Edinburgh

Edinburgh (Gaelic: Dùn Èideann) is the capital of Scotland, located in the Central Belt of the country. With a population of 526,470 in the urban area in 2021, and 901,455 in the metropolitans, Edinburgh fizzes with a cosmopolitan yet uniquely Scottish atmosphere. Old volcanoes ensure a dramatic natural setting, with the imposing castle atop one. The city combines medieval relics, Georgian grandeur and a powerful layer of modern life with contemporary avant-garde. Medieval palaces, Gothic churches and fascinating historical buildings rub shoulders with the best of modern architecture, such as the Scottish Parliament and the National Museum of Scotland. Variously dubbed "Auld Reekie" or "Athe

See: 521
Do: 278
Eat: 1024
Drink: 1132
Buy: 250

609 places match

SeeHistoric siteOld Town

Gladstone's Land

Thomas Gladstone was a wealthy merchant, and in 1617 he had this house refashioned to accommodate his family and to partly rent out. A "Land" means a tall narrow townhouse from the period when Old Town was cramped and the only space for development was upwards. Typically along the Royal Mile the ground floor was shops and trade, genteel folk lived on the first and second floors, and lower-income residents had to lump up many steps to the upper floors. It's now a museum run by the National Trust for Scotland exhibiting 17th century elite city life, richly furnished and decorated but with no running water. In the 18th century prosperous folk relocated to New Town, where the NTS property at 7 Charlotte Square continues the story.

Daily 10AM-5PM · Adult £10, conc £8.50, child £6, NTS / NT free

DoCinemaWest

Edinburgh Filmhouse

The Filmhouse

A four-screen Edinburgh institution showing largely arthouse and some mainstream films. Additionally houses a 100-seat cafe-bar.

£12 adult, £10.50 concession, wheelchair users/access tickets £5, carers free · Wheelchair accessible

EatOld Town

The Elephant House

Consistently good coffee and light bites, cafe is full of university and creative types; JK Rowling wrote much of the first Harry Potter book here. And that alas is the problem: it's become part of the Potter circus, every half hour sees another coachload of tourists all craning for selfies and trying to nick the cutlery and scrawling graffiti in the loo. Prices, service and ambience have suffered accordingly, and Rowling has fled to a castle in the Highlands. In Aug 2021 the cafe suffered a fire and was closed for 5 years.

Mo-Th 08:00-22:00; Fr 08:00-23:00; Sa 09:00-23:00; Su 09:00-22:00 · Wheelchair accessible

EatSeafood restaurantNew Town

Cafe Royal

Beautifully tiled Victorian palace of a pub, designed in 1862 as a showroom for the latest fixtures and fittings, no dogs. The stylish restaurant serves seafood and other classics.

Sun-Thu 11AM-11PM, Fri Sat 11AM-1AM

EatFrench restaurantNew Town

Cafe St Honoré

Great continental food and wine. Gluten free and dairy free menus available.

Thu-Sat noon-2PM, 5-9:30PM, Sun 6-8PM

SeeArt galleryWest

Edinburgh Printmakers

Creative centre for printmaking & visual arts, Two free galleries & shop. Vegan Cafe.

Sun & Mon closed; Tue 10:00-17:30; Wed & Thu 10:00-21:00; Fri & Sat 10:17:30 · Free for galleries

BuySpecialty food shopNew Town

Valvona & Crolla

Legendary Italian deli founded in 1934. Its grey frontage is unassuming, but it stretches back through a wonderland of food. There's a small bright cafe in the back, where you'll be lucky to get seated.

Mon-Sat 9AM-6PM

EatRestaurantOld Town

Em’s Kitchen

Full Scottish breakfast, shakshuka, coffee and tea options, with seating that looks into a quiet car park and garden.

EatFish & chips restaurantNew Town

Cafe Piccante

Unashamed specialists in late-night greasy food, friendly staff and a DJ at weekends. The burgers are a stand-out and deep-fried mars bars are available for tourists.

Mon-Fri noon-2AM, Sat Sun 3PM-2AM

EatOld Town

John's Coffee House & Tavern

Located in a historic building. Breakfast, all-day waffles, light lunch options, small plates to share, bar with wide range of Scotch whiskies.

daily 7AM-11PM

EatStockbridge and Canonmills

Mimi's Bakehouse

Stockbridge branch of an Edinburgh chain of cafés, serving a fairly standard range of sandwiches, but interesting seasonal cakes and bakes.

Daily 9AM-5PM · Takeaway · Wheelchair accessible

SeeOld Town

Dovecot Studios

Tapestry studio and gallery housed in the former public baths. There is a cafe, shop, and viewing gallery where you can look down on weavers at work.

Mon-Sat 10AM-5PM · Free

EatEast

Cherry's Cafe

A small cafe serving Turkish food and breakfast.

Daily 8:30AM-5PM

SeeNew Town Not mapped

St Andrew's & St George's West Church

Completed in 1784, this is the parish church of the New Town. It's Italianate with an unusual elliptical interior, with an ornate ceiling blending Roman, Pompeian and Scottish elements. The steeple holds Scotland's oldest complete peal of bells, cast in 1788. In 1843 this church was the scene of The Great Disruption, when a third of ministers broke with the Presbyterian Church of Scotland to found their own Free Kirk. St George's Church was part of the breakaway, but there was a reconciliation in the 20th century, and in 2013 that congregation merged here. The Undercroft Cafe has homemade food M-F 10:30AM-2PM.

Daily 10AM-2PM · Free

EatGastropubLeith