Edinburgh, the hilly capital of Scotland, attracts many guests for its previous buildings and improbable landmarks. With winding cobblestone streets and at least 4 beautiful nationwide artwork galleries, it’s a spot we’ve got loved on a number of events.
The Scottish capital is a compact metropolis, so that you’ll find a way to do a number 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 one of the 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 previous or lush strolling paths alongside the river, there’s little question in my thoughts you’ll get pleasure from your journey irrespective of which resort you guide.
Where To Stay In Edinburgh
Edinburgh is a captivating metropolis with a ton of historic points of interest. It’s additionally very walkable, so that you don’t have to keep in the town heart to find a way to uncover all of its finest landmarks and points of interest on foot. And in case you 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 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 previous structure and infinite fascinating sights. However, each areas are dear and never 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 choose residences to accommodations for longer stays. It provided every little thing we wanted throughout our keep, and I significantly loved the view of St. Andrew Square. And the cozy beds! Don’t hesitate to guide The Edinburgh Grand if you’d 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 one of the best one for a keep for many vacationers. Stay in the Old Town and also you’ll be inside strolling distance of one of the best metropolis points of interest, retailers, eating places, and museums.
Just maintain in thoughts that such an essential a part of Edinburgh is mostly dear, particularly for resort stays. If you’re searching for 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 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 in style 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 essentially the most fascinating landmarks and vacationer points of interest. From historic castles to improbable museums, it has all one of the best points of interest that can make you fall in love with the Scottish metropolis.
Edinburgh Castle is by and huge essentially 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 indisputably 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 one of the best attraction in Edinburgh for historical past buffs and museum-goers. The huge museum affords 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 way of 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 aside from admire the buildings.
Best Places To Stay In Edinburgh Old Town
The heart of Edinburgh affords 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 novel keep in the guts of Edinburgh. With 9 lavishly embellished suites, this boutique resort affords an expertise in contrast to some 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 embellished, and my favorites are the guardroom and the library. The elegant suites vary in dimension 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 choose to have it in the room or on the resort restaurant.
The Witchery even has a sister resort outdoors Edinburgh’s metropolis heart, Prestonfield House. Consider it for a luxurious stick with an amazing location in a extra serene a part of the town.
Market Street Hotel
Choose the improbable Market Street Hotel in case you’re searching 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 embellished. Each room includes 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 one of the best issues about Market Street Hotel is the rooftop lounge, the place you’ll be able to get pleasure from breakfast and a few of the finest panoramic views of Edinburgh’s skyline. However, it’s additionally essential to be aware that this resort lacks a health heart and a spa, so it won’t be match for everybody.
CoDE Pod Hostel
The CoDE Pod Hostel is without doubt one of the finest 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 situation. Also, this isn’t your traditional hostel; all of the dorm rooms function pods as a substitute of bunk beds for privateness.
Each dorm has its personal shared rest room, which is totally spotless. The decor all through the hostel is trendy and smooth, and truthfully, it’s one of many better-looking lodging choices in Edinburgh. Double rooms with ensuite loos are additionally obtainable right here, they usually 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 in style 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 affords equally as many fascinating points of interest. 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 dwelling to a number of well-known streets which might be lined with retailers, bars, and glorious eating places. For nightlife, purchasing, and tradition, the New Town is one of the best 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 points of interest
Cons
As dear because the Old Town
Busy and noisy
Very few accommodations for funds vacationers
Highlights of Staying in Edinburgh New Town
The New Town is a whole bunch of years youthful than the Old Town, however that doesn’t imply it’s not full of fascinating landmarks and sights. Plenty of in style vacationer points of interest are right here, together with fabulous artwork galleries and Edinburgh’s finest purchasing streets.
The Scott Monument is a charming 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 improbable 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 all over the world.
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 one of the best purchasing in this Scottish metropolis, you’ll need to head to Princess Street. It’s virtually an infinite stream of outlets in each worth vary and the place to be if you’d like to purchase something from books to footwear.
Best Places To Stay In Edinburgh New Town
The New Town is a wonderful a part of Edinburgh, each for first-time and returning guests. It affords accommodations for each funds, though I have 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 funds vacationers ought to contemplate.
The Balmoral Hotel
With a historical past of greater than 100 years, The Balmoral Hotel is without doubt 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 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 obtained 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 prime 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 finest 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, however it’s nonetheless often underneath $300 for 2 folks, which is an efficient deal contemplating the situation. And in case you journey in the low season and store round for offers, you’ll be able to guide an evening right here for underneath $200.
The rooms are just a little small, however embody a desk, a non-public rest room, and charming Scottish decorations. The beds are comfy and roomy, which is crucial for evening’s sleep. Also, each resort room includes a flat-screen TV, and breakfast is included in the nightly price.
The ibis resort includes a bar and a restaurant, however sadly no spa or health heart. Overall, it’s 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 residences.
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 in style Edinburgh points of interest. 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 huge teams of vacationers can lease total dormitories and huge rooms.
All company staying on the Princess Street Hostel get entry to free WiFi and may 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 if you’d like.
West End: Best For Budget Travelers
West End is a stylish Edinburgh neighborhood identified for elegant mansions, cobbled streets, and indie boutiques. It’s one of the best neighborhood in Edinburgh for vacationers on a tighter funds as a result of the accommodations are considerably extra reasonably priced than these in the Old Town and New Town.
On prime of that, the West End has loads of its personal points of interest and affords straightforward strolling entry to in style 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 glorious pubs. It’s obtained fairly a couple of points of interest of its personal, and there are causes to come right here, even in case you guide a resort smack dab in the center of the Old Town.
Dean Village is a pleasing 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 great thing about the town and benefit from the view of previous 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 contemporary 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 a captivating neighborhood inside strolling distance of all the favored points of interest,
Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh
Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh is a improbable 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 in style vacationer points of interest.
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 includes 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 guide 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 if you’d like improbable service and a sublime room with a beautiful metropolis view.
The visitor rooms aren’t too massive, however they’re very good and comfy. 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, however it’s missing in further 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 residence stays, and Destiny Scotland affords a wide range of choices at an reasonably priced worth. Starting at just below $200 per evening, you will get a studio residence with a spacious rest room, a kitchen, and separate bedrooms and dwelling 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 possibility of lodging that’s reasonably priced, elegant, and doesn’t embody sharing a rest room with strangers.
The residence 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 could 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 one of the 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 previous and affords essentially the most fascinating landmarks and vacationer points of interest.
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 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 dwelling to all one of the best landmarks and points of interest, from in style museums to iconic sights like Cockburn Street.
What is essentially the most walkable space of Edinburgh?
Old Town, New Town, and even West End are all very walkable areas of Edinburgh. All the highest points of interest 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 you need 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, in order that they’re typically dangerous 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, perhaps even taxis, and spend manner 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 normal security and crime charges, Edinburgh is a really protected city for vacationers. Pickpockets are the one factor you ought to be looking out for, however the identical could 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 trendy 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/celebration/go to – Edinburgers like to discuss!
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 positive to have a grand previous time.