Edinburgh City Centre Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Calton Hill showing a city, skyline and general coastal views

Popular places to visit

Image for Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle

4.5/5(189 reviews)

A focal point of Scottish history that dominates Edinburgh’s skyline and which has served as a fortress, a palace and home to the crown jewels.

Edinburgh Castle
Image for Royal Mile

Royal Mile

4.5/5(64 reviews)

With its historic buildings, museums, shops and restaurants, this stretch of Edinburgh's Old Town is a much-loved haunt.

Royal Mile
Image for Princes Street

Princes Street

4.5/5(42 reviews)

You can search for that perfect souvenir when you visit Princes Street, a favourite shopping spot in Edinburgh. Experience the entertainment choices and fascinating museums in this walkable area.

Princes Street
Image for Grassmarket

Grassmarket

4.5/5(25 reviews)

During your visit to Edinburgh, you can search for that perfect souvenir at Grassmarket. Visit the lively bars or top-notch restaurants in this family-friendly area.

Grassmarket
Image for Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre

Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre

4.5/5(6 reviews)

Enjoy a performance at Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre, a theatre with a story to tell in Edinburgh. Experience the area's fascinating museums and acclaimed art galleries.

Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre
Image for George Street

George Street

4/5(26 reviews)

During your trip to Edinburgh, you can browse for the perfect souvenirs at George Street. Visit the lively bars or top-notch restaurants in this walkable area.

George Street

Activities

Image for Edinburgh: Palace of Holyroodhouse Entry Ticket

Edinburgh: Palace of Holyroodhouse Entry Ticket

AU$38
Per adult
72% of travellers recommend
Edinburgh: Palace of Holyroodhouse Entry Ticket
See all activities in Edinburgh

Our pick of the best Edinburgh City Centre Hotel Deals

CoDE Pod – The CoURT - Edinburgh
CoDE Pod – The CoURT - Edinburgh
2 out of 5
1 a Parliament Square, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is AU$292 per night from 4 Jun to 5 Jun
AU$292
per night
4 Jun - 5 Jun
Stay at this hostal in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (460 reviews)
"It was a great hostel. The beds were not comfortable; very firm. Also, the down duvet was so hot and since there is not even a top sheet, you either have to sweat under the duvet or have no cover at all. Overall it’s a great place at an affordable price."

Reviewed on 12 May 2024

CoDE Pod – The CoURT - Edinburgh
Apex Grassmarket Hotel
Apex Grassmarket Hotel
4 out of 5
31-35 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, Scotland
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$416 per night from 5 Jun to 6 Jun
AU$416
per night
5 Jun - 6 Jun
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,025 reviews)
"Good location for castle and restaurants. Good reception check in and check out (Sara was really nice). Room was clean and comfortable. Restaurant has view of castle, food ok but quality variable. Pool facility good and nice and quiet"

Reviewed on 15 May 2024

Apex Grassmarket Hotel
Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
4 out of 5
23-27 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is AU$472 per night from 27 May to 28 May
AU$472
per night
27 May - 28 May
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,026 reviews)
"Great location with close proximity to dining, shopping and royal mile. Staff couldn’t have been nicer. Very friendly and helpful. Would definitely recommend."

Reviewed on 12 May 2024

Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
YOTEL Edinburgh
YOTEL Edinburgh
4 out of 5
Erskine House, Queen Street, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is AU$348 per night from 2 Jun to 3 Jun
AU$348
per night
2 Jun - 3 Jun
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,983 reviews)
"Great area and walking distance to dining,pubs and shopping as well as historical sites. Great friendly staff"

Reviewed on 12 May 2024

YOTEL Edinburgh
Holiday Inn Express - Edinburgh City Centre, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Express - Edinburgh City Centre, an IHG Hotel
3 out of 5
Picardy Place Top Of Leith Street, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is AU$384 per night from 16 Jun to 17 Jun
AU$384
per night
16 Jun - 17 Jun
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
Wonderful break
"We are older and we arrived early as we were tired. Lovely staff allowed us in to the room they sorted for us. It was at the end of a corridor so was really quiet. Best three nights sleep we have had in any hotel! Breakfast was amazing. We loved our stay!"

Reviewed on 15 May 2024

Holiday Inn Express - Edinburgh City Centre, an IHG Hotel
Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel
Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel
4 out of 5
61 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is AU$510 per night from 16 Jun to 17 Jun
AU$510
per night
16 Jun - 17 Jun
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
"Room was clean, large and renovated but the rest of the hotel was a bit run down, although after the rooms maybe the rest will also be done"

Reviewed on 10 May 2024

Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel
See all 976 properties in Edinburgh City Centre
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Edinburgh City Centre

Edinburgh which includes night scenes and heritage architecture

New Town

4.5/5(120 area reviews)

Travellers love New Town for its popular shops, and you can see more of Edinburgh by jumping on the metro at Princes Street Tram Stop or St Andrew Square Tram Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like Princes Street and Assembly Rooms.

New Town
Old Town showing heritage elements and street scenes

Old Town Edinburgh

4.5/5(164 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Edinburgh Castle to Royal Mile – discover Old Town Edinburgh, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Old Town Edinburgh
Scottish Parliament featuring a pool and street scenes

Holyrood

While visiting Holyrood, you might make a stop by sights like Royal Mile and Scottish Parliament.

Holyrood
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Stockbridge

5/5(2 area reviews)

Historical sites, museums and art galleries highlight some of the noteworthy features of Stockbridge. Make a stop by Inverleith Park or St Bernard's Well while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Stockbridge
National Library of Scotland featuring signage and interior views

Southside

If you're spending some time in Southside, Festival Theatre and The Meadows are top sights worth seeing.

Southside
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Bonnington

Though Bonnington may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street.

Bonnington

Edinburgh City Centre Travel Guide

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