There’s something about Edinburgh that captures your heart. Grand Georgian streets give way to narrow cobbled closes with unexpected delights around every corner. History is everywhere, it’s woven into the fabric of the city. What makes it perfect for a day or two? It’s a compact walkable city. You can get off the plane or train and within an hour you can be walking through decades of fascinating history, climbing up Arthur’s seat or eating haggis, neeps and tatties in an adorable atmospheric Scottish pub.
How do you get from Edinburgh airport to the city centre?
Landing at Edinburgh Airport, you have a few different options when it comes to getting into the city centre. You can take the tram which runs from 6:30 am to nearly 11 pm. It leaves every seven minutes and takes you straight to Princes Street, Haymarket or Leith. You can buy an open-ended ticket from their website or from the vending machines near the tram stops. The day tripper ticket will cost £6 and give you unlimited rides for the day.
You could also catch a bus. The Airlink 100 goes to Waverley Bridge and leaves at least every 10 minutes from 4 am till 10 pm. It takes 30 minutes and leaves from stop A at the airport. A ticket costs £8.50 and can be bought on the website or on board the bus.
How do I get around Edinburgh once I’m there?
The centre of Edinburgh is actually pretty small and easy to get around. Most of the main visit attractions are within walking distance of the train station. It is hilly though with lots of cobbled lanes so be prepared for that. The new town is easier to traverse than the old town but if you are comfortable walking it’s an amazing way to explore. Every corner you turn is something else fascinating to look at. Some gems you might want to see which are a little bit far away to walk to are -
Edinburgh Zoo
Royal Yacht Britannia
Murrayfield
Portobello
Botanical Gardens.
When you do need transport the buses in Edinburgh are reliable and plentiful. My best advice is to download the Bus and Tram app from Lothian buses. From here you can book any tickets you want. You can also just board the bus and tap a contactless card. If you tap a few a day you’ll automatically be charged the cheapest day rate so it’s a really affordable, easy way to get around.
If a taxi is needed there are over 1000 black cabs available in the city to hail down if they pass, the rule is if the sign light is on it’s available! Two companies I can recommend to book one in advance is City Cabs and Central Taxis, there is also, of course, Uber.
What are the main attractions I should visit?
The top attraction in Edinburgh is definitely Edinburgh Castle. Overlooking the city, standing proudly on top of an extinct volcano, it’s popular so book tickets ahead of time if you want to visit.
At the other end of the glorious Royal mile is Holyrood Palace, the Scottish Royal residence for the King, which I’d also recommend booking ahead. On the Royal Mile itself there’s the free-to-enter Childhood museum, which will sweep you back to your early years with vintage toys and games, the Scotch Whisky Experience, Camera Obscura, The Real Mary King’s Close (tad spooky if that’s your thing), St Giles Cathedral and at the foot of the hill, the Scottish Parliament Building, Dynamic Earth and the beginning of the walk up Carlton Hill.
The Royal Mile is a beautiful way to first discover Edinburgh and what it’s all about. Once you’ve done that there are so many other options to explore, such as
National Museum of Scotland (free entry)
National Portrait Gallery (free entry)
The National Galleries of Scotland (free entry)
Deans village
Leith waterfront
Greyfriars Kirkyard
Portobello
Stockbridge
Edinburgh zoo
That’s just to name a few, I’ve been visiting Edinburgh since I was a child and I’m still discovering new things when I go, it really is a magnificent city.
Where can I eat in Edinburgh?
As you can imagine there is every option under the sun when it comes to restaurants and cafes. You won’t struggle to find lovely food no matter where you happen to end up in the city. There are budget restaurants, bakeries, Michelin star restaurants, traditional Scottish fare and absolutely everything in between. My recommendations would be
🌸 Budget / Quick
Mhor Bakery
These delightful little bakeries sell amazing pastries, there’s one on Princes Street and one above the Waverley Mall.
Mary’s Milk Bar
For incredible, fresh, made every morning ice cream Mary’s Milk Bar is an absolute must. It is situated in the Grassmarket and is a really popular spot.
🌸Nice lunch spots
Cafe Edinburgh
Serving breakfasts, waffles, pancakes, toasties, sandwiches, burgers and drinks this trendy venue is perfect for lunch. The portions are generous, the vibe is cosy and warm and it’s exactly where you want to escape to for a break and a sit down while exploring
Makers Gourmet Mash Bar
A staple in Edinburgh cuisine, this restaurant is a local gem. For heart-warming traditional Scottish fare in the convenient spot on North Bank Street in the heart of the city this place is a delight. Choose your main meat/ plant- based option, then you get to choose from an incredible 9 different types of mashed potato to accompany it. It’s even voted number 2 for casual dining in the UK and 15th in the world! So this is one to try and book in advance if you can.
Afternoon Tea at The Dome
There are some fantastic afternoon teas on offer in Edinburgh. I choose the one at the Dome as it’s one of the most affordable, but still in an absolutely beautiful building. For only £35 per person it’s a real treat. Mini sandwiches, homemade scones and cakes and a selection of local and exotic teas, using proper china and champagne on offer, it’s a lovely experience all round.
🌸 Vegan
Rabbit food
‘Filthy scran, cocktails and pints with retro video games and never ending tunes’ is what promised and you won’t be disappointed. The food doesn’t miss the meat at all, their macaroni is incredible, and the loaded fries are so good I order them every time.
The Baked Potato Shop
This veggie/vegan shop on Cockburn Street serves delicious baked potatoes with the most creative fillings I’ve seen. It’s cheap, filling and exactly what you fancy after hiking around Edinburgh for a few hours.
🌸 Posh evening meal
The Witchery
World famous for its quirky dark Gothic interior and fine-dining The Witchery is situated at the gates to Edinburgh Castle in a collection of historic buildings dating back to 1595. Lit by candlelight with cosy dark corners and a unique atmosphere it’s highly recommended that you book well in advance.
Dùthchas
If you really want to sample some traditional Scottish fine dining and you don’t mind splashing out Dùthchas on Great Junction Street is about as good as it gets. You can enjoy a 6-Course tasting menu of the creative seasonal dishes that only use the best quality produce from around Scotland. Or perhaps the. 3-Course ‘wee’ taster menu.
What’s the accommodation like if I want to stay overnight?
Again, there’s no shortage of hotels, hostels, bed and breakfasts and guest houses available. Whether you want a quirky witchy themed room, or a classic high end experience, a cheap bed in a hostel or a cosy colourful room in a b+b it’s always fun to choose. I usually stay in the Apex hotels as I trust the brand, they have two in the Grassmarket and 1 on Leith Walk. Try to book your accommodation in advance, especially in Summer, and especially, especially in August when the Fringe is on.
Do you have any more questions about visiting Edinburgh? Do you have a trip booked?
Let me know.
