Edinburgh is full of old buildings that were never meant to be slept in: a 16th-century pigeon tower, a garden temple, a Victorian police station, a Gothic chapel, school rooms and a stable block. A surprising number of them now take guests, which is why a search for unique Airbnbs in Edinburgh turns up far more than flats.
This guide is a full rebuild for 2026. All 26 stays below were live on Airbnb when I checked on 3 November 2026, and for each one I give the rating, the number of reviews and, where shown, the council licence number. Some are a stroll from the castle; others are by the sea, beside a canal or in a wooded valley on the edge of Edinburgh.
Updated 3 November 2026. I opened every listing on Airbnb on that date. Ratings and badges change, and prices depend on your dates, so confirm them when booking.
How I Picked These Edinburgh Stays
- Something you will not find elsewhere: a building with an unusual past, a themed interior, a garden hideaway, a boat or a private tub outdoors. The best ordinary flats are in my guide to Airbnbs in the centre instead.
- Checked live: I opened each Airbnb listing and noted what it showed that day, from guests and bedrooms to rating and reviews. Claims I could not confirm are left out, and homes from the old version of this page that I could no longer find were dropped.
- Well reviewed: every listing with a rating scores 4.67 or higher. One new lodge has no reviews yet, which I flag below.
- Inside the city limits: everything is within the City of Edinburgh, so none of these involve a long drive.
The Best Picks by Trip Type
- Most memorable: Craigiehall Temple, a 1759 folly, or the Morningside conversion with nearly 800 reviews.
- For Harry Potter fans: the Wizarding Residence on West Bow.
- For a soak under the sky: the room by the airport, the Bothy in Drylaw or the New Town terrace flat.
- Up to eight guests: the Camillia barge, East House in Ratho or the Lost Shore lodge.
- With a dog: the log cabin in Duddingston, which takes up to two.
All 26 Stays at a Glance
Figures as shown on each listing on 3 November 2026. “Not shown” means I could not see a licence number on the page; ask the host for it before you book.
Old Town Character: Secret Rooms, Wizards and a Prison Cell
The medieval spine of Edinburgh runs from the castle down to Holyrood, with the Grassmarket tucked below the rock. These seven stays are all a few minutes on foot from the castle, but each one has a story or a twist.
Porteous’ Studio
A tiny home for two in a former workshop off Porteous’ Pend, right below the castle rock. It was the first project of the architecture practice Izat Arundell, whose owners still let it, and Dezeen featured it in 2018.
Local craftsmen made the furniture for the space, and the walls are finished in natural clay plaster. The listing names two 2017 awards, from the Edinburgh Architecture Association and the Scottish Design Awards. A stay here includes breakfast, Aesop toiletries and a library of books, and it rates 4.92 from 227 reviews.
The Wizarding Residence on West Bow
A one-bedroom flat themed on Harry Potter, where West Bow meets the bottom of Victoria Street. The largest room is styled on the great hall at Hogwarts, with portrait wallpaper and a stag chandelier, and there is a full kitchen with a dishwasher and washing machine.
The sleeping area takes its cue from Hagrid’s hut, with a four-poster small double made from tree branches. The bathroom is themed on the Gringotts vault, and a cupboard is tucked behind a mirror. It sleeps three guests, with a charge for the sofa bed, and rates 4.67. My guide to Harry Potter sites in Edinburgh covers more places linked to the books.
Unique cottage in vibrant Grassmarket, Edinburgh
Known as The Signal House, this little cottage for two has its entrance between antique bookshops and an upstairs patio with views straight up to the castle. Its 221 Airbnb reviews average 4.95. The castle is a short walk up the hill. Parking nearby is paid, so it is best for travellers arriving by train or tram.
Regal Art Filled Apartment with Secret Bedroom
A one-bedroom home for two on North Bridge, a few steps from St Giles’ Cathedral, with a lift, a king bed, wood-panelled walls and hundreds of books on the shelves. Its 366 reviews average 4.78.
Classical Apartment on the Royal Mile
Behind the bookshelves here, the bed sits in a box room you would not spot at first. The flat has oak panelling and is on the fourth floor with no lift, so pack light. With 1,149 reviews at 4.99, it is the most reviewed Airbnb on this list.
Walk along the Royal Mile from an Elegant Apartment
The building dates from 1790, and its courtyard is guarded by four blue and gold dragons. The flat is on the second floor, 44 steps up, and sleeps two. It holds 489 reviews averaging 4.85.
THE CoURT: Private Sleeping Cell
THE CoURT is a CoDE Pod hostel in the old police chambers next to St Giles’, an A-listed Victorian building that once held a courtroom and holding cells. The cells are now private rooms with a double bed for one, and shower rooms are shared. It has 366 reviews at 4.83.
Historic Conversions: A Temple, a Chapel, a School and More
Some of the best places to stay in Edinburgh are in buildings that had a very different first life. Expect thick walls, odd layouts and plenty of character.
16th Century Dovecot Cottage in Private Garden.
A converted dovecot for two inside a walled garden in Morningside, south Edinburgh. The little bedroom is in the tower, surrounded by lit nesting boxes, and a glass panel in the floor looks down into a vaulted cavern. There is a wood-burner, heated floors and free parking for an ordinary-sized car.
With 798 reviews at 4.98, it is one of the best-loved stays in Edinburgh, and the price shown on Airbnb includes the 5% levy.
Craigiehall Temple (historic property built 1759)
Built in 1759 on what was the Craigiehall estate near Cramond, this Grade A listed temple has a portico with the arms of the 1st Marquess of Annandale and a plaque quoting Horace. It sits on the north-west edge of the city and is spread over two floors with a wood burner on each.
Upstairs, an emperor bed sits beneath an oculus inscribed in Latin. There is no kitchen, but you get a large fridge, a toaster, a coffee maker and kettles. Parking is free, and it has 300 reviews at 4.94.
Converted Church Loft in Leith
A loft flat for four inside a former Gothic chapel in Leith, designed by architect John Henderson in 1839. A balcony leads down to a shared courtyard, and bars, cafés and a cinema are close by, with buses and trams into the city. It rates 4.88 from 372 reviews.
The Old School House
A two-bedroom, two-bathroom home in a converted 19th-century school, a short walk from the Old Town. There is no lift, though guests say the stair is wide and easy. Its 71 Airbnb reviews average 4.99.
Spacious Brewers Cottage & Garden on the Meadows
This cottage sits right on the Meadows, a walk from the university, with its own entrance and outdoor space. It was built for the cooper of the old Boroughloch Brewery and sleeps three guests. It has 500 Airbnb reviews at 4.76.
Quiet traditional cottage in central location
A colony cottage near Haymarket, in a Category B listed row of 36 built between 1850 and 1910 to designs by architect Alexander MacGregor. It sleeps four, makes a quiet home base in Edinburgh’s west and has 475 reviews at 4.91.
Artists Mews House near City Centre
A Georgian mews in Stockbridge converted by an architect. The listing says it has been recommended by The Times, Condé Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Elle. It has 609 reviews at 4.96.
Well Court Cottage-Dean Village
A cottage flat for two in the historic milling hamlet below Dean Bridge, by the river, with a wood-burner for cold nights. It has a perfect 5.0 from 63 reviews.
Stunning Edinburgh 1820s stables converted house
East House is part of Ratho Park Steading, a courtyard stable built in 1826 and converted in 2021, about eight miles from the centre of Edinburgh. It has four king bedrooms for eight guests, ground-source heating and a path through the grounds to a fire pit and the Union Canal. It holds a perfect 5.0 from 239 reviews.
Cabins, Tiny Homes and Hot Tubs
If you would rather sleep under trees than in a tenement, these Airbnb stays bring a little countryside into the city. Several have a private tub outdoors; check the house rules for when it can be used.
Peaceful Cabin In The Dell -enjoy!
A tiny home for a quiet stay for two in Colinton Dell, designed by architect David Blaikie, beside the Water of Leith. It has a mezzanine, a welcome hamper and a hot tub with its own guidelines. It has 238 reviews at 4.95.
Stunning Studio with Outdoor Hot Tub
A garden studio five miles from the West End, with a deck, a barbecue and views to the Pentland Hills. Edinburgh Gateway is three minutes away for trams and trains into town, and there is driveway parking. It rates 4.98 from 461 reviews.
Bothy in the City, Drylaw
A one-room bothy for two on a family plot in Drylaw, with an en-suite and a tub in a private courtyard that guests can use from 10am to 10pm. Street parking is free. It has 330 reviews at 4.86.
City Centre Luxury with Terrace Hot Tub
A Georgian flat for two in the New Town with a tub on its own terrace, three minutes from George Street. It has 93 reviews averaging 4.94.
Tiny Garden House – Bruntsfield, central Edinburgh
A garden room measuring 5m by 4m, with a fold-down double bed and no TV. It suits two guests who want a quiet stay that is different but close to the city centre. It has 105 reviews at 4.96.
Cosy 1 bedroom cabin with free parking
Built in 2021 from 70mm interlocking logs in the hosts’ family garden, this cabin in Duddingston sleeps up to four, with a kitchen and living room. Dogs are welcome (two at most), and there is free street parking with an EV charger. It has a perfect 5.0 from 231 reviews.
Boats, Beaches and Harbours
Edinburgh has a canal running into its centre and a long coastline, and the best way to see both is to sleep on or beside them.
Camillia Canal Barge
A purpose-built wide-beam barge, 11 feet by 60, moored on the canal about seven minutes on foot from the castle. It sleeps eight across two double cabins, an adult bunk room and a sofa bed. With 17 reviews at 4.71 and mixed comments, read the latest before you book. The same host lists the Four Sisters Boatel on Lochrin Basin.
Cramond Harbour Cottage
A two-bedroom first-floor flat on the historic harbour front at Cramond, on the north edge of Edinburgh, in a Category A listed building from about 1795, with sunsets and views over the Firth of Forth. Note that it is under the airport flight path and has single glazing. It has 247 reviews at 4.97.
Edinburgh Sea View loft apartment
A two-bedroom loft by the sea at Portobello, with a large roof terrace and sea views, about 20 minutes by bus from the centre. It sleeps four guests and has 192 reviews at 4.99.
Lost Shore Surf Resort Lodge
A four-bedroom lodge for eight with an outdoor tub above Lost Shore at Ratho, a surf stay on the edge of Edinburgh at what describes itself as Scotland’s first inland surf resort. It is new to Airbnb, so there are no reviews yet; book with that in mind.
Why Choose a Unique Airbnb in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh is one of the most historic cities in Britain, and its centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Choosing a historic home over a chain hotel lets you stay in the city the way it was built, with stone stairs, shutters and odd corners.
A one-off Airbnb also gives you room that a hotel rarely does. Most of the homes here have a kitchen, many have outdoor space or views, and a converted stable or a canal barge on the edge of Edinburgh is a calm base after a busy day in the city.
The catch is that the best of these places are single homes, not blocks of rooms, so they book up fast. If one is taken for your dates, look at the others in the same section of this Edinburgh guide.
Where in Edinburgh to Find the Most Unusual Stays
- Old Town: the best choice for history and the castle on your doorstep, with steep stairs and busy streets in summer. See my list of Airbnbs near the castle for more.
- South side: Morningside, Marchmont and Newington have three of the stays in historic buildings, and are quieter places to stay within a walk or a short bus ride of the sights.
- Leith and the coast: the chapel loft, plus Cramond and Portobello for a city break by the sea. See my guide to beaches in Edinburgh.
- Edge of the city: Colinton, Ratho and Craigiehall give you space, parking and green views, but you will need a bus, tram or car to reach the centre.
Getting Around From Your Airbnb
From Edinburgh Airport, the tram runs through the city centre and on to Newhaven, and an adult Airport Single costs £7.90. The stay near Edinburgh Gateway is closest to that line. In the centre, most sights are a walk away. If you stay in Portobello, Cramond or Duddingston, the listings point you to local buses into the city, and if you book East House or the Lost Shore lodge, a car is easiest. Read my guide to parking in Edinburgh if you plan to drive.
What the Superhost and Guest Favourite 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. Guest favourite belongs to the home and is based on ratings, reviews and reliability.
Licences and the Visitor Levy
- Short-term let licence: in Edinburgh, hosts need one from the City of Edinburgh Council before they take bookings, and Scottish Government guidance says the number should appear on the listing. You can search the council’s public register of short-term lets.
- Visitor levy: since 24 July 2026, paid stays in the city carry a 5% charge on the first five nights. It covers holiday lets as well as hotels. Read my guide to the tourist tax for more.
Tips for Booking an Unusual Stay
- Book early for August: the Fringe brings huge demand, and the best one-off places sell out first.
- Check the total before you book: look past the nightly rate on Airbnb to the full cost, including any cleaning fee and the levy.
- Check the kitchen: the temple has no kitchen, only a fridge, toaster and kettles, so plan to eat out in the city.
- Plan for the walk: old stairs and cobbles are hard work with big cases, so pack light for the centre.
- Read the small print: old buildings mean steep stairs, low beams and sometimes single glazing, and a few places here have no kitchen or a shared shower.
- Ask about hot tub rules: hosts often set hours and safety guidelines.
- Read recent reviews: what guests said this month matters more than a score from last year.
- Treat it like a home: many of these are in residential streets or the host’s own grounds, so keep noise down late at night.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most unique Airbnb in Edinburgh?
For a building with a story, the best are Craigiehall Temple, built in 1759, or the converted dovecot in Morningside. THE CoURT lets you sleep in a former holding cell on the Royal Mile. All three are well reviewed, so try to book well ahead for summer weekends.
Is there a Harry Potter Airbnb in Edinburgh?
Yes. The Wizarding Residence on West Bow has rooms themed on Hogwarts, Hagrid’s hut and Gringotts, and sleeps three.
Are there Airbnbs with a hot tub in Edinburgh?
Yes. On this list, five stays have one: the garden room near the airport, the Bothy in Drylaw, the tiny home in Colinton Dell, the terrace flat in the New Town and the Lost Shore lodge. Hosts usually set hours of use, so check the house rules on each Airbnb listing before you book.
Can I stay on a boat in Edinburgh?
Yes. Camillia and the Four Sisters Boatel are barges moored on the Union Canal near the centre.
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.
Which of these allow dogs?
The log cabin in Duddingston welcomes up to two dogs. For other places, ask the host before you book.
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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