Things to Do in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is a compact city of steep closes, broad Georgian streets and open hills, and almost all of it can be walked in a day. This guide sets out what suits a few daylight hours or a calm evening.
The Old Town and its closes
The Old Town climbs along a ridge, with narrow passages called closes dropping away on both sides. The streets are cobbled, steep in places and crowded with visitors around midday. The early morning and the hour before dusk are far quieter, and the side streets reward anyone who takes a turn off the main route. Wear shoes you can walk in, because the surfaces are uneven and the gradients are real.
The Old Town climbs along a ridge, with narrow passages called closes dropping away on both sides.
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The New Town for level, wide streets
Below the ridge, the New Town follows a regular plan of broad streets and squares, with terraces of stone houses on either side. It is flatter and calmer than the Old Town, and Princes Street, with shops along one side and gardens along the other, is an easy line to navigate by. Walking here is gentle, and there are cafes and benches at regular intervals if you want to stop and talk. The grid also makes it hard to get lost.
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Somewhere to book a room or a table for the evening, in Edinburgh itself.
Real events in Edinburgh, from onthedoor.uk.
Stockbridge and the Water of Leith
Stockbridge is a village like district a short way north of the centre, with independent shops, delis and a relaxed weekday pace. The Water of Leith walkway starts close by and follows the river towards the coast, shaded by trees and mostly flat. You can walk a few hundred metres or several miles, and turn back whenever you like. It is one of the quietest ways to spend an hour in the city.
Stockbridge is a village like district a short way north of the centre, with independent shops, delis and a relaxed weekday pace.
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Leith and the waterfront
Leith, on the Firth of Forth, was the city's port and is now a district of restaurants, bars and converted warehouses beside the old dock water. It feels rougher around the edges than the centre, and it suits a long, slow dinner better than a quick visit. Buses run down from the centre throughout the day, and the walk along the water is pleasant before it gets dark.
Leith, on the Firth of Forth, was the city's port and is now a district of restaurants, bars and converted warehouses beside the old dock water.
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Hills, wet weather and trains out of town
Edinburgh has steep green hills inside the city, with wide views across the rooftops to the water. They are a short climb from the streets, but the wind can be sharp even in summer. When it rains, museums and galleries of every size, covered shopping and long lunches fill the hours. Trains from Waverley reach coastal towns to the east and Fife across the Forth in well under an hour, which makes a half day away simple to arrange.
Edinburgh has steep green hills inside the city, with wide views across the rooftops to the water.
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Moving around, and a word on age
The centre is walkable, with frequent buses and two main stations, Waverley in the middle and Haymarket to the west. Taxis are easy to find at ranks and by phone, and the hills are a good reason to take one when the night is over. TheDirectory is for adults aged 18 and over, and this guide is written for adult readers throughout.
The centre is walkable, with frequent buses and two main stations, Waverley in the middle and Haymarket to the west.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes. The centre is compact, buses are frequent and both main stations sit close to the centre. A car is usually more trouble than help.
No. This page is general guidance only. Bookings and itineraries are not something the site handles, so agree anything directly with a member.
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