Where to Stay in Edinburgh: The Best Neighborhoods To Stay In On Your Edinburgh Visit
Edinburgh is probably my favorite city in the world. Scotland’s capital city, there’s SO much to do and see. The magical atmosphere, charming buildings (no skyscrapers to be seen!) , unmatched history and culture, and an abundance of great food spots make Edinburgh an incredible destination to visit. And with so much to see and do, I recommend finding a great location to base yourself in to get the most out of your trip to Edinburgh. There’s a lot of neighborhoods, hotels, and areas to choose from- so if you’re wondering where to stay in Edinburgh, I’ve got you! Here’s some of the best places to stay in Edinburgh.
How To Get Around Edinburgh As a Tourist
When discussing locations to stay in, it’s important to know how to travel around Edinburgh. Spoiler alert: it’s insanely easy! Edinburgh is a very walkable city and you do not need a car to get around (unless you plan on taking a day trip outside of the city!). The city is essentially split in half into two sections: Old Town and New Town, which are both UNESCO World Heritage sites. Named for their respective ages, these two sections are divided by Princes Street. This is where you’ll most likely arrive in Edinburgh, as buses and trams arrive there straight from Edinburgh Airport.
New Town sits to the north of Princes Street and is aptly named for being the newer section of Edinburgh. Construction of New Town began in 1767 and continued throughout the early 1800s. The Georgian architecture is stunning! Getting around Edinburgh’s New Town is very simple- there’s a tram that links directly from Princes Street all the way to the edge of the Firth of Forth. This route takes roughly 15-20 minutes and is easily accessible as the trams run every few minutes. There’s also an abundance of buses to take!
To the south of Princes Street, Old Town is the more ‘touristy’ district of Edinburgh as it’s home to most of the historical attractions in Edinburgh, such as Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Since much of it is 300-900 years old, there’s no tram in this part of the city. That being said, it’s extremely walkable (and there’s still buses to get around on!). I recommend using the City Mapper app for easy routes around Edinburgh.
Where To Stay in Edinburgh For the First Time:
Visiting the capital city of Scotland for the first time and want the full Edinburgh experience? I highly recommend staying in Old Town! As previously mentioned, this is the oldest part of the city and where you’ll find the most attractions.
Where to Stay in Old Town Edinburgh:
- Grassmarket: My FAVORITE neighborhood in Edinburgh Old Town. It sits just below the Royal Mile and off of the famous Victoria Street. Grassmarket is home to several shops, historic pubs, and beautiful cobblestone streets. An added bonus? A STUNNING view of Edinburgh Castle! For the best view, just head right up the Vennel Viewpoint stairs (it’s located in Grassmarket!). It’s decently busy during the daytime, but the central location, stunning views, and great options for shopping, food and drinks more than makeup for any increased foot traffic. I stayed in Grassmarket during my second trip to Edinburgh and found that it wasn’t too loud or noisy, which was a surprising bonus.
HOTEL RECOMMENDATION IN GRASSMARKET: WILDE APARTHOTELS GRASSMARKET
- Cowgate: Cowgate is another great place to stay in Edinburgh’s Old Town, and is located right next to Grassmarket. They’re connected by Victoria Street and their functions in Edinburgh history: Farmers drove their cattle to the Grassmarket through Cowgate (the name makes sense, doesn’t it!). Cowgate is a GREAT location for nightlife, food, and entertainment in Old Town, with an abundance of clubs and pubs. Attend a ceilidh (a traditional Scottish group dance led by a caller and to some lively music!) and get drinks at Stramash, or go on a spooky underground Vaults tour at South Bridge (More on that tour + more ghostly things to do in Edinburgh here!).
- Canongate: Head to the other end of the Royal Mile by staying in Canongate, which sits closer to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Here, you’ll find some more historical and cultural gems in Edinburgh, such as Tolbooth Tavern, the Palace, and even Scottish Parliament! To get to the other attractions and to the other end of the Royal Mile, you will have to walk slightly uphill- so just keep that in mind.
Overall, Old Town is my top pick for areas to stay in Edinburgh. You’ll be the closest to top attractions, and in my opinion, feel like you’ve stepped back in time! It’s stunning and a perfect option for your first time.
Where to Stay in Edinburgh Cheap:
If you’re looking for ways to make your trip to Scotland less expensive, I recommend staying outside of Old Town. Because there’s so much to do and see there (and the main tourist district in Edinburgh), accommodation is much more expensive there. That’s why I recommend staying somewhere in New Town. Here, you’ll find a lot more hotels and choices for accommodation. You’ll be further from attractions like the Royal Mile, but still within a very reasonable distance. Plus, it’ll be a quieter area with gorgeous Georgian architecture and an abundance of shopping, restaurants, and bars.
Neighborhoods in New Town to Stay in:
New Town is home to some incredible neighborhoods in Edinburgh! Whether you’re looking for picturesque villages, trendy areas, or just a more quiet and affordable place to stay in Edinburgh, New Town has got you covered! Here’s some of my recommendations:
- Leith: For a more authentic (less touristy) experience of Edinburgh AND maximum affordability, Leith is a great option! What makes this area more affordable is that it’s located further out from Edinburgh city center. If you’re using public transport, it’ll take you about 10-15 minutes to get to Princes Street (about 25 if you’re heading into Edinburgh Old Town). It’s about a 45 minute walk from Leith to Old Town. It’s a port area, sitting right on the water of the Firth of Forth. Visit numerous hip cafes and thrift stores, stroll along the water, or even pay a visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia, which was formerly the official Royal Yacht of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth from 1954-1997. Leith was where I stayed on my first trip to Edinburgh, and I really enjoyed it because it allowed me to see a side of Edinburgh I probably wouldn’t have ventured into otherwise.
- Stockbridge: If you LOVE a good shopping spree or exploring adorable streets, you’ll probably fit right in in Stockbridge! Stockbridge sits just north of New Town (it previously was not technically part of Edinburgh but was incorporated in the 1800s). It has a very village-like feel to it. Here, you can explore a wide array of boutiques (and attend the weekly Sunday market!), snap some Instagram-worthy pictures on Circus Lane, or reconnect with nature at the Royal Botanic Garden or Water of Leith Walkway.
- Rose Street Area: While this one isn’t technically a neighborhood, it’s still a fantastic place to stay in Edinburgh. Rose Street is located between Princes Street and George Street, making it an incredibly central location in the city, with easy access to both Old Town and New Town. Rose Street has been a lively area in Edinburgh since the 19th century and is lined with an abundance of pubs. It’s an incredible area to go on a pub crawl, visit shops like Uniqlo on Princes Street, or travel to other attractions such as Johnnie Walker Princes Street. Carrying luggage in this city will absolutely humble you, so staying on Rose Street helps a ton! Simply turn the corner from Princes Street (where you’ll arrive into the city), and you’re right there. Huge win for avoiding stairs, more cobblestone, and stress!
hotel recommendation on rose street: THE HUB BY PREMIER INN:
Where to Stay in Edinburgh Scotland:
The capital city of Scotland is an incredible place to visit and stay. Whether you’re trying to find where to stay in Edinburgh for the first time or fell in love and want to visit again, there’s no shortage of safe, fun, and affordable places to stay in Edinburgh. Let me know which area sounds most like your vibe! If you need help planning your next trip to Edinburgh, check out 10 Things You Need to Do in Edinburgh
