Helen’s guidebook
Sightseeing
Edinburgh Castle
CastlehillCommanding view of city.
Scott Monument
Climb to the top of this monument in every narrower circles.
Palace of Holyroodhouse
CanongateQueen's residence in Scotland.
Edinburgh Old Town
Lovely traditional harbour on Firth of Forth - now boasting Chippie with the best fish and chips ever.
26 locals recommend
Newhaven
Lovely traditional harbour on Firth of Forth - now boasting Chippie with the best fish and chips ever.
Duddingston
Arthur's Seat
Supreme Courts
11 Parliament SquareParkland and gardens for scientific centre for the study of plants, their diversity and conservation. Great place for a stroll, with a cafe and restaurant. Good views south towards city centre.
1227 locals recommend
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Arboretum PlaceParkland and gardens for scientific centre for the study of plants, their diversity and conservation. Great place for a stroll, with a cafe and restaurant. Good views south towards city centre.
Canongate Kirk
153 CanongateBelow the City Chambers discover a warren of streets frozen in time. Discover authentic truths about Edinburgh's dark past, and find out what it was really like for the people who lived, worked, and died on the Close.
373 locals recommend
The Real Mary King's Close
2 High StBelow the City Chambers discover a warren of streets frozen in time. Discover authentic truths about Edinburgh's dark past, and find out what it was really like for the people who lived, worked, and died on the Close.
Calton Hill, a hill in the center of the city is the location of several iconic monuments and buildings: the National Monument, the Nelson Monument, the Dugald Stewart Monument, the old Royal High School, the Robert Burns Monument, the Political Martyrs' Monument and the City Observatory.
1098 locals recommend
Calton Hill
Calton HillCalton Hill, a hill in the center of the city is the location of several iconic monuments and buildings: the National Monument, the Nelson Monument, the Dugald Stewart Monument, the old Royal High School, the Robert Burns Monument, the Political Martyrs' Monument and the City Observatory.
St Giles' Cathedral
High StreetThe High Kirk of Edinburgh
Take a stroll along the Walkway a public footpath and cycleway, along the Water of Leith.
Edinburgh is built on different levels and the part of the Water of Leith Walkway that runs from Stockbridge to the Dean Village demonstrates this vividly. From Stockbridge walk upstream through the deep gorge to the Dean Village on the site of old watermills. This ravine is dramatically spanned by the Dean Bridge, designed by Thomas Telford in 1832.
16 locals recommend
Water of Leith Walkway
Water of Leith WalkwayTake a stroll along the Walkway a public footpath and cycleway, along the Water of Leith.
Edinburgh is built on different levels and the part of the Water of Leith Walkway that runs from Stockbridge to the Dean Village demonstrates this vividly. From Stockbridge walk upstream through the deep gorge to the Dean Village on the site of old watermills. This ravine is dramatically spanned by the Dean Bridge, designed by Thomas Telford in 1832.
Neighbourhoods
With a village vibe on the Water of Leith, Stockbridge is great place to explore. From the flat you can wander through the Botanics and down to the south and over the Water of Leith, you'll find Raeburn Place, with its delis, specialty shops and thrift stores. Relax in one of its cafes, restaurants or pubs.
350 locals recommend
Stockbridge
With a village vibe on the Water of Leith, Stockbridge is great place to explore. From the flat you can wander through the Botanics and down to the south and over the Water of Leith, you'll find Raeburn Place, with its delis, specialty shops and thrift stores. Relax in one of its cafes, restaurants or pubs.
On the number 8 bus route to and from the flat, is Broughton Street, a place of independent shops, cafes, restaurants and boutiques. It's a great place to wander up and down with its laid-back vibe and community feel.
10 locals recommend
Broughton Street
Broughton StreetOn the number 8 bus route to and from the flat, is Broughton Street, a place of independent shops, cafes, restaurants and boutiques. It's a great place to wander up and down with its laid-back vibe and community feel.
Leith
Cramond
The Grassmarket is located directly below Edinburgh Castle and forms part of one of the main east-west vehicle arteries through the city centre. It adjoins the Cowgate and Candlemaker Row at the east end, the West Bow (the lower end of Victoria Street) in the north-east corner, King's Stables Road to the north west and the West Port to the west. Leading off from the south-west corner is the Vennel, on the east side of which can still be seen some of the best surviving parts of the Flodden and Telfer town walls.
317 locals recommend
Grassmarket
10 GrassmarketThe Grassmarket is located directly below Edinburgh Castle and forms part of one of the main east-west vehicle arteries through the city centre. It adjoins the Cowgate and Candlemaker Row at the east end, the West Bow (the lower end of Victoria Street) in the north-east corner, King's Stables Road to the north west and the West Port to the west. Leading off from the south-west corner is the Vennel, on the east side of which can still be seen some of the best surviving parts of the Flodden and Telfer town walls.
Shopping
Saint Stephen Street
Saint Stephen StreetSmall independent shops.
Princes Street
Princes StreetANTA Scotland Ltd
91 George StFull of chain High Street shops and restaurants. Think Hobbs, The White Company, Jigsaw, Jaegar, Jo Malone to name but a few.
Plenty of pubs and restaurants too!
309 locals recommend
George Street
George StreetFull of chain High Street shops and restaurants. Think Hobbs, The White Company, Jigsaw, Jaegar, Jo Malone to name but a few.
Plenty of pubs and restaurants too!
John Lewis & Partners
60 Leith StGreat views from the top of this department store.
Art Galleries
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
75 Belford RdScottish National Portrait Gallery
1 Queen StMuseums
National Museum of Scotland
Museum of Childhood
42 High StPeople's Story
163 CanongateSocial history of Edinburgh museum
The Writers' Museum
Lady Stair's CloseMuseum to some of Scotland's great writers.
A little bit further afield...
Pentland Hills Regional Park
A journey into the countryside south of Edinburgh
A coastal town about 25 miles east of Edinburgh - you can reach it by car, bus or train.
119 locals recommend
North Berwick
A coastal town about 25 miles east of Edinburgh - you can reach it by car, bus or train.
Ten miles to the north-west of Edinburgh city centre, on the shore of the Firth of Forth between the Forth Bridge, Forth Road Bridge and the Queensferry Crossing. The prefix South serves to distinguish it from North Queensferry, on the opposite shore of the Forth. Both towns derive their name from the ferry service established by Queen Margaret in the 11th century, which continued to operate at the town until 1964, when the Road Bridge was opened.
Possible to walk along the coast from South Queensferry through the Dalmeny Estate to Cramond Village - 4.5 miles.
114 locals recommend
Queensferry
Ten miles to the north-west of Edinburgh city centre, on the shore of the Firth of Forth between the Forth Bridge, Forth Road Bridge and the Queensferry Crossing. The prefix South serves to distinguish it from North Queensferry, on the opposite shore of the Forth. Both towns derive their name from the ferry service established by Queen Margaret in the 11th century, which continued to operate at the town until 1964, when the Road Bridge was opened.
Possible to walk along the coast from South Queensferry through the Dalmeny Estate to Cramond Village - 4.5 miles.
Inchcolm Abbey
Inchcolm IslandCraigmillar Castle is a ruined medieval castle in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is three miles (4.8 km) south-east of the city centre. It is best known for its association with Mary, Queen of Scots, who convalesced in the castle after an illness after the birth of her son, the future James VI in 1566.
Enjoy views to the north over the city of Edinburgh from the castle ramparts.
58 locals recommend
Craigmillar Castle
Craigmillar Castle RoadCraigmillar Castle is a ruined medieval castle in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is three miles (4.8 km) south-east of the city centre. It is best known for its association with Mary, Queen of Scots, who convalesced in the castle after an illness after the birth of her son, the future James VI in 1566.
Enjoy views to the north over the city of Edinburgh from the castle ramparts.
Food scene
Chaophraya Thai Restaurant
33 Castle StThai restaurant with fantastic view of castle
Artisan Roast
57 Broughton StLeo's Beanery
23A Howe StExcellent home baking and coffee! Cheese scones are just great!