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Edinburgh City Breaks 2024/2025
Our Edinburgh City Break Guide 2024/2025
Just a few hours away by train or one hour by plane, Edinburgh is a great city break destination, full of history, culture and plenty of activities to keep you entertained.
The Scottish capital, Edinburgh is surrounded by beautiful scenery so if for some unknown reason the city gets too much, there is plenty to see and do in the surrounding areas. A round of golf in St Andrew's perhaps, or some adventurous sea kayaking on the Firth of Forth, make for an adventurous weekend break.
Whatever it is you enjoy, a trip to Edinburgh will be a great match, whether you visit Edinburgh with friends, family or as a couple.
Iconic Must-Visit Attractions In Edinburgh
Edinburgh Castle
Arthur's Seat
Underground Vaults
Camera Obscura
Getting To, From & Around Edinburgh
Depending on where you are travelling in from, there are travel options, including travelling by plane, train and automobile. You can book your hotel on its own or with transport as part of a city break package. ATOL protected brands like lastminute.com, Expedia and easyJet Holidays can offer flight and hotel trips.
Travelling By Train
Trains run regularly between many cities in the UK, including Leeds, London and Plymouth and is a great option if you don't have a car. You'll likely arrive into one of the city's two main stations Edinburgh Waverley and Haymarket, both of which are very central. From there, your hotel might be within walking distance, or a short bus or tram ride away.
Travelling By Plane
With flights to Edinburgh from less than £50 return, flying is the quickest way to get from Southern England, but it does mean you have to face the airports. You can fly to Edinburgh International Airport from cities like Belfast, Bristol, Birmingham, Southampton and London with airlines like British Airways, easyJet and Loganair. A taxi can be a stress free way to get from the airport to the city centre, especially if where you are staying is not on a direct bus or tram route, however, the tram is a far more affordable and easy option, especially if it's just two of you visiting.
Travelling By Car
Driving to Edinburgh is another option, however, routes from the South of England can be long and tiresome. That said, it does give you the freedom once you're in the area to travel around with more flexibility. For example, heading out to Leith, the coast and The Royal Yacht Britannia can be much easier when you have a car. It's worth bearing in mind that many hotels don't necessarily have their own car parks and you may need to use public ones which will come at an additional cost.
Getting Around The City
By far one of the best ways to explore the city is by foot. This city is great for walking and is becoming more and more accessible for those with disabilities. Public transport is also really good in the city with plenty of bus and tram links. You can also hire bikes to get around and explore the city.
Things To Do In Edinburgh
With so much on offer in Edinburgh you won't get bored. There are a huge number of sights and attractions to see and do, ranging from the historic Old Town and Royal Mile to the outdoors at Holyrood Park, or a quick visit to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. If there's something specific, it's worth booking onto a tour to really get to know the ins and outs.
If you're visiting Edinburgh in Summer, there are plenty of festivals to keep you entertained. The famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival is a must see, and of course, if you can, the Highland Games should not be missed. In winter, however, festive lights and Christmas markets fill the streets, making for a truly magical stay.
With so much history to discover, Edinburgh offers a number of tours that delves into the depths of its past. From hop-on/hop-off sightseeing tours to nightly ghost hunts, it will certainly keep you busy. Visiting with children? Edinburgh Castle is well worth a visit and would make a fantastic school project to study about.
Edinburgh is also a great city for shopping. The Jenners department store has become one of the city's landmarks since it was opened in 1838. Or if it's traditional Scottish wares you are after, the Royal Mile is the perfect place to pick up some wonderful souvenirs.
Where To Stay In Edinburgh
Like most cities, you can spend as little or as much as you like on your accommodation in Edinburgh. Staying further outside the city, a room can cost much less, which is particularly good if you're on a budget. Generally, staying in areas like New Town and Old Town will push the price up, but there are plenty of options suited to all budgets, including private apartments like Airbnb.
Low Cost Hotels
On more of the budget end of the scale, hotels like the Tune Hotel Haymarket, a low-cost 3-star hotel within easy access of the city centre or the Hub Edinburgh Royal Mile are great options. Chains like Travelodge and Premier Inn are worth taking a look at with some great deals, but you'll also find some lovely little bed and breakfasts dotted around the city.
Mid Range Hotels
In the mid-range, the 4-star Apex Waterloo Place Hotel offers modern rooms in the heart of the city from around £85 per night. In such a popular destination, it's usually worth booking your hotel well in advance, keeping an eye out for offers like discount codes or offers with brands like Wowcher, but you might be able to find a great last minute deal.
Luxury Stays
If you fancy a five-star weekend, there are some stunning luxurious hotels in and around the city. The Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh, The Caledonian is one of those beautiful hotels in a picturesque part of the city. Others include The Balmoral Hotel, Cheval The Edinburgh Grand and the Intercontinental Hotel but you should expect to pay prices from £200 per room per night, upwards.
Self Catering Accommodation
To help keep the cost of your accommodation down, self catering apartments and homes might be better suited for you, especially for longer holidays. These homes can be found on places like Airbnb.com and Booking.com where people list their homes and spare rooms for rent, and if you have a host, you might even learn of a few hidden gems about the city of places to go and eat out.
Popular Hotels In Edinburgh
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