Where to Stay in Edinburgh, Scotland | Top Areas + Hotels

Headed to Scotland and wondering where to stay in Edinburgh? Discover my favorite areas to stay in the city center and the best hotels in each! 

Edinburgh is one of my favorite cities and a place I've returned to many times. After collectively spending about 2 months here, I can honestly say I fall more in love with the city each time I visit. 

The old-world architecture, stunning views, proximity to the breathtaking beauty of the Highlands, the beloved Scottish people and their wee accent, and of course the ties to Harry Potter make this an unforgettable destination.

When discussing the best places to stay in Edinburgh, I first want to stress the importance of staying in the city center. To give an idea, locate the Scottish National Gallery as your central point of reference. You'll want to stay within a radius of 15 minutes' walking distance from there. 

Edinburgh is a pedestrian city. As long as you choose a central location, you can walk to all the top sights, attractions, and restaurants.

Half the fun of visiting Edinburgh is walking around the city and from sight to sight. It's a gorgeous city and the architecture is stunning.

There's a bustling mix of tourists, locals, and students. If you choose to stay outside my central point of reference you not only lose precious sightseeing time but a lot of the atmosphere and overall city experience.

There's something about being a 5-minute walk from the local cafe for your morning cappuccino and close to picturesque spots like Victoria Street (aka inspiration for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter).

Being close to these sights can make or break your trip. Victoria Street gets insanely crowded by 9:00 am. If you're within walking distance, you can easily get up early and experience that spot empty.

I've made a point to stay in various locations throughout the city and have my favorites.

This post will take you through the best areas to stay in Edinburgh that are within 15 minutes of the city center core. You'll learn the best luxury hotels in each neighborhood as well as mid-range options.

This map shows the best areas to stay in Edinburgh, Scotland. Click the icon in the very top left to see a list view of each pinned location. Click the top right button to enlarge the map. Click the star to save to your own Google Maps account. To access this map once saved (after clicking the star), open Google Maps (on your phone/computer/tablet), click the menu button, go to "your places", select "maps", and you will see this map listed.

• Blue - mid-range hotels
• Red- luxury hotels

Old Town - Grassmarket (red area)

Where to stay in Edinburgh for first-time visitors and those looking to be close to the action and sights

This is one of my favorite areas to stay in Edinburgh, Scotland. Grassmarket is located in Old Town and is below the castle. So depending on where you stay, you might even get some fantastic castle views.

I particularly gravitate to this area because it's close to Victoria Street. One of the most photographed and beautiful streets in Edinburgh. Many say this street inspired JK Rowling for Diagon Alley with its multicolored buildings.

This street gets very crowded past 9:00 am. Staying at a nearby hotel means you can enjoy the views and get some photos sans crowds.

Another famous spot in this area is The Vennel. It's a "hidden" stairway that lends gorgeous views of the castle.

For my fellow joggers, Grassmarket is a great base as you're close to the Meadows, a great area to go jogging.

Choosing a hotel or rental in the Grassmarket area will mean you are within walking distance of everything...top sights, restaurants, cafes, etc., and you get to enjoy a lively atmosphere.

Best luxury hotels in Edinburgh - Grassmarket

• Virgin Hotels Edinburgh - this hotel just opened. I haven't stayed but did a walk through and it was gorgeous. I will definitely try to book this hotel next time.
• Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa - this is the furthest I would go from Grassmarket. The location is nice because it feels a bit removed and is quiet, yet still within walking distance to everything.

Best mid-range hotels in Edinburgh - Grassmarket

• Wilde Aparthotels by Staycity, Grassmarket

SEE ALSO: 

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UK ITINERARY | 10 DAYS IN LONDON, YORK, EDINBURGH

ONE DAY IN EDINBURGH – MUST VISIT EDINBURGH SIGHTS

New Town - Princes Street (purple area)

One of the best areas to stay in Edinburgh to have a luxury stay and still be minutes from the action

Most hotels in Old Town come with small rooms. New Town on the other hand is where you'll find a nice selection of luxury hotels with larger rooms.

Where Old Town is made of twisting, cobblestoned streets and leaning buildings, New Town feels very Georgian. Straight lines, wide streets, and a grid-like city plan.

While New Town has a number of museums, from a tourist perspective you'll be spending more time in Old Town. This may mean staying in New Town is a good thing. Do your sightseeing in Old Town and spend the night in New Town.

New Town has most of your shopping and boasts an excellent selection of restaurants and coffee shops.

I prefer to stay on or around Princes streets. The further north you go towards Queens Street just means a longer walk to reach Old Town. Just keep in mind that Princes Street can be very busy and noisy. You'll want to make sure you're at a nice hotel that has thick windows and soundproofing.

The West side of New Town (closer to the West End neighborhood and Dean's Village) has a more quiet/calm vibe than the East end of New Town.

Best mid-range hotels in Edinburgh - New Town 

• Eden Locke - an upscale aparthotel (think studio apartment) complete with kitchenettes (washer/dryers are in a common space). I also LOVE the coffee shop attached to Eden Locke. It's one of the best coffee shops in Edinburgh to work remotely.

Best luxury hotels in Edinburgh - New Town

• The Balmoral - I adore this hotel. It has a distinctly Scottish feel to it, the staff are lovely, and perks like a sauna/gym/pool. The Balmoral also offers one of the best afternoon teas in Edinburgh.
• InterContinental Edinburgh the George, an IHG Hotel - I would only book this hotel if you find a good rate. While it offers an ideal location and some luxury amenities, I feel like it's getting a bit tired.
• Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel
• Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh - The Caledonian
• Cheval The Edinburgh Grand
  

Royal Mile (grey area)

One of the best areas to stay in Edinburgh if you want to be in the heart of the action and don't mind a little noise

The Royal Mile is the very heart of Edinburgh. An ancient stretch of road that goes from Holyrood Palace to Edinburgh Castle. It's called the Royal Mile because it's been the processional route for royalty for hundreds of years.

Many of Edinburgh's top sights are along the Royal Mile. Holyrood Palace, St. Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh Castle, Mercat Cross, The Scotch Whiskey Experience, Scottish Parliament Building, John Knox House, and several famous pubs including The World's End.

The area surrounding the Royal Mile is one of the best places to stay in Edinburgh if you want to be steps from all the top sights and in the heart of the action. For obvious reasons, hotels in this area are sparse, come with small rooms, and are expensive.

The only time I would not recommend staying around the Royal Mile is during festival season (August). It will be packed and loud. Booking a hotel here will mean you're constantly navigating your way through crowds.

BEST luxury HOTELS IN EDINBURGH - ROYAL MILE

• Cheval Old Town Chambers

Best mid-range hotels in Edinburgh - Royal Mile

• The Scotsman Hotel
• Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh City Centre

Calton Hill (blue area)

Where to stay in Edinburgh for shopping and return visitors

Those that have already visited Edinburgh and are looking for something different will want to venture a tad farther from my earlier recommendations. Calton Hill is a great option. It's more removed from the city center, yet still within walking distance.

Calton Hill is a gorgeous spot offering incredible views of the Edinburgh skyline.

The highly anticipated St. James Quarter was just recently completed. It's a stark contrast from the rest of Edinburgh and VERY modern. The new W Hotel is the heart of St. James Quarter.

This area has high-end shops like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Strathberry.

Tired of fish and chips and traditional Scottish fare? Head to St. James's Quarter and St. Andrew's Square. There's a nice assortment of global cuisine, many of which are upscale. Some of the more popular spots are Dishoom (Indian), The Ivy (upscale British brasserie), and Tattu (upscale Chinese).

Compared to hotels on the Royal Mile, many of these options are easier on the wallet. 

Best luxury hotels in Edinburgh - Calton Hill

• W Edinburgh (Marriott) - this hotel just opened and seems to be working out the typical  kinks. The gym, while small, is VERY nice...though I don't appreciate that you have to book a spa treatment to use the sauna/steam room. This is also one of the best rooftops in Edinburgh. The views are stunning. The breakfast (free for Platinum members and above) is incredible.
• The Glasshouse, Autograph Collection (Marriott)

Best mid-range hotels in Edinburgh - Calton Hill

• Hotel Indigo Edinburgh, an IHG Hotel
• Courtyard by Marriott Edinburgh

Honorable Mention: Dalkeith Road Bed and Breakfasts

Where to stay in Edinburgh for an affordable stay in a cozy bed and breakfast

Edinburgh has become pretty expensive when it comes to lodgings. If you're not able to find something in your budget in the above areas, look around the intersection of Dalkeith Road and Prestfield Road. This pocket is filled with quaint bed and breakfasts.

Many come with views of Arthur's Seat; Edinburgh's highest point and an extinct volcano. 

Jake and I stayed here on our first trip to Edinburgh. We came for festival season in early August and the hotels were outrageously over our budget at the time. We found Gil Dun Guest House (now closed), and it was great.

We would Uber to the city center first thing in the morning. Because we didn't want to waste time Ubering back and forth, we planned our entire day, packed up our backpack, and wouldn't return to the bed and breakfast until after dinner time.

It usually took no more than 8 minutes via Uber. We also walked home a few nights when we weren't in a rush. The walk took about 25 minutes at a brisk pace.

While you do lose some of the charm of staying in the city center, Dalkeith Road bed and breakfasts are a wonderful backup option for something more affordable. The area felt very safe and had a quiet neighborhood vibe.

Summary of Where to Stay in Edinburgh, Scotland

I hope this post steers you in the right direction regarding where to stay in Edinburgh, Scotland. These are my personal favorite pockets and some of the best hotels in Edinburgh.

The Grassmarket area (just below Edinburgh Castle) is my top pick for first-time visitors since you're steps away from all the top sights and the area is lively without being too much.

New Town, around Princes street, is where you'll want to head if you're looking for a luxury stay. This area has several gorgeous hotels that are minutes from top attractions and the heart of the city.

Calton Hill is great if you've been to Edinburgh before and want an ideal shopping location.

The area surrounding the Royal Mile is for those who want to be in the heart of the action and don't mind being in a noisy, busy area.

The neighborhood around the intersection of Dalkeith Road and Prestfield Road is an affordable alternative filled with bed and breakfasts. This area is a 20 to 30-minute walk from the city center or an 8-minute Uber.

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Where to Stay in Edinburgh | Top Areas + Hotels

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