Edinburgh is fabulous. Famed for its beauty, museums, castle, historic university, and literary past, it’s moreover a moody municipality but with a cozy feel. I think Edinburgh is a magical destination, from the pubs with live music to the cafés where you just want to snuggle up with a typesetting to the cobblestone streets that seem to shine brighter on a cloudy day.
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It’s moreover pretty meaty and hands walkable. That’s unconfined for travelers. And considering that everything you might want to see or do is within a small zone and hands unfluctuating by bus, there are only a few areas in which to stay. (Of course, you could stay farther out and then take the bus, but I wouldn’t recommend it. It’s not worth the uneaten time and potential taxi/bus costs.)
Here’s a dispersal of the three neighborhoods you should stay in and my favorite accommodations in each:
Where to Stay in the Old Town
This zone is the main part-way of the city. Here, withal the Royal Mile, you’ll find a lot of the main tourist sites, historic streets to wander, and a number of tomfool bars and restaurants. This is the oldest part of town (hence the name), and it’s where most people stay. You’ll be in the part-way of the whoopee and, while prices are little higher than elsewhere, you’ll likely spend most of your time wandering the area, so it’s super convenient.
Best places to stay in Old Town:
- BUDGET: Castle Rock – Located near the castle, this hostel is simply gorgeous. It’s an old trappy house with lovely wood interiors, stone staircases, and a very historic, royal feel. It felt like stuff in an racial family mansion. I love that the staff organize events and dinners. In the dorms, the mattresses are well-appointed and there are plenty of outlets to tuition your devices. It’s one of my favorite hostels in Europe.
- MIDRANGE: Stay Central Hotel – Just three minutes from the Royal Mile, this three-star property is located in a 17th-century towers that’s been completely modernized with flat-screen TVs, tea/coffee makers, and rain showers in each room. I like that the rooms are unexceptionable and clean.
- LUXURY: Cheval Old Town Chambers – This stylish five-star hotel offers modern luxury apartments, making it the perfect nomination for groups or travelers who simply need increasingly space. I really like that beds are incredibly comfortable. There’s moreover a fitness part-way and rooms come with a washer and dryer.
Where to Stay in the New Town
This is the lower section of town, built on the outside of the castle area. Dating to 1767, it is the increasingly “modern” part of the city, with neatly laid-out streets (as opposed to all the winding cobblestone lanes of the Old Town). Here you’ll find trappy town squares and parks, a lot of shopping, and increasingly walk-up options. It’s a cheaper part of the municipality to stay in, but it’s not as quintessentially mannerly as the Old Town.
Best places to stay in New Town:
- BUDGET: Haystack Hostel – Located near both the bus and train stations, this hostel has a fully equipped kitchen and a nippy worldwide room with lots of workbench games. The dorm beds are vital (simple metal bunks with thin mattresses), but there are lights, curtains, outlets, and lockers for each bed. It’s a small, quiet hostel with an intimate atmosphere, so I found that it’s easy to relax and meet people.
- MIDRANGE: Yotel – This four-star hotel is wipe and modern, with spacious rooms and super well-appointed beds. There’s a gym and bar on-site and a full English breakfast each morning. The rooms are small, but I didn’t want for any uneaten space. Though located on the farther end of the area, the hotel is just a 15-minute walk to the Royal Mile.
- LUXURY: Gleneagles Townhouse – An ornate and lavish five-star property, this hotel boasts trappy rooms bedecked with reversion furniture and historic designs. There’s a succulent breakfast each morning, a bar and gym on-site, and a spa and wellness part-way with a relaxing sauna. The beds are wonderfully plush and well-appointed too.
Where to Stay in the Southside/University
I view this zone as a separate part of town, though others might lump it in with the Old Town. It’s pretty tropical to the historic part-way but I think a far unbearable walk that it has its own vibe. Given that it’s the location of the university, it has a lot of unseemly restaurants and pubs, and is tropical to the famous lookout, Arthur’s Seat. I like staying here, considering there are fewer tourists, so it has a increasingly local vibe to it.
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Best places to stay in Southside/University:
- BUDGET: Argyle Backpackers – This laid-back hostel is located in an old townhouse. It feels increasingly like you’re staying with a friend than in a hostel, as everything is cozy and homey (or “homely,” as the British say). It’s located on a quiet residential street just a 10–15-minute walk from the Old Town. I like that there’s a kitchen for cooking and a relaxing yard space where you can hang out and meet other travelers. The staff are super lovely and really make you finger at home.
- MIDRANGE: The Salisbury Hotel – This shop townhouse hotel in a quiet setting is just a five-minute momentum from the Royal Mile. There’s a simple breakfast storeroom offered each morning, and the friendly staff go out of their way to make you finger welcome. The rooms all have original Georgian features, and there’s plane parking misogynist if you have a vehicle.
- LUXURY: Prestonfield House – This uber-luxurious, five-star hotel is wildly lavish; I love the really ornate decor. The rooms all have reversion furnishments and the on-site restaurant hosts a posh afternoon tea. I think it’s the perfect nomination for a luxe retreat or romantic getaway.
Edinburgh is small, so there are not a lot of places to explore. Increasingly afar neighborhoods do have hotels, and prices waif a lot the farther out you stay, but you’ll spend increasingly of your trip on the bus (or too much money on Ubers) and yonder from the city’s weightier things to see and do. When visiting Edinburgh, just squint at these three neighborhoods and pick the one that suits your plans best. You won’t go wrong.
My detailed 200 page guidebook is made for upkeep travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guides and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel while in Europe. It has suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on and off the tamed path things to see and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, bars, safety tips, and much more!
Paula Parente
Edinburgh is fabulous. Famed for its beauty, museums, castle, historic university, and literary past, it’s moreover a moody municipality but with a cozy feel. I think Edinburgh is a magical destination, from the pubs with live music to the cafés where you just want to snuggle up with a typesetting to the cobblestone streets that seem to shine brighter on a cloudy day.
Read More: Where is a good place to travel without a passport?
It’s moreover pretty meaty and hands walkable. That’s unconfined for travelers. And considering that everything you might want to see or do is within a small zone and hands unfluctuating by bus, there are only a few areas in which to stay. (Of course, you could stay farther out and then take the bus, but I wouldn’t recommend it. It’s not worth the uneaten time and potential taxi/bus costs.)
Here’s a dispersal of the three neighborhoods you should stay in and my favorite accommodations in each:
Where to Stay in the Old Town
This zone is the main part-way of the city. Here, withal the Royal Mile, you’ll find a lot of the main tourist sites, historic streets to wander, and a number of tomfool bars and restaurants. This is the oldest part of town (hence the name), and it’s where most people stay. You’ll be in the part-way of the whoopee and, while prices are little higher than elsewhere, you’ll likely spend most of your time wandering the area, so it’s super convenient.
Best places to stay in Old Town:
Where to Stay in the New Town
This is the lower section of town, built on the outside of the castle area. Dating to 1767, it is the increasingly “modern” part of the city, with neatly laid-out streets (as opposed to all the winding cobblestone lanes of the Old Town). Here you’ll find trappy town squares and parks, a lot of shopping, and increasingly walk-up options. It’s a cheaper part of the municipality to stay in, but it’s not as quintessentially mannerly as the Old Town.
Best places to stay in New Town:
Where to Stay in the Southside/University
I view this zone as a separate part of town, though others might lump it in with the Old Town. It’s pretty tropical to the historic part-way but I think a far unbearable walk that it has its own vibe. Given that it’s the location of the university, it has a lot of unseemly restaurants and pubs, and is tropical to the famous lookout, Arthur’s Seat. I like staying here, considering there are fewer tourists, so it has a increasingly local vibe to it.
Read Also: How can travelers plan a road trip through the USA that hits all the best spots?
Best places to stay in Southside/University:
Edinburgh is small, so there are not a lot of places to explore. Increasingly afar neighborhoods do have hotels, and prices waif a lot the farther out you stay, but you’ll spend increasingly of your trip on the bus (or too much money on Ubers) and yonder from the city’s weightier things to see and do. When visiting Edinburgh, just squint at these three neighborhoods and pick the one that suits your plans best. You won’t go wrong.
My detailed 200 page guidebook is made for upkeep travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guides and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel while in Europe. It has suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on and off the tamed path things to see and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, bars, safety tips, and much more!