Guidebook for Edinburgh
Arts & Culture
Awesome museum especially if its raining and kids love it (but don't worry, it never rains!)
1378 locals recommend
National Museum of Scotland
Awesome museum especially if its raining and kids love it (but don't worry, it never rains!)
It is free and has magnificent pictures of famous dead folk
523 locals recommend
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
1 Queen StIt is free and has magnificent pictures of famous dead folk
It is free and situated in a beautiful old building that used to be a school. The café is lovely for lunch.
1010 locals recommend
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
75 Belford RdIt is free and situated in a beautiful old building that used to be a school. The café is lovely for lunch.
Drinks & Nightlife
Saturday afternoon free house band - from 4pm. Dad dancing mandatory.
10 locals recommend
Bannerman's Bar
212 CowgateSaturday afternoon free house band - from 4pm. Dad dancing mandatory.
Check the listings. Live jazz every day (evening). I like to go solo and sit for a couple of hours with a beer or G&T. But the more socially adept can go with friends! Late slot usually has a younger crowd and funkier set.
176 locals recommend
The Jazz Bar
1a Chambers StCheck the listings. Live jazz every day (evening). I like to go solo and sit for a couple of hours with a beer or G&T. But the more socially adept can go with friends! Late slot usually has a younger crowd and funkier set.
Castle Terrace
33-35 Castle TerraceFine dining and lovely lunch
A bit grungy and free entry. Mainly rock and blues, and good show piece for local musicians and talent. Dad dancing allowed (tolerated).
62 locals recommend
Whistlebinkies Live Music Bar
4-6 South BridgeA bit grungy and free entry. Mainly rock and blues, and good show piece for local musicians and talent. Dad dancing allowed (tolerated).
Firm favourite, quirky, character and a good excuse to explore Morningside (posh mums abound)
95 locals recommend
Canny Mans
237 Morningside RdFirm favourite, quirky, character and a good excuse to explore Morningside (posh mums abound)
Guinness, open fire, no fuss. Genial atmosphere. Tucked away basement bar just behind the apartment.
43 locals recommend
Jolly Judge
7 James CtGuinness, open fire, no fuss. Genial atmosphere. Tucked away basement bar just behind the apartment.
Converted bank and very grand too. You can sneak in for a look and ask for tap water.
285 locals recommend
The Dome
14 George StConverted bank and very grand too. You can sneak in for a look and ask for tap water.
Home of Inspector Rebus; an authentic Scottish Boozer. Particularly good if you enjoy the Edinburgh Literature Trail. There are many other guided walks to check out.
23 locals recommend
The Oxford Bar
8 Young StHome of Inspector Rebus; an authentic Scottish Boozer. Particularly good if you enjoy the Edinburgh Literature Trail. There are many other guided walks to check out.
Live folk music and authentic, genial Edinburgh pub. Brilliant. Plum porter is epic too
43 locals recommend
Captains Bar
4 S College StLive folk music and authentic, genial Edinburgh pub. Brilliant. Plum porter is epic too
Grand interior and triple cooked chips are incredible. Try fish and chips in the bar.
125 locals recommend
Cafe Royal
19 W Register StGrand interior and triple cooked chips are incredible. Try fish and chips in the bar.
Pre booking required with tasting and food options. Its a stone throw from the flat and Castle, which when you have a had a few drams, is very handy.
149 locals recommend
The Scotch Whisky Experience
354 CastlehillPre booking required with tasting and food options. Its a stone throw from the flat and Castle, which when you have a had a few drams, is very handy.
Excellent selection of real ales, beer garden and excellent food. Highly recommended.
125 locals recommend
The Cumberland Bar
1-3 Cumberland StExcellent selection of real ales, beer garden and excellent food. Highly recommended.
Food Scene
OMG - totally delicious ice cream, with Italian flair. Smooth and velvety. The pistachio and hazelnut are awesome! Daily from 2pm, it is popular, expect queues.
131 locals recommend
Mary's Milk Bar
19 GrassmarketOMG - totally delicious ice cream, with Italian flair. Smooth and velvety. The pistachio and hazelnut are awesome! Daily from 2pm, it is popular, expect queues.
Delightful cheese shop, old style decor and quality. Also in Stockbridge.
56 locals recommend
IJ Mellis Cheesemongers
6 Bakers PlaceDelightful cheese shop, old style decor and quality. Also in Stockbridge.
Refined and delicious, high quality, great value and perfect service. Scottish seasonal food. Its not fussy either, just lovingly prepared. My number one restaurant (I haven't tried them all, but I am working on it)
150 locals recommend
The Stockbridge Tap
2-6 Raeburn PlRefined and delicious, high quality, great value and perfect service. Scottish seasonal food. Its not fussy either, just lovingly prepared. My number one restaurant (I haven't tried them all, but I am working on it)
Home made macarons. Large variety to choose from and beautifully prepared. Take a selection for a picnic or home with coffee. And try not to eat half before getting there.
6 locals recommend
Mademoiselle Macaron
Home made macarons. Large variety to choose from and beautifully prepared. Take a selection for a picnic or home with coffee. And try not to eat half before getting there.
Seriously good gastro pub. Book ahead to be sure of a reservation. And a good walk from center through New Town and Stockbridge areas.
378 locals recommend
The Scran and Scallie
1 Comely Bank RdSeriously good gastro pub. Book ahead to be sure of a reservation. And a good walk from center through New Town and Stockbridge areas.
TING THAI CARAVAN Teviot Place
9 Teviot PlStreet food, delicously good value and taste
Awesome traditional bar. I like the bar food, sandwiches and triple cooked chips! Oyster. apparently are also good.
125 locals recommend
Cafe Royal
19 W Register StAwesome traditional bar. I like the bar food, sandwiches and triple cooked chips! Oyster. apparently are also good.
Pre book the gin distillery tour and taste some great local gins. Happy Days
62 locals recommend
Edinburgh Gin Distillery
1A Rutland StreetPre book the gin distillery tour and taste some great local gins. Happy Days
The Kitchin
Beautiful food, beautiful people. Top Nosh!
Dishoom Edinburgh
3a St Andrew SquareAsian food and great for breakfast, brunch or dinner.
Shopping
Iconic, long established Italian Deli. Café at rear. Limoncello anyone?
189 locals recommend
Valvona Crolla
19 Elm RowIconic, long established Italian Deli. Café at rear. Limoncello anyone?
John Lewis & Partners
60 Leith StDepartment store for everything and great service
Sightseeing
You can not visit Edinburgh and not go to the Castle. Best at 1pm! If like me, you love the to and fro battles with the English then the audio guides are worth getting. Or try podcasts.
1961 locals recommend
Edinburgh Castle
CastlehillYou can not visit Edinburgh and not go to the Castle. Best at 1pm! If like me, you love the to and fro battles with the English then the audio guides are worth getting. Or try podcasts.
Explore the Royal Yacht. Did the Queen and guests really sleep in those tiny beds?
630 locals recommend
Royal Yacht Britannia
Ocean DriveExplore the Royal Yacht. Did the Queen and guests really sleep in those tiny beds?
The 'Gothic-Rocket' monument to Sir Walter Scott, Scottish author educated in Edinburgh. You can climb the steps inside to experience a great view from the top.
302 locals recommend
Scott Monument
The 'Gothic-Rocket' monument to Sir Walter Scott, Scottish author educated in Edinburgh. You can climb the steps inside to experience a great view from the top.
Free entry and beautiful stained glass windows. Free recitals at the weekend
152 locals recommend
St Giles' Cathedral
High StreetFree entry and beautiful stained glass windows. Free recitals at the weekend
Getting Around
Nearest long term car park. Check APCOA online for details and pre booking
269 locals recommend
Edinburgh Waverley Station
Princes StreetNearest long term car park. Check APCOA online for details and pre booking
Direct link to airport and flat. Journey time about 30 minutes. Also good for park and ride if have a car. Tram arrives on Princes street and easy walk to flat.
11 locals recommend
Saughton Tram station
Direct link to airport and flat. Journey time about 30 minutes. Also good for park and ride if have a car. Tram arrives on Princes street and easy walk to flat.
Lothianbuses.com can be used to plan your journey in and around Edinburgh
58 locals recommend
Lothian Buses Travelshop
31 Waverley BridgeLothianbuses.com can be used to plan your journey in and around Edinburgh
Parks & Nature
Special views and healthy walk. Good shoes essential - i have tried bad shoes and had to throw then out afterwards
1859 locals recommend
Arthur's Seat
Special views and healthy walk. Good shoes essential - i have tried bad shoes and had to throw then out afterwards
Stunning park. A long walk out but you can explore the Stockbridge and New Towns en route
1227 locals recommend
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Arboretum PlaceStunning park. A long walk out but you can explore the Stockbridge and New Towns en route
You cant miss it. And beautiful for a picnic beneath the castle. Play area for the kids, or ascend the Scott Monument
957 locals recommend
Princes Street
Princes StreetYou cant miss it. And beautiful for a picnic beneath the castle. Play area for the kids, or ascend the Scott Monument
Calton Hill
Calton HillIncredible viewpoint. An easy walk and costs nothing!
The Meadows
Melville DrivePicnic days and chilling out.