A mini guide to Edinburgh
Most flights land in Edinburgh, and this beautiful city is the first stop on the Scotland road trip itinerary.
Edinburgh truly blew me away, I absolutely LOVED it! It’s such a walkable city filled to the brim with charm and new places to discover around each corner. The architecture in Edinburgh is beautiful and the city’s medieval past seems very much alive in its buildings. Crooked cobblestone streets and Georgian architecture intertwine perfectly with modern construction and make it an awesome place to explore. In fact, Old Town Edinburgh is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
On your first visit to Edinburgh I recommend really immersing yourself in the city and staying in the Old Town. I’ve stayed in both Cheval Old Town Chambers which is in the heart of Old Town, and Kimpton Charlotte Square in New Town. Both were great.
Edinburgh is a perfect city to explore on foot because nooks, small alleyways and steep cobblestone staircases lie around every corner. I love waking up early, grabbing coffee and setting off to explore.
Edinburgh is such a walkable city, and you should spend time exploring its charming neighborhoods. My two of our favorite areas to wander are Dean Village and Circus Lane in the Stockbridge area. Dean Village is picturesque residential village with a river winding through its streets. Circus Lane is a mews lane that was built in the 1700’s when Edinburgh’s New Town was developed. It is a quiet residential street that oozes charm and is full of beautiful homes and gardens.
While my favorite thing to do in Edinburgh is just wander around and explore, some not-miss activities include visiting the Edinburgh Castle and climbing to the top of Arthur’s Seat. And if you’re a Harry Potter fan there is a whole list of additional must-dos!
Edinburgh served as the inspiration for Harry Potter and it’s easy to see the parallels. The hauntingly beautiful Edinburgh Castle is perched on a hill overlooking the city and resembles Hogwarts. The colorful and commercial Victoria Street which is lined with shops gives nod to Diagon Alley. Another fun edition to a Potterhead’s Edinburgh itinerary is to swing by The Elephant House, a cafe where J.K. Rowling wrote some of Harry Potter.
After you’re done exploring it’s time to eat authentic Scottish cuisine. I found the food in Edinburgh to be delicious and very fresh. Some of my favorite Edinburgh restaurants are The Doric for traditional Scottish bites, The Milkman for coffee, The Bon Vivant for small shareable plates and Bramble for craft cocktails in a “speakeasy” bar.
Stay: Cheval Old Town Chambers in Old Town or Kimpton Charlotte Square in New Town
Do: Explore the residential areas of Circus Lane and Dean Village, visit Edinburgh Castle, climb Arthur’s Seat, check out the “real life” Diagon Alley, Victoria Street
Eat: The Doric (traditional Scottish bites), The Milkman ( tea and coffee), The Bon Vivant (small shareable plates) and Bramble (craft cocktails)
Recommended length of stay: 2-4 nights