Edinburgh, the hilly capital of Scotland, attracts many guests for its outdated buildings and implausible landmarks. With winding cobblestone streets and at least 4 beautiful nationwide artwork galleries, it’s a spot now we have loved on a number of events.
The Scottish capital is a compact metropolis, so that you’ll have the ability to do lots of exploring on foot no matter the place precisely you keep. But we wished to provide enter on our favourite areas of the city and the perfect accommodations in them to make it simpler for you to discover a place to keep that matches into your Edinburgh itinerary completely.
Each Edinburgh neighborhood presents one thing distinctive, from the historic Old Town to the fashionable West End. Whether it’s buildings which might be greater than a thousand years outdated or lush strolling paths alongside the river, there’s little question in my thoughts you’ll take pleasure in your journey regardless of which lodge you ebook.
Where To Stay In Edinburgh
Edinburgh is a captivating metropolis with a ton of historic sights. It’s additionally very walkable, so that you don’t have to keep in the town heart to have the ability to uncover all of its finest landmarks and sights on foot. And for those who don’t thoughts leaping on the tramway or the bus, you might save fairly a bit of cash by reserving lodging in a quieter space.
That’s not to say that the town heart is a foul place to keep; each New Town and Old Town are a few of my favourite choices for first-time guests due to the beautiful outdated structure and infinite attention-grabbing sights. However, each areas are expensive and never a great possibility for vacationers on a tighter funds.
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Where We Stayed
We stayed at Cheval The Edinburgh Grand primarily as a result of I want flats to accommodations for longer stays. It provided the whole lot we would have liked throughout our keep, and I significantly loved the view of St. Andrew Square. And the cozy beds! Don’t hesitate to ebook The Edinburgh Grand if you would like a extra homely place to stick with a wonderful location in the town heart.
Edinburgh Old Town: Our Recommendation
Edinburgh Old Town is the historic coronary heart of this Scottish metropolis and the perfect one for a keep for many vacationers. Stay in the Old Town and also you’ll be inside strolling distance of the perfect metropolis sights, retailers, eating places, and museums.
Just maintain in thoughts that such an necessary a part of Edinburgh is mostly expensive, particularly for lodge stays. If you’re on the lookout for mid-range and luxurious accommodations, you’ll have loads of choices in Edinburgh Old Town. But for those who’re attempting to discover Scotland on a funds, you may want to search for one thing much less central.
Pros and Cons of Staying in Edinburgh Old Town
Pros
Easy strolling entry to fashionable landmarks
The historic heart of Edinburgh is beautiful
Great bars and eating places
Lots of issues to do
Cons
The busiest a part of the town
Hotels are costly
Lots of vacationer traps
Highlights of Staying in Edinburgh Old Town
Edinburgh Old Town is the undisputed heart of the town, with probably the most attention-grabbing landmarks and vacationer sights. From historic castles to implausible museums, it has all the perfect sights that may make you fall in love with the Scottish metropolis.
Edinburgh Castle is by and enormous probably the most iconic landmark in the town. The hilltop citadel dates again to the eleventh century, and it’s identified for housing the Crown Jewels. It’s additionally house to the National War Museum of Scotland and unquestionably my favourite historic attraction to go to in the town.
Walk the Royal Mile from Holyrood Palace to Edinburgh Castle and see all the flamboyant retailers and eating places that line both facet. This is the busiest avenue in the town and a spot you’ll be able to hardly miss when leisurely strolling round Edinburgh’s Old Town.
The National Museum of Scotland is by far the perfect attraction in Edinburgh for historical past buffs and museum-goers. The huge museum presents a pure historical past exhibit, in addition to a set of relics that recount the story of Scottish industrial historical past.
Princes Street Gardens is a sprawling public park just under the Edinburgh Castle. Visit it earlier than or after you tour the compound; it doesn’t matter so long as you get to stroll by means of the park and see all the gorgeous monuments and lovely landscaping.
Cockburn Street is alleged to have been the inspiration for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter, and naturally, I’ve put it on this listing. It’s lined with lovely retailers and good pubs, so there’s loads of issues to do right here aside from admire the buildings.
Best Places To Stay In Edinburgh Old Town
The heart of Edinburgh presents all kinds of lodging choices for each funds. Stay in historic buildings and sip cocktails on rooftop terraces, whereas having fun with uninterrupted views of the town’s skyline.
The Witchery by the Castle
The Witchery by the Castle is a singular keep in the guts of Edinburgh. With 9 lavishly adorned suites, this boutique lodge presents an expertise not like every other. Sleep in four-poster beds in suites which might be completely adorned with interval decorations, starting from guard uniforms to painted ceilings.
Each of the 9 suites is thematically adorned, and my favorites are the guardroom and the library. The elegant suites vary in dimension from 40 m² to 72 m²; the larger suites characteristic a separate sitting room or perhaps a eating corridor. Breakfast is included in the nightly keep, and visitors can select whether or not they want to have it in the room or on the lodge restaurant.
The Witchery even has a sister lodge exterior Edinburgh’s metropolis heart, Prestonfield House. Consider it for a luxurious stick with an ideal location in a extra serene a part of the town.
Market Street Hotel
Choose the implausible Market Street Hotel for those who’re on the lookout for the proper location in Edinburgh Old Town. It’s located on Market Street, simply throughout the road from the Waverley Station and mere steps away from the historic Cockburn Street.
The trendy rooms are a bit on the smaller facet, however they’re all properly adorned. Each room includes a small seating space, a TV, an ensuite toilet, and a espresso/tea-making station. Rooms with wheelchair-accessible bogs are additionally accessible at this lodge.
One of the perfect issues about Market Street Hotel is the rooftop lounge, the place you’ll be able to take pleasure in breakfast and a few of the finest panoramic views of Edinburgh’s skyline. However, it’s additionally necessary to be aware that this lodge lacks a health heart and a spa, so it won’t be a great match for everybody.
CoDE Pod Hostel
The CoDE Pod Hostel is likely one of the finest inexpensive choices in the historic heart of Edinburgh. The nightly charge begins at just a little over $65, which is just a little expensive for a hostel however price it for the placement. Also, this isn’t your basic hostel; all of the dorm rooms characteristic pods as a substitute of bunk beds for privateness.
Each dorm has its personal shared toilet, which is totally spotless. The decor all through the hostel is trendy and glossy, and truthfully, it’s one of many better-looking lodging choices in Edinburgh. Double rooms with ensuite bogs are additionally accessible right here, and so they begin at round $120 per individual for an evening, which is likely one of the higher offers for a keep in Edinburgh Old Town.
The hostel’s shared areas embody a kitchen and a eating/lounge space with a TV. Overall, this is likely one of the higher hostels in Edinburgh, and it’s particularly fashionable with solo vacationers.
Edinburgh New Town is the second-best possibility for first-time guests in the town. It’s tremendous shut to the Old Town and presents equally as many attention-grabbing sights. It’s simply that it’s a bit youthful than the Old Town – by at least a number of hundred years.
The New Town options considerably cheaper lodging choices, however there are simply as many high-end accommodations as in the Old Town. It’s additionally house to a number of well-known streets which might be lined with retailers, bars, and wonderful eating places. For nightlife, purchasing, and tradition, the New Town is the perfect a part of the town.
Pros and Cons of Staying in Edinburgh New Town
Pros
Walking distance to Old Town landmarks
Great for purchasing and nightlife
Plenty of museums and vacationer sights
Cons
As expensive because the Old Town
Busy and noisy
Very few accommodations for funds vacationers
Highlights of Staying in Edinburgh New Town
The New Town is lots of of years youthful than the Old Town, however that doesn’t imply it’s not full of attention-grabbing landmarks and sights. Plenty of fashionable vacationer sights are right here, together with fabulous artwork galleries and Edinburgh’s finest purchasing streets.
The Scott Monument is a fascinating landmark that towers over Princess Street. The Victorian monument was erected in honor of Sir Walter Scott, Edinburgh’s most famous author. Don’t simply stand on the base of the spire-like landmark; climb the 287 steps it takes to get to the highest to expertise a implausible panoramic vista of Edinburgh’s skyline.
Walk down George Street and also you’ll get to see the spectacular Victorian structure Edinburgh is thought for world wide.
Rose Street is New Town’s car-free avenue. It’s lined with pubs on both facet, and it’s the hotspot for nightlife in Edinburgh.
For the perfect purchasing in this Scottish metropolis, you’ll need to head to Princess Street. It’s nearly an infinite stream of retailers in each value vary and the place to be if you would like to purchase something from books to footwear.
Best Places To Stay In Edinburgh New Town
The New Town is a superb a part of Edinburgh, each for first-time and returning guests. It presents accommodations for each funds, though I have to say that mid-range and luxurious vacationers are extra seemingly to discover one thing up their alley. Accommodation in the New Town isn’t low-cost, however there are just a few choices funds vacationers ought to think about.
The Balmoral Hotel
With a historical past of greater than 100 years, The Balmoral Hotel is likely one of the finest five-star accommodations in Edinburgh’s New Town. It is located proper subsequent to Waverley Train Station and only a quick stroll from the town’s finest purchasing streets.
The lodge presents cozy double rooms with elegant furnishings. Every room options an Italian marble toilet, in addition to a seating space and a desk. The Balmoral Hotel presents two eating places, a pool, and a health club, so it’s bought all of the facilities you’d count on from a luxurious lodge.
There’s additionally a spa and wellness heart at this grand lodge, and it features a Turkish steam room, amongst different services. The cherry on high is the fabulous historic lodge constructing, which even has its personal clock tower. As you’d count on from the title, the Balmoral is likely one of the finest and most prestigious accommodations Edinburgh has to provide.
ibis Styles Edinburgh
Situated on St. Andrew’s Square, ibis Styles is a pleasant three-star lodge with a central location. The nightly charge is considerably excessive for an Ibis lodge, however it’s nonetheless often below $300 for 2 folks, which is an effective deal contemplating the placement. And for those who journey in the low season and store round for offers, you’ll be able to ebook an evening right here for below $200.
The rooms are just a little small, however embody a desk, a non-public toilet, and charming Scottish decorations. The beds are comfy and roomy, which is crucial for a great night time’s sleep. Also, each lodge room includes a flat-screen TV, and breakfast is included in the nightly charge.
The ibis lodge includes a bar and a restaurant, however sadly no spa or health heart. Overall, it’s a great possibility for vacationers who need lodging with a wonderful location that gained’t break the financial institution however don’t need to keep in hostels or personal flats.
Princes Street Hostel
Princess Street Hostel is a pleasant possibility for funds vacationers. It’s shut to Waverley Station, Royal Mile, and lots of different fashionable Edinburgh sights. The nightly charge for solo vacationers begins at simply $35 for a mattress in a dorm room, which is a very whole lot for such a central location in Edinburgh.
Private double rooms are additionally accessible on the hostel, though they don’t embody an ensuite toilet. Every dormitory has a shared toilet with a bathe, and enormous teams of vacationers can hire complete dormitories and enormous rooms.
All visitors staying on the Princess Street Hostel get entry to free WiFi and might make use of the shared lounge. There’s additionally a spacious and well-equipped kitchen, in addition to a roomy eating space the place you’ll be able to mingle with different visitors if you would like.
West End: Best For Budget Travelers
West End is a classy Edinburgh neighborhood identified for elegant mansions, cobbled streets, and indie boutiques. It’s the perfect neighborhood in Edinburgh for vacationers on a tighter funds as a result of the accommodations are considerably extra inexpensive than these in the Old Town and New Town.
On high of that, the West End has loads of its personal sights and presents straightforward strolling entry to fashionable landmarks in the historic metropolis heart. Book a lodge close to the border with Edinburgh metropolis heart, and also you’ll get a wonderful charge however be not more than a 15-minute stroll from the historic landmarks.
Pros And Cons of Staying in West End
Pros
Cheaper accommodations and eating places
Not as busy as the town heart
Walking distance to the town heart
Cons
Few landmarks
Not as many lodge choices
Highlights of Staying in West End
Edinburgh’s West End is a quaint residential neighborhood with rows of townhouses and wonderful pubs. It’s bought fairly just a few sights of its personal, and there are causes to come right here, even for those who ebook a lodge smack dab in the center of the Old Town.
Dean Village is a nice a part of Edinburgh’s West End, identified for Nineteenth-century properties, museums, and cobbled streets. Come right here to get misplaced in the pure fantastic thing about the town and benefit from the view of outdated buildings surrounded by lush greenery.
There are 4 National Galleries of Scotland in Edinburgh, and two are in the West End. Both boast gorgeous collections of recent artwork, so don’t miss out for those who’re an artwork lover.
Stroll alongside the Water of Leith Walkway. The strolling path follows the river for 12 miles, providing picturesque views of cascades, timber, and Edinburgh’s signature buildings.
Best Places To Stay in West End
West End is a superb space to keep in as a result of you’ll be able to pay so much much less for accommodations which might be equal in high quality to these in the town heart. And it’s a captivating neighborhood inside strolling distance of all the favored sights,
Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh
Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh is a implausible five-star lodge simply 10 minutes from Edinburgh Castle. It’s set on the border of West End with New Town and Old Town, so for those who select this luxurious lodge, you’ll nonetheless be inside strolling distance of fashionable vacationer sights.
This lodge presents an indoor swimming pool, a health heart, and three eating places. The rooms are medium-sized and elegantly adorned, with delicate Scottish accents. Every lodge room on the Waldorf Astoria includes a flat-screen TV, an ensuite toilet, a seating space, and a Nespresso espresso machine.
But for those who’re going to keep at this lodge, I urge you to ebook a room with a view of Edinburgh Castle. It’s marvelous to get up to views of such an iconic landmark, and it’ll make your keep in the town much more immersive.
The Bonham
The Bonham is a boutique lodge in West End set inside a Victorian townhouse, only a ten-minute stroll from Princess Street. It’s a five-star lodge with a surprisingly inexpensive nightly charge that’s decrease than that of mid-range accommodations in the Old Town. So, select this lodge if you would like implausible service and a sublime room with a beautiful metropolis view.
The visitor rooms aren’t too massive, however they’re very good and cozy. The beds are massive, the ensuite bogs are pristine, and there’s a seating space even in the smallest rooms. Every visitor room additionally comes with a TV and low machine. Bigger rooms and suites are additionally accessible at The Bonham.
The lodge additionally boasts a bar and a restaurant, however it’s missing in additional facilities. There’s no health club, spa heart, or pool, so maintain that in thoughts when deciding on a lodge in Edinburgh’s West End.
Destiny Scotland Distillers House
West End is a superb neighborhood for condominium stays, and Destiny Scotland presents a wide range of choices at an inexpensive value. Starting at just below $200 per night time, you will get a studio condominium with a spacious toilet, a kitchen, and separate bedrooms and dwelling areas.
That comes out to round $100 per individual, which is cheaper than a hostel in the Old Town. You might select to keep at a hostel in the West End, and it might be tremendous low-cost (round $30 per night time), however I wished to provide the possibility of lodging that’s inexpensive, elegant, and doesn’t embody sharing a rest room with strangers.
The condominium is only a 10-minute stroll from Princess Street, so very shut to New Town. Tramway and bus stops are additionally simply a few minutes from the constructing, so that you may be in the guts of Edinburgh in no time.
Where To Stay In Edinburgh FAQs
Which a part of Edinburgh is finest to keep?
The Old Town is the perfect a part of Edinburgh for a lodge keep, each for first-time and returning guests. The historic city space is greater than a thousand years outdated and presents probably the most attention-grabbing landmarks and vacationer sights.
Is it higher to keep in Old or New Town in Edinburgh?
Old Town is mostly higher for vacationers in Edinburgh, particularly for these in historic landmarks. New Town can also be a wonderful place to keep, particularly for purchasing and artwork gallery excursions.
What is the most well-liked space of Edinburgh?
The Old Town is the most well-liked space of Edinburgh. The metropolis’s historic heart is house to all the perfect landmarks and sights, from fashionable museums to iconic sights like Cockburn Street.
What is probably the most walkable space of Edinburgh?
Old Town, New Town, and even West End are all very walkable areas of Edinburgh. All the highest sights in the town heart are straightforward to entry on foot as a result of Edinburgh is one in all Scotland’s most walkable cities.
Where Not To Stay In Edinburgh
There are just a few areas it’s best to keep away from in Edinburgh, however not essentially as a result of they’re unsafe or something like that. It’s just because they’re fairly removed from the town heart and provide only a few issues to do, so that they’re typically unhealthy for vacationers. While these areas may provide cheaper lodging, it’s unlikely you’ll save an excessive amount of cash since you’ll have to pay for public transport, perhaps even taxis, and spend method an excessive amount of time driving round.
The areas that I don’t advocate for vacationers in Edinburgh are Canonmills, Stockbridge, Marchmont, and Northfield. And it’s solely as a result of they’re nowhere close to the town heart and also you’d simply waste valuable time on the bus when you might as a substitute be strolling down George Street.
In phrases of common security and crime charges, Edinburgh is a really protected city for vacationers. Pickpockets are the one factor you need to be looking out for, however the identical may be mentioned of any main metropolis in Europe. And it’s often a lot worse in the capitals on the mainland, lots of which I’ve traveled to with out experiencing any issues.
Edinburgh is a vivacious metropolis, which effortlessly blends and celebrates its colourful historical past with trendy forward-facing innovation. It continues to encourage artists of all types, in addition to being an financial heavyweight. Locals are pleasant and joyful to give instructions or tips about their favourite locations to eat/drink/celebration/go to – Edinburgers like to speak!
Whether you’re visiting on the top of summer season, in shoulder season with the gorgeous foliage of spring and autumn, or braving the winter for Christmas markets and Hogmanay, you’re certain to have a grand outdated time.