The Edinburgh center point is approximately the area of Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the area of The Royal Mile.
Perched between the sea coast and high hills, Edinburgh captures the warm air from the North Atlantic Current which creates a temperate maritime climate — not too cold, not too hot — with temperatures typically falling between 72 degrees F in the summer months and about zero in the winter. While it does rain throughout the year, the rains are dispersed evenly, so don't forget to pack an umbrella, dress in layers and bring that emergency rain poncho! Don't avoid Edinburgh between October and May, as there are too many festivals you won't want to miss. Just check the weather for your travel dates, as European windstorms are prevalent during these months and coastal fog may dampen the view.
Seniors are in luck in Edinburgh, as most of the major hotel chains offer senior discount rates. Two of these are the Radisson Blu on the Royal Mile and the Holiday Inn Express by the Leith waterfront.
At the Stay Edinburgh City Apartments, at only $59 USD per night, there are fifteen serviced apartments ranging from one to four bedrooms. Each room is fully furnished, equipped with an HD flat-screen TV and other technology, a fully equipped kitchen, and more. These apartments cater to both small and large groups, and are located on the Royal Mile.
The Dorstan Guest House is similar to an Airbnb, though it's listed as a Bed and Breakfast in Edinburgh. It's a little over a mile to the city center, with rates of $60 USD per night. A quaint upstairs apartment style room in a local home makes for an inviting stay in this Scottish city.
If you want to save your spending money for attractions and delicious dining, the Holiday Inn Express in the New Town district is an affordable, comfortable alternative to luxury, with rates as low as $75 USD per night. The hotel is very close to the tram with easy access to the Edinburgh Airport. There are areas to dine, shop, and enjoy the theatre a stone's throw away. If you feel like taking a walk, the castle and Royal Botanic Gardens are close, and if you're on a business trip, this hotel is right for you, offering free Wi-Fi and an Express Start Breakfast.
The West End, priced at $65 USD per night, and Ibis Budget Hotels, with rates of $70 USD per night, also offer very reasonable rates for discerning tourists. The Ibis is a bit further from the city center, but still provides a comfortable walk to the train and downtown attractions. The non-smoking rooms can accommodate up to three people and include flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and continental breakfast.
If you are looking for an alternative to the traditional hotel, the West End includes a hostel, with rates that are deeply discounted from traditional rooms. The hotel is located close to the tram and is central to the attractions of downtown Edinburgh. The accommodations are clean, the staff is friendly, and the neighborhood is quiet and safe. With a local band playing in the bar downstairs, the West End provides an opportunity to meet the locals and have an enriching experience.
Edinburgh is not only beautiful, with breathtaking landscapes and legendary history, it is a city of fun! Between July and early September, the city hosts the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Edinburgh Comedy Festival, Edinburgh International Festival, and Edinburgh International Book Festival. The Edinburgh Military Tattoo involves massed pipers and military bands from around the world accompanied by a fireworks display.
There are two film festivals, one in February and one in June, as well as the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival. In the spring, The Edinburgh International Science Festival opens.
Festivals aside, Edinburgh is steeped in other cultural opportunities, such as listening to the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, attending a live performance at the Edinburgh Playhouse or The Royal Lyceum Theatre, or stepping aboard The Royal Yacht Britannia, a five-star visitor attraction. Perhaps you would like to visit the coffee shop where J.K. Rowling penned some of the Harry Potter stories. When you visit Edinburgh, you won't want to sit down until you ferry yourself back to your comfortable hotel suite or quaint B&B to savor the adventures of your day.
Edinburgh is the Prince of Cities, with autumns that crown Scotland's capital in gold. Visitors are spoilt like royalty; the welcome alone is fit for kings and queens. Guests are usually welcomed through a traditional Scottish evening with the Ceremony of the Haggis, a festivity manned by Highland dancers and bagpipers. The succeeding treatment is nothing short of royalty. Guests are introduced to the world's most famous novelists, inventors, and scientists at the 200-year old New Town, while others are transported to the Old Town to admire the country's Crown Jewels, stretching from Edinburgh Castle to the Royal Mile. Tourists are brought into the Military Tattoo, where Scottish pipe bands provide quite a spectacle along the esplanade of the Castle. Now you no longer need to be born into the Royal family, or work together with a crew of 240 to board the five decks of the Royal Yacht Brittannia, which was once the perfect residence of the Queen in times of family holidays and glittering state visits. Guests can also tour through England's finest national park and admire the stunning scenery along Lake District. Visit Wordsworth's Grasmere, then follow the shores of lake Windermere and return a full-fledged poet.
Without going deeper into murkier waters of ˜ranking civilizations', let's just state that Edinburgh is a fine, fine city to visit, provided that your travels are backed amply and generously by the weather gods. Scotland, to many, is the land of mystery. It's a largely contoured country known for its bagpipers, traditional checked kilts that have gained worldwide fame, and of course, their Scotch malts and castles.
A traveler going to Edinburgh might well be justified in thinking about the naughty boy who ran off all the way to Scotland just to see what all the hubbub was all about in a poem titled ˜There was a naughty boy' by eminent poet John Keats. It's such a land that enshrouds visitors in its misty surroundings, rolling hills and magnificent buildings “ a setting borrowed straight from a fantasy land brewed up by a fertile mind of a genius like J.R.R. Tolkien, or alike.
Our readers who are thinking of making a trip up to Edinburgh need first be commended for their excellent choice of destination. Here's a to-the-point guide to hotels in Edinburgh to help you get started with your planning.
Edinburgh, despite being a capital city, is not really imposing like other capital cities like Paris or London. Yes, it boasts of a fair share of great buildings. Yes, it has efficient infrastructure. Yes, it houses many bigwig corporate offices. Yes, it's easily accessible from all corners of the world. But that apart, it's a city that revels in staying somewhere in the background, neither seeking, nor demanding the attention of the world.
Cheap hotels, in keeping with this mind set, are about in Edinburgh. Traditional bed and breakfast units form the largest share of such establishments and need to be given a thought if you are looking to cut down on your travel budget.
The Royal Scots Club is among the most popular hotels in Edinburgh and, contrary to what many would think from its name, is not at all overly expensive. Similarly, Brooks Hotel Edinburgh is a nice, comfortable hotel to lodge in at affordable prices.
Old Waverley Hotel and Hotel Indigo Inn are two more notable names in this segment of hotel establishments in Edinburgh.
It is quite predictable that Edinburgh, being the largest city in Scotland, has many luxury hotel options to offer to tourists and travelers who are ready and willing to spend a sizeable amount of money per night.
It's debatable whether money can buy you happiness or not. But a trip to one of these luxury Edinburgh hotels will be enough to convince you that it is indeed to please yourself if you are loaded enough.
Prestonfield is a top ranking luxury hotel in Edinburgh, located smack in the heart of the old city. It is spread over a beautiful expanse of land and houses every modern hoteling amenity you could think of.
Balmoral Hotel is the next entry in this list. It is an old, medieval-styled hotel furnished in old Gaelic styles. It is a perfect venue for banquets and reception.
Tigerlily and the Chester Residence are two more names that can give the ones listed above a stiff competition.
Edinburgh is not really big on independent or boutique resort and hotel establishment. If one must find an alternative to standard Edinburgh hotels, the best bet would be short stay apartment or house rentals.
Typically, villas and houses are rented out for short durations (three weeks or less) to visitors and tourists. It must be understood, however, that such rentals can be expensive at times.
For example, a standard five star suite in a luxury hotel in Edinburgh would cost you, on an average, $150 per night or thereabouts. A fully fledged house rental, on the other hand, will cost you something to the tune of $120 per night.
The National Museum of Scotland, located in Edinburgh, is a must visit sight while you are visiting here. It's replete with ancient artefacts and relics of bygone eras, telling a story that has largely been hidden deep within the confines of history.
King Arthur's Seat is a surreally beautiful sight, from where you can overview all of Edinburgh in a wide panoramic scene. The Edinburgh Castle will probably be the first feature on your list, considering its popularity with tourists and its historical as well as cultural significance for Edinburgh.
The Royal Mile is a truly royal stretch of the street in Edinburgh that once used to see royal and stately processions every week. Another enchanting place in Edinburgh is the Palace of Illusions, or Camera Obscura. It is filled with mind-bending visual effect and illusions that will make you question your own sanity.
The old town of Edinburgh is a great place for shopping for souvenirs, as well as fine dining in an authentic Scottish setting.
It's very easy. Getting around in Edinburgh should really not be a problem for those who know how things work in the UK.
The public transport of Edinburgh is one of the finest in the UK, with frequency of buses at any given route being more than one every ten minutes. So, you won't have to wait for longer than ten minutes, if your destination is on the bus route.
The best time to visit Edinburgh is December, despite the cold. Edinburgh Hogmanay festival takes place around New Year, and it is the most anticipated day in Edinburgh. With cheap hotels abounding in excess, you can only hope to have a lot of fun, without setting your wallet back by a strong jolt!
Below are reviews of the city of Edinburgh, United Kingdom from an actual visitor's perspective.
Loved the cultural and historical aspects. Great Hop On/Hop Off and superb galleries.
A really interesting, vibrant and friendly city with much to see and experience!
Edinburgh is a feast for the eyes, the buildings and quaint streets paint a magical picture for the imagination. The pubs and restaurants are friendly and atmospheric. There is a feeling of being in a Disney movie but this is actually very real, very historical and very charming.
I loved the scenery! Like no other city I've been to; the architecture, the history. People were so friendly! Always things to do here, we extended our stay because there were things we just had to add to the itinerary. London lost out on those days - which turned out to be great because we enjoyed Edinburgh! This hotel was wonderfully situated - we never needed transportation.
I love how close the hotel is to everything … you can walk right out and go see all the main inner city attractions.
Scotland's cosmopolitan city offers outstanding and varied meetings facilities; excellent accommodation, efficient transport and unique venues to go along side its many attractions, leisure and vast array of food and drink and options. The people are friendly, the city is safe and is beautiful to walk around its many historic areas and admire its architecture. With its International airport offering links from all around the world Edinburgh is a buzzing and compact city. Holding some of the most successful city events in the World including the Edinburgh International Festival which is ranked as one of the most important cultural celebrations in the world and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe which is the largest arts festival in the world with live theatre and comedy performances. Edinburgh also hosts the biggest New Year street party in the world. Edinburgh's Hogmanay welcomes over 80,000 revellers to Princes Street and the surrounds entertained by live music, a sell out Concert in the Gardens and dazzling firework displays. Due to these and other events August and Christmas get booked up early but to avoid the masses October/November is a lovely time to see Edinburgh in the snow and enjoy a good whiskey whilst the Spring (April June) is perfect to start enjoying the cities attractions and festivals without the huge numbers that descend on the city in the summer.