Edinburgh
Sightseeing
A beautiful cathedral half way up The Royal Mile on your way to the Castle. Don't miss seeing The Thistle Chapel at the back.
152 locals recommend
St Giles' Cathedral
High StreetA beautiful cathedral half way up The Royal Mile on your way to the Castle. Don't miss seeing The Thistle Chapel at the back.
An intricate and moving memorial within the walls of Edinburgh Castle. The stained glass windows are extraordinary, as are the sculptures of people and animals. When you approach the Castle, simply ask the gate for a free pass to see the memorial and you'll be guided there and back.
Scottish National War Memorial
An intricate and moving memorial within the walls of Edinburgh Castle. The stained glass windows are extraordinary, as are the sculptures of people and animals. When you approach the Castle, simply ask the gate for a free pass to see the memorial and you'll be guided there and back.
A central gallery with many free exhibitions often featuring Scottish artists. The gallery is right next to Waverley train station and has a lovely café attached.
34 locals recommend
City Art Centre
2 Market StA central gallery with many free exhibitions often featuring Scottish artists. The gallery is right next to Waverley train station and has a lovely café attached.
Edinburgh's largest gallery with free entry and stunning paintings from Turner and Botticelli, as well as many Scottish artists.
114 locals recommend
National Galleries of Scotland
The MoundEdinburgh's largest gallery with free entry and stunning paintings from Turner and Botticelli, as well as many Scottish artists.
Activities
A quirky pottery café in Marchmont near the Meadows. You may have to book in advance - great for children and adults alike.
6 locals recommend
Doodles
27-29 Marchmont CresA quirky pottery café in Marchmont near the Meadows. You may have to book in advance - great for children and adults alike.
Must-see vintage shop on Grassmarket, just down from the graveyard that inspired many of J. K. Rowling's character names for Harry Potter.
88 locals recommend
Armstrongs Vintage
81-83 GrassmarketMust-see vintage shop on Grassmarket, just down from the graveyard that inspired many of J. K. Rowling's character names for Harry Potter.
Cosy, dog-friendly, great for watching rugby games during the Six Nations.
16 locals recommend
The Wally Dug
32 Northumberland StCosy, dog-friendly, great for watching rugby games during the Six Nations.
Whatever the season, the Botanic Gardens are always beautiful. It's also worth walking round nearby Stockbridge and tracing part of the Water of Leith before stopping for a cinnamon bun at Soderberg or a pint at The Raeburn.
1227 locals recommend
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Arboretum PlaceWhatever the season, the Botanic Gardens are always beautiful. It's also worth walking round nearby Stockbridge and tracing part of the Water of Leith before stopping for a cinnamon bun at Soderberg or a pint at The Raeburn.
A beautiful bookshop, a short walk from the flat along leafy London road. Endless shelves of books, wooden ladders and free cups of tea on request.
13 locals recommend
Topping & Company Booksellers of Edinburgh
2 Blenheim PlA beautiful bookshop, a short walk from the flat along leafy London road. Endless shelves of books, wooden ladders and free cups of tea on request.
The Cumberland Bar
1-3 Cumberland StLovely beer garden and friendly staff.
Great for both food and drinks. There’s a gorgeous outside are (blankets provided) and rustic tables inside with an underground bar below.
13 locals recommend
Little White Pig
26B Dublin StGreat for both food and drinks. There’s a gorgeous outside are (blankets provided) and rustic tables inside with an underground bar below.
Walks
From the flat, head across the park towards the lake. Walk round and then follow the slope and stone steps up to Saint Anthony's Chapel. The view is stunning and it's a much quicker walk than going all the way up Arthur's Seat if you're short on time.
12 locals recommend
Saint Anthony's Chapel Ruins
Queen's DriveFrom the flat, head across the park towards the lake. Walk round and then follow the slope and stone steps up to Saint Anthony's Chapel. The view is stunning and it's a much quicker walk than going all the way up Arthur's Seat if you're short on time.
If you have a car, drive down to Portobello for a walk on the beach and an explore through the town. You can also get a bus. Favourite spots include The Portobello Bookshop, Wild Flower Shop and Bross Bagels.
447 locals recommend
Portobello Beach Promenade
1 PromenadeIf you have a car, drive down to Portobello for a walk on the beach and an explore through the town. You can also get a bus. Favourite spots include The Portobello Bookshop, Wild Flower Shop and Bross Bagels.
If you fancy a long walk with a pub at the end - this is the one. Head over the top of Arthur's Seat or round the road at the side and then dip down to Duddingston. It's worth wearing trainers or wellies as it can be muddy. The Sheep Heid Inn is the oldest surviving pub in Scotland - the food is delicious and it has a lovely beer garden, as well as a bowling alley.
167 locals recommend
The Sheep Heid Inn
43-45 The CausewayIf you fancy a long walk with a pub at the end - this is the one. Head over the top of Arthur's Seat or round the road at the side and then dip down to Duddingston. It's worth wearing trainers or wellies as it can be muddy. The Sheep Heid Inn is the oldest surviving pub in Scotland - the food is delicious and it has a lovely beer garden, as well as a bowling alley.
Food scene
Fantastic little thai restuarant - cheap and cheerful.
257 locals recommend
TING THAI CARAVAN Teviot Place
9 Teviot PlFantastic little thai restuarant - cheap and cheerful.
For special anniversaries or birthday dinners. The waiters are friendly and professional and the food is sensational, especially the burrata mozzarella.
21 locals recommend
Divino Enoteca Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar
5 Merchant StFor special anniversaries or birthday dinners. The waiters are friendly and professional and the food is sensational, especially the burrata mozzarella.
Reasonably priced, quirky, earthy café with free parking in Newington.
8 locals recommend
Beetroot Sauvage - Vegan Café, Restaurant, Yoga Studio
33-41 Ratcliffe TerraceReasonably priced, quirky, earthy café with free parking in Newington.
A little piece of Paris in the heart of Edinburgh. You can get steak and chips for a tenner and every meal comes with free salad, olives and cured meat. Nothing beats a candlelit dinner with a bottle of house red.
100 locals recommend
Chez Jules
109 Hanover StA little piece of Paris in the heart of Edinburgh. You can get steak and chips for a tenner and every meal comes with free salad, olives and cured meat. Nothing beats a candlelit dinner with a bottle of house red.
If you're in town for breakfast or lunch, this is my go-to. Fresh soups, salads, quiches, cakes.
55 locals recommend
The Edinburgh Larder
15 Blackfriars StIf you're in town for breakfast or lunch, this is my go-to. Fresh soups, salads, quiches, cakes.
Booking essential. Extraordinary Indian food and exceptionally friendly staff in a beautifully decorated building on St Andrew’s Square just up from Princes Street.
212 locals recommend
Dishoom Edinburgh
3a St Andrew SquareBooking essential. Extraordinary Indian food and exceptionally friendly staff in a beautifully decorated building on St Andrew’s Square just up from Princes Street.