Edinburgh Travel Guide
Weather, best time to visit, and the best food, culture, nature and activities.
Typical prices
- Budget meal£11.00≈ $14.57
- Mid-range meal£28.00≈ $37.09
- Cappuccino£3.00≈ $3.97
- Domestic beer£5.20≈ $6.89
- Taxi (per km)£2.20≈ $2.91
- Public transport ticket£2.00≈ $2.65
- Museum entry£0.00≈ $0.00
- Mid-range hotel (night)£140.00≈ $185.46
Food & Drink
- The Witchery by the CastleScottish fine dining · $$$$
A gothic, candlelit restaurant beside Edinburgh Castle serving Scottish game and seafood amid tapestries and antiques.
- OndineSeafood · $$$$
A seafood restaurant on George IV Bridge known for its Scottish shellfish platters and sustainably sourced fish.
- The KalpnaIndian vegetarian · $$
A long-running vegetarian Indian restaurant near the university, famous for Gujarati thalis.
- Mother India's CafeIndian · $$
A tapas-style Indian restaurant on Infirmary Street serving small sharing plates rather than standard curries.
- The DogsModern Scottish · $$
A relaxed bistro on Hanover Street serving hearty Scottish comfort food like haggis and pig's cheek.
- Contini Cannonball HouseItalian · $$$
An Italian-Scottish restaurant next to the castle esplanade with a whisky and gin bar upstairs.
- The MilkmanCafe · $
A cozy coffee and brunch spot in a former dairy on Cockburn Street, popular for baked goods.
- The Royal Oak
A tiny traditional pub near the Cowgate famous for spontaneous folk music sessions.
- Bannerman's Bar
A vaulted underground pub on Cowgate with live rock and indie bands most nights.
- The Voodoo Rooms
A grand Victorian venue above the Café Royal hosting club nights and live gigs.
- Sandy Bell's
A small, unassuming pub renowned among locals for nightly traditional Scottish folk sessions.
Culture & History
- National Museum of Scotland
A vast museum on Chambers Street covering Scottish history, natural science, and world cultures, including the Lewis Chessmen.
- Scottish National Gallery
A Neoclassical gallery on The Mound holding works by Vermeer, Titian, and the Scottish Colourists.
- The Real Mary King's Close
A guided tour through preserved underground 17th-century closes buried beneath the Royal Mile.
- Edinburgh Castle
A fortress atop volcanic rock housing the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny.
- Scottish National Portrait Gallery
A red sandstone gallery on Queen Street displaying portraits of major Scottish historical figures.
- Cameo Cinema
An independent Art Deco cinema on Home Street screening arthouse and cult films since 1914.
- Filmhouse
A long-standing arthouse cinema on Lothian Road and hub for the Edinburgh International Film Festival.
- Edinburgh Festival Fringe
The world's largest arts festival, filling venues across the city with comedy, theatre, and cabaret.
- Edinburgh International Festival
A curated program of world-class theatre, opera, and classical music at major city venues.
- Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
A nightly display of massed pipe bands and military performance on the Castle Esplanade.
Nature & Outdoors
- Portobello Beach
A wide sandy beach along the Firth of Forth lined with Victorian promenade cafes, a short tram ride from the center.
- Arthur's Seat
An extinct volcano rising above Holyrood Park with a summit trail offering panoramic views of the whole city.
- Pentland Hills
A range of rolling hills just south of the city popular for hiking and mountain biking.
Active & Fun
- PureGym Edinburgh Fountainbridge
A 24-hour fitness chain gym with weights, cardio, and studio classes.
- Portobello Swim Centre
An Edwardian pool with Turkish baths next to Portobello Beach.
- Royal Commonwealth Pool
A large Olympic-standard pool complex built for the 1970 Commonwealth Games, near Holyrood Park.