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- But, why should you visit Edinburgh? It’s the creative blend of tradition and innovation present in their historic landmarks – from Edinburgh Castle to The Royal Mile. However, Edinburgh is more than just its historic landmarks. It’s a city alive with culture, boasting world-class festivals, flavorful cuisine, and a thriving arts scene.
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Mar 28, 2024 · Let’s dig in and find out why people love Edinburgh and whether it is the right place for you! What really stands out about living in Edinburgh is its broad appeal. The city beats its rivals on pretty much everything including scenic beauty, community spirit, food and drink, relaxed atmosphere, walkability and great public transport.
- Planning Your Trip to Edinburgh
- Spending Time in Edinburgh
- Etiquette in Edinburgh
- Health and Safety in Edinburgh
1. Arriving in Edinburgh
Edinburgh's airport is 8 miles (13km) away. Buses (cheaper), trams (quicker when the roads are busy) and taxis (good for door-to-door drop-offs) connect the terminal with the city center. Train passengers roll into Edinburgh Waverley – travelers coming from England will get gorgeous coastal views on the way up. Buses arrive at St Andrew’s Square in the New Town, just north of the center.
2. Come in summer for a chance of sunshine
Summer, when the days are long and bright and the winds are generally docile, will suit most visitors best. But if you don’t mind a spot of dreich (dismal) weather, come in the colder months, when you can mix warm pubs and museumswith bracing strolls along atmospheric streets.
3. Dodge the Festival
The world’s biggest arts festival, the Edinburgh International Festival, takes over the city every August. If you’re going, book your accommodationmonths in advance and be ready to book the biggest shows early too. If you’re not, avoid August. Things also get pretty busy around Hogmanay (the run-up to New Year), but the madness is shorter-lived.
8. What kind of currency do you need?
Scotland has its own banknotes, but English notes are accepted everywhere in Scotland. (You’ll find a few shops in England that don’t repay the favor.) Card and contactless payments are now more common than cash, and they're the easiest way to pay on public transport too – if you use cash on a bus, you’ll need exact change, or a passis a good alternative.
9. The Pink Triangle is where to find LGBTQ+ Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s gay scene is centered on the “Pink Triangle,” just northeast of Princes Street. CC Blooms is the mainstay, with (fairly expensive) food in the day and cabaret and DJs at night. Down the road in Abbeyhill, the Regentis a laid-back alternative. Same-sex marriage was legalized in Scotland in 2014.
10. Sniffing out Old Reekie
“Old Reekie” is one of Edinburgh’s most enduring nicknames. It dates from the 17th century, when the Old Town’s narrow, tall streets, combined with the Nor Loch (a stagnant pool where Princes Street Gardens now sits) created a notorious odor that mixed smoke and effluent. These days, Edinburgh smells much like any other city, although the West End sometimes has a slight boozy fug from the brewery.
12. Don't offend the locals
If you meet someone in a social setting, an informal “hi” or a handshake are the usual greetings. You’re unlikely to inadvertently cause offense, though subjects like politics and religion are generally avoided in small talk. Scottish independence and Brexit can inspire passionate responses too. Remember that Edinburgh is in Scotland, which is a part of Britain, but you’re definitely not in England – while lots of English people happily make Edinburgh their home, the England football team is...
13. Mind your tongue!
As a cosmopolitan city, Edinburgh is used to a range of accents. But you may not recognize every word you hear – take, for example, haar (a sea fog), Jambos (supporters of local club Hearts), Hibbies (hy-bees, supporters of city rivals Hibernian), Weegies (Glaswegians) and salt ‘n sauce (a vinegary and delicious condiment for chips). And you should ken (know) that Cockburn Street is pronounced “Coe-burn” and Edinburgh itself is “Edin-bru,” or even “Embra.”
14. Buy your round in the pub
Rules here are the same as elsewhere in Britain and Ireland – one person usually orders for your group at the bar, paying for the “round” of drinks and bringing them back to the table. Everyone else then takes turns to get the round. Smarter bars may have table service, and almost everywhere will be able to offer a tray if you’ve lots of drinks to carry. Most places take cash, although card or phone payments are more common. Pubs stay open later than south of the border – usually until midnig...
16. It’s a safe city – but watch your step
Edinburgh is relatively safe. Pub-packed areas like the Cowgate (Old Town), Rose Street (New Town) and Lothian Road (West End) get lively on Friday and Saturday nights, but serious trouble is rare. Calton Hilloffers good views during the day but is best avoided at night. Take usual precautions for a city, and use recognized ride-sharing apps or black cabs if in doubt at night. Street scams are also uncommon, but watch your step as you explore: The sloping cobbles of the Old Town are slippery...
17. Attractions are mostly accessible
Most modern hotels and attractions are accessible for travelers with disabilities, but many older buildings – including guesthouses and some pubs and restaurants – lack ramps and lifts. The New Town, with its wide streets, is more straightforward for wheelchair users than the steep, sometimes cobbled streets of the Old Town. Tourism body VisitScotland has a useful guideto accessible accommodation.
18. Can you drink the water?
Oh yes. Edinburgh tap water is safe to drink ,and you can request it for free with your meal in a restaurant. The region’s water is soft (low in dissolved minerals), giving it a fresher taste than water from much of the UK.
Why Visit Edinburgh? An In-Depth Guide to the City’s Wonders As a city where every corner tells a story of its rich narrative, Edinburgh attracts travellers from around the world with its timeless charm and vibrant energy.
- Edinburgh has so many friendly faces. Scottish hospitality is famous worldwide, and that ruddy-faced man nursing a pint of Belhaven Best in the pub is a fine example.
- The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is an arts haven. During August, Scotland’s capital is transformed into a city-wide celebration of the arts as the Ed Fringe takes over.
- The architecture takes your breath away. From the Gothic spire of Sir Walter Scott’s Monument piercing the city skyline to the pleasingly uniform Georgian houses in the New Town; Edinburgh boasts some truly spectacular buildings.
- Edinburgh’s Christmas markets are some the UK’s best. At Christmas, Edinburgh is transformed into a winter wonderland. Princes Street Gardens and Charlotte Square are filled with the heady aroma of rich mulled wine and twinkling lights throughout the festive period.
Nov 2, 2023 · Edinburgh, Scotland is so timelessly popular because of its rich heritage, historic castles, cobblestone streets and magnificent architecture.
Mar 28, 2022 · A great destination for a day trip or a longer holiday, Edinburgh has a lot to offer in terms of things to do and sights to see. The city is especially appealing to those seeking architectural beauty, curious landmarks, and immersion in the Scottish way to be.
Feb 15, 2018 · Here are some reasons why you should definitely plan a trip to Edinburgh: It’s world’s leading festival city. There’s 12 major annual festivals throughout the seasons but most of them are on August when over 25,000 artists populate the city with over 1,000 shows per day.
