Are you wondering which locations are hosting Santa’s Grotto in Edinburgh this year? The big man’s elves have kindly emailed us with his December route. However, you must book a time to meet Santa in Edinburgh, or you’ll be on the naughty list! You may also like our guides to Edinburgh in December, best places to […]
Category Archives: Activities
Things to do in Edinburgh for locals and visitors. Detailing activities from museums to music gigs, date nights to day tours.
From comedy to cabaret, burlesque to Broadway, politics to purple cows, our free Edinburgh Festival Fringe guide explains everything you need to know about this lively event in Scotland’s capital. Updated September 2026 For three weeks in August (7 – 31 August 2026), every nook and cranny of the capital’s Old Town and City Centre […]
Festive fans are spoilt in our medieval city when it comes to wonderful places to see spectacular Christmas lights in Edinburgh! From popular streets to commercial and independent shops and landmark hotels to hot mulled wine to takeout, this guide details the best spots to find festive cheer in and close to Scotland’s capital. You […]
Would you believe that Dean Village used to be known as one of the city’s slums? The Village of the Water of Leith was once home to eight working grain mills, most notably flour mills owned by the Baxters. There was also a distillery and a skin factory. After some investment, this picturesque urban escape […]
Best viewsCalton Hill, Arthur’s Seat, Blackford Hill Best for familiesThe Meadows, Inverleith Park, Saughton Park Best for natureHermitage of Braid, Figgate Park, Corstorphine Hill Free entryAll 16 parks and gardens in this guide Princes Street GardensOpens 7am; closes 6pm in winter, 10pm in high summer From the gardens below the castle to an ancient volcano […]
Best for plantsRoyal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Malleny Garden, Saughton Park Best hidden spotsDunbar’s Close Garden, the Archivists’ Garden, Sandeman House Garden Free entry16 of the 20 gardens in this guide Best time to visitMay to July for roses and borders; spring for blossom DogsRules differ: on leads in some, not allowed in others Edinburgh is […]
Without a doubt, the capital is the dreamiest city in Scotland. With its cobbled streets, secret closes and dramatic landscape, this city has no bad photo spot, making it the perfect base for a couples trip. There are so many romantic things to do in Edinburgh, and activities start from free, so you don’t have […]
Edinburgh is famously said to be built upon seven hills. So it’s no surprise that there are many walks in Edinburgh that are worth a visit. Whether you just need a short walk to get out in the fresh air or are planning a longer expedition, there are plenty of walks around Edinburgh to suit […]
Closest to the cityPortobello, Cramond, Silverknowes, Wardie Bay Best family beachesPortobello, Gullane, Yellowcraig, Milsey Bay Rated Excellent by SEPAGullane, Seacliff, Thorntonloch, Aberdour RNLI patrols in summerAberdour Silver Sands and Burntisland Parking in East Lothian£3 daily at council coastal car parks You do not have to leave the capital for a day at the seaside. Edinburgh […]
While stargazing in a city might seem counterintuitive, Edinburgh has the iconic Arthur’s Seat, which offers panoramic views of the sky, and the city’s Royal Observatory, with its regular public events and powerful telescopes. Venturing just outside of Edinburgh, darker skies at areas like the Pentland Hills or Newbattle Abbey College offer an even more […]