Edinburgh’s city core is small, and most of it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so an Airbnb here usually means an apartment in a historic building within a walk of the castle, the shops and the bars. That is the appeal: more space than a hotel room, your own kitchen and a front door on a real Edinburgh street.
I have rebuilt this list from scratch. Every one of the 26 homes below was live on Airbnb on 3 November 2026, with its rating, review count and, where shown, its short-term let licence number. Most are in the elegant New Town, with more picks to the west, by the river and in the Old Town below the castle.
Updated 3 November 2026. I checked every listing live on Airbnb on that date. Ratings and badges can change, and prices depend on your dates, so confirm them when booking.
How I Chose the Best Places to Stay
- Location first: each home is central, within walking distance of Princes Street or a short walk from it. Flats in Newington, Morningside and other suburbs did not make the cut.
- Live and verified: I opened every listing and noted what it showed that day: guests, bedrooms, bathrooms, rating and reviews. Anything I could not confirm is left out.
- Well reviewed: all 26 carried the Guest favourite badge when I checked, and all but one were run by a Superhost.
- Entire homes: no shared rooms, so you get the whole apartment or house to yourself.
Best Picks by Trip Type
- Best for couples: Exceptional gem in the Georgian New Town, Romantic Georgian Apartment in Edinburgh New Town or The Wee Mews for a quiet stay.
- Families and groups: Beautiful Grand City Centre Apartment and Large Flat in the New Town each take up to eight guests.
- Best for river views: DeanVillage.. river balcony, free private parking, Dean Village Panoramic or Well Court Cottage-Dean Village.
- Medieval Edinburgh: Classical Apartment on the Royal Mile, with 1,149 reviews and a short stroll from the castle, or Stunning Castle View Apartment in The Old Town.
- Drivers: Georgian Edinburgh New Town Private Parking, Impressive West End Georgian Apartment and the river balcony flat all list a car space; confirm it when you book.
All 26 Airbnbs at a Glance
Figures as shown on each listing on 3 November 2026. “Not shown” means I could not see a number on the page; ask the host for it before you book.
New Town Airbnbs: Period Apartments and Coach Houses
This district was laid out from the 1760s as a grid of grand streets and squares, and today it has most of the best apartments in the city. Expect tall windows, stone stairs and an easy walk to the shops, the galleries and the station.
Exceptional gem in the Georgian New Town
An apartment for two with a bathroom clad in polished marble, a kingsize bed and a sleek, modern kitchen, run by hosts who live in the city. It holds a perfect 5.0 from 189 reviews, and the listing puts the York Place stop about 800 metres away for the airport line.
‘New Town’ Georgian apartment in Unesco area
Set in a renovated 1820s Georgian townhouse, this apartment is two floors up, reached by stairs only, so pack light. It has a well-equipped kitchen with a dining area for four, and a location inside the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its 457 reviews average 4.97.
Romantic Georgian Apartment in Edinburgh New Town
This apartment is in Carlton House on Carlton Terrace, a cobbled street below Calton Hill, so a sunset walk to the monuments takes minutes. It is on the second floor with no lift. Street parking outside is metered, and the amenities list a garden view.
Luxury Private Mews House in Edinburgh’s New Town
Known as The Wee Mews, this is a whole home to yourself with a private entrance, a marble rain shower, a shaker kitchen and a cosy fire for winter nights. The listing puts the York Place stop about 400 metres away and Waverley station about 700 metres away, ideal if you arrive by train.
Idyllic Mews House in the Heart of the New Town
A larger home for six guests on a quiet cobbled lane, with three bedrooms, three bathrooms, exposed beams and a private garden out back. The new copper kitchen stands out, which makes it a good base for a family that wants to cook in rather than eat out every night.
Georgian Edinburgh New Town Private Parking
A historic Grade A listed apartment built in 1807 at the Broughton end of the district, about 200 metres from the York Place stop. It has three bedrooms for six guests and, as the name says, private parking, which is rare in this part of Edinburgh.
The Rose Street Retreat
An apartment for four with a four-poster bed in the double room and two single bedrooms, on Rose Street, a location right on the pedestrian lane of pubs and restaurants between Princes Street and George Street. With 480 reviews, it is one of the most reviewed homes in this section.
Central Edinburgh Flat | Near Princes Street
Another Rose Street flat, this time on the third floor with no lift, with one double room and a sofa bed. It has the lowest rating in this section at 4.82, but you are seconds from the shops and only a few minutes from the gardens.
Beautiful city centre apartment
A ground floor flat with about six steps up to the door, a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and space for four guests. The host leaves a welcome pack of food for your first breakfast, does not accept hen or stag parties, and asks you to say before you arrive if you plan to bring a car.
Beautiful Grand City Centre Apartment
This first-floor flat from the 1840s just off the main shopping street has high ceilings, a large kitchen with a dishwasher and washer-dryer, four bedrooms and two bathrooms for up to eight guests, within a walk of Edinburgh Castle. It is one of the few places this close to the city’s sights that suits a big group. The street outside has paid bays.
Large Flat in the New Town
A spacious four-bedroom basement flat for eight. The location is a short stroll from Waverley and the bus station, so it is easy for groups arriving by coach or rail. It has a full kitchen and 45 reviews so far, averaging 4.93.
West End and Haymarket Airbnbs
This side of the centre runs from Charlotte Square to the railway, with crescents of Victorian houses and quieter streets than the east end. It is handy for trains to Glasgow and for the airport, and many restaurants and bars are just behind Shandwick Place.
Elegant Georgian Suite in Edinburgh’s West End
This apartment suite fills part of an 1830s townhouse, renovated in September 2022, with an original staircase crowned by a cupola. It is two floors up, and there is no elevator in this historic building. Its 366 reviews at 4.98 make it one of the best homes for couples in the city.
Edinburgh West End Design Apartment | Sleeping 4
Also called West End Muse, this modern two-bedroom design apartment with two bathrooms is in a converted 19th-century stable block in a quiet mews, with old brick walls, skylights and a fireplace. It sleeps four guests, a good pick for two couples or a small family.
Classic West End New Town 2Bed Flat
A ground floor drawing room apartment near St Mary’s Cathedral, in a building from 1865 that was restored between 2016 and 2019. The 21-arm chandelier and ornate plaster ceiling set the tone, with modern facilities blended into the historic rooms. Both bedrooms look out over the rear garden.
Impressive West End Georgian Apartment
On Grosvenor Crescent, this apartment is on the ground floor of a listed building, up seven steps, with one bedroom and two bathrooms for two. Check-in is self-service, and paid parking on the premises is listed, a big plus in this area.
The Haymarket – Scandi Central Edinburgh Home
A minimalist, modern flat on the third floor, close to the station, with a renovated kitchen and a 65-inch TV for nights in. The amenities list says pets are allowed. It sleeps four and is rated 4.93.
Stockbridge and Dean Village Airbnbs
North of the Georgian streets, this former village on the city’s north side has its own high street of cafés and independent shops. Downstream, the old mill hamlet sits in a steep wooded valley close to Charlotte Square.
DeanVillage.. river balcony, free private parking
A one-bed apartment with a balcony and river views over the Water of Leith, where the host says you may spot a heron, plus a free private space for a car. It has 573 reviews averaging 4.98. The listing says the shops downstream are a 15-minute riverside walk away.
Dean Village Panoramic
A three-bedroom home for six guests with a wood-burning stove and views of Dean Bridge through the bay window. The host describes the village as part of the World Heritage Site and a quiet, sleepy corner of the city, yet close to cafés and bars.
Well Court Cottage-Dean Village
A cottage for two right beside the riverside walkway, with art on the walls and self check-in. The amenities list says pets are allowed. It holds a perfect 5.0 from 63 reviews.
Stylish garden flat with own entrance, Stockbridge
A self-contained garden home near the Botanic Garden, with its own entrance, a patio and garden space in the colonies, a heritage area of 19th-century terraced cottages. It is the one pick here without a Superhost badge, but 494 reviews at 4.95 speak for themselves.
Artists Mews House near City Centre
A historic coach house built as part of the Georgian city, now a home for two with private access to river gardens. It has 609 reviews averaging 4.96, the highest count in this section. There is no parking in the lane; nearby streets are pay and display.
Edinburgh New Town Chic Penthouse Apartment
Built around 1850, this penthouse apartment on the northern edge of the city centre keeps many original features and sleeps six in three bedrooms. At 4.76 it has the lowest rating on the list, yet still carries the Guest favourite badge.
Old Town Airbnbs Near the Royal Mile
If you want to stay among the closes and wynds of historic Edinburgh, these four homes are close to Edinburgh Castle. Expect steep stairs and busy streets in summer. For more choice, see my full list of Old Town Airbnbs.
Classical Apartment on the Royal Mile
A loft apartment for two on the fourth floor, so expect a climb, with oak-panelled walls and a traditional bed box behind floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. It has 1,149 reviews at 4.99, by far the most of any home on this list. The location, right on the Royal Mile, is as central as it gets.
Luxury Old Town Flat on Iconic Cockburn Street
A two-bedroom apartment in a Category B listed building from 1861 on curving Cockburn Street in the old heart of the city, with a roll-top bath and modern comforts. It is on the second floor without a lift, sleeps five guests and holds a perfect 5.0 from 236 reviews.
The King’s Chamber: Historic, 2 mins from Castle
Run by the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust, this one-bedroom flat for four is in Riddle’s Court, a historic 16th-century merchant’s house just off the Royal Mile, tucked away off a quiet courtyard. It has a modern shower room and a sofa bed in the living room.
Stunning Castle View Apartment in The Old Town
A first-floor apartment on the Grassmarket with views of the castle above, one bedroom and a sofa bed. The host warns that this location is lively at weekends, and offers special rates for stays of a week or more.
Airbnb or Hotel: Which Is Best for Your Edinburgh Stay?
For families, groups and anyone staying a week or more, an Airbnb flat is often the best fit: you get a living room, space to cook and room to spread out. A hotel is easier for a short city break, with a reception desk, daily cleaning and usually a lift.
Price depends on your dates and most sights are a walk away either way, so compare the full cost of both before you book. If you are still choosing a base, my guide to the best places to stay in Edinburgh compares every area of the city, and my Fringe accommodation guide covers August.
Superhost vs Guest Favourite: What the Badges Mean
Airbnb gives the Superhost badge to hosts who, over the past 12 months, completed at least 10 reservations (or three that add up to 100 nights or more), answered 90% of messages within 24 hours, cancelled less than 1% of bookings and kept an overall rating of 4.8 or more. It reviews these stats four times a year.
Guest favourite belongs to the home, not the host. It is based on ratings, reviews and reliability, is checked daily, and Airbnb also highlights the top 1%, 5% and 10% of eligible homes. Neither badge guarantees a perfect stay, so still read the latest reviews.
Licences, the Visitor Levy and Other Rules
- Short-term let licence: in Edinburgh, hosts need one from the City of Edinburgh Council before they take bookings. Under Scottish Government guidance, its number should appear on the listing, and before you book you can search the council’s public register of short-term lets.
- Energy rating: adverts for an entire house or flat must also show its EPC rating, according to mygov.scot.
- Visitor levy: since 24 July 2026, paid stays in the city carry a 5% charge on the cost of the first five nights. It covers holiday lets as well as hotels, and stays booked and paid in full before 1 October 2025 are exempt. Read my guide to the tourist tax for more.
Stairs, Lifts and Parking in Period Flats
Most of these homes are in historic 18th- and 19th-century buildings, and lifts are rare; old common stairs can be steep. Several of the flats above clearly say there is no lift, and some are three or four floors up. Modern blocks are more likely to have a lift. If anyone in your group struggles with stairs, pick a ground floor home such as the Grosvenor Crescent or St Mary’s Cathedral options, and message the host before you book.
Parking in the centre is mostly paid, on-street bays. Only a few listings here offer a private space, so read my guide to parking in Edinburgh if you plan to drive.
Which Part of the Centre Should You Stay In?
- New Town: the best all-rounder in the city and the easiest base if you are new to Edinburgh, with shops, restaurants and gardens on your doorstep and the biggest choice of flats.
- West End: quieter streets and a railway station. See where to stay in the West End for hotels.
- Stockbridge: village feel and cafés, a walk downhill from the Georgian grid; see my guide to the area.
- Old Town: the best spot for sightseeing, with the most history, right below the castle, and the busiest streets. Compare with hotels nearby.
Getting Around From Your Airbnb
From the airport, the tram runs right through the centre to St Andrew Square near Waverley. An adult Airport Single costs £7.90. Once you arrive in the city, the location does the work: from most of these homes you can walk to the castle and the Royal Mile straight from your street, without a city bus.
Tips for Booking an Airbnb in Edinburgh
- Book early for August: the Fringe and the other summer festivals bring huge demand, so check the minimum stay for your dates.
- Check the total: look past the price per night to the full cost, including any cleaning fee, and ask whether the new visitor levy is included.
- Ask about the stairs and the bins: in a tenement flat with a shared stair, hosts often have house rules about noise and recycling.
- Check the council number: if a listing does not show one, ask the host before you pay.
- Read recent reviews: a high score from last year matters less than what guests said this month, and a new listing with few reviews deserves a closer look before you book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which area is best for an Airbnb in central Edinburgh?
The New Town is the best all-rounder: it is walkable and close to the main shops. The Old Town suits sightseers heading for the castle, the West End suits rail travellers, and the riverside streets to the north suit anyone who wants a village feel.
Does an Edinburgh Airbnb need to be licensed?
Yes. Every short-term let needs a licence from the City of Edinburgh Council before taking bookings, and its number should be on the listing.
Do you pay tourist tax on an Airbnb in Edinburgh?
Yes. The Edinburgh Visitor Levy is 5% of the accommodation cost for the first five nights of a paid stay, and it applies to short-term lets as well as hotels.
How much does an Airbnb in central Edinburgh cost?
It depends on your dates. Airbnb shows prices only once you add dates, and rates vary by season, so compare a few homes for your exact nights.
Are Edinburgh Airbnbs suitable for people who cannot manage stairs?
Some are. Many period flats have no lift, so choose a ground floor apartment and confirm the number of steps with the host.
Which Edinburgh Airbnbs have castle views?
On this list, the best bet is Stunning Castle View Apartment in The Old Town, which looks up at Edinburgh Castle from the Grassmarket. Many period flats in the centre look over rooftops and chimneys instead, so check the photos.
Can I bring a dog to an Edinburgh Airbnb?
A few hosts allow pets. On this list, the amenities for The Haymarket Scandi flat and Well Court Cottage said pets were allowed when checked; confirm with the host first.
About the Author: Eilidh has lived in Scotland her entire life and loves visiting Edinburgh with her family, especially during the festive period and when the Fringe Festival is on. As a University student, she is looking to travel more and experience new cultures in the future.
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