Overview:
The Athens of the North has a whole bag to tricks to offer. The city that brings us the Edinburgh festival every year, William Wallace and the acquired taste of Haggis. Scotland’s second largest city situated in the South East of Scotland with 4 universities and a 100,000 students has a reputation of being very aesthetically pleasing to the eye and nothing really else is said. However anyone who has been to the city will tell you there is a huge range of nightlife and activities to be found in and around the city that combined with a few Famous Grouse’s are bound to be a weekend not to forget.
Getting Around:
Getting all that way up North is easier than you think; you can easily reach it by train, plane, car, coach or boat. Edinburgh airport has more than 40 airlines and serves over 100 destinations; there are also excellent rail links throughout the UK. As any major city, the black cabs are pricey and driving around can be hellish so your best bet is to cycle over the hills and cobbled streets, walk on your own two feet or hop on a bus.
Nightlife:
When the sun goes down, Edinburgh gets a second wind. Neighborhood bars and pubs are popular but if your tastes run deeper, check out our other Edinburgh nightlife selections.
Nightlife in Edinburgh consists of the studenty Cowgate, upmarket George Street, and the more raffish Lothian Road. Pubs, clubs and bars can be found absolutely everywhere and range from traditional, historical taverns to stylish modern bars. The only restriction on your hangover is that pubs in central Edinburgh must close by 0100, and clubs by 0300. This should give you and your pals plenty of time to be reaching for your alka seltzer when the alarm clock goes.
History and Culture:
A name inspired by the great thinkers of the Scottish Enlightenment, Edinburgh is a city of high culture and lofty ideals, of art and literature, philosophy and science. The It is here that each summer the world's biggest arts festival rises, phoenix-like from the ashes of last year's rave reviews and broken box-office records to produce yet another string of superlatives.
Must see/must do:
- Edinburgh Castle
- Edinburgh Dungeon
- Take an Edinburgh ghost tour
- Take the road round Arthur's seat (and climb it if you feel so inclined)
- Walk the length of Princes Street
- Eat Haggis
- Book early to enjoy the 4 week extravaganza that is the Edinburgh Festival!
Eating and drinking:
Cosmopolitan Edinburgh boasts a huge range of eating and drinking places to suit every taste and budget. You’ll find French, Italian, Chinese, Indian, Thai and Mexican as well as Scottish, and plenty of pub and café food. You’ve also got your traditional cosy pubs offering a wide range of beers and ales to trendy, designer bars with extensive cocktail menus.