Sun, sea, sand and ice cream. On a warm day in Scotland, you could be forgiven for forgetting you’re standing at the seaside and not at the Costa Del Sol!
While Edinburgh is best known for its cultural heritage and rich history, it also has an incredible coastline dotted with brilliant beaches.
If you’re lucky enough to catch a day or two of sun, you should head out to one of the following beaches below.
Make sure to pack a towel and some sunscreen in preparation for getting a dose of Vitamin Sea! Bring some cash or a card to support local businesses, and if you can, leave the car at home, as parking can be a bit of a nightmare on sunny days.
So, let’s dive into the best beaches.
Updated September 2026
| Beach | Type | Distance | Parking | Dogs | Postcode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silverknowes | Sand & pebble | 5 miles NW | Free (Marine Drive) | Yes | EH4 5ES |
| Cramond | Sand | 5 miles W | Free (village) | Yes | EH4 6QU |
| Portobello | Sand | 3 miles E | Free (side streets) | Yes | EH15 2DX |
| Musselburgh (Fisherrow) | Sand & shingle | 7 miles E | Free (harbour) | Yes | EH21 6DH |
| Longniddry | Sand | 9 miles E | £3 (Longniddry Bents) | Yes | EH32 0PU |
| Gosford Sands | Sand & dunes | 10 miles E | Free | Yes | EH32 0PX |
| Aberlady Bay | Sand & marsh | 11 miles E | Free (A198 lay-by) | Yes | EH32 0QB |
| North Berwick (Milsey Bay) | Sand | 25 miles E | Paid (town centre) | Yes | EH39 4LE |
| Gullane | Sand & dunes | 20 miles E | £3 (Gullane Bents) | Yes | EH31 2BE |
| Yellowcraigs | Sand | 22 miles E | £3 | Yes | EH39 5DX |
| Seacliff | Sand | 25 miles E | £5 (private road) | Yes | EH39 5PP |
| Tyninghame | Sand | 27 miles E | £3 | Yes | EH42 1XW |
| Belhaven Bay | Sand | 30 miles E | £3 | Yes | EH42 1TY |
| Thorntonloch | Sand | 32 miles SE | Free | Yes | EH42 1QS |
Beaches You Should Visit
Silverknowes Beach
Silverknowes is the closest beach to the city.
This underrated beach, northwest of the city, has a mix of sand and pebbles.
Access is a bit tough as it involves a long walk through woodland from the bus stand.
The trek is worth the effort as Silverknowes is said to provide some of the best views of the Firth of Forth and beyond of Fife.
The three-mile promenade along the seafront is popular with hikers and skaters.
Cramond Beach
Looking for nice beaches nearby?
Look no further!
Cramond Beach enjoys a prime waterfront location on the Firth of Forth from where beachgoers can watch the pretty coastline as they walk along the promenade.
Expect passing ships, quaint fishing villages and hills in the background.
Give sunny Burntisland in Fife a wave!
The beach is only four miles from the city, and it is advisable to visit during low tide to get the best views of the Firth and many World War II battlements.
The nearby Cramond Gallery Bistro offers excellent home-cooked seafood.
You can park at the Newhaven side of the beach or at Miller and Carter at Queensferry Rd and enter via the bridge which will take you through the woods to the waterfront.
Read next | Walks
Portobello Beach
Portobello is probably the best beach if we measure by footfall. It lies three miles from the City Centre.
Portobello, or Porty, shows off a two-mile stretch of pristine sand and a paved vintage promenade.
During the summer, expect to share space with lots of locals, as this is a very busy beach when the temperatures increase.
For food and drink, the promenade boasts ample facilities, such as an arcade and cafes such as The Beach House, Portobello Beach Bistro, and Civerinos Slice.
A few minutes walk from the seafront is Portobello High Street, which has more options for lunch and dinner.
The Victorian swimming pool inside the leisure centre has Turkish Baths, which will provide a warmer environment than the seafront during colder months.
Portobello is an excellent family-friendly beach to add to your itinerary.
Read Next | Family Friendly Activities
How to Get to Portobello Beach
Although it’s a little out of the centre, it’s easy to reach Portobello Beach by Edinburgh Bus – Lothian Buses run frequent services from the City Centre and beyond.
Lothian 26 is the best bus to use.
For those who require Portobello Beach parking, there is a car park on Bridge Street (EH15 1DH). However, spaces are very limited, and on sunny days, you are likely to experience difficulty finding a space.
There is also limited on-street, free parking available.
You can cycle from Leith or the City Centre if you have a bike.
You may also like our guide to parking.
Beaches in East Lothian
Musselburgh Harbour
There are two nice beaches of white sand on either side of the harbour in Musselburgh.
The one on the west is Fisherrow Beach.
Open year-round, the area features cafes, playgrounds, toilets, and other facilities ideal for a day out with the entire family.
Make sure to visit S Luca’s for an ice cream, too!
It’s some of the best in the area.
Longniddry
Nine miles out lies the rocky beach of Longniddry.
When the sea waters ebb, visitors are greeted with lovely sands, which are actually part of the popular 134-mile John Muir Way coastal walk—one of our featured walks.
The trio of Forth bridges can be seen on the left. Nature lovers can spend the whole day watching the large number of seabirds that flock to this region.
Gosford Sands
Located near Craigielaw Golf Course, Gosford Sands is covered with high dunes on the edge of crystal clear waters.
Building sandcastles will engross children as you chill out with a good book or a podcast.
Kite flying is the most enjoyable activity for older kids and adults here because of the constant breeze that flows throughout the day.
Several nesting seabirds can also be spotted here.
Aberlady Bay
Another gorgeous beach in East Lothian has a mixed habitat of dunes and marshes, which hold a healthy wildfowl population.
This nature conservancy is also a hot spot for migratory birds, most of which breed here.
There are also two submarines which become visible during low tide.
Gullane Beach
Gullane is about a 45-minute drive towards North Berwick and is one of the best beaches nearby.
You can expect to see the stunning coastline of East Lothian, a popular summer holiday region for Scots, especially those with campers.
This area is a good base for exploring the many miles of golden sands, and it has several world-class golf courses, such as Gullane Golf Club, which dot the coast.
Yellowcraigs
Despite being a bit off the beaten path, Yellowcraigs Beach in East Lothian is worth the visit for those looking to escape the city.
Features like ample parking, long stretches of sand, a less crowded atmosphere and a picturesque lighthouse make this beach a great draw for visitors.
Children have lovely outdoor areas to play in.
Families can even opt for amazing woodland walks if it gets too cold.
Seacliff Beach
Lying east of North Berwick, the lesser-known Seacliff is a private beach, but it is well worth the entry fee.
A small path from the car park will bring you to this stunning hidden gem.
The beach is ideal for surfing and swimming and the adjacent ‘smallest harbour in the UK’ is also worth the visit.
Belhaven Bay
A very popular beach for surfing, Belhaven Bay lies at some distance from the city Dunbar which is also known as Sunny Dunny!
The beach has won plenty of accolades for the stunning views across the Forth Estuary against the backdrop of the dunes along the coast.
Lying within the boundaries of John Muir Country Park, Belhaven is ideal for picnics, hiking, and a clifftop walk that passes by the harbour to an old ruined castle.
Dunbar is a fantastic spot for visitors, especially families and waters sports fans.
A surf school by the beach and a golf course are next door.
The cute high street has two chip shops and takeaway shops, including Chinese, Indian and Italian.
Love Sweets & Ices sells old-school sweets, ice cream and sorbet.
East Links Family Park is a full day out; wee ones love the train they can hop aboard.
Read more about the town in our guide things to do in Dunbar.
Tyninghame
Also known as Ravensheugh Sands, this beach approaches its huge sandy bay in a wild and lovely way. The bay offers unparalleled views of the dramatic Bass Rock.
Tyninghame may not have the same allure as its more illustrious neighbours, but it is one charming stretch of sand.
Numerous walks can be had through the woods, winding their way around several paths by the beach.
North Berwick (Milsey Bay)
North Berwick’s East Beach, also known as Milsey Bay (EH39 4LE), is a sheltered golden crescent of sand at the eastern end of the town. The Scottish Seabird Centre sits directly above the beach, offering live camera feeds from the Bass Rock gannet colony (peak June–August).
The beach is quieter than the West Beach and offers outstanding views of the Bass Rock. Dogs are welcome year-round. ScotRail from Edinburgh takes 30 minutes, then a 10-minute walk east through town.
Thorntonloch Beach
This beautiful stretch of wide, sandy beach (EH42 1QS) lies about 32 miles south-east of Edinburgh, just off the A1 near Torness. Free parking with toilets is available close to the caravan park behind the beach (about 40 spaces).
Thorntonloch is directly on the John Muir Way and is a favourite with dog walkers. The beach is popular for surfing and bodyboarding thanks to its exposed position. No lifeguard is on duty.
Beaches – FAQ
What is the best beach?
Portobello Beach is the most popular for facilities and accessibility (3 miles from the city centre, buses every 10 minutes). For a quieter experience, Cramond offers a tidal island walk and Silverknowes has excellent Firth views without the crowds. Among East Lothian beaches, Yellowcraigs and North Berwick consistently rank highest for families.
Which beaches allow dogs?
All the beaches in this guide allow dogs year-round. Portobello has some seasonal restrictions on the main beach (May–September), but the Joppa end is unrestricted. Cramond, Silverknowes and the East Lothian beaches are particularly popular with dog walkers thanks to their wide stretches of sand and promenade paths.
Is it safe to swim?
Yes, though no beaches in the area have lifeguard cover. Portobello has Marine Conservation Society-recommended water quality and is popular for year-round sea swimming. Always swim within your ability, avoid swimming after heavy rain, and be aware that water temperatures are 10–15°C even in summer. Cramond water quality varies due to the River Almond outflow.
What is the closest beach to the city centre?
Portobello Beach is the closest at just 3 miles east, reachable by Lothian Bus 26 in 25 minutes. Silverknowes and Cramond are both about 5 miles to the northwest, accessible by bus 29 and 41 respectively.
Where is the best parking?
Free parking is available at Silverknowes (Marine Drive), Cramond (village car park), Musselburgh (harbour), Gosford Sands and Thorntonloch. At paid East Lothian coastal car parks (£3/day), your ticket is valid across all sites for the day. Arrive early on sunny weekends – popular spots like Yellowcraigs and Tyninghame fill up fast.
Other Guides You May Like
- Loveliest parks
- Secret and popular gardens
- Best walks for all abilities
- Dog-friendly hotels in the city
I love your pages Ronan thank you for preparing and publishing them.
I thought you might like to know what you’ve missed a word (I think) in the following sentence about Aberlady
Beach
Thank you Ewan, appreciate you taking the time to read and comment.