The Ultimate Local's Guide to Edinburgh

Where to stay 🗺️

Edinburgh is an incredibly compact city with excellent public transport links, which means regardless of where you base yourself you will be able to explore much more of the city than your immediate vicinity! That said, it’s good to understand the different areas of the city before booking accommodation.

1. Old Town: The most historic part of the city, home to most of the main tourist attractions. The streets are beautiful but it can be expensive as it is the most popular place for tourists to stay.

2. Charlotte Square to St Andrew’s Square: Between the two main squares at either end of Princes Street and George Street is the bustling city centre. It’s close to the train station, bus station and tram for the airport, meaning it is the easiest place to get to when arriving in the city. Perfect for anyone with a reasonable budget looking to stay very central!

3. Stockbridge: We are leaving the main city centre behind and are venturing into local territory! Just a 15 minute walk from the city centre, and right by the stunning Dean Village, Stockbridge is perfect if you want a laidback break, away from the crowds with plenty of cute coffee shops and cosy pubs.

4. Leith: Edinburgh’s up-and-coming neighbourhood, and now newly linked to the city via the tram extension. There are plenty of bars, excellent eateries and a bustling craft beer scene, this is the place to stay for anyone wanting to experience Edinburgh nightlife without the crowds of tourists on Cowgate. The Shore is a must visit on a sunny day for a waterfront pint or coffee!

5. Portobello: Can’t decide between a city break and a seaside escape? Get the best of both worlds at Portobello. It’s slightly further out of the city centre but easily accessible by bus and with plenty of amenities and fantastic local businesses in the area to keep you occupied.