Your guide to living in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is an amazing city to live in. Not only for its picturesque landscape (it was voted the 4th most beautiful city in the world after Florence, Paris and Rome) but for its rich history and culture. History fanatics will be in their element exploring the cobbled streets and architecture, and creatives can bask in the thriving theatre and arts scene.
Where is it?
The city of Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland, and is located north of the town of Loanhead and south of the major city of Dundee.
What’s the transport like?
Edinburgh is a small enough city that you can easily make your way around by foot. For rainy days or if you need to get somewhere in a hurry, there are several buses that run through the heart of the city. The most prominent are Lothian and First, which run until midnight and the N line buses run throughout the night. You can also catch the Edinburgh tram, which follows one route with 15 stops that link the airport with the new parts of the city and runs every 8-10 mins.
Where do the locals go?
Parks: Edinburgh is the greenest city in the UK, accommodating 112 parks in total! Holyrood Park is in central Edinburgh. And unlike what you’d expect from your typical city park, this one features dramatic hills, lochs, highland landscape and crags that shape the Edinburgh skyline. Its highest point is known as Arthurs Seat, a former volcano, which you can scale for the most impressive 360 views of the city. You can also view the Iron Age forts and Bronze Age agricultural terraces, and visit St Anthony’s Chapel.
Inverleith Park is next to the Royal Botanic Gardens and is one of Scotland's largest urban parks. The park is mostly used as recreational space for sports as it includes four tennis courts, a ball court for basketball and football, a petanque court, outdoor table tennis and a running and fitness circuit. You can also take a boat out on the pond on the south side of the Park to experience the wetlands water garden. Be sure to view the recently refurbished Sundial Garden and wild flower meadow for stunning views of the city skyline.
Events & Activities:
If you want to explore the city of Edinburgh in just one afternoon, check out the Camera Obscura and World of Illusions. It has five floors with over 100 interactive exhibits that allow you to tour the streets without hurting your feet. Get your photo opportunity at the rooftop terrace or test your brain with one of the attractions mind bending illusions. As one of Edinburgh's central attractions, it’s a rite of passage to visit Edinburgh Castle if you live in the city. It's one of the oldest fortified places in Europe and parts of it still remain in military use. Nowadays, you can purchase tickets to explore the grounds on your own or on a guided tour.
If you’ve known anyone to visit Edinburgh, they will have undoubtedly mentioned The Royal Mile. Exploring the city on foot is extremely accessible (as long as you don’t mind a few hills!) and is often the best way to take in the city’s architecture and history. The Royal Mile runs from the Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, following five of the city's streets. You’ll pass through major tourist sights such as Old Town, the Scottish Parliament Building, Canongate Kirk and St. Giles’ Cathedral. Take in the scenery and pop into the shops and cafes along the way to make a day of it!
The best restaurants:
The Scran & Scallie is an award-winning gastropub run by Michelin star chef Tom Kitchin and his wife. The concept was to create a genuine Scottish neighbourhood pub with a focus on exceptional food without the michelin price tag. Head down and get yourself a main course for less than £20 from a menu featuring haggis, neeps & tatties, scran & scallie fish pie and a mouth watering pudding list with suggested pairings of whiskey and cocktails. It’s the perfect location for a family dinner, gathering friends, and dogs are welcome too!
Starting with humble beginnings at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival over a decade ago, Ting Thai now has two restaurant locations in Edinburgh. Its signature dishes include nua yam talay (rump steak with spicy lime, coriander, and chill glaze) and sea bass maeklong (pan-fried fish with lemongrass and cashew nut). They have a no-reservations policy, so don’t be surprised if you have to wait in line outside. But don’t worry, the turnover is high and we promise it's worth it!
If you’re a small plate fanatic, you have to check out Tipo. The menu is inspired by Tuscan and Sicilian food, featuring homemade pasta, cured meats and cheeses, as well as their own soft-serve. The restaurant is simplistic; pine wood floors, rattan furniture and candlelight, giving it a cosy yet modern vibe - perfect for a date night!
The best pubs:
On the edge of the historic New Town you can find St.Vincent Bar (or “Vinnie”, as the locals call it) in the basement of a Georgian townhouse. They have an extensive cocktail menu which changes seasonally and are renowned in the city for their weekly “Hair of the Dog” special - perfect for curing your hangover from the night before.
Set in the historical former All Saints Parsonage, Cloisters has maintained many traditional features including its open fires, which make it perfect for sheltering in winter evenings. If you’re into your beer, the pub has 19 taps - 12 of which change constantly. That means when it's gone, it's gone, and you’ll always have an excuse to pop back. Why not tuck into some pub-grub and order fish and chips or a plate of bangers and mash to your table, too?
If you want to experience some traditional Scottish culture, make a trip to Sandy Bells. Originally a grocery shop, the building is now known as one of the most famous bars in Edinburgh, renowned world-wide for its folk music sessions. Edinburgh has a distinctive style of music known as “Edinburgh Swing” that isn’t played often anymore, but you’re sure to witness a local musician practising it here.
The best coffee shops:
Milkman Coffee has three locations throughout Scotland, but its first is in the centre of the Old Town. They’ve done little to alter the old-timey appearance of the building, with the exterior still featuring what would have been its original decor, and the interior still consisting of original wooden beams and exposed stone walls. The cafe itself couldn’t be more modern, serving up artisanal fresh bakes and lattes with stunning foam art.
If you’re a sucker for baked goods, then Twelve Triangles is the place to visit. Self-described as a ‘scratch’ bakery (a.k.a they work with slow fermentation dough and pastries that work in a 3-4 day cycle) they’re based in several locations throughout Edinburgh. Their menu includes a selection of homemade ciabatta sandwiches, grilled cheese toasties, sausage rolls, and of course - a rotating selection of homemade sweet treats. Expect pastries filled with vanilla custard, homemade compote, mascarpone and dreamy desserts like basque cheesecake and olive oil chocolate ganache cake!
Edinburgh Larder operates as two side-by-side cafes tucked away just off the Royal Mile. Their coffee beans and teas are locally roasted and blended, but the main appeal of this place is their brunch menu. Choose from regional classics such as black pudding, haggis and crowdie (Scottish cheese), as well as smokey bacon and sausages from local farmers!
Shops: There are several markets that take place in Edinburgh throughout the week. On a Sunday, visit Stockbridge Market between 10-4pm to browse their selection of baked goods, cheeses and homemade jams, alongside handcrafted jewellery and beauty products. Snack while you stroll and treat yourself to a nutella crepe or a molten marshmallow hot chocolate from one of the food stalls.
For your high street favourites, take a walk down Princess Street. But if you want to find a quirky boutique and purchase something unique, you’re better off heading down to Grassmarket in Old Town. It’s one of the oldest market places in the city and features shops such as Armstrongs&Son Vintage, Hawico, and TORN vintage.
What’s it famous for?
Edinburgh is famous for its celebrations - Edinburgh Fringe being commonly known as one of the biggest celebrations of arts and culture in the world! The festival takes place every August and gathers local talent and acts from far and wide. New Year’s is also a great time to be in Edinburgh as they celebrate Hogmanay. People come from all over the globe to ring in the new year in the Scottish capital and attend one of the largest street parties in the world.
Want to know the average room rent for Edinburgh, and other UK towns and cities? Check out our latest guide here!