Edinburgh youth guide
About Edinburgh
The jaw-dropping view as you walk out of Edinburgh’s Waverley train station is probably the finest first impression of any city in the world – the castle battlements rising behind the Greek temple of the National Gallery, with the lush greenery of Princes Street Gardens in the foreground. To your left, the precipitous medieval tenements of the Old Town; to your right, the commercial bustle of Princes Street. And almost all of the city’s top sights are within 20 minutes’ walk of where you’re standing.
But there’s more to Edinburgh than just sightseeing – there are top shops, world-class restaurants and a bacchanalia of bars to enjoy. This is a city of pub crawls and impromptu music sessions, ace clubs and all-night parties, overindulgence, late nights and wandering home through cobbled streets at dawn.
Maps, information and inspiration are available at Edinburgh & Scotland Information Centre (www.edinburgh.org) on Princes Street and for the lowdown on all the events through out the year, take a look at Eventful Ed (www.eventful-edinburgh.com/). Or visit our Edinburgh city guide.
Seeing
Must Do
Edinburgh Castle is an atmospheric, hugely popular attraction. It sits at the top of the Royal Mile, a beautiful road running through Edinburgh’s old town to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen’s official Scottish residence. Take a few hours over the walk and visit some of the many churches, museums and historic houses on the way.
A great way to see Edinburgh and explore its history is on a guided walk. Many walks are related to ghosts, murders and witches. Black Hart Storytellers and Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour are among the best available.
Calton Hill is a wonderful spot at any time of day, but is especially good at sunset. Its summit is scattered with grandiose memorials and is has one of the best viewpoints in Edinburgh, with a panorama that takes in the castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Arthur’s Seat, the Firth of Forth, New Town and the full length of Princes Street.
Off The Beaten Track
Just south of Edinburgh, Scotland’s most beautiful and enigmatic church, Rosslyn Chapel is an intriguing place to visit. The ornately carved interior is a monument to the mason’s art, and rich in symbolic imagery. Intriguingly, there are also carvings of plants from the Americas that predate Columbus’ voyage of discovery.
Insider Info
Over the years, Edinburgh has been built up to cover older buildings. Some of these subterranean vaults are now open to the public, making for a surprising and spooky experience. Start with Real Mary King’s Close.
Shopping
Princes Street is Edinburgh’s principal shopping street and is home to Jenners, Europe’s oldest department store, dating from 1838. Many smaller shops line pedestrianised Rose St. Shopping centres include Princes Mall, St James Centre and the huge Ocean Terminal in Leith.
For more off-beat shopping – including fashion, music, gifts and jewellery – head for the cobbled lanes of Cockburn, Victoria and St Mary’s Steets, and William Street in the western part of New Town.
Eating
In the last few years there has been a huge boom in the number of restaurants and cafés in Edinburgh, and there is a wide range of cuisines to choose from. In addition to restaurants and cafés, most pubs serve food.
Favorit
Stylish café-bar with a slightly retro feel, catering for everyone: workers grabbing breakfast, coffee-slurping students and late-night clubbers with an attack of the munchies. Tel: +44 131 220 6880; 19-20 Teviot Place.
Bar Italia
Good-value Italian food and a lively atmosphere. Tel: +44 131 228 6379; 100 Lothian Road.
Khushi’s
Authentic Punjabi canteen, established in 1947 and something of an Edinburgh institution. Tel: +44 131 667 0888; 26 Potter Row.
Point Hotel
The now legendary lunch and dinner menus offer exceptional value and delicious Scottish/international cuisine. Tel: +44 131 221 5555; 34 Bread Street.
Nightlife
Edinburgh has more than 700 pubs, bars and clubs, which are as varied as the population. The most comprehensive source of information is The List (www.list.co.uk).
Abbotsford
Traditional pub with well-preserved 1920s interior. Settle in with a pint on a rainy afternoon. Tel: +44 131 225 5276; 2 Rose Street.
Tonic
Cool, classy cocktails. Tel: +44 131 225 6431; 34a North Castle Street.
Liquid Room
Superb club venue with a thundering sound system set in a subterranean vault deep beneath Victoria Street. The long-running Evol caters to the indie-kid crowd and is regularly voted as Scotland’s top club night out. Tel: +44 131 225 2564; 9c Victoria Street.
Henry’s Jazz Cellar
Edinburgh’s hottest jazz joint, there’s something going on every night, from traditional and contemporary jazz to soul, funk, hip-hop and drum ‘n’ bass. Tel: +44 131 538 7385; 18 Morrison Street.
Sleeping
Even though there is lots of accommodation in Edinburgh, bank on it getting booked out during summer months, especially at Festival time.
Brodies Backpackers Hostel (www.brodieshostels.co.uk/)
Small, friendly place with seriously comfy hotel-quality mattresses and duvets. Tel: +44 131 556 6770; 12 High Street, Royal Mile.
Castle Rock Hostel
With its bright, spacious, single-sex dorms, superb views and friendly staff, the 200-bed Castle Rock has prompted plenty of positive feedback from travellers. Tel: +44 131 225 9666; 15 Johnston Terrace.
Pollock Halls of Residence
Large modern complex belonging to the University of Edinburgh close to the city centre. 0800 028 7118 UK only; 18 Holyrood Park Road.
Ibis Hotel
Spruce, modern, chain hotel, with a superb location just off the Royal Mile. The flat room rate includes a self-service breakfast buffet. Tel: +44 131 240 7000; 6 Hunter Square.