Edinburgh, the hilly capital of Scotland, attracts many guests for its outdated buildings and unbelievable landmarks. With winding cobblestone streets and a minimum of 4 beautiful nationwide artwork galleries, it’s a spot we now have loved on a number of events.
The Scottish capital is a compact metropolis, so that you’ll give you the chance to do a whole lot of exploring on foot no matter the place precisely you keep. But we wished to supply enter on our favourite areas of the city and the very best 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 affords 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 Whether it’s buildings which might be greater than a thousand years outdated or lush strolling paths alongside the river, there’s little doubt in my thoughts you’ll get pleasure from your journey regardless of which resort you e book.
Where To Stay In Edinburgh
Edinburgh is an enthralling 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 give you the chance to uncover all of its greatest landmarks and sights on foot. And in case you don’t thoughts leaping on the tramway or the bus, you possibly can save fairly a bit of cash by reserving lodging in a quieter space.
That’s not to say that the town heart is a nasty place to keep; each New Town and Old Town are a few of my favourite choices for first-time guests due to the attractive outdated structure and infinite attention-grabbing sights. However, each areas are dear and never a great choice for vacationers on a tighter price range.
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Where We Stayed
We stayed at Cheval The Edinburgh Grand primarily as a result of I want residences to accommodations for longer stays. It provided every little thing we wanted throughout our keep, and I notably loved the view of St. Andrew Square. And the comfortable beds! Don’t hesitate to e book The Edinburgh Grand in order for you 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 very best one for a keep for many vacationers. Stay in the Old Town and also you’ll be inside strolling distance of the very best metropolis sights, retailers, eating places, and museums.
Just maintain in thoughts that such an essential a part of Edinburgh is usually dear, particularly for resort stays. If you’re in search of mid-range and luxurious accommodations, you’ll have loads of choices in Edinburgh Old Town. But in case you’re making an attempt to discover Scotland on a price range, 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 common landmarks
The historic heart of Edinburgh is attractive
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 unbelievable museums, it has all the very best 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 fort dates again to the eleventh century, and it’s identified for housing the Crown Jewels. It’s additionally dwelling to the National War Museum of Scotland and indubitably 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 road 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 very best attraction in Edinburgh for historical past buffs and museum-goers. The huge museum affords a pure historical past exhibit, in addition to a group of relics that recount the story of Scottish industrial historical past.
Princes Street Gardens is a sprawling public park slightly below 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 the park and see all the gorgeous monuments and beautiful landscaping.
Cockburn Street is claimed to have been the inspiration for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter, and naturally, I’ve put it on this record. It’s lined with stunning retailers and good pubs, so there’s loads of issues to do right here apart from admire the buildings.
Best Places To Stay In Edinburgh Old Town
The heart of Edinburgh affords all kinds of lodging choices for each price range. 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 center of Edinburgh. With 9 lavishly embellished suites, this boutique resort affords an expertise in contrast to another. 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 embellished, and my favorites are the guardroom and the library. The elegant suites vary in measurement from 40 m² to 72 m²; the larger suites function a separate sitting room or perhaps a eating corridor. Breakfast is included in the nightly keep, and company can select whether or not they want to have it in the room or on the resort restaurant.
The Witchery even has a sister resort exterior Edinburgh’s metropolis heart, Prestonfield House. Consider it for a luxurious stick with an excellent location in a extra serene a part of the town.
Market Street Hotel
Choose the unbelievable Market Street Hotel in case you’re in search of 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 fashionable rooms are a bit on the smaller facet, however they’re all properly embellished. Each room incorporates a small seating space, a TV, an ensuite rest room, and a espresso/tea-making station. Rooms with wheelchair-accessible loos are additionally obtainable at this resort.
One of the very best issues about Market Street Hotel is the rooftop lounge, the place you’ll be able to get pleasure from breakfast and a number of the greatest panoramic views of Edinburgh’s skyline. However, it’s additionally essential to word that this resort lacks a health heart and a spa, so it may not be a great match for everybody.
CoDE Pod Hostel
The CoDE Pod Hostel is without doubt one of the greatest reasonably priced choices in the historic heart of Edinburgh. The nightly price begins at just a little over $65, which is just a little dear for a hostel however price it for the placement. Also, this isn’t your basic hostel; all of the dorm rooms function pods as an alternative of bunk beds for privateness.
Each dorm has its personal shared rest room, which is totally spotless. The decor all through the hostel is fashionable and modern, and actually, it’s one of many better-looking lodging choices in Edinburgh. Double rooms with ensuite loos are additionally obtainable right here, and so they begin at round $120 per particular person for an evening, which is without doubt 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 without doubt one of the higher hostels in Edinburgh, and it’s particularly common with solo vacationers.
Edinburgh New Town is the second-best choice for first-time guests in the town. It’s tremendous shut to the Old Town and affords equally as many attention-grabbing sights. It’s simply that it’s a bit youthful than the Old Town – by a minimum of 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 dwelling to a number of well-known streets which might be lined with retailers, bars, and wonderful eating places. For nightlife, buying, and tradition, the New Town is the very best a part of the town.
Pros and Cons of Staying in Edinburgh New Town
Pros
Walking distance to Old Town landmarks
Great for buying and nightlife
Plenty of museums and vacationer sights
Cons
As dear because the Old Town
Busy and noisy
Very few accommodations for price range vacationers
Highlights of Staying in Edinburgh New Town
The New Town is a whole lot of years youthful than the Old Town, however that doesn’t imply it’s not stuffed with attention-grabbing landmarks and sights. Plenty of common vacationer sights are right here, together with fabulous artwork galleries and Edinburgh’s greatest buying 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 famed 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 unbelievable 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 very best buying in this Scottish metropolis, you’ll need to head to Princess Street. It’s virtually an infinite stream of retailers in each value vary and the place to be in order for you 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 affords accommodations for each price range, though I need to say that mid-range and luxurious vacationers are extra probably to discover one thing up their alley. Accommodation in the New Town isn’t low cost, however there are a couple of choices price range vacationers ought to think about.
The Balmoral Hotel
With a historical past of greater than 100 years, The Balmoral Hotel is without doubt one of the greatest 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 greatest buying streets.
The resort affords cozy double rooms with elegant furnishings. Every room options an Italian marble rest room, in addition to a seating space and a desk. The Balmoral Hotel affords two eating places, a pool, and a health club, so it’s bought all of the facilities you’d count on from a luxurious resort.
There’s additionally a spa and wellness heart at this grand resort, and it features a Turkish steam room, amongst different services. The cherry on high is the fabulous historic resort constructing, which even has its personal clock tower. As you’d count on from the identify, the Balmoral is without doubt one of the greatest and most prestigious accommodations Edinburgh has to supply.
ibis Styles Edinburgh
Situated on St. Andrew’s Square, ibis Styles is a pleasant three-star resort with a central location. The nightly price is considerably excessive for an Ibis resort, but it surely’s nonetheless often underneath $300 for 2 individuals, which is an efficient deal contemplating the placement. And in case you journey in the low season and store round for offers, you’ll be able to e book an evening right here for underneath $200.
The rooms are just a little small, however embody a desk, a personal rest room, and charming Scottish decorations. The beds are snug and roomy, which is crucial for a great evening’s sleep. Also, each resort room incorporates a flat-screen TV, and breakfast is included in the nightly price.
The ibis resort incorporates a bar and a restaurant, however sadly no spa or health heart. Overall, it’s a great choice for vacationers who need lodging with a wonderful location that received’t break the financial institution however don’t need to keep in hostels or non-public residences.
Princes Street Hostel
Princess Street Hostel is a pleasant choice for price range vacationers. It’s shut to Waverley Station, Royal Mile, and plenty of different common Edinburgh sights. The nightly price 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 obtainable on the hostel, though they don’t embody an ensuite rest room. Every dormitory has a shared rest room with a bathe, and enormous teams of vacationers can hire complete dormitories and enormous rooms.
All company 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 company in order for you.
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 very best neighborhood in Edinburgh for vacationers on a tighter price range as a result of the accommodations are considerably extra reasonably priced than these in the Old Town and New Town.
On high of that, the West End has loads of its personal sights and affords straightforward strolling entry to common landmarks in the historic metropolis heart. Book a resort close to the border with Edinburgh metropolis heart, and also you’ll get a wonderful price 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 resort 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 a couple of sights of its personal, and there are causes to come right here, even in case you e book a resort 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 houses, 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 in case you’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 good space to keep in as a result of you’ll be able to pay loads much less for accommodations which might be equal in high quality to these in the town heart. And it’s an enthralling neighborhood inside strolling distance of all the favored sights,
Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh
Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh is a unbelievable five-star resort simply 10 minutes from Edinburgh Castle. It’s set on the border of West End with New Town and Old Town, so in case you select this luxurious resort, you’ll nonetheless be inside strolling distance of common vacationer sights.
This resort affords an indoor swimming pool, a health heart, and three eating places. The rooms are medium-sized and elegantly embellished, with refined Scottish accents. Every resort room on the Waldorf Astoria incorporates a flat-screen TV, an ensuite rest room, a seating space, and a Nespresso espresso machine.
But in case you’re going to keep at this resort, I urge you to e book 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 resort in West End set inside a Victorian townhouse, only a ten-minute stroll from Princess Street. It’s a five-star resort with a surprisingly reasonably priced nightly price that’s decrease than that of mid-range accommodations in the Old Town. So, select this resort in order for you unbelievable service and a chic room with a beautiful metropolis view.
The visitor rooms aren’t too massive, however they’re very good and cozy. The beds are giant, the ensuite loos are pristine, and there’s a seating space even in the smallest rooms. Every visitor room additionally comes with a TV and occasional machine. Bigger rooms and suites are additionally obtainable at The Bonham.
The resort additionally boasts a bar and a restaurant, but it surely’s missing in additional facilities. There’s no health club, spa heart, or pool, so maintain that in thoughts when deciding on a resort in Edinburgh’s West End.
Destiny Scotland Distillers House
West End is a good neighborhood for condo stays, and Destiny Scotland affords quite a lot of choices at an reasonably priced value. Starting at just below $200 per evening, you will get a studio condo with a spacious rest room, a kitchen, and separate bedrooms and residing areas.
That comes out to round $100 per particular person, which is cheaper than a hostel in the Old Town. You may select to keep at a hostel in the West End, and it will be tremendous low cost (round $30 per evening), however I wished to provide the choice of lodging that’s reasonably priced, elegant, and doesn’t embody sharing a rest room with strangers.
The condo 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 center of Edinburgh in no time.
Where To Stay In Edinburgh FAQs
Which a part of Edinburgh is greatest to keep?
The Old Town is the very best a part of Edinburgh for a resort keep, each for first-time and returning guests. The historic city space is greater than a thousand years outdated and affords probably the most attention-grabbing landmarks and vacationer sights.
Is it higher to keep in Old or New Town in Edinburgh?
Old Town is usually higher for vacationers in Edinburgh, particularly for these in historic landmarks. New Town can also be a wonderful place to keep, particularly for buying and artwork gallery excursions.
What is the preferred space of Edinburgh?
The Old Town is the preferred space of Edinburgh. The metropolis’s historic heart is dwelling to all the very best landmarks and sights, from common 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 certainly one of Scotland’s most walkable cities.
Where Not To Stay In Edinburgh
There are a couple of 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 supply only a few issues to do, so that they’re typically unhealthy for vacationers. While these areas would possibly supply cheaper lodging, it’s unlikely you’ll save an excessive amount of cash since you’ll have to pay for public transport, possibly even taxis, and spend approach an excessive amount of time using round.
The areas that I don’t suggest 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 treasured time on the bus when you possibly can as an alternative be strolling down George Street.
In phrases of normal security and crime charges, Edinburgh is a really secure city for vacationers. Pickpockets are the one factor you need to be looking out for, however the identical may be stated 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 fashionable forward-facing innovation. It continues to encourage artists of all types, in addition to being an financial heavyweight. Locals are pleasant and completely happy to give instructions or tips about their favourite locations to eat/drink/get together/go to – Edinburgers like to discuss!
Whether you’re visiting on the peak of summer time, 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.