It’s been a week and a half since I returned from my looooong stay in London and all I can think about is my weekend in Edinburgh. I’ve always dreamt of visiting Edinburgh and Scotland in general and this trip was a real discovery for me in every way.
I’d already been living in London for 2 and a half months, where the energy is just incredible – it’s a city that never stops. At the end of those 2 months, I was a bit tired of the transport, the dance classes and the intensive English courses I was taking at the same time. So when I arrived in Edinburgh, I discovered a city that was nothing like London. In fact, I discovered a calmer city on a more human scale and I felt that it suited me better. There was no end of surprises, and I was literally speechless when I saw the old city in the distance, perched high above the city. I can’t believe it! In two seconds, the view teleports me to Bergamo and citta alta, one of my most beautiful journeys in the last two years. Like Edinburgh, the old town is perched on high ground, offering an incredible panoramic view of the city. Even more astonishingly, it also reminded me of our beautiful French Riviera region because of its proximity to the sea. And yes, Edinburgh is only 40 minutes from the sea by public transport, and you can see it from the old town perched on the heights. Finally, I was also pleasantly surprised by its proximity to nature. As well as the sea, there’s Calton Hill and Holyrood Park, which overlooks the town in the same way as Baou de St Jeannet, only closer! So many diverse and varied elements make this an extremely pleasant town to visit.
Added to that, it was a wonderful weekend for lovers, which made the moment even more magical.
I’m sharing with you 10 must-visit places and addresses for your next trip to Edinburgh.
1. Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is an iconic ancient fortress perched on a rocky outcrop on Castle Hill in the heart of the city. Its strategic location makes it one of the country’s most important historic sites. Its imposing presence dominates the city skyline and offers not only a rich historical experience, but also spectacular views of Edinburgh and its surroundings.
it has been largely shaped over the centuries by various occupations and renovations and has been the scene of many historic events and played a crucial role in Scotland’s history.
edinburgh Castle is open to visitors and welcomes millions of tourists every year. The castle is generally open every day, with the exception of certain public holidays.
2. Edinburgh Old Town
Edinburgh’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a fascinating historic district and one of the most iconic parts of the city. The Old Town is known for its medieval architecture and narrow, winding, cobbled streets. The historic buildings are often built in grey stone, creating a unique and picturesque atmosphere. In real life, I felt like I was in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone haha. The vibe takes you right back to J.K Rowling’s books.
This part of Edinburgh is steeped in history, with buildings dating back centuries and captivating stories about the famous residents, craftsmen and historical events that have shaped the city.
Edinburgh’s Old Town is a vibrant, history-filled place where visitors can immerse themselves in the city’s medieval atmosphere, explore its narrow streets, discover its historic gems and enjoy the vibrant cultural atmosphere for which Edinburgh is world famous.
The Royal Mile is the main thoroughfare of the Old Town. This iconic street stretches for around a mile (about 1.6 kilometres) and links Edinburgh Castle to Holyroodhouse Abbey, the Queen’s official residence in Scotland. The Royal Mile is lined with historic buildings, shops and pubs, and is the beating heart of tourist activity.
As well as Edinburgh Castle and Holyroodhouse Abbey, the Old Town is packed with historic sites, museums, art galleries, restaurants, antique shops and many other cultural attractions.
The Old Town is the heart of the Edinburgh Festival celebrations, the world’s largest arts festival, which takes place in August, bringing theatre, music, comedy, dance and cultural events across the city.
3. Scott Monument
The Scott Monument is one of Edinburgh’s most emblematic monuments. It was erected in honour of the Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott, famous for his historical novels. This imposing monument was designed by the architect George Meikle Kemp and completed in 1846, four years after Scott’s death.
Located in the centre of Edinburgh, near Waverley station, the Scott Monument is an impressive Victorian Gothic structure, standing approximately 61 metres high. It consists of four viewing platforms, accessed by a spiral staircase with some 287 steps.
4. The National Gallery of Scotland
The National Gallery of Scotland is one of the country’s leading art institutions, located in Edinburgh. It houses a remarkable collection of works of art, spanning a vast period from the Renaissance to modern art. Among the National Gallery of Scotland’s treasures are iconic paintings such as Leonardo da Vinci’s Madonna of the Rocks, John Everett Millais’ Knights of the Round Table, and Van Gogh’s Vase of Flowers.
For my part, we visited the temporary exhibition by Grayson Perry, a renowned contemporary British artist, known for his work in ceramics, sculpture, printmaking, painting and other visual art forms. He is regarded as one of the most influential and original figures on the British contemporary art scene.
5. Bookshops
One of my favourite moments during my stay, strolling from bookshop to bookshop in a warm and cosy atmosphere. Here are a few addresses I’ve picked out:
- The Edinburgh Bookshop: This independent bookshop in Bruntsfield offers a wide selection of books, from bestsellers to more specialised works, with a particular focus on Scottish literature.
- Topping & Company Booksellers: This bookshop offers a great selection of books in an elegant and welcoming setting. You’ll find a variety of literary genres as well as special editions and author events.
- Lighthouse Bookshop: Known for its commitment to social justice and progressive ideas, this bookshop offers a selection of books focusing on social, political and activist issues.
- Golden Hare Books: Located in Stockbridge, this bookshop offers a carefully chosen selection of books for all ages, featuring quality readings, workshops and literary events.
- Armchair Books: This second-hand bookshop is a second-hand book lover’s paradise. With a wide range of genres and well-organised shelves, you could easily spend hours browsing the shelves.
- Blackwell’s Bookshop: Blackwell’s is a well-known bookshop chain, and its Edinburgh branch offers a wide selection of academic books, fiction, non-fiction and literary events.
6. Calton Hill
Calton Hill is one of the iconic hills in the heart of Edinburgh, offering both panoramic views of the city and a collection of historic buildings. It is close to Edinburgh city centre and within walking distance of Princes Street and other central areas.
The hill is famous for its iconic monuments, including the National Monument, which is often compared to the Pantheon in Athens but remains unfinished, and the Nelson Monument, inspired by Admiral Horatio Nelson.
This iconic hill is a popular spot with locals and tourists alike for its panoramic views and unique mix of historic monuments. Whether it’s for a leisurely stroll, a cultural exploration or simply to enjoy the breathtaking views during the day or at sunset, Calton Hill offers an unmissable Edinburgh experience.
7. Holyrood Park and Arthur Seat
Here’s another iconic hill that’s a must-see. I find it was the equivalent of the baou of St Jeannet on the Côte d’Azur.
Arthur’s Seat is close to Edinburgh city centre, inside Holyrood Park. It is a popular site for walkers, offering easy access from various parts of the city. From the top, walkers can enjoy 360-degree views over Edinburgh, offering incredible vistas of the city, Edinburgh Castle, the coast and the surrounding countryside.
8. The sea
Edinburgh, although situated on the east coast of Scotland, is not directly on the sea. However, it is close to several coastal areas and beaches that can be reached by car or public transport within 40 minutes.
- Portobello Beach: This is the closest beach to Edinburgh city centre. Portobello is a traditional seaside resort offering a beautiful stretch of sand, coastal walks, cafes, restaurants and watersports facilities.
- Yellowcraigs Beach: Approximately 30 minutes’ drive from Edinburgh, this beach offers vast stretches of sand, dunes, coastal paths and beautiful sea views. It’s a popular spot for walking, swimming and picnicking.
- North Berwick: A charming seaside town about 40 minutes by train from Edinburgh. It offers pleasant beaches, views of Bass Rock Island (a seabird haunt) and water sports options.
- Cramond: This is a small town about 30 minutes by bus from central Edinburgh. Cramond offers a coastal walk, views of the estuary and access to Cramond Island at low tide.
9. Princes street garden
Princes Street Gardens are one of the most important public gardens in the centre of Edinburgh. I loved walking there with my partner. To top it all off, we were treated to a very sunny weekend, which brought out the beautiful green colours. It’s peaceful and quiet. The perfect place to recharge your batteries right in the centre of Edinburgh.
The gardens cover more than 150,000 square metres and are divided into two parts by The Mound, a man-made hill that links the two parts of the city and is home to the National Gallery of Scotland.
10. Good places to eat
- The new fox town
This coffee shop was close to our Airbnb and we went back several times because of the quality of the service and the quality of the food. We even had a special Scottish brunch with haggis, an emblematic dish often considered to be Scotland’s national dish. It’s a traditional culinary preparation based on mutton or lamb meat, mixed with offal (such as heart, liver and lungs), onion, oats, spices and seasonings, all wrapped in a membrane of sheep’s stomach. Bon appétit!
The restaurant is located at 2 Dundas St, Edinburgh EH3 6HZ
- Wellington coffee
Another address close to our Airbnb, we went there every day for coffee. It’s a great place to drink a good flat white, perfectly balanced! The space is quite small and cosy, but very popular with the locals.
The restaurant is located at 334 George St. Edinburgh EH2 2HN.
- The Broughton
One of the first restaurants we went to and everything was perfect. This gastropub is Michelin 2023 rated and offers delicious and tasty local cuisine. Good wine, fine food, good cheese and pleasant service, what more could you ask for?
- The Deacon House Café
