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My best Edinburgh, Scotland recs
23
items Planning your trip to Edinburgh can feel overwhelming, so here are my top recs for you as someone who lives nearby and has done almost everything :)
Map
Sections
6
for harry potter fans
adventures
but first, coffee
eats
shopping
hostels
for harry potter fans
Harry Potter fans MUST visit Victoria Street! It’s near the Royal Mile in Old Town, and it’s such a picturesque spot! There are a lot of great shops along the road!
A Guide to Victoria Street, Diagon Alley of Edinburgh
This is the graveyard where JK Rowling got some of her characters’ names from, like Tom Riddle. It’s fun to see if you can find all the graves. It’s also home to the most dangerous poltergeist in Scotland 👀
Greyfriars Kirkyard
This is the birthplace of Harry Potter! J.K. Rowling sat in the Elephant House Cafe when writing her books! It’s a must visit for Harry Potter fans. The menu is £10-£20, and there are a lot of fun options. There are also souvenirs upstairs.
The Elephant House
THIS IS A MUST!! They offer alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and your ticket includes a potion (cocktail) and shot! It’s small, so I recommend booking in advance. The vibes are so good, and the staff make it an amazing experience. They also have g...
Magic Potions Tavern
adventures
Free entry - The National Gallery is home to the best art in Scotland. The iconic stag as well as modern installations are just a few things to see on your visit. The buildings themselves are also beautiful. As it’s in the city centre near Waverley t...
National Gallery of Scotland
Calton Hill has THE BEST views of Edinburgh!! It’s only about a 5 minute walk from the city centre, and it’s so worth it! There are several monuments on the hill and lots of grassy areas to sit and admire the views. Plus, the hill itself is free, but...
Calton Hill: Edinburgh's UNESCO World Heritage Site
This is a picturesque spot in the city centre. There are a lot of benches and grassy areas in the park to admire the beauty of nature, the fountain, and Edinburgh castle. There are also food trucks in the park if you’d like a light snack.
Ross Fountain - Edinburgh World Heritage
Free entry - the national museum will teach you all of the amazing scottish history! you can also get guided tours, which are so good!
National Museum of Scotland
This is probably the most photographed building in Edinburgh. It’s very gothic and beautiful. You can pay to go inside, but honestly the outside views are good enough.
Scott Monument | Culture Edinburgh
This is only a 10-20 min walk from the city centre, and it’s so picturesque! There is a lovely walkway along the Water of Leith. You have to visit this iconic village!
Dean Village & Water of Leith Walkway - Edinburgh
free entry but donation encouraged - this cathedral is absolutely stunning! it’s on the Royal Mile, so it’s an easy addition to your day
St Giles' Cathedral
but first, coffee
Black Sheep has amazing coffee, and this location is right across from the Scot Monument and Waverley Bridge! It’s a great place for coffee and a snack during your day in Edinburgh.
Black Sheep Coffee, Princes St
You MUST visit the cafe upstairs in Waterstones! It has a great view of Edinburgh Castle, and the coffee is pretty good. It’s a great spot for pics
Bookshop in Edinburgh - West End - Waterstones
This is a great spot in Old Town! There is a lot of seating both inside and outside. The coffee is great and so are the vibes! they also have good snack and food options
Deacon's House Cafe
CAT CAFE!!! This was the best hour of my life! There are 10 cute cats that live here, and you can book a ticket for £14 for the hour. It was so fun to sip coffee and play with cats.
Maison de Moggy | Scotland's First Cat Cafe
eats
This was my favourite meal in Edinburgh by far!! I love Italian, and this restaurant wasn’t much pricier than any others in the city. It’s £20-£30, but there are so many great options on the menu! It’s not far from the Old Town centre, so it’s an eas...
Vittoria on the bridge - Edinburgh's Best Famliy Friendly Italian ...
The toasties here are phenomenal! I had a garlic cheese toastie, and it changed my life!! It was also only £7, which is really good for restaurants in Edinburgh!
Toastology – A Toasted Sandwich Bar in Stockbridge
The restaurant in this hotel is a hidden gem for sure! There are great views of the Scot Monument from all the windows, and the restaurant has comfortable seating! It’s also only £10-£20, which is cheap for Edinburgh!
Old Waverley Hotel
This is my fav Thai restaurant in all of Scotland!! The owners are so cute and lovely! This is a hidden gem not far from the city centre! It’s small, so it might be smart to make a reservation for dinner. £10-£20
Thai Takeaway Edinburgh | Celadon 2 U | Scotland
shopping
I love visiting Uniqlo! You can get unique scottish embroidery on your bag or clothing at this store! The highland cow and loch ness monster designs are so cute!
UNIQLO PRINCES STREET | UNIQLO store search
The cutest jewelry shop! I love my ring from here, and it’s all reasonably priced for what it is!
Recreation Jewels
This has local artists and businesses inside an old church building! It’s so cute, and I love supporting locals!
Tron Kirk Market, Royal Mile - Edinburgh - Scottish Design Exchange
hostels
This hostel is very clean and right off the Royal Mile. The beds are in their own pods, so it feels very private. The bathrooms and showers are amazing, and there is a space to pack your bags outside of the rooms so that you don’t have to worry about...
Code The Court | Boutique Hotel & Urban Hostel In Edinburgh Old ...