Things to do
If you are looking for something different to do, this place is a lot of fun. If you like puzzles then this place is right up your street. After thinking this sort of thing was for the teens, I was pleasantly surprised. I completed the escape game OPERATION ODYSSEY with a friend and really enjoyed it. It's really close to the flat being situated over the other side of the Royal Mile on Holyrood Road (next to Holyrood 9a Bar).
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Can You Escape? Edinburgh
5 Holyrood RdIf you are looking for something different to do, this place is a lot of fun. If you like puzzles then this place is right up your street. After thinking this sort of thing was for the teens, I was pleasantly surprised. I completed the escape game OPERATION ODYSSEY with a friend and really enjoyed it. It's really close to the flat being situated over the other side of the Royal Mile on Holyrood Road (next to Holyrood 9a Bar).
For views of the city, a walk up Calton Hill is a must. There is a steep but direct route from the apartment, heading down New Street, up Jacob's Ladder and then up onto Calton Hill. We are very fond of the hill and monuments and even had our wedding drinks reception here! Amazing place to see the sunset. There is also a fine-dining restaurant there.
1098 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Calton Hill
Calton HillFor views of the city, a walk up Calton Hill is a must. There is a steep but direct route from the apartment, heading down New Street, up Jacob's Ladder and then up onto Calton Hill. We are very fond of the hill and monuments and even had our wedding drinks reception here! Amazing place to see the sunset. There is also a fine-dining restaurant there.
Both Princes Street East and West Gardens are nice to wander through, with fantastic views up to the Castle. Great photo opportunity!
956 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Princes Street
Princes StreetBoth Princes Street East and West Gardens are nice to wander through, with fantastic views up to the Castle. Great photo opportunity!
Day Trips
While we feel there is a lot to see and do in Edinburgh City Centre, we have been asked by several guests about doing day trips outside the city. There are many fantastic full day trips up north to visit the highlands (areas such as Loch Ness and Cairngorms). If you are looking to explore away from the city but want a shorter travel time we feel North Berwick and East Lothian is a great alternative. It's a good option for a day trip as you can jump on a train at Waverly Station and be there in around 30-40 mins. This is a nice alternative to the highlands as you can spend longer looking around. There is lovely High Street, Harbour and beautiful beachs (5 mins walk from NB train station) to have a wander around. You can also visit the Seabird Centre, take a boat trip to the incredible bass rock seabird haven, or climb the North Berwick law for impressive views across the Forth to Fife. Lots of nice cafes, fish and chips, award winning ice cream.
We loved it so much, we moved there !!
119 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
North Berwick
While we feel there is a lot to see and do in Edinburgh City Centre, we have been asked by several guests about doing day trips outside the city. There are many fantastic full day trips up north to visit the highlands (areas such as Loch Ness and Cairngorms). If you are looking to explore away from the city but want a shorter travel time we feel North Berwick and East Lothian is a great alternative. It's a good option for a day trip as you can jump on a train at Waverly Station and be there in around 30-40 mins. This is a nice alternative to the highlands as you can spend longer looking around. There is lovely High Street, Harbour and beautiful beachs (5 mins walk from NB train station) to have a wander around. You can also visit the Seabird Centre, take a boat trip to the incredible bass rock seabird haven, or climb the North Berwick law for impressive views across the Forth to Fife. Lots of nice cafes, fish and chips, award winning ice cream.
We loved it so much, we moved there !!
St Andrews is a beautiful historic coastal town to visit approx 1-1.5hrs away. You can go on an organised tour, or get a train from Waverley to Leuchars and then catch a short connecting bus into the town. It is famous as the home of golf, has beautiful beaches and is very historic with St Andrews University and cathedral ruins.
257 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
St Andrews
St Andrews is a beautiful historic coastal town to visit approx 1-1.5hrs away. You can go on an organised tour, or get a train from Waverley to Leuchars and then catch a short connecting bus into the town. It is famous as the home of golf, has beautiful beaches and is very historic with St Andrews University and cathedral ruins.
Afternoon Tea
After having many guests ask 'where is good to go for afternoon tea', we decided to add some personal recommendations we have both enjoyed in the past.
This is probably one of the more expensive options. However, palm court is in the centre of certainly one of the finest hotels in Edinburgh. I was formally the concierge in this hotel around 20 years ago. Its lovely and the afternoon tea will be very high standard. Definitely worth the extra expense. Its also very close to the flat, a short walk round to the other side of the station at the start of Princes Street.
https://www.roccofortehotels.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/the-balmoral-hotel/restaurants-and-bars/palm-court/menu/
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Palm Court
1 Princes StThis is probably one of the more expensive options. However, palm court is in the centre of certainly one of the finest hotels in Edinburgh. I was formally the concierge in this hotel around 20 years ago. Its lovely and the afternoon tea will be very high standard. Definitely worth the extra expense. Its also very close to the flat, a short walk round to the other side of the station at the start of Princes Street.
https://www.roccofortehotels.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/the-balmoral-hotel/restaurants-and-bars/palm-court/menu/
The cakes here are very good, and its nice surrounding. A bit of a long walk to this place 40-50 mins, but worth having a good look around Leith, if you head down that way.
https://mimisbakehouse.com/pages/afternoon-tea
204 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mimi's Bakehouse
63 ShoreThe cakes here are very good, and its nice surrounding. A bit of a long walk to this place 40-50 mins, but worth having a good look around Leith, if you head down that way.
https://mimisbakehouse.com/pages/afternoon-tea
Fingal is a really new place that is connected to the Royal Yacht Britannia. It was renovated from an old lighthouse boat into a exceptionally nice hotel. It really is beautiful. I was invited there for Lunch a couple of weeks ago and saw people having Afternoon tea, it really looked epic, and the lunch we had was to die for. Also something else to note is the actual Queen went there for dinner a couple of months ago. Who knows she may go again !!
Its definitely a cab ride away (20 mins in a cab or 30 mins on a bus), based in the port of Leith. Britannia, isn't far away, so it may be worth doing the Britannia tour, while you are down there.
https://www.fingal.co.uk/media/1243/afternoon-tea-menu-241019.pdf
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Fingal
Fingal is a really new place that is connected to the Royal Yacht Britannia. It was renovated from an old lighthouse boat into a exceptionally nice hotel. It really is beautiful. I was invited there for Lunch a couple of weeks ago and saw people having Afternoon tea, it really looked epic, and the lunch we had was to die for. Also something else to note is the actual Queen went there for dinner a couple of months ago. Who knows she may go again !!
Its definitely a cab ride away (20 mins in a cab or 30 mins on a bus), based in the port of Leith. Britannia, isn't far away, so it may be worth doing the Britannia tour, while you are down there.
https://www.fingal.co.uk/media/1243/afternoon-tea-menu-241019.pdf
The dome is the over the top Christmas place, they spend Millions on their Christmas decorations, so if you are looking for somewhere that is UBER festive, then this is probably the best option. Bear in mind that its VERY popular at this time of year, so booking is advised. Its decent value and quite close to flat.
https://www.thedomeedinburgh.com/
https://7f7dbc42-0b24-4ed2-b4b0-2c035da6bd50.filesusr.com/ugd/5a317d_a53c47b1428f4efa88bd2e7eddd8178b.pdf
285 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Dome
14 George StThe dome is the over the top Christmas place, they spend Millions on their Christmas decorations, so if you are looking for somewhere that is UBER festive, then this is probably the best option. Bear in mind that its VERY popular at this time of year, so booking is advised. Its decent value and quite close to flat.
https://www.thedomeedinburgh.com/
https://7f7dbc42-0b24-4ed2-b4b0-2c035da6bd50.filesusr.com/ugd/5a317d_a53c47b1428f4efa88bd2e7eddd8178b.pdf
Very close to flat, a traditional tea room on the Royal mile. A lot of people love this place, its old style tea served in proper, tea cups etc.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Clarindas-Tearooms/163445917011243
29 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Clarinda's Tearoom
69 CanongateVery close to flat, a traditional tea room on the Royal mile. A lot of people love this place, its old style tea served in proper, tea cups etc.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Clarindas-Tearooms/163445917011243
An absolutely exceptional venue, VERY old Gothic style hotel done with maximum luxury. High end, so wont be cheap, but more than worth going, as you can stroll round the grounds, say hello to the Highland Cows and Peacocks. The Room that you will have Afternoon tea here is filled with outstanding Antiques. This venue is towards the outskirts of the city, but really not far to go from flat (30-40 min walk or 10-15 min cab)
https://www.prestonfield.com/dine/afternoon-tea
35 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Prestonfield House
Priestfield RoadAn absolutely exceptional venue, VERY old Gothic style hotel done with maximum luxury. High end, so wont be cheap, but more than worth going, as you can stroll round the grounds, say hello to the Highland Cows and Peacocks. The Room that you will have Afternoon tea here is filled with outstanding Antiques. This venue is towards the outskirts of the city, but really not far to go from flat (30-40 min walk or 10-15 min cab)
https://www.prestonfield.com/dine/afternoon-tea
A less formal venue for afternoon tea, however quality will be very good. More of a venue, if you want specialised tea, as it stocks various different types of tea.
https://www.eteaket.co.uk/tea-room-afternoon-tea-edinburgh/
16 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
eteaket Tea Room
41 Frederick StA less formal venue for afternoon tea, however quality will be very good. More of a venue, if you want specialised tea, as it stocks various different types of tea.
https://www.eteaket.co.uk/tea-room-afternoon-tea-edinburgh/
For people looking for afternoon tea with a difference ! We have not actually done this tea and tour, but it gets good reviews, so well worth a shot !
Red Bus Bistro
Saint Andrew SquareFor people looking for afternoon tea with a difference ! We have not actually done this tea and tour, but it gets good reviews, so well worth a shot !