Where to Stay in Edinburgh (Best Places & Areas)

7 Best Neighbourhoods & Areas to Stay in Edinburgh

Edinburgh city centre has an Old Town and a New Town, separated by Edinburgh Waverley train station and Princes Street Garden. On a hill overlooking the gardens is Edinburgh Castle, unmissable right in the heart of the city. 

In the north east of the city you’ll find Leith, the former port town. Further down the coast is Portobello Beach, a popular spot on sunny days. Next to the University of Edinburgh campus in the southside of the city lies the Meadows, the perfect picnic patch. 

Old Town

👉 Best Area For First Timers | ✨ Best Old Town Hotels: The Witchery by the Castle • The Scotsman Hotel •  Market Street Hotel • ibis Edinburgh Centre Royal Mile – Hunter Square

When you think of Edinburgh, you think of the Old Town. This, unsurprisingly, is the oldest part of Edinburgh and it has kept many of its 16th and 17th century buildings. 

In the centre of the Old Town runs the Royal Mile, a street sloping down from Edinburgh Castle to the Scottish Parliament and the Palace of Holyroodhouse (the official Scottish residence of the British monarch). In August, the Mile will be packed with street performers and comedians.

In keeping with the opulent, historic, and spooky atmosphere of the Old Town, The Witchery by the Castle at the bottom of the Mile offers four-poster beds and walk-in dressing rooms, a dream hotel for a special occasion.  

Alternatively, another Travel Lemming writer, Sky, loved her stay at the Royal Mile Romance Suite, a cozy suite with views overlooking the Royal Mile. You can read Sky’s review here.

Everywhere you turn in the Old Town, you will find national attractions, such as the National Museum of Scotland, home of the world’s first mammal cloned from an adult somatic cell – Dolly the Sheep. 

At the top end of the Mile, you can visit the Camera Obscura, which has five floors of optical illusions and an ingenious 19th-century periscope. 

Pros of Staying in the Old Town:

• Surrounded by history
• Right next to Edinburgh’s central railway station
• Events all year round

Cons of Staying in the Old Town:

• It can be crowded, especially in August
• Hotels are expensive

New Town

👉 Best Area For Nightlife | ✨ Best New Town Hotels: The Balmoral Hotel • InterContinental Hotels – Edinburgh The George • Apex Waterloo Place Hotel

The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh have been classified as UNESCO World Heritage sites due to their unique combination of striking architecture from different centuries. 

The New Town has some of the most stunning architecture in the city, with neoclassical buildings from world-renowned architects throughout the neighbourhood. It’s also where Scotland’s First Minister has their official residence – Bute House. 

If that isn’t enough to convince you of the attraction of the New Town, climb Calton Hill, which has views across the city. At the top, you’ll find a building that looks a little similar to the Parthenon. This is Scotland’s National Monument, dedicated to the soldiers who died in the Napoleonic Wars. Unfortunately, the monument was never completed due to lack of funds. 

To mark the beginning of summer, each year a Celtic festival is held on Calton Hill. The Beltane Fire Festival sees performers dance with fire, drum, and act out the traditional stories of the May Queen and the Green Man.

You can find Apex Waterloo Place Hotel on the road leading up to Calton Hill – just out of the crowds on Princes Street. Fun fact, this street was also used during filming for Fast & Furious 9!

In winter, Princes Street Gardens hosts the Christmas market, with a Ferris wheel, craft stalls, mulled wine, and other attractions. Also in the gardens, you can find the Scott Monument, dedicated to the writer Walter Scott.

At the end of Princes Street sits the landmark Balmoral Hotel, which is one of the most famous and recognisable buildings in the city. 

Pros of Staying in the New Town:

• Full of shops and restaurants
• Close to the central railway and bus stations
• Plenty of bars and clubs to choose from

Cons of Staying in the New Town:

• Streets can be very busy
• Hotels are often expensive

Leith

👉 Best Area For Foodies | ✨ Best Leith Hotels: Ocean Mist Leith • 89 The Merchants by The House of Danu • On The Walk

The former port town of Leith was made internationally famous by the Irvine Welsh book and film Trainspotting. Though it’s not much of a tourist spot in the film, a lot has changed since the 1980s. Leith is now one of the coolest neighbourhoods in Scotland, if not Europe. 

Embrace the port life by staying on a ship at Ocean Mist Leith at the Shore. Or base yourself closer to Leith Walk, with all its restaurants, cafes, bars, and bookshops, at On The Walk. 

For a nature break, head along the Water of Leith, which stretches all the way to Stockbridge, the West End, and beyond. 

Pros of Staying in Leith:

• Lots of great restaurants and bars 
• Tram and bus links to central Edinburgh
• Beautiful walks along The Shore

Cons of Staying in Leith:

• Further away from the main tourist attractions
• More residential

Portobello

👉 Best Area For Beaches | ✨ Best Portobello Hotels: Straven Guesthouse • Best Western Kings Manor 

Portobello is where Edinburgh locals flock to on warm days. If you love beaches, ice cream, or bravely swimming in the Firth of Forth, Portobello is the place for it. 

This suburb on the east side of Edinburgh has plenty to offer even on colder days, with a beer distillery at Porty Vault and the independent Portobello Bookshop.

When visiting Portobello, I suggest staying at the Straven Guesthouse. This former Victoria home has sea views and is right around the corner from Portobello High Street. 

Pros of Staying in Portobello:

• Easy to walk to the beach
• Near golf courses
• Lots of independent shops

Cons of Staying in Portobello:

• You’ll need public transport to reach central Edinburgh
• Limited hotels

Stockbridge

👉 Best Area For Charm | ✨ Best Stockbridge Hotels: The Raeburn • Nira Caledonia • New Town Guest House

If you like to live in style, you’ll be right at home in Stockbridge. This area to the north of Princes Street is an ideal place to buy artisanal goods and quality coffee – particularly in the weekly Stockbridge Market. 

Keep the luxury feel going by staying at The Raeburn, a Georgian house turned hotel right in the heart of the neighbourhood. Just a few minutes’ walk away is the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, with more than 70 acres to explore for free. The rock garden and Chinese hillside are my personal highlights. 

Follow the amazingly tranquil Water of Leith walk down to Dean Village, a former mill village from the 19th century. The cobblestones are well-trodden by tourists trying to snap a picture of the past. Stay at nearby Nira Caledonia for a taste of the high life.

Pros of Staying in Stockbridge:

• Plenty of charming coffee shops and quirky shops
• Short walk to the centre
• Nature walk to Dean’s Village 

Cons of Staying in Stockbridge:

• One of the more expensive areas of Edinburgh
• More of a residential neighbourhood

West End

👉 Best Area For Families | ✨ Best West End Hotels: Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa • Holiday Inn Edinburgh Zoo by IHG • The Roseate Edinburgh

The West End is my former home, and it’s a characterful neighbourhood with plenty to see, eat and drink. It’s also where you can find Murrayfield, Scotland’s national rugby stadium, and Tynecastle, where football team Heart of Midlothian play. 

A short, picture-perfect walk away are the two modern art museums of the National Galleries of Scotland. With artwork both in the landscape and inside the galleries, this is a feast for the eyes. 

The West End is bordered on one side by Ghillie Dhu, a gorgeous bar which regularly hosts ceilidhs, or traditional Scottish dances. Wander in that direction to discover Princes Street – Edinburgh’s main shopping street immortalised in the opening scene of Trainspotting.

Further to the west – but very accessible by bus – is Edinburgh Zoo. Kids will love seeing the characterful penguins. Stay at Holiday Inn Edinburgh Zoo by IHG for convenient access to the zoo and family-friendly vibes.

Pros of Staying in the West End:

• Walkable to the Old and New Towns
• Handy distance to Haymarket train station
• On the tram route

Cons of Staying in the West End:

• Quieter than more central areas

Newington

👉 Best Area For Budget Travelers | ✨ Best Newington Hotels: The Scholar • KM Hotel • The Salisbury Hotel

Newington is a student hub to the south of the city, as it is near the University of Edinburgh’s main campus. The campus itself is worth a visit, especially the stunning 18th-century Old College square.  

Do as the students do and relax in the Meadows, an expansive park next to the campus with plenty of space to sunbathe on nice days. 

To the other direction is Holyrood Park, dominated by the ancient volcano Arthur’s Seat. You can hike to the peak or the Salisbury Crags for iconic views over the city. The Scholar is a good hotel that’s close to all of these green spaces. 

For those who enjoy a bit of gore, make sure to visit the Surgeons’ Hall Museums. This contains the largest collection of surgical pathology in the world. This isn’t one for the faint of heart…

Pros of Staying in Newington:

• Surrounded by two large parks
• Cheaper bars and restaurants
• Hub for many Fringe shows

Cons of Staying in Newington:

• Limited accommodation options 
• Not on the tram network

Tips for Staying in Edinburgh

Plan Around the Fringe

Each August, Edinburgh hosts the Fringe, the world’s largest performance arts festival. It’s arguably one of the best times to visit, with thousands of shows from big-name comedians to first-time actors. But if you don’t like crowds, it’s best to plan your visit for another month.

Overcrowding can be a real issue during this time. If you visit for the Fringe Festival, be a little extra mindful of overcrowding local areas where people live and work. Read my list of other mistakes and faux pas in Scotland to help you get along with locals.

Plan Ahead

In peak seasons, the big tourist attractions can fill up fast. Book your must-dos, like Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Dungeons, and the Ghost Bus Tours, well in advance so you don’t miss out. Museums and galleries are free to enter and don’t require booking.

See my guide to visiting Edinburgh on a budget for more trip-planning tips.

Follow Maps Carefully

Edinburgh’s geography is unique and that can make it tricky to know how to get from A to B. South Bridge, which links the Old Town to the Southside, is a shopping street built above a gorge. This means streets cross underneath the bridge and you’ll need to find a route down to them!

Watch Out For Tourist Scams

Edinburgh does see a lot of tourists visit each year, and unfortunately, that comes with scams aimed at visitors. Do not accept any jewellery or books from strangers who approach you, as you will be asked to pay for them. These are just a couple of things I recommend for staying safe while in Scotland.

Don’t Rent A Car

You might want to rent a car for onward travel when leaving Edinburgh – particularly when visiting rural areas — but there is no need for a car in Edinburgh. In fact, parking is limited and the pedestrianisation of much of the city centre makes it pointless to drive. Instead, hop on a bus or tram or even walk.

👉 Read Next: How to Spend 4 Days in Edinburgh

FAQs

What are the best areas to stay in Edinburgh for first-timers?

The best areas to stay in Edinburgh are the central ones, such as the Old Town and New Town. Most of the main tourist attractions including Edinburgh Castle, Holyroodhouse Palace, the Scottish Parliament, and the Edinburgh Dungeons are in the Old Town. 

The New Town has the Wallace Monument, the National Gallery of Scotland, and the National Portrait Gallery. However, these areas will be more expensive due to their popularity, particularly during peak seasons!

What are safe areas to stay in Edinburgh?

Edinburgh is generally a tourist-friendly city and safe for visitors. New Town and Old Town are well-lit and crime is low. However, take normal precautions and try to keep track of where you are at all times.

What are the best parts of Edinburgh to stay on a budget?

The best parts of Edinburgh to stay on a budget are slightly further out from the city centre. Edinburgh is not the cheapest city to visit, but you can save costs by renting in Newington, Leith, or the West End. Plus, good transport links by bus and tram mean you can still see all of the main attractions!

What is the most walkable part of Edinburgh?

The Old Town is the most walkable part of Edinburgh, although most neighbourhoods have local amenities within walking distance. Watch out, though — Edinburgh is a very hilly city, so comfortable shoes are recommended.

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I hope this guide has helped you decide where to stay in Edinburgh. For a smaller city, it has a lot to offer and there’s always more to discover. And if Edinburgh is your starting point for a tour of the rest of the country, take a look at other great places to visit in Scotland.