Mistakes People Make When Visiting Edinburgh (and What to Do Instead)

26.02.2024 - 20:11 / matadornetwork.com

The central train station in Edinburgh is Waverley. It’s in the city’s center, under the shadow of the Old Town’s narrow closes, wynds, courts, the Mound, and Edinburgh Castle. Arriving by train in my teenage years, this grand welcome would leave me speechless. And after living in Edinburgh for over six years, it still does today.

The capital city of Scotland attracts over four million visitors per year. Many come for the famed Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Hogmanay celebrations, and to explore the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Old and New Towns. Excellent flight connections and its positioning in the Central Belt of Scotland mean the city is also a jumping-off point for exploring all regions of the country.

Edinburgh is one of the most tourist-friendly places in the UK. Over the last couple of decades, city developments have been directly geared towards this market. Locals have lived through transport improvements and noted a huge influx of new restaurants and bars, the construction of a monstrous whiskey experience, and the increased presence of Harry Potter cutouts in store windows. As a local, you know which cobblestone streets will be congested, which restaurants and bars are worth your patronage, and which neighborhoods are still authentically Edinburgh.

If you’re planning a visit, let me assure you that Scots want you to have a brilliant vacation and to leave with an understanding of Scottish history and culture that isn’t played up. We’d also rather you don’t get ripped off at tourist traps and enjoy the slower pace of life Scotland does so well. All of this is possible with some simple planning ahead. Here I list some of the best things to do in Edinburgh and where you’ll get value for money for accommodation and eating out.

You get a very different experience of the city depending on the time of year.
Unless you want to partake in the whirlwind of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, avoid the end of July and August. Accommodation books up at the beginning of the year, and due to demand (and because they can), nightly rates of hotel rooms and Airbnbs increase to eye-watering amounts. Outside of this window, other than major holidays (especially Hogmanay), you should find that prices balance out.

Each season in Scotland is special. Mid-spring brings warmth to the soil and transforms The Meadows into a field of daffodils carpeted by cherry blossom petals. Summer can be wet, or it can be gloriously sunny — this can change at the drop of a hat, but if you’d like to up your chances for sitting outside for a picnic, consider June or early July. Fall is magical, as is winter. Don’t shy away from the colder months. Just pack lots of cozy layers and dress