Town.
59 locals recommend
Whiski Rooms
4-7 N Bank StA wee bit more expensive because it's in the centre of town. Serves great traditional Scottish fare like mince &tatties and haggis. Great views across Edinburgh's New Town.
Excellent family-run South Indian restaurant with decent prices. It's BYOB so that helps the budget!
36 locals recommend
Tanjore
6-8 Clerk StExcellent family-run South Indian restaurant with decent prices. It's BYOB so that helps the budget!
Jolly Judge
7 James CtEnjoy a dram in this old pub, near Makars' Court
Lovely family-run Italian restaurant. On the south side of town but easily found by bus
23 locals recommend
Papilio
158 Bruntsfield PlLovely family-run Italian restaurant. On the south side of town but easily found by bus