Shopping

From luxury retailers to quirky independent shops, Edinburgh provides a shopping experience like no other.

The city’s main retail thoroughfare, Princes Street, provides all your favourite high street brands along with superb views of the Old Town. If you want to sample the latest in fashion, George Street is unmissable, while luxury brands abound on Multrees Walk.

For quirky, independent shops, take a walk around the Grassmarket and Victoria Street, reputed to be JK Rowling’s inspiration for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter books.

Browse for traditional Scottish crafts and gifts along the Royal Mile and Canongate while taking in the historic Palace of Holyroodhouse and Edinburgh Castle, or the stunning contemporary architecture of the Scottish Parliament.

From bargain hunting to opulence, you will find your retail nirvana in Edinburgh.

Eating Out

From award-winning restaurants to hidden culinary gems, Edinburgh has something exciting and new to offer all tastes and budgets.

Whether you’re a tea drinker or a coffee connoisseur, you’re sure to find the perfect place to stop, relax and watch the hustle and bustle of the city pass by. Alternatively, you can explore cuisine from all corners of globe at the hundreds of restaurants and eateries around the city. From Asian to European, and from Mediterranean to traditional Scottish, delicious treats await.

Nightlife

Edinburgh shines brightest when the sun goes down. With a dazzling mix of music, theatre, cinema, bars and nightclubs, your night out can be as wild or chilled out as you want to make it.

Take in a show at the Festival Theatre or the Edinburgh Playhouse, immerse yourself in a performance at The Usher Hall or Cabaret Voltaire, or laugh out loud at comedy club The Stand, there’s always something to experience as day gives way to night across the city.

Edinburgh is famous for its huge selection of bars and clubs. You can enjoy a cocktail in stylish surroundings, sample real ale in a traditional pub, or take a taste tour around some of Scotland’s distilleries at one of the city’s whisky bars.

The fun continues as the clock passes midnight at the city’s eclectic mix of nightclubs where you can party until dawn.

Culture

Edinburgh is one of Europe’s most stunning capital cities. With UNESCO World Heritage Site status, a rich history spanning over 1,000 years and a vibrant cultural heart, the city is home to the world famous of Edinburgh Castle, the National Museum of Scotland, the National Galleries of Scotland, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the Royal Yacht Britannia, among countless other sites of world importance.

Edinburgh’s world famous reputation as a festival city is well-deserved with 12 annual festivals held each year, most notably the Edinburgh International Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe which run simultaneously across dozens of venues city-wide for the duration of August, creating an inescapable buzz.

Away from the festivals and the hubbub of the city, Edinburgh borders the sumptuous countryside and sweeping coastline of the Lothians, where you will find breathtaking scenery, sandy beaches and adventure.