Guidebook for Edinburgh

Gill
Guidebook for Edinburgh

Sightseeing

It's an ancient castle on volcanic rock. Personally I think it's overpriced and the museum is a lost opportunity - asks lots of interesting questions like 'Why are Scots so over-represented in the British military' but doesn't really answer them. Hardly anything on women. But can you visit Edinburgh and not visit the castle? Best views of it are from Calton Hill or Arthur's Seat.
1961 locals recommend
Edinburgh Castle
Castlehill
1961 locals recommend
It's an ancient castle on volcanic rock. Personally I think it's overpriced and the museum is a lost opportunity - asks lots of interesting questions like 'Why are Scots so over-represented in the British military' but doesn't really answer them. Hardly anything on women. But can you visit Edinburgh and not visit the castle? Best views of it are from Calton Hill or Arthur's Seat.
Preserved and recreated to show what life was like in the old town of Edinburgh
33 locals recommend
Gladstone's Land
477B Lawnmarket
33 locals recommend
Preserved and recreated to show what life was like in the old town of Edinburgh
The Queen's Residence when in Scotland
462 locals recommend
Palace of Holyroodhouse
Canongate
462 locals recommend
The Queen's Residence when in Scotland
1378 locals recommend
National Museum of Scotland
1378 locals recommend

Parks & Nature

Fascinating geology, wonderful views, awe inspiring Salisbury Crags. Jog, climb or take a picnic.
1859 locals recommend
Arthur's Seat
1859 locals recommend
Fascinating geology, wonderful views, awe inspiring Salisbury Crags. Jog, climb or take a picnic.
Take the picnic hamper and rug from the flat and join the rest of Edinburgh on a sunny day!
615 locals recommend
The Meadows
Melville Drive
615 locals recommend
Take the picnic hamper and rug from the flat and join the rest of Edinburgh on a sunny day!
Wonderful views of Princes Street
1098 locals recommend
Calton Hill
Calton Hill
1098 locals recommend
Wonderful views of Princes Street
Another place to picnic on a sunny day
957 locals recommend
Princes Street
Princes Street
957 locals recommend
Another place to picnic on a sunny day

Entertainment & Activities

Fascinating view of old Edinburgh buried under the streets
373 locals recommend
The Real Mary King's Close
2 High St
373 locals recommend
Fascinating view of old Edinburgh buried under the streets
Art House Cinema. Most important venue for the Edinburgh Film Festival
184 locals recommend
Filmhouse
88 Lothian Rd
184 locals recommend
Art House Cinema. Most important venue for the Edinburgh Film Festival
For families really. Kids love the tour back in time to when the earth began. Good special effects and educational.
303 locals recommend
Dynamic Earth
Holyrood Road
303 locals recommend
For families really. Kids love the tour back in time to when the earth began. Good special effects and educational.

Food Scene

Relax in the window with a cake if you dare..otherwise just enjoy the cake.
119 locals recommend
Lovecrumbs West Port
155 West Port
119 locals recommend
Relax in the window with a cake if you dare..otherwise just enjoy the cake.
Wonderful food and you're practically sitting on top of it!
184 locals recommend
TIMBERYARD
10 Lady Lawson St
184 locals recommend
Wonderful food and you're practically sitting on top of it!
Good, reasonable value Indian food
112 locals recommend
Tuk Tuk Indian Street Food
1 Leven St
112 locals recommend
Good, reasonable value Indian food
wonderful ice cream
131 locals recommend
Mary's Milk Bar
19 Grassmarket
131 locals recommend
wonderful ice cream
Wonderful Scottish (and other) cheese shop
56 locals recommend
IJ Mellis Cheesemongers
6 Bakers Place
56 locals recommend
Wonderful Scottish (and other) cheese shop
Really good, authentic tapas - mix of best of Spanish with South African influence. Not cheap but really delicious and fresh.
36 locals recommend
Indaba
3 Lochrin Terrace
36 locals recommend
Really good, authentic tapas - mix of best of Spanish with South African influence. Not cheap but really delicious and fresh.
Good French bistrot
51 locals recommend
Petit Paris
38-40 Grassmarket
51 locals recommend
Good French bistrot
If you are down at Holyrood or visiting the Scottish parliament, this is a good place to eat
191 locals recommend
The Safari Lounge
21 Cadzow Pl
191 locals recommend
If you are down at Holyrood or visiting the Scottish parliament, this is a good place to eat
Great cooking, cheap, friendly owner. This man can cook! Even something simple like scrambled eggs is great - little bit north African/ French twist. Eat lunch or breakfast cheaply and well. Want to try haggis but not pay a fortune for the privilege? Try a haggis roll.
Le Cafe Bleu
Great cooking, cheap, friendly owner. This man can cook! Even something simple like scrambled eggs is great - little bit north African/ French twist. Eat lunch or breakfast cheaply and well. Want to try haggis but not pay a fortune for the privilege? Try a haggis roll.
Lovely food. If you're sick of British pub food and want something fresh and delicious, this is the place to eat. Share 4 medium plates with a friend, 2 glasses of wine and it's about £15 for lunch. Really nice food, well cooked.
92 locals recommend
Under The Stairs
3A Merchant St
92 locals recommend
Lovely food. If you're sick of British pub food and want something fresh and delicious, this is the place to eat. Share 4 medium plates with a friend, 2 glasses of wine and it's about £15 for lunch. Really nice food, well cooked.
Just below the flat you can drink the best coffee in Edinburgh brewed by the lovely Louise.
11 locals recommend
Tasty Buns
67 Bread St
11 locals recommend
Just below the flat you can drink the best coffee in Edinburgh brewed by the lovely Louise.
Reasonable quality Scottish food.
87 locals recommend
Howies Restaurant
10-14 Victoria St
87 locals recommend
Reasonable quality Scottish food.

Getting Around

Trains to Glasgow, terminus for Airlink
269 locals recommend
Edinburgh Waverley Station
Princes Street
269 locals recommend
Trains to Glasgow, terminus for Airlink
You can rent a bike for the day and cycle through the Meadows or by the canal.
18 locals recommend
Biketrax
2 Lochrin Pl
18 locals recommend
You can rent a bike for the day and cycle through the Meadows or by the canal.

Arts & Culture

Contemporary Theatre. major festival venue
87 locals recommend
Traverse Theatre
10 Cambridge St
87 locals recommend
Contemporary Theatre. major festival venue
139 locals recommend
The Usher Hall
Lothian Road
139 locals recommend
Cool jazz bar with very laid back atmosphere.
176 locals recommend
The Jazz Bar
1a Chambers St
176 locals recommend
Cool jazz bar with very laid back atmosphere.
Some of the best theatre in Edinburgh - try the secret seats if you can get them...
79 locals recommend
The Lyceum
30b Grindlay St
79 locals recommend
Some of the best theatre in Edinburgh - try the secret seats if you can get them...

Shopping

Interesting wee arty shop if you're looking for slightly different souvenirs.
24 locals recommend
The Red Door Gallery
42 Victoria St
24 locals recommend
Interesting wee arty shop if you're looking for slightly different souvenirs.
If you're looking for an old piece of scottish stoneware, or can fit a WW2 gas mask in your baggage, this is the place to come.
10 locals recommend
The Courtyard Antiques
108A Causewayside
10 locals recommend
If you're looking for an old piece of scottish stoneware, or can fit a WW2 gas mask in your baggage, this is the place to come.
Vintage shopping - second hand kilts, bowler hats, flapper dresses, flairs
88 locals recommend
Armstrongs Vintage
81-83 Grassmarket
88 locals recommend
Vintage shopping - second hand kilts, bowler hats, flapper dresses, flairs