Edinburgh Recommendations by Alex
Sightseeing
In my opinion the best museum in the UK. I go there once or twice a year just to see what they’ve added. Can take a few hours to see everything, but it is free and varied.
1378 locals recommend
National Museum of Scotland
In my opinion the best museum in the UK. I go there once or twice a year just to see what they’ve added. Can take a few hours to see everything, but it is free and varied.
One of Edinburgh’s main attractions, you can either pay to get inside, or you can view it from many areas around Edinburgh. In my opinion it’s overrated inside, and castles are much cooler from the outside. I’d recommend grabbing a drink on Princes Street and sitting in Princes Street Gardens for a good view of the castle.
1961 locals recommend
Edinburgh Castle
CastlehillOne of Edinburgh’s main attractions, you can either pay to get inside, or you can view it from many areas around Edinburgh. In my opinion it’s overrated inside, and castles are much cooler from the outside. I’d recommend grabbing a drink on Princes Street and sitting in Princes Street Gardens for a good view of the castle.
Old towns most popular street, this long road eastward leads to Edinburgh Castle, and westward leads to the beginning of Arthur Seat. This street is filled with everything typically Scottish, here you can find haggis, kilts, whisky and other touristy things. During the Fringe festival it will be packed to the brim with street performances.
53 locals recommend
The Royal Mile Jewellery
Old towns most popular street, this long road eastward leads to Edinburgh Castle, and westward leads to the beginning of Arthur Seat. This street is filled with everything typically Scottish, here you can find haggis, kilts, whisky and other touristy things. During the Fringe festival it will be packed to the brim with street performances.
the best view in Edinburgh, only a 20-minute walk from the city centre, then a further 20-30 minutes to the peak, this extinct volcano let’s you have a wonderful view of the entire city.
1859 locals recommend
Arthur's Seat
the best view in Edinburgh, only a 20-minute walk from the city centre, then a further 20-30 minutes to the peak, this extinct volcano let’s you have a wonderful view of the entire city.
Calton Hill is more than just a viewpoint, it’s most famously home to the unfinished National Monument, which sits on the skyline appearing like an Athenian acropolis
1098 locals recommend
Calton Hill
Calton HillCalton Hill is more than just a viewpoint, it’s most famously home to the unfinished National Monument, which sits on the skyline appearing like an Athenian acropolis
The locals favourite place to be when the weather is nice. If the sun is out most people will be drinking, having picnics or BBQs or playing tennis and other sports in the meadows. It’s just generally nice as a short walk.
615 locals recommend
The Meadows
Melville DriveThe locals favourite place to be when the weather is nice. If the sun is out most people will be drinking, having picnics or BBQs or playing tennis and other sports in the meadows. It’s just generally nice as a short walk.
If you’re a fan of whisky and its history, this is a must do! You get a guide who walks you through a 90-minute adventure across Scotland. Highlights include a panoramic video flying over Scotland, scratch and sniff whisky card, dram tasting and jaw-dropping finale through the Diageo Claive Vidiz Collection. This collections compromises 3384 bottles of Scotch.
149 locals recommend
The Scotch Whisky Experience
354 CastlehillIf you’re a fan of whisky and its history, this is a must do! You get a guide who walks you through a 90-minute adventure across Scotland. Highlights include a panoramic video flying over Scotland, scratch and sniff whisky card, dram tasting and jaw-dropping finale through the Diageo Claive Vidiz Collection. This collections compromises 3384 bottles of Scotch.
A fun world of Illusions on the Royal Mile. Filled with Optical Illusions and tricks of the eye at this 166 year old attraction. 4 floors of exhibits and a rooftop with great views of Edinburgh.
437 locals recommend
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
549 CastlehillA fun world of Illusions on the Royal Mile. Filled with Optical Illusions and tricks of the eye at this 166 year old attraction. 4 floors of exhibits and a rooftop with great views of Edinburgh.
Lovely beach (When it’s sunny) arcades, nice cafes, ice cream!
447 locals recommend
Portobello Beach Promenade
1 PromenadeLovely beach (When it’s sunny) arcades, nice cafes, ice cream!
If you want to find a Ceilidh (Scottish dance) to join, here is the place.
80 locals recommend
Ghillie Dhu
1A Rutland StreetIf you want to find a Ceilidh (Scottish dance) to join, here is the place.
Brand new building with plenty of clothing store, restaurants and fun things to do, such as an everyman cinema, Lane7 which has glow in the dark bowling and mini golf.
93 locals recommend
St James Shopping
St James CrescentBrand new building with plenty of clothing store, restaurants and fun things to do, such as an everyman cinema, Lane7 which has glow in the dark bowling and mini golf.
Find “The Magic Garden” on The Royal Mile – There is a magic garden here which you can find if you look carefully, no hints.
20 locals recommend
Dunbars Close Garden
137 CanongateFind “The Magic Garden” on The Royal Mile – There is a magic garden here which you can find if you look carefully, no hints.
If you miss your cat there is a cat café called “Maison De Moggy” where you can pet cats and have cake.
12 locals recommend
Maison de Moggy
17 West PortIf you miss your cat there is a cat café called “Maison De Moggy” where you can pet cats and have cake.
If you miss your dog there is a chihuahua café where you can pet dogs and have cake!
Edinburgh Chihuahua Cafe
15 Frederick StIf you miss your dog there is a chihuahua café where you can pet dogs and have cake!
Interesting medical museum, if you want to see brains and other organs in jars… This is the place for you.
114 locals recommend
Surgeons' Hall Museums
Nicolson StreetInteresting medical museum, if you want to see brains and other organs in jars… This is the place for you.
Beautifully decorated garden, mostly outdoors so bring an umbrella!
1227 locals recommend
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Arboretum PlaceBeautifully decorated garden, mostly outdoors so bring an umbrella!
Edinburgh Zoo
134 Corstorphine RdIt's a zoo!
Grab a coffee nearby and visit Princes Street Gardens, a large beautifully decorated garden with an incredible view of Edinburgh Castle, my personal favourite spot.
957 locals recommend
Princes Street
Princes StreetGrab a coffee nearby and visit Princes Street Gardens, a large beautifully decorated garden with an incredible view of Edinburgh Castle, my personal favourite spot.
One of the best views in Edinburgh once you reach the top, and one of my personal favourite nature walks!
162 locals recommend
Blackford Hill and Pond
4 Charterhall RdOne of the best views in Edinburgh once you reach the top, and one of my personal favourite nature walks!
Food scene
– Is one of my favourite places to eat, wonderful Thai food at reasonable prices, with huge portions in takeaway boxes which you can easily take away if you don’t finish it. This is a Teviot Place – Very close to the centre of Town.
257 locals recommend
TING THAI CARAVAN Teviot Place
9 Teviot Pl– Is one of my favourite places to eat, wonderful Thai food at reasonable prices, with huge portions in takeaway boxes which you can easily take away if you don’t finish it. This is a Teviot Place – Very close to the centre of Town.
If you’re looking to try something a bit more Scottish, such as Haggis, I’d recommend this place! Top-quality, award-winning food. In my opinion, the best Haggis in Edinburgh.
28 locals recommend
Arcade Bar
48 Cockburn StIf you’re looking to try something a bit more Scottish, such as Haggis, I’d recommend this place! Top-quality, award-winning food. In my opinion, the best Haggis in Edinburgh.
Wingstop is one I’ve just discovered recently, won restaurant of the year last year and they do really lovely chicken bites and churros! Situated at the very top of Leith Walk/Princes Street, inside our new large shopping mall “St James Quarter”.
Wingstop
Wingstop is one I’ve just discovered recently, won restaurant of the year last year and they do really lovely chicken bites and churros! Situated at the very top of Leith Walk/Princes Street, inside our new large shopping mall “St James Quarter”.
Bross bagels is my absolute favourite for a lunch or late breakfast. Every single bagel there is great!
91 locals recommend
Bross Bagels
6 Manderston StBross bagels is my absolute favourite for a lunch or late breakfast. Every single bagel there is great!
Southern Cross Café is a great place for breakfast. Try the Full Scottish breakfast, veggie options too! One of my favourite full Scottish breakfasts in Edinburgh!
26 locals recommend
Southern Cross Cafe
63A Cockburn StSouthern Cross Café is a great place for breakfast. Try the Full Scottish breakfast, veggie options too! One of my favourite full Scottish breakfasts in Edinburgh!
Quinn's cafe is a recent discovery of mine, after seeing it was one of the highest rated breakfasts in Edinburgh, I had to try, the food was perfection and the customer service is above and beyond!
Quinn’s
62 West PortQuinn's cafe is a recent discovery of mine, after seeing it was one of the highest rated breakfasts in Edinburgh, I had to try, the food was perfection and the customer service is above and beyond!
Nightlife
said to be the most haunted bar in Scotland, rock/metal bar but filled with all sorts of characters due to having a cinema, unusual shots, pool table and a spooky vibe. My favourite bar!
22 locals recommend
The Banshee Labyrinth
29-35 Niddry Stsaid to be the most haunted bar in Scotland, rock/metal bar but filled with all sorts of characters due to having a cinema, unusual shots, pool table and a spooky vibe. My favourite bar!
one of the most popular bars in Edinburgh, Huge TV Screen in an outdoor courtyard. Wide variety of drinks & a great atmosphere for sporting events. At night they have live DJs and music playing loud music until late.
34 locals recommend
The Three Sisters
139 Cowgateone of the most popular bars in Edinburgh, Huge TV Screen in an outdoor courtyard. Wide variety of drinks & a great atmosphere for sporting events. At night they have live DJs and music playing loud music until late.
for more of a quiet cocktail and some food but still being apart of the action in the busy Cowgate Street. Very nice cocktails.
27 locals recommend
OX184
184-186 Cowgatefor more of a quiet cocktail and some food but still being apart of the action in the busy Cowgate Street. Very nice cocktails.
Live music in amongst the action of the cowgate, cosy little bar with great music on every night!
50 locals recommend
Sneaky Pete's
73 CowgateLive music in amongst the action of the cowgate, cosy little bar with great music on every night!
Live music inside an old converted church, amongst the busy nightlife of the cowgate, great vibes!
32 locals recommend
Stramash Live Music Bar
207 CowgateLive music inside an old converted church, amongst the busy nightlife of the cowgate, great vibes!
For live music that's a little bit extra, hosting all kinds of jazz and a great atmosphere right in the heart of edinburgh
176 locals recommend
The Jazz Bar
1a Chambers StFor live music that's a little bit extra, hosting all kinds of jazz and a great atmosphere right in the heart of edinburgh
Subway Cowgate
69 CowgateOne of the most popular clubs right now in the cowgate!
The Mash House
37 Guthrie StElectronic music in a small venue with a big vibe!
Cabaret Voltaire
36-38 Blair StElectronic music in a small venue, great if you like to party
One of the most iconic (and meme'd) clubs in Edinburgh, for a younger crowd, multiple rooms, multiple genres!
22 locals recommend
The Hive Nightclub
15-17 Niddry StOne of the most iconic (and meme'd) clubs in Edinburgh, for a younger crowd, multiple rooms, multiple genres!
Great little pub that has live traditional Scottish folk music on most nights
144 locals recommend
Sandy Bell's
25 Forrest RdGreat little pub that has live traditional Scottish folk music on most nights
The Royal Oak
1 Infirmary StAnother small pub with live traditional Scottish folk music!
Yet another live music bar! This one has quite the variety, anything and everything!
62 locals recommend
Whistlebinkies Live Music Bar
4-6 South BridgeYet another live music bar! This one has quite the variety, anything and everything!
Traveler advice
Getting around
Fringe Festival - Things to watch out for
The fringe festival takes place for the majority of August in Edinburgh and it is one of the largest festivals in the world. So the population skyrockets and it can be difficult to travel, so plan ahead and leave plenty of time for travel! It can be difficult to catch buses, and taxis/ubers may cost more. You may also find that things are generally more expensive during this month, including accommodation!
Besides that, it is incredibly fun and the atmosphere of the city is electric. People come from all over the world to host shows of all kinds!
Getting around
It's best to pay for buses by card!
Buses and taxis all accept card and have contactless payments available. You can also pay by cash, but beware on buses as you will need the exact change as they will not carry change to give you back!
What to pack
Edinburgh weather is very dramatic
If you check the weather forecast in Edinburgh you'll often find it doesn't match what's actually happening. It will be sunny one minute and pouring with rain the next. Bring your summer shorts as well as your raincoat!
Getting around
Parking in Edinburgh is difficult
If you wish to take your car to the city centre, I'd recommend planning ahead as it can be very difficult (and costly) to park near the centre. Perhaps easier to leave your car and take the bus or an uber/taxi.
Getting around
Buses & getting to/from the airport
Buses are very frequent here in Edinburgh and are the main way to get around. You'll find most buses are every 15 minutes or so, and you can pay via card onboard! If you pay by cash, you will need exact change as they won't give you any back.
When you arrive at Edinburgh airport you will most likely want to get on an airlink bus number 100, (or a tram) which will take you to Princes Street/Shandwick place. Princes street is one of our main streets in the city and from here you can find a bus to anywhere in Edinburgh you desire!