Edinburgh, the hilly capital of Scotland, attracts many guests for its outdated buildings and improbable landmarks.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 have the ability to do plenty of exploring on foot no matter the place precisely you keep. But we needed to provide enter on our favourite areas of the city and the most effective lodges in them to make it simpler for you to discover a place to keep that matches into your Edinburgh itinerary completely.
Each Edinburgh neighborhood gives one thing distinctive, from the historic Old Town to the fashionable West End. Whether it’s buildings which are greater than a thousand years outdated or lush strolling paths alongside the river, there’s little question in my thoughts you’ll get pleasure from your journey irrespective of which lodge you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 middle to have the ability to uncover all of its finest landmarks and points of interest on foot. And should you don’t thoughts leaping on the tramway or the bus, you would save fairly a bit of cash by reserving lodging in a quieter space.
That’s not to say that the town middle 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place to keep; each New Town and Old Town are a few of my favourite choices for first-time guests due to the attractive outdated structure and infinite fascinating sights. However, each areas are dear and never a superb 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 lodges for longer stays. It provided every little thing we would have liked throughout our keep, and I significantly loved the view of St. Andrew Square. And the comfortable beds! Don’t hesitate to guide The Edinburgh Grand if you would like a extra homely place to stick with a superb location in the town middle.
Edinburgh Old Town: Our Recommendation
Edinburgh Old Town is the historic coronary heart of this Scottish metropolis and the most effective one for a keep for many vacationers. Stay in the Old Town and also you’ll be inside strolling distance of the most effective metropolis points of interest, retailers, eating places, and museums.
Just preserve in thoughts that such an essential a part of Edinburgh is mostly dear, particularly for lodge stays. If you’re in search of mid-range and luxurious lodges, you’ll have loads of choices in Edinburgh Old Town. But should 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 widespread landmarks
The historic middle 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 middle of the town, with probably the most fascinating landmarks and vacationer points of interest. From historic castles to improbable museums, it has all the most effective points of interest that can make you fall in love with the Scottish metropolis.
Edinburgh Castle is by and huge probably the most iconic landmark in the town. The hilltop fort dates again to the eleventh century, and it’s recognized for housing the Crown Jewels. It’s additionally residence to the National War Museum of Scotland and definitely my favourite historic attraction to go to in the town.
Walk the Royal Mile from Holyrood Palace to Edinburgh Castle and see all the flowery retailers and eating places that line both aspect. This is the busiest road in the town and a spot you may hardly miss when leisurely strolling round Edinburgh’s Old Town.
The National Museum of Scotland is by far the most effective attraction in Edinburgh for historical past buffs and museum-goers. The huge museum gives 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 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 means of the park and see all the beautiful 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 middle of Edinburgh gives 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 adorned suites, this boutique lodge gives an expertise in contrast to another. Sleep in four-poster beds in suites which are 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 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 lodge restaurant.
The Witchery even has a sister lodge exterior Edinburgh’s metropolis middle, 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 improbable Market Street Hotel should you’re in search of the right 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 aspect, however they’re all properly adorned. Each room contains a small seating space, a TV, an ensuite toilet, and a espresso/tea-making station. Rooms with wheelchair-accessible bogs are additionally out there at this lodge.
One of the most effective issues about Market Street Hotel is the rooftop lounge, the place you may get pleasure from breakfast and a few of the finest panoramic views of Edinburgh’s skyline. However, it’s additionally essential to observe that this lodge lacks a health middle and a spa, so it may not be a superb match for everybody.
CoDE Pod Hostel
The CoDE Pod Hostel is among the finest inexpensive choices in the historic middle of Edinburgh. The nightly price begins at slightly over $65, which is slightly dear for a hostel however price it for the situation. 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 toilet, which is completely spotless. The decor all through the hostel is fashionable and glossy, and actually, it’s one of many better-looking lodging choices in Edinburgh. Double rooms with ensuite bogs are additionally out there right here, they usually begin at round $120 per particular person for an evening, which is among 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 among the higher hostels in Edinburgh, and it’s particularly widespread 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 gives equally as many fascinating points of interest. 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 lodges as in the Old Town. It’s additionally residence to a number of well-known streets which are lined with retailers, bars, and glorious eating places. For nightlife, buying, and tradition, the New Town is the most effective 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 points of interest
Cons
As dear because the Old Town
Busy and noisy
Very few lodges 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 fascinating landmarks and sights. Plenty of widespread vacationer points of interest are right here, together with fabulous artwork galleries and Edinburgh’s finest buying 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 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 improbable panoramic vista of Edinburgh’s skyline.
Walk down George Street and also you’ll get to see the spectacular Victorian structure Edinburgh is understood for around the globe.
Rose Street is New Town’s car-free avenue. It’s lined with pubs on both aspect, and it’s the hotspot for nightlife in Edinburgh.
For the most effective buying in this Scottish metropolis, you’ll need to head to Princess Street. It’s virtually an infinite stream of outlets 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 gives lodges for each price range, though I need 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 price range vacationers ought to contemplate.
The Balmoral Hotel
With a historical past of greater than 100 years, The Balmoral Hotel is among the finest five-star lodges in Edinburgh’s New Town. It is located proper subsequent to Waverley Train Station and only a quick stroll from the town’s finest buying streets.
The lodge gives 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 gives two eating places, a pool, and a fitness center, so it’s received all of the facilities you’d count on from a luxurious lodge.
There’s additionally a spa and wellness middle 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 among the finest and most prestigious lodges 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 price is considerably excessive for an Ibis lodge, however it’s nonetheless normally below $300 for 2 folks, which is an effective deal contemplating the situation. And should you journey in the low season and store round for offers, you may guide an evening right here for below $200.
The rooms are slightly small, however embody a desk, a non-public toilet, and charming Scottish decorations. The beds are snug and roomy, which is important for a superb evening’s sleep. Also, each lodge room contains a flat-screen TV, and breakfast is included in the nightly price.
The ibis lodge contains a bar and a restaurant, however sadly no spa or health middle. Overall, it’s a superb choice for vacationers who need lodging with a superb 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 widespread 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 out there on the hostel, though they don’t embody an ensuite toilet. Every dormitory has a shared toilet with a bathe, and huge teams of vacationers can hire complete 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 may mingle with different company if you would like.
West End: Best For Budget Travelers
West End is a classy Edinburgh neighborhood recognized for elegant mansions, cobbled streets, and indie boutiques. It’s the most effective neighborhood in Edinburgh for vacationers on a tighter price range as a result of the lodges 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 points of interest and gives straightforward strolling entry to widespread landmarks in the historic metropolis middle. Book a lodge close to the border with Edinburgh metropolis middle, and also you’ll get a superb price however be not more than a 15-minute stroll from the historic landmarks.
Pros And Cons of Staying in West End
Pros
Cheaper lodges and eating places
Not as busy as the town middle
Walking distance to the town middle
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 glorious pubs. It’s received fairly just a few points of interest of its personal, and there are causes to come right here, even should you guide a lodge smack dab in the center of the Old Town.
Dean Village is a nice a part of Edinburgh’s West End, recognized 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 beautiful collections of contemporary artwork, so don’t miss out should 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 may pay lots much less for lodges which are equal in high quality to these in the town middle. 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 lodge simply 10 minutes from Edinburgh Castle. It’s set on the border of West End with New Town and Old Town, so should you select this luxurious lodge, you’ll nonetheless be inside strolling distance of widespread vacationer points of interest.
This lodge gives an indoor swimming pool, a health middle, and three eating places. The rooms are medium-sized and elegantly adorned, with delicate Scottish accents. Every lodge room on the Waldorf Astoria contains a flat-screen TV, an ensuite toilet, a seating space, and a Nespresso espresso machine.
But should you’re going to keep at this lodge, 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 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 price that’s decrease than that of mid-range lodges in the Old Town. So, select this lodge if you would like improbable service and a chic room with a stunning metropolis view.
The visitor rooms aren’t too large, 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 occasional machine. Bigger rooms and suites are additionally out there at The Bonham.
The lodge additionally boasts a bar and a restaurant, however it’s missing in additional facilities. There’s no fitness center, spa middle, or pool, so preserve that in thoughts when deciding on a lodge in Edinburgh’s West End.
Destiny Scotland Distillers House
West End is a good neighborhood for condominium stays, and Destiny Scotland gives a wide range of choices at an inexpensive value. Starting at just below $200 per evening, you may get a studio condominium with a spacious toilet, 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 might select to keep at a hostel in the West End, and it will be tremendous low cost (round $30 per evening), however I needed to provide the choice 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 center 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 most effective 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 gives probably 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 superb 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 middle is residence to all the most effective landmarks and points of interest, from widespread 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 points of interest in the town middle 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 just a few 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 middle and provide only a few issues to do, in order 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, possibly even taxis, and spend method 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 middle and also you’d simply waste valuable time on the bus when you would 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 ought to be looking out for, however the identical may be stated of any main metropolis in Europe. And it’s normally 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 glad to give instructions or recommendations on their favourite locations to eat/drink/occasion/go to – Edinburgers like to speak!
Whether you’re visiting on the peak of summer time, in shoulder season with the beautiful foliage of spring and autumn, or braving the winter for Christmas markets and Hogmanay, you might be certain to have a grand outdated time.