Edinburgh

Scotland · United Kingdom

First visit? Stay in Old Town & Royal Mile.

For a first visit, this is the one base that makes Edinburgh feel effortless: the Castle, Royal Mile, National Museum, Holyrood end and Waverley are all on foot, so a short stay is not spent commuting. Choose a room on a side street rather than directly above the Mile or near Cowgate if sleep matters; the trade-off is crowds, cobbles and festival-era prices.

luxury →

The strongest concentration of polished higher-end hotels, Georgian streets, galleries and good transport. Stay off Princes Street itself—George Street and the quieter grid streets are more pleasant—while Old Town remains a short uphill walk.

value →

Usually the most realistic central-ish base for casual food, hostels and less formal accommodation, with Old Town reachable on foot and frequent buses. It is not reliably cheap in August, around Hogmanay or major rugby weekends.

family →

A calmer, properly residential base with cafés, shops and the Meadows nearby, rather than late-night Royal Mile noise. It works best for families staying several nights and happy to use buses or take a longer walk into the historic core.

nightlife →

For pub density, Castle views and an easy stumble-home location, this is the obvious choice. It is atmospheric but loud: avoid it if children, early starts or light sleep are part of the plan.

quiet →

The best balance of genuine neighbourhood life, independent food and shops, and relative peace, with the Botanic Garden close by. It is not transport-central and the uphill walk home from town becomes tiresome.

rail-day-trips →

Haymarket station and the airport tram make arrivals and westbound rail trips simple, while Princes Street remains walkable. Pick New Town instead if most trips will use Waverley or if being nearer Old Town matters more than station convenience.

return-visitor →

Leith has more lived-in texture, serious restaurants and bars, and tram access back to the centre. It is a better base for a longer Edinburgh stay than a two-night Castle-and-Royal-Mile first visit.

Avoid sleeping near Cowgate and the immediately surrounding lower Old Town: Convenient for hostels and nightlife, but the late-night bar and student-party noise can be punishing, especially on weekends and during festival season. Fine for travelers who actively want that scene; a poor bet for restful sleep.

Avoid sleeping near The blocks immediately around Haymarket station: Useful for transport but some streets are traffic-heavy, functional and short on the charm visitors expect from Edinburgh. Stay in the West End side of the district rather than booking solely because a hotel says “Haymarket.”

Avoid sleeping near Princes Street itself: Its tram and bus access is excellent, but it is a busy retail and traffic corridor rather than a pleasing place to return to. Nearby New Town side streets give nearly the same convenience with a much better evening atmosphere.

Avoid sleeping near Far-out Portobello for a short sightseeing break: Portobello is appealing in its own right, but relying on buses for every Castle, Old Town and New Town outing wastes limited city-break time. It suits a slower, longer visit, not a first-time weekend itinerary.

The neighborhoods

Pick the areas you want to be around — the hotels and tables below narrow to them.

Stay here Fine base Visit, don't sleep

Old Town & Royal MileFirst-timer default

Medieval core, spectacular and relentlessly busy

The essential first Edinburgh walk: Castle to Holyrood through closes, tenements, pubs and major sights. It is compact enough to make a short stay easy, but the Royal Mile itself is a tourist corridor rather than a local neighbourhood.

Vs. others: Pick Old Town over New Town if seeing the Castle, Royal Mile and museums on foot matters most; pick New Town if you want a calmer, more polished evening base and better shopping.

Waverley station and the main bus hub are at its north edge; most central sights are walkable, but steep lanes, steps and cobbles make luggage and reduced-mobility travel harder. Trams run along Princes Street below the Old Town rather than through it.

Best for: first-timers, short stays, history lovers, walkers

The Royal Mile is crowded and tourist-facing, especially in summer and festival periods. · Cobbles, slopes and stairs are tiring; bridges do not always connect to the lower streets beneath them. · Restaurants directly on the Mile can be more about location than food. · Late noise can be significant around Cowgate and the lower Old Town.

See hotels in Old Town & Royal Mile

Grassmarket & Victoria StreetExcellent base

Castle views, pubs, nightlife and steep lanes

A handsome bowl beneath the Castle, with Victoria Street’s colourful curve, independent-looking shops and a heavy concentration of pubs, bars and visitors. It is more atmospheric after dark than the upper Royal Mile, but not necessarily more restful.

Vs. others: Pick Grassmarket over the Royal Mile if you want bars and Castle views at your door; pick the Royal Mile if museums, the Palace and Waverley access matter more.

A steep walk links it to the Royal Mile and Princes Street. Buses are easier to catch on nearby bridges and central streets than within Grassmarket itself; Waverley is walkable but involves a climb or descent.

Best for: first-timers, nightlife, photographers, pub-goers

Pub closing-time noise and weekend crowds are real. · The surrounding streets are steep and cobbled. · It can feel like a nightlife zone rather than a neighbourhood. · Some dining is priced for the Castle-view location.

See hotels in Grassmarket & Victoria Street

New Town & Princes StreetExcellent base

Georgian grandeur, central and less medieval

Edinburgh’s elegant planned grid is the most practical central alternative to Old Town: grand façades, galleries, shopping, restaurants and many of the city’s higher-end hotels. Princes Street is useful for transport and views, but George Street and the side streets are the better places to linger.

Vs. others: Pick New Town over Old Town if you value easier walking, polished hotels and direct tram access; pick Old Town if you want to wake up amid Edinburgh’s oldest landmarks.

This is Edinburgh’s strongest transport base: Waverley and St Andrew Square bus station are close, and the tram runs along Princes Street and Shandwick Place. Old Town is a short but uphill walk across the Mound or North Bridge.

Best for: first-timers, luxury, shopping, rail-day-trips, travelers wanting flatter streets

Princes Street is busy, retail-heavy and less charming at street level than the Georgian side streets. · Central hotels can be expensive, particularly in August and around Hogmanay. · George Street can be noisy around bars and late-night venues. · The Old Town still requires a climb.

See hotels in New Town & Princes Street

West End & HaymarketExcellent base

Convenient, polished, less storybook central

The West End combines handsome Georgian streets, galleries, restaurants and a useful transport edge around Haymarket. It is a sensible base rather than the most evocative place to wander; the feel shifts quickly from elegant West End to busy station approaches.

Vs. others: Pick West End & Haymarket over New Town if Haymarket rail access and airport-side tram convenience are priorities; pick New Town if you want to be closer to Waverley, galleries and the Old Town.

Haymarket station, tram stops and frequent buses make this one of the easiest districts for arrivals, the airport and trips west. Princes Street is walkable; the Castle and Royal Mile are farther, generally a 20-minute-or-so walk depending on the exact address and hills.

Best for: rail-day-trips, business travelers, families, value seekers outside peak dates

The blocks immediately around Haymarket can feel traffic-heavy and functional. · It is less atmospheric than Old Town or the best of New Town. · The walk to the principal historic sights is longer than maps can make it seem. · Event dates at Murrayfield can tighten availability and add transport crowds.

See hotels in West End & Haymarket

Stockbridge & InverleithExcellent base

Village feel, good food, uphill homeward

A well-heeled, genuinely pleasant residential area north of New Town, with independent shops, cafés, pubs and the Royal Botanic Garden nearby. It is a better place to live slowly than to tick off headline attractions.

Vs. others: Pick Stockbridge over New Town if you want a quieter, village-like base with local food and shops; pick New Town if you want trams, Waverley and the Old Town within easier reach.

There is no tram through Stockbridge. Buses connect it with the centre, and New Town can be reached on foot, but the route back involves a noticeable hill; the Botanic Garden is close to Inverleith.

Best for: quiet travelers, foodies, families, return-visitors

It is not as central as it can look on a map. · The uphill return from the centre is unwelcome after a long day. · Accommodation is often boutique-priced rather than a bargain. · Evenings are low-key compared with Grassmarket or Leith.

See hotels in Stockbridge & Inverleith

Dean Village & Water of LeithVisit, don't sleep

Photogenic ravine, not a practical core

Dean Village is a beautiful former milling enclave on the Water of Leith: a rewarding detour for its stone buildings, river path and contrast with central Edinburgh. It is small, residential and best treated as a walk rather than a destination district for most visitors.

Vs. others: Pick Dean Village over Stockbridge for a short scenic river walk; pick Stockbridge if you want cafés, shops and a realistic overnight base.

It is walkable downhill from the West End and reachable by bus routes on surrounding main roads, but the riverside itself is below street level and not directly served by tram. Continue along the Water of Leith toward Stockbridge if time allows.

Best for: walkers, photographers, quiet seekers, return-visitors

There is little to do beyond the scenery and walking path. · Access involves slopes and steps in places. · It becomes quiet quickly after daytime visitors leave. · Its visual fame can make the tiny riverside viewpoints feel congested.

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Leith & The ShoreExcellent base

Port character, restaurants, farther from Castle

Edinburgh’s former port has a more lived-in, waterside identity than the centre, especially around The Shore. It offers serious dining, pubs, the Royal Yacht Britannia at Ocean Terminal, and a good option for travelers who do not need medieval Edinburgh outside the door.

Vs. others: Pick Leith over Stockbridge if you want waterside restaurants, bars and a grittier port identity; pick Stockbridge if you want quieter streets and an easier walk into the centre.

The tram now links Leith with Princes Street, Waverley-area central stops and the airport corridor; buses are also frequent. It is not a sensible walk to the Castle or Royal Mile for most visitors, especially after a full day.

Best for: foodies, nightlife, return-visitors, value seekers, longer stays

It is distinctly removed from the Old Town, despite the tram. · The character varies block by block: some stretches feel more residential or traffic-led than picturesque. · The Shore’s restaurant reputation means popular tables need planning. · Late-night behavior around busy pubs can be rowdy.

See hotels in Leith & The Shore

Southside, University & The MeadowsAcceptable base

Student energy, food choices, park space

South of Old Town, this broad student-oriented area covers the University, George Square, the Meadows and the restaurant-rich streets around Nicolson and Clerk Street. It is lively, practical and less precious than the historic core, with a wide choice of casual eating.

Vs. others: Pick Southside over Grassmarket if you want cheaper-feeling casual food and a student neighbourhood; pick Grassmarket if Castle drama and central sightseeing convenience outweigh the noise.

The Old Town is walkable via George IV Bridge, though the route climbs. Buses are frequent on the main north–south roads; there is no tram through the district.

Best for: budget travelers, foodies, nightlife, longer stays, young travelers

Student nightlife and traffic can bring noise, particularly near Cowgate-adjacent streets. · Some blocks feel utilitarian rather than handsome. · August accommodation demand can erase the usual value advantage. · The uphill approach to the Royal Mile is part of the daily routine.

See hotels in Southside, University & The Meadows

Bruntsfield & MorningsideAcceptable base

Leafy local life beyond the tourist crush

These adjacent south-side neighbourhoods are attractive, settled and café-rich, with independent shops and easy access to the Meadows. They suit travelers who want to come back to a real neighbourhood, not an attraction zone.

Vs. others: Pick Bruntsfield & Morningside over Stockbridge if you prefer the Meadows and south-side cafés; pick Stockbridge if you want to be closer to New Town and the Botanic Garden.

Frequent buses run toward the centre, and the Meadows provides a pleasant walking route toward Old Town. Expect a longer walk to Waverley and no direct tram service.

Best for: quiet travelers, families, foodies, return-visitors, longer stays

It is residential, so headline sights are not on the doorstep. · The centre-bound walk is longer than from New Town or Old Town. · Accommodation choices are thinner than in the core. · Morningside in particular can feel sleepy at night.

See hotels in Bruntsfield & Morningside

Holyrood, Canongate & Arthur's SeatAcceptable base

Palace end, Parliament and big landscapes

At the east end of Old Town, this is the quieter, more spacious end of the Royal Mile: Holyrood Palace, the Scottish Parliament and immediate access to Holyrood Park and Arthur’s Seat. It rewards walkers and landscape-minded visitors, though it lacks the density of restaurants and evening life farther west.

Vs. others: Pick Holyrood & Canongate over the upper Royal Mile if Arthur’s Seat and a quieter historic setting matter most; pick the upper Royal Mile if you want the Castle, museums and central dining closer.

It is walkable along the Royal Mile to Waverley and the Castle, but that is a substantial uphill traverse. Buses run on surrounding main roads; tram access is easier nearer Princes Street than here.

Best for: walkers, families, history lovers, travelers wanting park access

The district can feel quiet after attractions close. · The Castle and central New Town are farther away than they appear on a straight map. · Arthur’s Seat is a real hill hike, with exposed conditions and uneven ground. · Dining choice is thinner and can skew tourist-oriented near the Royal Mile.

See hotels in Holyrood, Canongate & Arthur's Seat

PortobelloAcceptable base

Beach promenade, independent and detached

Portobello is Edinburgh’s seaside escape: a long beach, promenade, cafés and a more independent small-town rhythm. It makes sense for a longer, slower visit or warm-weather family break, not as the default base for sightseeing central Edinburgh.

Vs. others: Pick Portobello over Leith if a beach and quiet promenade matter more than restaurant density and tram access; pick Leith if you want quicker, easier connections to the centre.

Portobello relies primarily on buses to the city centre; it has no tram or central rail station. The Old Town and New Town are not practical walks for routine sightseeing.

Best for: families, quiet travelers, beach walkers, return-visitors, longer stays

The beach is weather-dependent, and Scottish seaside conditions are often brisk. · Central Edinburgh requires a bus journey each way. · It is quiet in the evening compared with Leith or the centre. · The promenade can be busy on fine weekends.

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Calton Hill & AbbeyhillAcceptable base

Big views, eastern-edge convenience

This eastern fringe of the centre pairs Calton Hill’s famous skyline views with quieter residential streets toward Abbeyhill. It is useful for travelers who want to be close to Waverley and Old Town without sleeping directly amid the Royal Mile crowds.

Vs. others: Pick Calton Hill & Abbeyhill over the Royal Mile if you want a quieter night within walking distance of Waverley; pick the Royal Mile if you want Edinburgh’s major historic sights immediately outside.

Waverley, the bus station and Princes Street trams are walkable from the western side. Calton Hill itself is steep, and Abbeyhill sits farther east, so exact address matters.

Best for: first-timers, photographers, quiet travelers, rail-day-trips

The hill is a climb, particularly with luggage. · There are fewer restaurants and shops than in New Town or Old Town. · The area can feel empty on quieter streets after dark. · Its position on the edge of the centre adds walking time to the Castle and Grassmarket.

See hotels in Calton Hill & Abbeyhill

Where to stay

Hotels in Edinburgh

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