Many people love the heat of summer, but others like to use this relaxing season to escape the heat and vacation somewhere a bit more temperate. If you find yourself in the latter group, it may be time for a European getaway to lovely Edinburgh, Scotland.
Scotland’s beautiful capital is perfect for history buffs, architecture enthusiasts, and anyone else who wants a vacation that feels quaint in a major European city. For those who don’t love to walk around, you can still have a wonderful time making your Race at Road America predictions from the city’s gorgeous gardens and buildings.
Lovely Stays
There are so many outstanding hotels in Edinburgh. You’ll find your favorite hotel chains here, but with a twist. Many of the hotels are either located in historic buildings or build their buildings in a similar architectural style to those that have been in the area for hundreds of years.
The Crowne Plaza Edinburgh is a wonderful hotel for those that want a nice stay without breaking the bank. This hotel offers spacious rooms, a gym, and afternoon tea. It’s in a great location, with a bus stop right outside, only a 20-minute walk from Edinburgh Castle, and gardens located all around the hotel itself.
Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian is another amazing place to stay in Edinburgh. It was established in 1903 and maintains its classic look, which has been updated over the years, so its rooms match the outside of the building perfectly while still offering luxury. It’s located on Princes Street, which means guests get to enjoy great views of Scotland’s capital.
For those who are willing to spend quite a bit more, check out the Witchery by the Castle. This five-star hotel is an incredible stay unlike any other. It only offers nine suites, which are each unique yet equally amazing. The rooms are decorated as if straight out of a medieval castle, with rich colors, textiles, and materials from floor to ceiling.
Places to Visit
Because it is the capital of Scotland, you’ll never run out of things to do in Edinburgh. The city is rich with history, and its visitors can spend their time visiting museums, gardens, teahouses, and so much more.
Edinburgh Castle is the favorite location of many who visit the city. The oldest part of the building dates back to the 12th century, and other amazing parts of the building, such as the Great Hall and the Half Moon Battery were built in the 15th and 16th centuries. The crown jewels of Scotland are also on display at the castle.
To spend the day outside, check out Calton Hill. This neighborhood was built during the Enlightenment Era, and includes walking paths, monuments, and long stretches of grass where visitors can enjoy a nice picnic while looking out at the rest of the city below. On top of the hill, you’ll find the Collective contemporary art gallery and Scotland’s national monument, which is unfinished.
If you want to get away from the city and explore the beautiful nature of Scotland instead, many day trips are offered to take visitors to the countryside. These tours take you to Loch Ness, where you might catch a glimpse of the Loch Ness Monster, the Highlands, Glencoe, and the Isle of Skye. All of these locations are equally charming and are a perfect way to spend a full day.
Drink some Scotch
Whether you are looking for a behind-the scenes look at how scotch comes to be or just want an interactive experience, the Scotch Whisky Experience has something that will interest your senses. You can tour the museum portion which includes exhibits on Scotland’s rich history with whisky as well as other interesting points about this powerful drink; if not enough time exists in one day then there’s also available barrel rides where visitors get put into fake barrels and learn all sorts of fascinating things while riding around them! Prices range depending upon what type preference guests have but begin at 17GBP
Tips for Travel
There are many tips you’ll want to keep in mind when traveling to Edinburgh. First of all, make sure to book everything in advance. Edinburgh is always a popular destination, especially in the summer, so if there’s something you really want to see, be sure to book it. Next, exploring the city on foot is the best way to go. You’ll be able to see everything at your own pace that way.
Finally, bring layers. The weather changes all the time in the city, and you’ll want to stay prepared. Bring a few waterproof items, including shoes, to ensure that you don’t damage any of your nice clothing.
How to Get Around Edinburgh
Public transportation: The most common form of public transportation in the city is buses. A single ticket costs 1GBP and goes up from there depending on how far you go, though sometimes they’ll give you an exact change if that’s all it takes! You can download the “Transport for Edinburgh” app to pay with your phone instead – even using this utility while waiting at one tram stop or another before heading off into town during busy rush hour periods.
Taxi: Taxis are expensive, so I would avoid them as much as possible. A ride starts at 3GBP and goes up by 1.40 GB per kilometer- don’t risk your budget for a quick trip! Public transportation works out better.
The two most common platforms for taxis in Edinburgh are Get and Free Now. You can use that Google Maps app to estimate prices if you’re comparing modes of transportation, but I would avoid ridesharing unless there is no other option available since public transport here has been shown time after again as being safe and reliable.
Car rental: Driving around the beautiful Scottish landscape is an incredible experience, but I would only rent a car if you need it for your long trip. It’ll cost about 25GBP to 30GBP per day. Remember that traffic flows on the left.
Bicycle: There’s no city-wide bike share system in Edinburgh yet, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find some way to have fun on two wheels! You could rent from Cycle Scotland or The Tartan Bicycle Company and pay 25 GBP per day for standard bikes. For e-bikes, it costs 45GBP daily rental fee.
