Jelena’s guidebook
Food scene
(7 min walk) many rooms of bright, fun and rustic interiors, offering Mediterranean small plates alongside charcoal grill dishes and great cocktails.
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BABA
130 George St(7 min walk) many rooms of bright, fun and rustic interiors, offering Mediterranean small plates alongside charcoal grill dishes and great cocktails.
(20 min walk) best steak in town. Also serves seafood etc. Old school New York vibes.
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Hawksmoor Edinburgh
23 W Register St(20 min walk) best steak in town. Also serves seafood etc. Old school New York vibes.
(17 min walk) Moody and atmospheric venue set over many floors. Grab a cocktail in the basement bar before trying a variety of Indian (with Iranian influence) dishes.
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Dishoom Edinburgh
3a St Andrew Square(17 min walk) Moody and atmospheric venue set over many floors. Grab a cocktail in the basement bar before trying a variety of Indian (with Iranian influence) dishes.
(9 min walk) specialist gin bar, serves Scottish tapas and some classic meals, unique old Victorian style interior.
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The Jolly Botanist
256-260 Morrison St(9 min walk) specialist gin bar, serves Scottish tapas and some classic meals, unique old Victorian style interior.
(13 min walk) provides a very experienced and diverse approach to dining. The menu changes daily. Options include a twist on traditional Scottish cuisine and a wide selection of tequila and wine.
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The Bon Vivant
55 Thistle St(13 min walk) provides a very experienced and diverse approach to dining. The menu changes daily. Options include a twist on traditional Scottish cuisine and a wide selection of tequila and wine.
(15 min walk) Thai restaurant with a diverse menu. Their Roti flatbread is a must-try.
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Nok's Kitchen on the castle
5a Johnston Terrace(15 min walk) Thai restaurant with a diverse menu. Their Roti flatbread is a must-try.
(18 min walk) Health food café with a great brunch menu and great coffee. Vegan and vegetarian options.
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Grams
68 Hamilton Pl(18 min walk) Health food café with a great brunch menu and great coffee. Vegan and vegetarian options.
(20 min walk) on the Royal Mile is a family run Italian with friendly staff and delicious home-made recipes.
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Gordons Trattoria
231 High St(20 min walk) on the Royal Mile is a family run Italian with friendly staff and delicious home-made recipes.
A fun, cosy bar/cafe in the historic Port 'o Leith. They serve up wholesome brunches, lunches and dinners. Drinks include real ale and cocktails served in teapots. The bar is decorated with pre-loved furniture & random treasures.
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Roseleaf bar cafe
23-24 Sandport PlaceA fun, cosy bar/cafe in the historic Port 'o Leith. They serve up wholesome brunches, lunches and dinners. Drinks include real ale and cocktails served in teapots. The bar is decorated with pre-loved furniture & random treasures.
Founded in 1360, is Scotland’s oldest surviving pub. A firm favourite among past monarchs and poets, including Mary Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie. You’re guaranteed a hearty portion here. Don’t miss out on a game of skittles for some old-fashioned entertainment.
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The Sheep Heid Inn
43-45 The CausewayFounded in 1360, is Scotland’s oldest surviving pub. A firm favourite among past monarchs and poets, including Mary Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie. You’re guaranteed a hearty portion here. Don’t miss out on a game of skittles for some old-fashioned entertainment.
Bars
(19 min walk) The best after-hours bar in Edinburgh. Entertainment in the main beer hall from 10pm. Expect table dancing, live music and a fun atmosphere.
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Brewhemia
1A Market St(19 min walk) The best after-hours bar in Edinburgh. Entertainment in the main beer hall from 10pm. Expect table dancing, live music and a fun atmosphere.
(4 min walk) is a cosy gin bar with booths that you can book out for groups. The bar is also home to two Edinburgh Gin stills. This gives guests a rare opportunity to see gin distilling while they relax over an (Instagram-able) cocktail or two.
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Heads & Tales Gin Bar
1a Rutland Street(4 min walk) is a cosy gin bar with booths that you can book out for groups. The bar is also home to two Edinburgh Gin stills. This gives guests a rare opportunity to see gin distilling while they relax over an (Instagram-able) cocktail or two.
(20 min walk) is a unique bar down one of Edinburgh's famous 'closes'. Great cocktails, craft beers and Scottish whisky, with a food menu to boot.
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The Devil's Advocate
9 Advocate's Cl(20 min walk) is a unique bar down one of Edinburgh's famous 'closes'. Great cocktails, craft beers and Scottish whisky, with a food menu to boot.
(8 min walk) is unassuming, disguised as a barber shop from the outside, it can be easily missed. However, on the inside it’s a bar with a buzzing atmosphere, creative cocktails and a broad selection of craft beers.
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Panda & Sons
79 Queen St(8 min walk) is unassuming, disguised as a barber shop from the outside, it can be easily missed. However, on the inside it’s a bar with a buzzing atmosphere, creative cocktails and a broad selection of craft beers.
Sightseeing
Towering 250m above the city, Arthur’s Seat is an extinct volcano. The hike to the top is worth the best view of all of Edinburgh. Start from Holyrood Palace and climb round the right hand side towards Salisbury Crags then up the stepped path to the top. On the way back down be sure to stop at St. Anthony’s Chapel. Otherwise, the easiest and simplest ascent is from the east, where a grassy slope rises above Dunsapie Loch.
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Arthur's Seat
Towering 250m above the city, Arthur’s Seat is an extinct volcano. The hike to the top is worth the best view of all of Edinburgh. Start from Holyrood Palace and climb round the right hand side towards Salisbury Crags then up the stepped path to the top. On the way back down be sure to stop at St. Anthony’s Chapel. Otherwise, the easiest and simplest ascent is from the east, where a grassy slope rises above Dunsapie Loch.
A fortress dating back to the 12th century and home to the Scottish royal jewels. You can spend most of the day here and you also get sweeping views of the city. We recommend the audio tour as it gives you lots of information and context.
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Burg Edinburgh Castle
CastlehillA fortress dating back to the 12th century and home to the Scottish royal jewels. You can spend most of the day here and you also get sweeping views of the city. We recommend the audio tour as it gives you lots of information and context.
A great place to escape the noise of the city and admire the view from above. There are various iconic monuments and buildings at the top.
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Calton Hill
Calton HillA great place to escape the noise of the city and admire the view from above. There are various iconic monuments and buildings at the top.
Once a market place and gathering point for cattle drovers and market traders. Later, public executions began to take place in the east end of the Grassmarket. Now home to traditional shops, restaurants and bars. Pick up a free, self-guided, Greater Grassmarket Historic Trail map in local shops, pubs and cafes, or read and listen to the audio sections online, which reveal the true extent of its interesting, and sometimes gruesome past.
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Grassmarket
10 GrassmarketOnce a market place and gathering point for cattle drovers and market traders. Later, public executions began to take place in the east end of the Grassmarket. Now home to traditional shops, restaurants and bars. Pick up a free, self-guided, Greater Grassmarket Historic Trail map in local shops, pubs and cafes, or read and listen to the audio sections online, which reveal the true extent of its interesting, and sometimes gruesome past.
The most famous street in Edinburgh, filled with pubs, restaurants, and shops. It runs from the castle to Holyrood palace. There are a number of historical sites to check out along the way, such as St Giles' Cathedral, John Knox House and The Heart of Midlothian.
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Der Schmuck der Royal Mile
The most famous street in Edinburgh, filled with pubs, restaurants, and shops. It runs from the castle to Holyrood palace. There are a number of historical sites to check out along the way, such as St Giles' Cathedral, John Knox House and The Heart of Midlothian.
Victoria Street
Victoria StreetColourful buildings
The perfect place to relax if you’ve been walking all day. Vendors sell ice cream, snacks and hot drinks. There is also a children’s play park, and you get an excellent view of the castle. If you’re here at Christmas, the garden turns into a German style winter fair, full of stalls selling food, mulled wine, toys, and rides.
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Princes Street
Princes StreetThe perfect place to relax if you’ve been walking all day. Vendors sell ice cream, snacks and hot drinks. There is also a children’s play park, and you get an excellent view of the castle. If you’re here at Christmas, the garden turns into a German style winter fair, full of stalls selling food, mulled wine, toys, and rides.
A wonderful and educative experience for both adults and children. Features a wide variety of exhibits over seven floors.
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National Museum of Scotland
A wonderful and educative experience for both adults and children. Features a wide variety of exhibits over seven floors.
There are a number of tours that take you to graveyards and underground passageways. Even if you don’t believe in ghosts, the tours take you to some old and interesting parts of the city. Mary Kings Close is especially fascinating.
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The Real Mary King’s Close
2 High StThere are a number of tours that take you to graveyards and underground passageways. Even if you don’t believe in ghosts, the tours take you to some old and interesting parts of the city. Mary Kings Close is especially fascinating.
A vast garden full of interesting plants, trees, glass houses etc. A great place to relax and take a leisurely stroll and it’s free entry.
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Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Arboretum PlaceA vast garden full of interesting plants, trees, glass houses etc. A great place to relax and take a leisurely stroll and it’s free entry.
A hidden gem. Whether you choose to walk, paddle, cycle, canoe or cruise on a canal boat, it’s the perfect escape. Re-union offer two hour canal boat cruises. You can choose from the Tea and Cake Cruise or the Gin Tasting Cruise.
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Union Canal
A hidden gem. Whether you choose to walk, paddle, cycle, canoe or cruise on a canal boat, it’s the perfect escape. Re-union offer two hour canal boat cruises. You can choose from the Tea and Cake Cruise or the Gin Tasting Cruise.
Flowing for 24 miles from its source in the Pentland Hills, the river winds its way through the heart of the city to its outflow in the Firth of Forth at Leith. The river is home to a wide diversity of plants and animals and can be explored on foot or bike for 12 ¾ miles. Dean village is one of the most scenic sites on the route so be sure to check that out. Please be aware that there are sometimes engineering works but walkway diversions are in place and easy to follow.
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Water of Leith Walkway
Water of Leith WalkwayFlowing for 24 miles from its source in the Pentland Hills, the river winds its way through the heart of the city to its outflow in the Firth of Forth at Leith. The river is home to a wide diversity of plants and animals and can be explored on foot or bike for 12 ¾ miles. Dean village is one of the most scenic sites on the route so be sure to check that out. Please be aware that there are sometimes engineering works but walkway diversions are in place and easy to follow.
The ultimate whisky attraction offering a journey through the distilling process. Includes a shop and a restaurant.
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The Scotch Whisky Experience
354 CastlehillThe ultimate whisky attraction offering a journey through the distilling process. Includes a shop and a restaurant.
Built in 1846 to honour the life of Sir Walter Scott, the Gothic spire allows you to climb 200 ft. up a narrow spiral staircase to enjoy views of the city centre.
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Scott Monument
Built in 1846 to honour the life of Sir Walter Scott, the Gothic spire allows you to climb 200 ft. up a narrow spiral staircase to enjoy views of the city centre.
Events
No trip to Edinburgh is complete without taking part in some festival as the city is often called the world's Festival City. The choice is amazing and the experience is memorable: the streets liven up with events, performances and spontaneous gatherings.
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Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society
180 High StNo trip to Edinburgh is complete without taking part in some festival as the city is often called the world's Festival City. The choice is amazing and the experience is memorable: the streets liven up with events, performances and spontaneous gatherings.
Tipps für Reisende
Verkehrsmittel
The closest train station is ‘Haymarket’
Walking will take around 10 minutes. ‘Waverley’ station is the main train station in Edinburgh and it has good links to Glasgow, East Lothian etc. Walking to Waverley takes around 20 mins. Most trains will also pass through Haymarket but you can check timetables at www.scotrail.co.uk. If you are taking the train to Glasgow, please note that there is a ‘fast train’ and a ‘slow train’. Even if the slow train is the next one approaching, check the timing/ number of stops because the fast train will likely arrive in Glasgow a lot sooner.
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Edinburgh has great bus links
The journey planner on the lothian buses website is a useful tool. Type in your current location and destination and the planner will give you relevant options for bus services, as well as walking times. You can also click on the blue bus icons on the map to determine specific bus stop names close to you. The nearest bus stops to the apartment are on Shandwick Place, Western Approach Road or Lothian Road. You can pay contactless, Apple Pay or cash (but you must have the correct change).
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Buses run throughout the night
Night buses have an ‘N’ in front of the service number so don’t get confused when looking at timetables.
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Public transport to the airport will take around 30 minutes
You can take the tram from the ‘West End’ tram stop (on Shandwick Place) heading for Edinburgh Airport. Express bus service ‘Airlink 100’ will also take you to the airport from Shandwick Place (Stop SD). Driving takes around 20 mins.
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Edinburgh taxi numbers
+44(0)131 228 1211 or +44(0)131 629 2129
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Edinburgh also runs an Uber service
Download the app to flag an Uber
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Roads in Holyrood Park
All roads in Holyrood Park are closed to vehicles on Saturdays and Sundays. Closures commence 8.15am/ 9am and reopen from 5pm/ 5.45pm.
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Parking elsewhere in the city
Parking in some parts of the city is free, but generally you have to pay to park. You can use cash for the parking machines or download the ‘RingGo’ app to pay with card. The RingGo app is also useful for finding parking locations and pricing.
Was einpacken?
Layers of clothing
We get four seasons in one day in Scotland. Bring layers so you're well prepared for whatever may come.