So’s guidebook
Music
This traditional local pub has fun traditional Scottish live music
43 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Captains Bar
4 S College StThis traditional local pub has fun traditional Scottish live music
The Jazz Bar
1a Chambers StGood live music across all styles of jazz.
Drinking
Panda & Sons
79 Queen StA fun speakeasy underground bar
Nice close-by pub with excellent magic shows on Thursdays.
15 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Joker And The Thief
71 Elm RowNice close-by pub with excellent magic shows on Thursdays.
An excellent independent bar that serves a wide selection of microbrews.
37 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Salt Horse Beer Shop & Bar
57-61 Blackfriars StAn excellent independent bar that serves a wide selection of microbrews.
Sightseeing
Beautiful panoramic views. I always recommend people go here before anything else, to get a picturesque sense of the layout of this wonderful city.
1098 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Calton Hill
Calton HillBeautiful panoramic views. I always recommend people go here before anything else, to get a picturesque sense of the layout of this wonderful city.
An interesting collection of plants and trees, year round. Water of Leith Walkway nearby.
18 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Isango esiqhingiweyo seBotanical Garden
An interesting collection of plants and trees, year round. Water of Leith Walkway nearby.
A miniature taste of the highlands, right in the city!
280 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ipharki ye-Holyrood
Queen's DriveA miniature taste of the highlands, right in the city!
Dean Village
Dean Pathcute neighbourhood along the Water of Leith walkway
A well-displayed collection in a stunning open Victorian building, with a modern three-dimensional labyrinth like addition.
1377 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
National Museum of Scotland
A well-displayed collection in a stunning open Victorian building, with a modern three-dimensional labyrinth like addition.
Princes Street
Princes StreetNice views of the Castle
Lots of fun, but expensive.
437 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Camera Obscura kunye neLizwe lwezithombe
549 CastlehillLots of fun, but expensive.
Interesting interactive history of underground Edinburgh
373 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Real Mary King's Close
2 High StInteresting interactive history of underground Edinburgh
Food scene
Excellent gelato made by Mary herself, a legendary ice cream creative.
131 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mary's Milk Bar
19 GrassmarketExcellent gelato made by Mary herself, a legendary ice cream creative.
Orinoco Latín Food
281 Leith WalkYummy Venezuelan Street Food
Twelve Triangles
90 Brunswick StI love the Baklava Buns from this nearby bakery
Shops
An amazing collection of interesting books, especially on the 2nd floor
13 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Topping & Company Booksellers of Edinburgh
2 Blenheim PlAn amazing collection of interesting books, especially on the 2nd floor
Amacebiso ngesixeko
Ungaphoswa
Exploring Old Town and New Town
Old town is the area to the South of Princes Gardens. It was built organically around the Castle and Royal Mile, and includes Grassmarket, Cowgate, and parts of the area between the Castle and The Meadows.
New Town is the area directly North, West and Northeast of Princes Street. It was started in the early 1800s, during the Age of Reason, and is laid out in a way that presents urban planning as organised and logical.
Both Old Town and New Town are part of Edinburgh's World Heritage designated area. It is worth meandering through both to get a sense of their differences.
Ungaphoswa
Exploring other parts of Edinburgh
Beyond Old Town and New Town, other parts of Edinburgh are well worth exploring.
One of my favourite things to do is to walk along the Water of Leith, especially anywhere between the Museum of Modern Art and Leith Shore. Many nice places along the way, including Stockbridge, Canonmills and Dean's Village.
Other areas:
Leith Walk and Leith Shore (port town now part of Edinburgh)
Bruntsfield and Morningside.
Newhaven (old fishing village).
Southbridge heading south (U of Edinburgh student area)