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Edinburgh city guide

Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, is a dynamic city blending the ancient and modern. At its heart are the Old Town and New Town, both designated World Heritage Sites, which have very different characters.

The Old Town largely preserves the medieval street plan, with the buildings tall and tightly-packed, and is centred on the Royal Mile which runs down from the famous Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

By contrast the New Town, laid out in the 18th and 19th centuries on a regular and structured plan, is home to some of the finest neo-classical architecture in Europe.

Edinburgh’s skyline is dominated by the great hill of Arthur’s Seat within Holyrood Park, one of many green spaces within the city centre. It is also one of several hills, including Calton Hill, Blackford Hill, Corstorphine Hill and the Castle Rock itself, from which there are great views over the city.

A year round destination, Edinburgh is particularly famous for its Hogmanay street party on New Year’s Eve, and also for the world’s largest arts festival, the celebrated Edinburgh Festival.

The best places to stay in Edinburgh

Edinburgh has a wide choice of accommodation, although in the city centre itself this is generally limited to mainly hotels, self-catering apartments and hostels.

Where in the centre you choose to stay depends partly on what you plan to do.

The Old Town is home to many hotels and self-catering apartments, while at its centre the Royal Mile provides plenty of bar and restaurant options. Choosing here puts you right in the heart of the most interesting parts of the city, but the narrow streets can make parking difficult.

There is a concentration of hostels, along with pubs, around the Grassmarket and Cowgate, making for a vibrant and lively area ideal for younger visitors looking for fun nights out.

The New Town’s grand residential streets feature a mixture of hotels and self-catering apartments and tend to be quieter than their Old Town counterparts. Parking tends to be easier in the New Town which makes it ideal for visitors arriving by car.

Within the residential areas slightly further out though there are many guesthouses and bed and breakfasts that are still within walking distance of the centre.

Accommodation search

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bed and breakfasts
campsites
castles
holiday parks
hostels
hotels
self-catering apartments
self-catering cottages
self-catering lodges
spas

Recommended hotels


The Balmoral Hotel
Luxury hotel on the corner of Princes Street and the North Bridge.

Motel One Edinburgh-Royal
Budget design hotel in the very heart of Edinburgh.

Radisson Collection Hotel, Royal Mile Edinburgh
Five-star luxury right on the Royal Mile.

Premier Inn Edinburgh City Centre (Princes Street)
Good “no frills” hotel on Edinburgh’s main street.

The Scotsman Hotel
Grand hotel with magnificent views across Edinburgh.

Apex Grassmarket Hotel
Contemporary hotel with castle views in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town.

Recommended self-catering apartments


The Knight Residence
Ideally-located between the Grassmarket and the Meadows.

York Place Luxury Apartments
Luxurious apartments well placed for exploring Edinburgh’s New Town.

Dreamhouse Apartments (Holyrood)
Situated next to the Scottish Parliament

Fraser Suites Edinburgh
A complex of 75 well-equipped apartments just off the Royal Mile.

Princes Street Suites
Luxury open plan apartments at the east end of Princes Street.

Recommended hostels


Argyle Backpackers
Small hostel located on the edge of the picturesque Meadows park.

Allgirlz (Female Only Hostel)
Perfect for girls wanting the security of an all-female hostel.

Castle Rock Hostel
A romantic view of Edinburgh Castle and private rooms makes this a good choice for couples on a budget.

Smart City Hostels Edinburgh
Modern hostel with restaurant and bar in the Old Town.

Royal Mile Backpackers
Ideal for travellers in their teens and twenties looking to party.

Recommended bed & breakfasts


Hedges Bed & Breakfast

A Georgian Residence
Traditional bed and breakfast in the West End.

B+B Edinburgh
A boutique bed and breakfast in the West End.

No. 53 Frederick Street
A grand Georgian townhouse just off Princes Street.

Ramsay’s Bed and Breakfast
Situated in the lively area of Broughton.
more accommodation in Edinburgh….

Edinburgh blog posts

Cherry blossom in Edinburgh
23rd of April 2019 •
Old and new Comiston Houses
29th of March 2016 •
Quintinshill rail disaster parade
23rd of May 2015 •
Cycling along Silverknowes Esplanade in Edinburgh
5th of April 2015 •
Solar eclipse in Edinburgh
21st of March 2015 •
The (old) Royal High School in Edinburgh
7th of February 2015 •
Excavating the old Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh
19th of July 2014 •
Hot Rum Cow launch at Jeremiah’s Taproom
8th of May 2014 •
Walter Scott’s Abbotsford (and some castles)
26th of April 2014 •
more Edinburgh blog posts….

Related pages

Edinburgh Doors Open Day
Edinburgh Doors Open Day
Standing stones in Edinburgh
Standing stones in Edinburgh
Climbing Calton Hill in Edinburgh
Climbing Calton Hill in Edinburgh
The remains of two castles in Edinburgh
The remains of two castles in Edinburgh
Andy Warhol exhibition at the Scottish Parliament
Andy Warhol exhibition at the Scottish Parliament
Excavating the old Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh
Excavating the old Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh
Published on the 26th of April 2014 at 10:03 pm. Updated on the 21st of July 2014 at 11:16 am.

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Andy Sweet above Fast Castle

Stravaiging around Scotland is written, photographed and researched by Andy Sweet.
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