Edinburgh Holiday Apartments

How to get to your Edinburgh holiday apartment

If you're making your way to Edinburgh from London, trains run regularly from Euston train station and take between 4 and 5 hours. There are also plenty of train services from other major cities in the UK.

Edinburgh also has its own airport, with plenty of domestic and international flights. Getting from the airport to your Edinburgh holiday letting couldn't be easier, with a range of buses, trams and taxis on offer. The bus takes roughly 25 minutes to Edinburgh's Waverly Train Station, as does driving or the tram, which takes you to Princess Street, the city's main high street.

What to eat on your Edinburgh holiday

Not only does Edinburgh offer a wide range of international culinary options, it also provides the intrepid traveller with a taste of traditional Scottish cuisine in all its glory.

Walking down the Royal Mile, you'll encounter many pubs that offer authentic Scottish fare. This will include the famous full Scottish fried breakfast, usually including eggs, bacon, sausage, tomato, black pudding, white pudding, soda bread and haggis. Haggis is also available as part of a full dinner in the evenings, and is a rich meaty dish that will certainly warm your bones after a day spent hiking the hills around the city.

If you prefer a little more variety, then make your way to the Grass Market in the Old Town or to Rose Street in New Town. Both areas offer a range of international restaurants including French, Indian, Italian and Oriental. Most Edinburgh holiday apartments are within walking distance of these areas, so you'll never be too far from your next meal.

Get lost in the magic of Edinburgh's history

Edinburgh is bursting with sights and activities, so you should definitely schedule a number of days to explore the city fully. Book an Edinburgh holiday apartment in the town centre, and you'll never be more than a fifteen-minute walk away from the action.

The Castle and Old Town

First of all, make sure you take the time to visit Edinburgh Castle and enjoy the views from the top. Walking down from the castle, you can walk along the famous Royal Mile, a cobbled pedestrianised road full of traditional shops selling Scottish fudge, kilts, tartan goods and whisky. This area is called the 'Old Town', and we strongly advise you to explore this area by foot.

Making your way down to the Cowgate, you'll discover the town's lower, darker layers. Along these winding roads you can take part in guided tours and learn about the city's dark history of witches, famous ghosts and the infamous murdering duo Burke and Hare.

Monuments in the New Town

Making your way towards the New Town area, be sure to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Carlton Hill. This hilltop has a host of architectural wonders, including the enormous Grecian style columns of the National Monument of Scotland, the tallest viewpoint in the city at the Nelson Monument. and the City Observatory, which includes its own Gothic tower.

Literary history in Edinburgh: a bookworm's paradise

As the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature, Edinburgh has a rich literary history. Some of Scotland’s most famous writers and poets penned their work here, and the city continues to promote the country’s literature.

The Writers’ Museum Discover every inch of Edinburgh’s literary heritage by paying a visit to the Writers’ Museum. Celebrating Scottish literary titans such as Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson, it features a range of historical pieces including rare books, portraits, and even Burns’ writing desk.

The Elephant House This unassuming coffee shop on George IV Bridge has become a place of pilgrimage for Harry Potter fans. The Elephant House has been a favourite haunt of many writers, including J.K. Rowling, who penned many adventures of the world’s most famous wizard there.

The Scottish Poetry Library Scotland has produced some of the world's most celebrated poets, and Edinburgh treasures this proud heritage. Founded by poet Tessa Ransford in 1984, the Scottish Poetry Library is a unique national resource where poets can hone their craft.

Edinburgh literary pub tour One of the most popular activities in Edinburgh is the Literary Pub Tour. Join Clart and McBrain as they visit the hostelries beloved by Edinburgh’s writing royalty. Venture through the Old and New Town as you listen to hilarious tales and partake in a tipple along the way.

Pubs and bars to visit on your Edinburgh holiday

Edinburgh’s nightlife certainly does not disappoint. Mirroring the city’s creative spirit, the city's many theatres, live music venues, comedy clubs, craft breweries, cocktail bars, and traditional pubs promise a good time. A holiday apartment in the city centre will put you right in the middle of the action.

Old Town Beloved by locals and visitors alike, the Old Town gives you a true taste of Edinburgh. Hum along to live folk music in the bars of the Grassmarket, swing by the trendy craft beers bars of Cowgate, and sample some of the world's finest whisky in the revered Bow Bar.

George Street To add a touch of class to your night, head to George Street. This New Town area is home to chic cocktail bars, as well as atmospheric jazz bars such as Dirty Martini. Don’t forget to stop at The Dome for a late-night whisky.

The West End An increasingly popular destination, Edinburgh’s West End has some of the city’s hidden gems. Swing by Teuchters for a drop of local beer or visit Harry’s Bar, an Edinburgh institution, and enjoy one of its signature cocktails.

Leith Venture outside the city and visit Leith, where you can sip a pint overlooking the docks in this historical area. Hit Leith Walk and take your pick from the myriad pubs, including the charming Brass Monkey and the Bavarian-inspired Bier Hoose.

Enjoying The Edinburgh Festival and Fringe from your holiday apartment

Edinburgh is one of the cultural treasures of the UK and no travel guide to the city can ever go without mentioning the annual Edinburgh Festival and Fringe Festival. Taking place between July and August every year, these two festivals cause the entire city to explode with theatre, music, poetry and art. The combination of these two festivals make them the biggest arts festival in the world, with internationally renowned artists travelling in to perform.

Every year, over 3000 shows take place. Many have free admission, and often the top prices are only around £10 or £15. Performances begin at 10am in the morning and continue into the night, so you can watch several in a day if you have the energy! From Shakespeare performed in a tree to comedy performed in caravans, the festival is a truly unique experience.

Make sure you book your Edinburgh holiday letting early to avoid disappointment, as this time of year is incredibly popular!

Enjoy the high life in Edinburgh

You can truly live in the lap of luxury in Edinburgh. The Scottish capital is home to a range of designer shops, spas, and high-end holiday lettings, ensuring a five-star stay.

Be pampered at Edinburgh’s spas When you need to take a break from the bustling streets of Edinburgh’s city centre, book a rejuvenating session at one of its spas. At One Spa, you can slide into relaxation in its amazing rooftop hydropool and bask in one of the city’s more dramatic settings.

Designer shopping at Multrees Walk Spoil yourself with a little retail therapy at Multrees Walk, Edinburgh’s 'definition of luxury shopping' and home to designer stores such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, and Tommy Hilfiger. Pick up a gift for yourself or that special someone.

Visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse See where royalty calls home with a visit to the Palace of Holyroodhouse – it's Queen Elizabeth II’s official residence in Scotland. Spend the day touring the 12th-century palace's sprawling gardens and resplendent rooms.

Wander the Royal Botanic Garden Discover one of the most chilled-out parts of Edinburgh by taking a stroll from your holiday apartment through the picturesque setting of Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Garden. Spread over 70 acres, these charming gardens host a huge collection of Chinese plants, thousands of exotic flowers, and a series of glasshouses.

Top attractions to visit on your Edinburgh holiday

Arthur's Seat

Described by Robert Louis Stevenson as 'a hill for magnitude', Arthur's Seat is a relatively easy climb, and offers sweeping city views. It's close to Edinburgh Castle and the city centre.

Royal Yacht Britannia

Belonging to the Queen for over 40 years, this yacht now lies anchored in Edinburgh. Explore the many rooms before concluding the tour with tea and cake in the on-board restaurant.

Old Town

Home to St. Giles' Cathedral and the National Museum of Scotland, the oldest part of Edinburgh beguiles with its architecture, boutiques and outstanding eateries.

Edinburgh Castle

Dominating Edinburgh's skyline from its location on Castle Rock, Edinburgh Castle looks magical by night. During your visit, take the guided tour and stay for the 1pm firing of the canon.

Royal Mile

The city's most iconic street stretches from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace. Feast on fish and chips and savour some Scotch in a pub along here for a true taste of Scotland's Royal Mile.