Edinburgh packs a castle, a medieval Old Town, a Georgian New Town, an extinct volcano and a port full of Michelin-starred restaurants into a centre you can cross on foot in half an hour. This guide has four self-guided walking routes, the places worth your time with links to book, and where to eat and drink, with each venue's website and Instagram so you can see it first.
Edinburgh map: sights, restaurants, bars and walks
Turn the layers on and off, or pick a walk to draw its route with numbered stops. Tap any pin for links.
Four Edinburgh walking routes
Central Edinburgh is compact but hilly, with steps and cobbles, so wear proper shoes. Distances are approximate and the times include short stops; add more if you go inside the sights.
Old Town classic
About 3.1 km · 1.5 hours walking, half a day with visits
From the Castle esplanade down the Royal Mile to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, with a loop through Victoria Street and Greyfriars.
- Edinburgh Castle
- Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
- Victoria Street
- Greyfriars Kirkyard
- National Museum of Scotland
- St Giles' Cathedral
- Royal Mile
- Palace of Holyroodhouse
New Town and Dean Village
About 4.3 km · 1.5 hours walking, 2.5-3 hours with stops
Gardens and Georgian streets, the Circus Lane mews, then down to the river at Dean Village and along the Water of Leith to Stockbridge.
- Scott Monument
- Princes Street Gardens
- Circus Lane
- Dean Village
- Water of Leith Walkway
- Stockbridge
Arthur's Seat and Holyrood Park
About 3.8 km · 2-2.5 hours
A loop from the palace up through Holyrood Park to the volcanic summit and back past the foot of Salisbury Crags.
- Palace of Holyroodhouse
- Salisbury Crags
- Arthur's Seat and Holyrood Park
- Dynamic Earth
Water of Leith to Leith Shore
About 6.8 km · 2-2.5 hours walking
Follow the river from Dean Village through Stockbridge and past the Botanic Garden all the way to Leith's waterfront and the Royal Yacht Britannia.
- Dean Village
- Water of Leith Walkway
- Stockbridge
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
- The Shore, Leith
- Royal Yacht Britannia
Places to visit in Edinburgh
The 22 sights we would plan a first trip around, with the official site for opening times and tickets.
Edinburgh Castle
The fortress on Castle Rock has guarded the city for centuries and holds the Honours of Scotland (the Crown Jewels), the Stone of Destiny and tiny St Margaret's Chapel, the oldest building in Edinburgh.
Tip: Book a timed entry slot online and arrive for the One O'Clock Gun, fired from the Mill's Mount Battery every day except Sunday.
Time needed: 2-3 hours
Royal Mile
The chain of streets linking the Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, lined with closes, churches, museums and shops.
Tip: Duck into the narrow closes off the main street, such as Advocate's Close and Lady Stair's Close, for views and quieter corners.
Time needed: 1-2 hours to walk, half a day with stops
St Giles' Cathedral
The High Kirk of Edinburgh, with a crown-shaped spire, fine stained glass and the richly carved Thistle Chapel.
Tip: Look for the small carved angel playing bagpipes in the Thistle Chapel ceiling.
Time needed: 45 minutes
Palace of Holyroodhouse
The King's official residence in Scotland, with state apartments, Mary Queen of Scots' chambers and the ruined Holyrood Abbey in its grounds.
Tip: The palace closes to visitors when the royal family is in residence, typically in early summer, so check dates before you plan.
Time needed: 1.5-2 hours
Arthur's Seat and Holyrood Park
An extinct volcano rising 251 metres above the city inside the wild expanse of Holyrood Park, with sweeping views to the Firth of Forth.
Tip: Wear proper footwear: the final scramble to the summit is rocky and slippery in wet weather. The Radical Road below Salisbury Crags has been closed for safety, so check Historic Environment Scotland's notices.
Time needed: 2-3 hours
Calton Hill
A compact hill at the east end of Princes Street crowned by the unfinished National Monument, the Nelson Monument and the Dugald Stewart Monument.
Tip: Come at sunset for the classic view west over the Old Town and Castle, framed by the Dugald Stewart Monument.
Time needed: 45 minutes-1 hour
National Museum of Scotland
A vast museum covering Scottish history, world cultures, natural history and science, from the Lewis Chessmen to Dolly the sheep.
Tip: Take the lift to the roof terrace for a panorama of the Castle and Old Town skyline.
Time needed: 2-3 hours
Scottish National Gallery
A neoclassical gallery on the Mound holding European and Scottish masterpieces, with newer Scottish galleries opening onto Princes Street Gardens.
Tip: Combine it with a stroll through the gardens, as the lower galleries have their own garden-level entrance.
Time needed: 1.5-2 hours
Victoria Street
A curving, cobbled street of brightly painted shopfronts dropping from George IV Bridge to the Grassmarket.
Tip: Visit early in the morning for photos without the crowds; the terrace above gives the best angle.
Time needed: 30 minutes
Greyfriars Kirkyard
An atmospheric graveyard beside Greyfriars Kirk, famous for the story of the loyal terrier Greyfriars Bobby and its ornate memorials.
Tip: Look for the Bobby statue just outside the gates at the top of Candlemaker Row.
Time needed: 30-45 minutes
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
Edinburgh's oldest purpose-built visitor attraction: a Victorian camera obscura that projects live views of the city, plus floors of optical illusions.
Tip: Time your visit for a bright day, when the camera obscura show is sharpest, then head up to the rooftop terrace.
Time needed: 1.5 hours
Scott Monument
A soaring Victorian Gothic tower in Princes Street Gardens dedicated to the novelist Sir Walter Scott.
Tip: The narrow spiral stair has 287 steps and gets tight near the top, so skip it if you dislike confined spaces.
Time needed: 45 minutes
Princes Street Gardens
Landscaped gardens filling the valley of the drained Nor Loch beneath the Castle, split into East and West Gardens by the Mound.
Tip: Find the Ross Fountain in the West Gardens for the best ground-level view of the Castle.
Time needed: 30-60 minutes
Circus Lane
A gently curving mews lane of stone cottages and flower-filled doorsteps behind Royal Circus.
Tip: These are private homes, so keep voices down and do not block doorways while taking photos.
Time needed: 20 minutes
Dean Village
A former grain-milling village on the Water of Leith, known for Well Court's red-roofed tower and the old stone bridge.
Tip: Walk down Bell's Brae from the West End and continue along the river path towards Stockbridge.
Time needed: 45 minutes
Water of Leith Walkway
A riverside path that follows Edinburgh's river for about 12 miles from the Pentland foothills to the port of Leith, passing Dean Village, St Bernard's Well and Stockbridge.
Tip: The stretch from Dean Village to Stockbridge is the prettiest short section; St Bernard's Well with its classical temple sits halfway.
Time needed: 1-3 hours depending on section
Royal Yacht Britannia
The former royal yacht, now moored at Ocean Terminal, where you can tour the state apartments, crew quarters and engine room.
Tip: Allow time for the Royal Deck Tea Room on board, and use the free audio guide to set your own pace.
Time needed: 2 hours
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Seventy acres of gardens founded in 1670, with a rock garden, Chinese hillside and views back to the city skyline.
Tip: The glasshouses have been undergoing a major restoration, so check the website for what is open before you go.
Time needed: 1.5-2 hours
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
Two galleries, Modern One and Modern Two, set in parkland with Charles Jencks' landform sculpture and outdoor works.
Tip: Reach it on foot via the Water of Leith from Dean Village, using the steps up to Belford Road.
Time needed: 1.5-2 hours
The Shore, Leith
Leith's historic quayside where the Water of Leith meets the docks, lined with old warehouses, pubs and restaurants.
Tip: Book dinner here: several of the city's top restaurants are within a few minutes' walk.
Time needed: 1-2 hours
Dynamic Earth
A science centre at the foot of Salisbury Crags that tells the story of the planet, with immersive shows and a 360-degree dome.
Tip: A good wet-weather option with children before or after a walk in Holyrood Park.
Time needed: 2 hours
Portobello Beach
About two miles of sandy beach and Victorian promenade on the Firth of Forth, a short bus ride east of the centre.
Tip: Walk the promenade to the Portobello Swim Centre's Victorian Turkish baths or grab a coffee at one of the prom cafes.
Time needed: 2-3 hours
Free things to do in Edinburgh
Most of Edinburgh’s big museums and galleries are free all year, and so are its best viewpoints. Some special exhibitions charge, and a few places ask for a donation.
National Museum of Scotland
Old Town (Chambers Street)Free: Always free (some special exhibitions are ticketed). Open daily 10:00-17:00; closed 25 December.
Scotland's national museum, covering everything from Dolly the sheep and the Lewis Chessmen to world cultures and science, in a Victorian Grand Gallery and a modern sandstone wing.
Tip: Take the lift to the roof terrace for a free view over the Old Town to the Castle.
Scottish National Gallery (The National)
New Town (The Mound)Free: Always free (some exhibitions are ticketed). Open daily 10:00-17:00.
Scotland's collection of old masters and Scottish art, from Botticelli and Vermeer to Raeburn, with newer Scottish galleries overlooking Princes Street Gardens.
Tip: Look for Raeburn's skating minister, then step into the gardens next door for a view of the Castle.
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
New Town (Queen Street)Free: Always free (some exhibitions are ticketed). Open daily 10:00-17:00.
A red sandstone Gothic Revival building full of faces from Scottish history, from Mary, Queen of Scots to the present day.
Tip: Look up in the Great Hall: the frieze is a procession of famous Scots painted round the walls.
Modern One and Modern Two
Dean Village (Belford Road)Free: Always free (some exhibitions are ticketed). Both open daily 10:00-17:00.
Two galleries of modern and contemporary art facing each other across Belford Road, with a sculpture park and Charles Jencks's landform lawn outside.
Tip: Walk there along the Water of Leith from Dean Village; Modern Two has Paolozzi's recreated studio.
Arthur's Seat and Holyrood Park
HolyroodFree: Always free. The park is open all year; park roads are closed to traffic at weekends.
An extinct volcano rising 251 metres above the city, with a choice of paths to the summit and sweeping views over the Firth of Forth.
Tip: Start from the path near the Palace of Holyroodhouse and wear proper shoes; the upper rocks are slippery when wet. Allow about two hours up and back.
Calton Hill
New TownFree: Always free, open at all times. The Nelson Monument is ticketed; the Collective gallery in the City Observatory is free.
A short climb from Princes Street to a hilltop of monuments, including the unfinished National Monument, with classic views down Princes Street and over the Old Town.
Tip: Come at sunset for the classic view of the Dugald Stewart Monument with the Castle behind.
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Inverleith (Stockbridge)Free: Garden entry is free. Open 10:00-16:00 in November and January (longer in other months). The glasshouses are not free: only the Palm Houses are open, with a paid ticket, while the other glasshouses stay closed for restoration.
Seventy acres of gardens, including a Chinese hillside, rock garden and giant redwoods, with one of the best skyline views of the city.
Tip: Use the East Gate on Inverleith Row from Stockbridge, and look for the Castle view from the lawn by Inverleith House.
Scottish Parliament
HolyroodFree: Always free. Open Monday, Friday and Saturday 10:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30) and Tuesday to Thursday 9:00-18:30 (last entry 18:00); no Sunday hours are listed.
Enric Miralles's striking parliament building at the foot of the Royal Mile, where you can explore the public areas, take a free tour or watch a debate.
Tip: Tuesdays to Thursdays are business days, so you can sit in the public gallery of the debating chamber.
The Writers' Museum
Old Town (Lady Stair's Close)Free: Always free. Open daily 10:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30).
A 17th-century townhouse off the Royal Mile devoted to Robert Burns, Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson, with manuscripts, portraits and personal belongings.
Tip: Read the quotations set into the paving of Makars' Court outside.
Museum of Edinburgh
Canongate (Royal Mile)Free: Always free. Winter opening Wednesday to Sunday 10:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30).
The city's local history museum, in a cluster of 16th-century buildings, holds the National Covenant and the collar and bowl of Greyfriars Bobby.
Tip: Pair it with The People's Story, almost directly opposite.
The People's Story Museum
Canongate (Royal Mile)Free: Always free. Winter opening Wednesday to Sunday 10:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30).
Housed in the 16th-century Canongate Tolbooth, it tells the lives of ordinary Edinburgh people at work and at home from the 18th century to today.
Tip: Pop next door to Canongate Kirkyard, where the economist Adam Smith is buried.
Greyfriars Kirkyard
Old TownFree: Always free. The kirkyard is open 24 hours a day, all year; entry to the kirk is free, with donations encouraged.
One of the world's most famous graveyards, with elaborate 17th-century monuments, links to the Harry Potter books and the story of the loyal terrier Greyfriars Bobby.
Tip: Look for the headstone of Thomas Riddell, then the statue of Bobby by the gate on Candlemaker Row.
Dean Village and the Water of Leith Walkway
Dean Village to StockbridgeFree: Always free and open.
A storybook former milling village in a wooded gorge, a short walk from the West End, linked to Stockbridge and the modern art galleries by a riverside path.
Tip: Walk from Dean Village to Stockbridge past St Bernard's Well, then have lunch on Raeburn Place.
Portobello Beach
PortobelloFree: Always free and open.
Edinburgh's own seaside, a long sandy beach with a Victorian promenade about 20 minutes from the centre by bus.
Tip: Walk the promenade for coffee and ice cream; the restored Victorian Turkish baths are nearby if the weather turns.
Free times checked on the official sites on 6 November 2026. They change, so check the link before you go.
Where to stay in Edinburgh
Stay in the Old Town or New Town for your first visit: everything on the walks above is within about 20 minutes on foot. Stockbridge and Leith suit a second trip or a slower pace.
Old Town
The medieval spine of the city, a tangle of closes, wynds and stone tenements running from the Castle down to Holyrood.
Best for: First-timers, history, atmosphere and being steps from the main sights
New Town
A Georgian grid of wide streets, crescents and squares, home to many of the city's grandest hotels, shops and cocktail bars.
Best for: Elegant hotels, shopping on George Street and Multrees Walk, cocktail bars
Stockbridge
A village-like quarter on the Water of Leith with independent shops, delis and a Sunday market.
Best for: A local feel, brunch, boutiques and riverside walks
Dean Village
A former milling hamlet tucked into a gorge on the Water of Leith, minutes from the West End yet completely tranquil.
Best for: Photographers, quiet stays and walks to the modern art galleries
Leith
Edinburgh's historic port, now its dining hotspot, with Michelin-starred restaurants lining the Shore.
Best for: Food lovers, waterfront strolls and the Royal Yacht Britannia
West End & Haymarket
Handsome Victorian and Georgian streets around the Haymarket rail and tram hub, with theatres and the Usher Hall nearby.
Best for: Easy airport tram links, concerts and theatre, good-value bases
Hotels for every budget. Each button opens our live search with that hotel at the top, so you can change the dates and nights.
Luxury hotels
Grand hotels and five-star stays in the Old Town and New Town.
The Balmoral
The city's landmark grand hotel above Waverley station, with its famous clock tower, a spa and the whisky bar Scotch.
Gleneagles Townhouse
The Gleneagles team in a former bank on St Andrew Square, with a rooftop bar and a members-style feel.
The Edinburgh Grand
Rooms, suites and apartments in a restored 1940s bank headquarters on St Andrew Square, with a cocktail bar in the old banking hall.
The Caledonian
A red-sandstone former railway hotel at the west end of Princes Street, with castle-view rooms and a big spa.
Kimpton Charlotte Square
Georgian townhouses joined into one hotel on the New Town's grandest square, with a pool, spa and courtyard restaurant.
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
Playful rooms in the restored India Buildings at the top of Victoria Street, steps from the Royal Mile and the Grassmarket.
Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa
A large West End hotel with castle views from many rooms and One Spa, whose rooftop hydrotherapy pool looks out over the city.
Boutique and mid-range hotels
Boutique and four-star hotels with character, all in walking distance of the sights.
Tigerlily
A boutique hotel in a Georgian townhouse on George Street, with a busy cocktail bar and the Lulu club downstairs.
Hotel Indigo Edinburgh
A boutique hotel in a row of Georgian townhouses on York Place, a few minutes from St Andrew Square and the Broughton Street bars.
Market Street Hotel
A sleek design hotel beside Waverley station with Scandinavian-style rooms and Nor' Loft, a seventh-floor champagne lounge with city views.
Hotel du Vin Edinburgh
Set in a former asylum by the university, with characterful rooms, a French-style bistro and a whisky snug.
Apex Grassmarket Hotel
A modern four-star on the Grassmarket with a pool and gym, and a choice of rooms looking straight up at the Castle.
Good-value hotels
Clean, well-run hotels in central spots, for when the room is just a base.
Motel One Edinburgh-Royal
Compact, smartly designed rooms and a stylish lounge bar between Waverley station and the Royal Mile, at the foot of Cockburn Street.
hub by Premier Inn Edinburgh Royal Mile
Small but cleverly designed rooms with very comfortable beds and self-service check-in, a short walk from the Royal Mile.
The Resident Edinburgh
Neat rooms with kitchenettes in the West End, good for longer stays and an easy walk to Dean Village and Princes Street.
ibis Styles Edinburgh St Andrew Square
Colourful, comfortable rooms with breakfast included, on St Andrew Square by the tram stop and the St James Quarter.
Moxy Edinburgh Fountainbridge
A playful, sociable hotel by the Union Canal with a bar-style lobby and compact rooms, about 15 minutes' walk from the Castle.
Search every hotel in Edinburgh
Live prices for more than 200 Edinburgh hotels. Pick your dates and nights, or call us to add trains or flights.
Best restaurants in Edinburgh
Leith has the biggest cluster of Michelin-starred cooking, but you will eat well all over the city. Book the tasting-menu places weeks ahead, especially in August and December.
The Kitchin
Modern ScottishLeith
Tom Kitchin's Michelin-starred dining room in a converted whisky warehouse, built around his 'From Nature to Plate' approach to Scottish produce.
Restaurant Martin Wishart
Modern FrenchLeith
A Shore-side institution that has held a Michelin star for more than two decades, pairing classical French technique with Scottish ingredients.
Heron
Modern ScottishLeith
Michelin-starred tasting menus from chefs Tomas Gormley and Sam Yorke in a light, minimalist room near the Water of Leith.
Lyla
Seafood-led modern ScottishNew Town (Royal Terrace)
Stuart Ralston's Michelin-starred restaurant in a Georgian townhouse, with tasting menus focused on fish and shellfish from Scotland's coasts and islands.
Condita
Modern Scottish tasting menuNewington
An intimate Michelin-starred restaurant serving a no-choice surprise menu that changes with what arrives from its suppliers.
Timberyard
Seasonal ScottishOld Town (Lady Lawson Street)
A family-run restaurant in a converted warehouse with a Michelin Green Star for its sustainable, produce-driven cooking.
The Little Chartroom
Modern Scottish bistroLeith
Roberta Hall-McCarron's relaxed neighbourhood restaurant cooking precise, seasonal plates with French influence.
Dishoom Edinburgh
Bombay cafeNew Town (St Andrew Square)
The Edinburgh branch of the Irani-cafe-inspired group, set over two floors of a St Andrew Square building with a basement bar.
The Witchery by the Castle
ScottishOld Town
A theatrical, candlelit dining room of oak panelling and tapestries at the top of the Royal Mile, serving Scottish classics.
The Scran & Scallie
GastropubStockbridge
Tom Kitchin's relaxed pub-restaurant in Comely Bank, serving hearty Scottish dishes and Sunday roasts.
Wedgwood the Restaurant
Modern ScottishOld Town (Canongate)
An independent Royal Mile restaurant known for foraged ingredients and a warm welcome.
Cafe St Honore
French-Scottish bistroNew Town
A Parisian-style brasserie hidden in a New Town lane, cooking Scottish produce with French flair.
Best bars and pubs in Edinburgh
Speakeasy cocktail bars in the New Town, whisky bars and folk-music pubs in the Old Town.
Panda & Sons
Cocktail barNew Town
A speakeasy reached through a vintage barbershop front, regularly listed among the world's best bars.
Bramble
Cocktail barNew Town
A low-lit basement bar beneath a tailor's on Queen Street, a pioneer of Edinburgh's cocktail scene.
Lucky Liquor Co
Cocktail barNew Town
A tiny, playful Queen Street bar with a short menu that changes regularly.
Hey Palu
Cocktail barTollcross (Bread Street)
A relaxed neighbourhood cocktail bar with inventive drinks, close to the West Port.
Nauticus
Cocktail barLeith
A Duke Street bar focused on Scottish spirits and seasonal cocktails, with a maritime theme nodding to Leith's port history.
The Bow Bar
Whisky bar and real-ale pubOld Town
A traditional one-room pub on the West Bow with a long gantry of single malts and well-kept cask ales.
Sandy Bell's
Traditional pubOld Town (Forrest Road)
A small, much-loved pub famed for its nightly folk and traditional music sessions.
The Kenilworth
Traditional pubNew Town (Rose Street)
A grand Victorian pub on Rose Street named after a Walter Scott novel, with tiled walls and a central island bar.
Cafe Royal
Historic pub and oyster barNew Town (West Register Street)
A Victorian bar and oyster bar with ornate ceramic tile murals and stained glass, marking its bicentenary in 2026.
Kay's Bar
Traditional pub and whisky barNew Town (Jamaica Street)
A snug former wine merchant's in a New Town mews with a good malt list and award-winning cask ales.
The Devil's Advocate
Whisky barOld Town
A bar and restaurant in a Victorian pump house up Advocate's Close, with an extensive whisky list.
Gay bars in Edinburgh
CC Blooms
LGBTQ+ bar and clubPink Triangle (Greenside Place)
Edinburgh's best-known LGBTQ+ venue, open since 1994, with a bar upstairs and a late-night dance floor downstairs.
Planet
LGBTQ+ barPink Triangle (Baxter's Place)
A small, lively bar at the top of Leith Walk with drag shows, karaoke and DJs through the week.
The Street
LGBTQ+ bar and clubPink Triangle (Picardy Place)
An independently owned bar with big windows onto Picardy Place and a small basement club at weekends.
The Regent Bar
LGBTQ+ pubAbbeyhill
A friendly LGBTQ+ real-ale pub that welcomes everyone, a short walk east of the Pink Triangle.
Victoria Bar
LGBTQ+-friendly barLeith Walk
An inclusive bar on Leith Walk listed by Forever Edinburgh among the city's LGBTQ+ venues, with DJs, quizzes and community meet-ups.
Paradise Palms
Queer-friendly bar and dinerSouthside (Lothian Street)
A tropical-themed bar and vegan diner with DJs and drag nights, popular with the city's queer crowd.
All venues checked as trading on 6 November 2026. Opening hours change, so check Instagram before you go.
Edinburgh FAQ
When is the best time to visit Edinburgh?
Late spring to early autumn (May to September) brings the longest days and mildest weather, with up to 17 hours of daylight around midsummer. August is the busiest month because of the festivals, while December offers Christmas markets and Hogmanay. Quieter months such as March, April, October and November mean fewer crowds, but pack layers and a waterproof whatever the season.
How many days do you need in Edinburgh?
Three days lets you cover the Old Town, the Castle, the New Town and a climb of Arthur's Seat at a comfortable pace. Add a fourth day for Leith, the Royal Yacht Britannia or a day trip to places such as the Forth Bridges or North Berwick.
How do I get from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre?
Edinburgh Trams run from right outside the terminal to Haymarket, Princes Street, St Andrew Square and on to Leith, taking around 30 to 35 minutes to the centre. The Airlink 100 express bus runs to Waverley Bridge, and taxis take around 25 to 30 minutes depending on traffic.
What is the Edinburgh Festival in August?
August brings several festivals at once, including the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world's largest arts festival, the Edinburgh International Festival, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the Castle esplanade and the Edinburgh International Book Festival. The city is at its liveliest but also its busiest, so book accommodation and shows months ahead.
What happens at Hogmanay in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh's Hogmanay is a multi-day celebration around New Year's Eve, usually including a torchlight procession, concerts and the ticketed Street Party on Princes Street with fireworks over the Castle at midnight. On New Year's Day, hardy swimmers take the Loony Dook plunge into the Forth at South Queensferry. Hotels fill up early, so book well in advance.
Is Edinburgh walkable?
Yes. The city centre is compact, and the walk from the Castle to Holyrood or from the Old Town to Stockbridge takes under 30 minutes. Expect steep hills, steps and cobbles, so comfortable shoes are essential, and use the tram or Lothian Buses for Leith, Portobello and the airport.
Where is the best area to stay in Edinburgh?
The Old Town puts you among the historic sights and atmospheric closes, while the New Town has most of the city's grand hotels, shops and cocktail bars. Stockbridge and Dean Village offer a quieter, village-like feel within walking distance, and Leith suits food lovers who want to be near the Michelin-starred restaurants on the Shore.
Is Edinburgh gay friendly?
Edinburgh is a welcoming, inclusive city, and Scotland has strong legal protections for LGBTQ+ people, including equal marriage. Most LGBTQ+ venues cluster in the 'Pink Triangle' around Broughton Street, Picardy Place and the top of Leith Walk, and Pride Edinburgh takes place each June.
What can you do for free in Edinburgh?
A great deal. The National Museum of Scotland, the Scottish National Gallery, the Portrait Gallery and Modern One and Two are all free and open daily 10:00-17:00, though some exhibitions are ticketed. The city's Writers' Museum, Museum of Edinburgh and People's Story are free too. You can look round the Scottish Parliament at no charge, climb Arthur's Seat or Calton Hill, wander Greyfriars Kirkyard, walk the Water of Leith through Dean Village, explore the Royal Botanic Garden (the glasshouses are ticketed) or head to Portobello beach. Note that St Giles' Cathedral now charges visitors who don't live in Scotland.
Where should I stay in Edinburgh on a budget?
Base yourself in the Old Town or New Town so the sights are on foot. Motel One Edinburgh-Royal on Market Street and hub by Premier Inn by the Royal Mile are well reviewed, central and good value, and ibis Styles on St Andrew Square includes breakfast. The Resident in the West End has kitchenettes for longer stays, and the Moxy at Fountainbridge is a lively option a little further out. Rates soar in August and at Hogmanay, so book well ahead for those dates.
