An Insider's Guide to Edinburgh

I am lucky to go to university in what in my opinion is one of the most beautiful cities in the UK, Edinburgh. With the Fringe Festival coming up next month, many visitors will be flocking to the Scottish capital, and so I thought I would write a guide with a few insider tips on where to go and what to do in between shows.

Activities:

Holyrood Park – For a cheap and cheerful activity when the weather is nice, take a hike up Arthur’s Seat for beautiful panoramic views of the whole city. If Arthur is a bit too much of a trek for you then take a walk round the Salisbury Crags, which is much flatter but still has great views.

Camera Obscura – For a bit of a laugh visit Camera Obscura on the Royal Mile, a world of illusions where you can get involved in optical illusions, tricks and puzzles, plus there is an unbeatable view of the Edinburgh rooftops!

The National Museum of Scotland – free fun for everyone, this beautiful museum has it all; natural history, science and art.

Edinburgh Castle – This amazing old fortress is the focal point of the city. If you can’t bring yourself to pay the price to go inside, you can see the outside well enough from the top of the Royal Mile.

Ghost tour – The city has many hidden alleyways such as the Real Mary King’s Close just off the Royal Mile. A ghost tour guide will tell you some of the tales of the old city, some of which are shrouded in mystery...

Pubs and bars:

The Pear Tree – A student hub during term time, this pub is unrivalled in the summer due to its large beer garden and laid back atmosphere. There is also a screen in the garden showing big matches for any sports fans.

The Dome – For a fancy time and amazing interiors visit The Dome in the New Town.

Panda & Sons – This cosy but classy speakeasy style bar has a creative cocktail menu, all which taste amazing.

Restaurants:

The Devil’s Advocate – This restaurant/bar in the heart of the Old Town has an eclectic menu and everything tastes absolutely delicious.

Iris – Head to Iris in the new Town for modern but classic European food.

Whiski Rooms – For a taste of local cuisine, the best haggis in town can be found here. Wash it down with one of the many whiskey flavours on offer.

I hope that anyone who visits Edinburgh falls in love with it as much as I have and that this guide has given you a bit of an insight into what to do when visiting the city!