Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is a city full of attractions and things to do and most of these are concentrated in the historic centre. The Scottish capital is not too big and it's really easy to settle in, offering visitors plenty of accommodation to suit all budgets!
Here are all our tips on where to stay in Edinburgh!
Useful tips: the best neighbourhoods to stay in
The best neighbourhoods to stay in are the Old Town and the New Town, divided by the beautiful Princes Street Gardens. Here you will find plenty to suit everyone and you will be within walking distance of the main attractions. Of course, these are also the most expensive areas of the capital.
If you are looking for budget accommodation, we recommend the districts of Stockbridge, Newington and Bruntsfield. These are just a 15/20 min walk from the city centre, so they are a good compromise between cheap price and good location! Bruntsfield and Stockbridge are great for families, while Newington is very lively in the evenings, as it is close to The University of Edinburgh.
Recommended areas tosave money: Stockbridge, Newington, Bruntsfield
Recommended areas forfamilies with children: Old Town (Royal Mile), New Town, Bruntsfield, Stockbridge
Best areas foryoung people: Old Town (Cowgate Street), New Town (George Street), Newington
Best accommodation: We have selected the best hotels, B&Bs and hostels in Edinburgh. Discover our recommendations and book on Booking
If you are in Edinburgh on business or as a one-day stopover to other destinations, consider sleeping near the airport. Find the best solutions and selected hotels on booking.com
Edinburgh area guide
Edinburgh is a city on a human scale where it is very easy to settle in. It covers about 269 square kilometres and has just under 500,000 inhabitants.
The Scottish capital is divided into 7 districts. The central districts are the Old Town of Edinburgh and the New Town of Edinburgh. These are also the best areas to sleep in due to their central location and proximity to the main attractions. After these two districts, there are five more:
Stockbridgeand Canonmills, where the Stockbridge district is located, recommended for families and those looking for more affordable accommodation
Edinburgh South, where you will find the Newington district, suitable for those who want to save money and for young people, given the presence of the University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh West, where you will find the quiet district of Bruntsfield, with more affordable prices and suitable for families
Edinburgh East, a district directly facing the sea, with the resort of Portobello
Leith, the harbour area, very quaint but not entirely recommended for accommodation
Areas to avoid: Leith, Gorgie and Dalrie are suburbs that are not very safe, especially in the evenings, and with little tourist appeal
Edinburgh's Old Town
The Old Town, or Old Town in English, is definitely the best area to stay in the city and, of course, also one of the most expensive. Here you will find the capital's main attractions, such as Edinburgh Castle and the National Museum of Scotland. But that's not all, the district is criss-crossed by the famous Royal Mile, the city's main thoroughfare, and quaint little streets such as the unmissable Victoria Street. Also not to be missed are St. Egidius Cathedral and Holyrood Palace.
It really is an area for everyone! If you're looking for nightlife, look for accommodation along Cowgate Street, the hub of the district's nightlife, a street full of pubs and all kinds of venues. If you're travelling as a family, we recommend looking along the Royal Mile and areas such as Grassmarket or Holyrood Road.
If you stay in the Old Town, you can easily get around on foot! The attractions are all close together and in about ten minutes you will also be in the New Town.
Average prices in the neighbourhood range from around €50.00 for low-cost accommodation to €230.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
3 star hotel on Cowgate Street, in the heart of the nightlife. Modern rooms with all amenities. Ideal for couples and young people | |
Hostel on a side street of the Royal Mile. Female or mixed dorms, up to 18 beds, shared bathrooms, shared kitchen and lounge. Ideal for young people | |
Residence 5 min walk from the Castle. Modern, luxury flats with fully equipped kitchen, city views and WiFi. Ideal for couples, families and groups of up to 6 people | |
5-star hotel on the Royal Mile, 600m from Edinburgh Castle. Gym, pets allowed, great breakfast. Ideal for couples and families |
Edinburgh New Town
The New Town is the second best area to stay in the city. The name might be misleading: this is not a modern district, but it is characterised by Georgian buildings and large, elegant boulevards. One of the main avenues is Prince Street, which runs alongside the beautiful Princes Street Gardens and up to the Scott Monument. This street demarcates the southern side of the district, while the northern side is bordered by Queen Street Gardens.
Like the Old Town, the New Town is also recommended for all travellers, always bearing in mind that it is one of the most expensive areas. If you are looking for nightlife, then we recommend staying along George Street, the street that cuts the whole district in half, full of exclusive clubs and pubs. If, on the other hand, you are travelling with your family and are looking for more tranquillity, prefer residential avenues, such as Princes Street or Queens Street.
Finally, staying here will also allow you to get around on foot. The Old Town, with all its attractions, is just 10 minutes away.
Average prices in the district range from around €50.00 for low-cost accommodation to €250.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Hotel with lift and WiFi. Quiet atmosphere, bar and fine restaurant where you can dine. Ideal for couples | |
Hostel 50 m from Princes Street, in an 18th century Georgian building. 24-hour reception, free WiFi and fully equipped communal kitchen. Private rooms or dormitory beds. Ideal for young people | |
Residence of flats a few minutes from the Castle. Units with fully equipped kitchen, full private bathroom, studio or one-bedroom flat. Ideal for couples | |
4-star hotel 800 m from Princes Street. Elegant rooms and slate bathrooms, restaurant, parking. Ideal for couples and families |
Stockbridge
Just north of New Town is the district of Stockbridge and Canonmills, with the wonderful Stockbridge district, ideal for those seeking a more authentic experience! In fact, rather than a district of Edinburgh, this place is always a small village! Within walking distance are the wonderful Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, the quaint Dean Village and the famous Circus Lane, one of the capital's most popular streets.
This is an ideal area for those who want to save money and are looking for tranquillity. Prices are lower than in Edinburgh's city centre and it is easier to find deals. In addition, the area has plenty of flats, which allow for more independence. Also ideal for families because of the many green areas and the tranquillity!
Staying here you can get around on foot or by bus. The district is only a 10-minute walk from the New Town, or you can take one of the many bus lines.
Average prices in the district range from around €40.00 for low-cost accommodation to €200.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Guest house in a Victorian style house. Family run, rooms with private or shared bathroom. Ideal for couples and young people | |
Flat with 2 bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a bathroom and a washing machine. Balcony with city view and free WiFi. Ideal for families and small groups | |
3 bedroom flat with a fully equipped kitchen and washing machine. Ideal for groups or families | |
4-star hotel in a Georgian-style building. Restaurant and room service, bar, elegant rooms with all amenities. Ideal for couples and families |
Newington
Photo by Kim Traynor. Newington is a district located just south of the Old Town. Like Stockbridge, it is a small village in the city, with a very unique atmosphere. It is also a very lively district, as it is home to The University of Edinburgh. On either side it is bordered by the beautiful park of The Meadows and the hill of Arthur's Seat. It is crossed from north to south by S Clerk St, the main street.
It is an ideal district for those who want to save money on accommodation. Here it is easier to find good deals and lower costs. But it is also recommended for younger people: given the presence of the University, it is a very lively neighbourhood both at night and during the day, with lots of restaurants, pubs, cafés and clubs of all kinds!
Staying here you can get around on foot or by bus. Walking to the Old Town will take between 10 and 15 minutes, depending on where your accommodation is located. The area is also served by several bus lines, with the main bus stops along S Clerk St..
Average prices in the district range from around €50.00 for low-cost accommodation to €180.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Family-run 3-star hotel in a very quiet area. Free street parking, WiFi, bar and cosy rooms. Ideal for couples | |
B&B 10 mins walk from the University of Edinburgh. WiFi, on-site parking, breakfast included. Ideal for couples and young people | |
Flat with 2 bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen and a bathroom with bath and shower. City views and free WiFi. ideal for families | |
Elegant family-run guest house. Rooms with modern amenities, private bathroom and views of Newington Road or rear garden. Ideal for couples |
Bruntsfield
Photo by Lokal_Profil. Another wonderful neighbourhood surrounded by greenery in the immediate vicinity of the Old Town is Bruntsfiled. It is a very quiet residential district, surrounded partly by the large Bruntsfield Link park and partly by a water canal where boat tours are also offered. The main street, which runs through the entire district, is Bruntsfield Pl.
This area is especially recommended for families, due to its tranquillity, large green areas and proximity to the Old Town. At the same time, it is also ideal for those who want to save money, with lower costs than in the Old Town and with numerous offers.
Finally, by staying here you can get around mainly on foot. The centre is an average of 15 minutes away. Alternatively, you can use the many bus lines that serve this area!
Average prices in the district range from around €40.00 for low-cost accommodation to €180.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Hotel with a refined interior, rooms with free WiFi, an en suite bathroom and a flat-screen satellite TV. Restaurant and bar. Ideal for couples and families | |
B&B with accommodation with free WiFi and flat-screen TV. Rooms for up to 5 people. Ideal for couples and families | |
Guest house in a Georgian building. Rooms with private bathrooms, family suites, great breakfast. Ideal for couples and families | |
Hotel with spacious rooms, seating area and private bathroom. 24-hour reception, limited parking, car charging point and free WiFi. Ideal for couples and families |
Countries near Edinburgh where to stay
Staying in the city is the best option. We usually spend just three days visiting Edinburgh, so it is important to stay in an area with a strategic location.As we have seen, the Scottish capital offers many solutions, both in terms of budget and type of accommodation, with hostels, hotels, B&Bs and flats. The offer is very wide.
If you want to stay outside the city, you have to take into account the train journeys, which are not very long, but could still take away valuable sightseeing time. In addition, staying outside the city would not allow you to enjoy the nightlife of the Old and New Town to the fullest. If you are travelling by car, instead of the Old Town you can consider one of the districts already mentioned, many accommodations offer parking for their guests, and then move to the centre on foot.
