A Weekend During the Holidays in Edinburgh, Scotland
Last holiday season, I went to Edinburgh for about 4 days and it was absolutely amazing. I loved being there when the city was lit up with Christmas lights and everyone was out and about doing their post Christmas shopping. This was actually my second time in Edinburgh and it was even more magical than my first visit. I really love Edinburgh as a city- it is the perfect mix of modern and historical, with great shopping, good hiking and walking, with great views and amazing coffee shops and food (surprisingly).
While there are many tourist attractions in Edinburgh- such as visiting the Edinburgh Castle, , The National Museum of Scotland, Palace of Holyroodhouse and Holyrood Park, the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Scottish National Gallery, Royal Botanic Gardens, etc- below you will find some suggestions that will take you beyond what you can find on the internet, as well as our favorite places to eat and drink.
Where to eat & drink:
Indaba: Indaba serves Spanish and South African food, tapas style and was my favorite meal of the entire trip. It is a small restaurant with a homey and modern feel and is located in the Bruntsfield area. We went with a group of friends and enjoyed great wine and shareable food! We ordered a lot but my favorite things were the garlic prawns, stewed veggies with a fried egg, patatas bravas, olives, meatballs and more. For anyone going to Edinburgh, Indaba should be at the top of your list.
Bennets Bar: We love Bennets Bar before dinner at Indaba. It was a great spot for a beer or gin and tonic with a lot of “old world” character.
Oink Victoria Street: Oink is the perfect lunch stop while you explore the old city of Edinburgh or the Grassmarket. It is not a sit down restaurant, but rather a grab a sandwich and go kind of place. They do amazing hog roast sandwiches, that you will not want to miss.
Hamiltons: We didn’t eat at Hamiltons, we only had some really wonderful gin and tonics, but the people around us were eating and the food looked great! I would recommend stopping here for a before dinner drink and snack!
The Scran and Scrallie: Scran and Scrallie is a great place to stop for a mid day coffee or tea and cake or pastry. I loved the neighborhood this coffee shop was in and is a great stop to put on your list.
Wellington Coffee: Wellington Coffee is right off of George Street which, along with Princess Street, is a very busy shopping area packed with people (locals and tourists). Wellington is a great stop while you shop and a mini escape from the busy streets above. Step down into the coffee shop for a latte, tea and a nice mid-afternoon pastry.
Paradise Palms: I think Paradise Palms is technically a vegetarian restaurant, but we only went for a drink. it has a really fun and kitschy tiki bar feel and is located right next to some of the main buildings of the University of Edinburgh’s campus. This is a great place to go for a fun and casual night out.
Civerinos Slice: Civerinos is a hip and fun pizza shop with a few locations around Edinburgh. The one we went to was actually right next to Paradise Palms and the University of Edinburgh. They have some really fun pizza combos and flavors, great sides and salads and serve adult slushies and wine. What’s not to like?
Babylon Cafe: Okay, this place is NOT fancy in the slightest but we loved having this place around the corner from our hotel for amazing and stupidly cheap breakfasts. I would be shocked if this place had a legitimate kitchen (aka more than a hot plate and microwave) but hey, for a 3 pound Scottish fry-up I am not complaining.
The Elephant House: Elephant House is a great cafe and happens to be where JK Rowling wrote the Potter books! It is a great. This is another great stop while you explore Edinburgh. Grab a coffee, scone, or soup and salad and maybe write a book!
Mimi’s Bakehouse: Having “tea time” at Mimi’s in Leith was one of our favorite meals of the trip. Mimi’s is very fun and feels like you stepped into a doll house and the food is amazing. While they have an actual menu with sweet and savory options and have two “tea time” menus depending on when you go (afternoon or before noon tea). Our tower was filled with cheese and chive scones, bacon sandwiches, caramel waffles, chocolate muffins, yogurt and granola and a cinnamon roll. It was fun and delicious!
Eat at the Christmas Market: If you are there over the holidays, I would highly suggest taking advantage of all of the goodies, drinks and snacks the Christmas Market has to offer. We went a lot before dinner for a drink and “appetizer” and after dinner for a drink and something sweet.
What to do:
The Scotch Whisky Experience: The Scotch Whisky Experience is located right on the Royal Mile before you get to the Edinburgh Castle and while it seems like the ultimate tourist trap, it was actually really great. It is a great way to learn more about Scotch Whisky and the differences between the different styles and regions of Scotland. The experience is half virtual (starts with a little “ride” and then you watch a video) and then you have a guide and a tasting. It is great to do on your first or second day in Edinburgh.
Take a day trip: We took a guided tour day trip to St. Andrews and Fife and it was an amazing way to get out of the city and learn more about the area around Edinburgh. If you are in Edinburgh for more than 2 or 3 days, definitely take the time to explore outside the city. There is a ton to see (especially castles!).
Shop in the Grassmarket and Victoria Street Area: The Grassmarket and Victoria Street are located in the Old Town of Edinburgh. While it used to be an actual market, this area/ street remains filled with fun boutiques, shops and restaurants. I would highly recommend spending some time here and checking out all of the specialty shops.
Walk Around Dean’s Village: Dean’s Village is quaint village located in a small, residential area of Edinburgh. You might be confused about why you would want to check out this residential part of town, but trust me, it is worth it! Stepping into Dean’s village is like stepping back in time or into a fairy tale. I would recommend walking down Hawthornbank Lane and along the river for the best views.
Go on a walking tour: I try to find a walking tour in every city or place I visit. Whenever I go to a European city, I always check to see if there is a Sandeman’s (free) walking tour available. Most of the time, the tours are given by locals and include really amazing facts and historical stories, as well as insider knowledge. I always like to do these tours as soon as I get to a new city.
Walk around Leith: Leith is a “suburb” of Edinburgh located on the water, and famous for its port. It is a cute area with a lot of canals and charming houses. There are a lot of restaurants, shops and you can even visit the Royal Yacht Britannia.
Visit the Christmas Market: If you are in Edinburgh from December through New Years, the Christmas Market can’t be missed! It is massive and filled with activities, crafts, small food vendors and cheer. We went almost every night we were there to walk around, get some mulled wine and a snack. It was so great to see the city come together and it felt so jolly.
