{"id":262144,"date":"2023-09-15T10:18:04","date_gmt":"2023-09-15T14:18:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/?p=262144"},"modified":"2025-05-28T03:08:58","modified_gmt":"2025-05-28T07:08:58","slug":"where-to-stay-edinburgh","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/where-to-stay-edinburgh\/","title":{"rendered":"Where to Stay in Edinburgh: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"The<\/p>\n

Edinburgh<\/a> is fabulous. Famed for its beauty, museums, castle, historic university, and literary past, it\u2019s also a moody city but with a cozy feel. I think Edinburgh is a magical destination, from the pubs with live music to the caf\u00e9s where you just want to snuggle up with a book to the cobblestone streets that seem to shine brighter on a cloudy day. <\/p>\n

It\u2019s also pretty compact and easily walkable. That\u2019s great for travelers. And considering that everything you might want to see or do is within a small area and easily connected by bus, there are only a few areas in which to stay. (Of course, you could stay farther out and then take the bus, but I wouldn\u2019t recommend it. It’s not worth the extra time and potential taxi\/bus costs.)<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a breakdown of the three neighborhoods you should stay in and my favorite accommodations in each:<\/p>\n\n

Where to Stay in the Old Town<\/h3>\n

\"The
\nThis area is the main center of the city. Here, along the Royal Mile, you\u2019ll find a lot of the main tourist sites, historic streets to wander, and a number of cool bars and restaurants. This is the oldest part of town (hence the name), and it\u2019s where most people stay. You\u2019ll be in the center of the action and, while prices are little higher than elsewhere, you\u2019ll likely spend most of your time wandering the area, so it\u2019s super convenient. <\/p>\n

Best places to stay in Old Town<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

BUDGET<\/strong>: Castle Rock<\/a> \u2013 Located near the castle, this hostel is simply gorgeous. It’s an old beautiful house with lovely wood interiors, stone staircases, and a very historic, royal feel. It felt like being in an ancestral family mansion. I love that the staff organize events and dinners. In the dorms, the mattresses are comfortable and there are plenty of outlets to charge your devices. It’s one of my favorite hostels in Europe.<\/p>\n

MIDRANGE<\/strong>: Stay Central Hotel<\/a> \u2013 Just three minutes from the Royal Mile, this three-star property is located in a 17th-century building that\u2019s been completely modernized with flat-screen TVs, tea\/coffee makers, and rain showers in each room. I like that the rooms are bright and clean. <\/p>\n

LUXURY<\/strong>: Cheval Old Town Chambers<\/a> \u2013 This stylish five-star hotel offers modern luxury apartments, making it the perfect choice for groups or travelers who simply need more space. I really like that the beds are incredibly comfortable. There\u2019s also a fitness center and rooms come with a washer and dryer.
\n <\/p>\n

Where to Stay in the New Town<\/h3>\n

\"The
\nThis is the lower section of town, built on the outside of the castle area. Dating to 1767, it is the more \u201cmodern\u201d part of the city, with neatly laid-out streets (as opposed to all the winding cobblestone lanes of the Old Town). Here you\u2019ll find beautiful town squares and parks, a lot of shopping, and more accommodation options. It\u2019s a cheaper part of the city to stay in, but it\u2019s not as quintessentially charming as the Old Town.<\/p>\n

Best places to stay in New Town<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

BUDGET<\/strong>: Haystack Hostel<\/a> \u2013 Located near both the bus and train stations, this hostel has a fully equipped kitchen and a chill common room with lots of board games. The dorm beds are basic (simple metal bunks with thin mattresses), but there are lights, curtains, outlets, and lockers for each bed. It\u2019s a small, quiet hostel with an intimate atmosphere, so I found that it’s easy to relax and meet people.<\/p>\n

MIDRANGE<\/strong>: Yotel<\/a> \u2013 This four-star hotel is clean and modern, with spacious rooms and super comfortable beds. There\u2019s a gym and bar on-site and a full English breakfast each morning. The rooms are small, but I didn\u2019t want for any extra space. Though located on the farther end of the area, the hotel is just a 15-minute walk to the Royal Mile.<\/p>\n

LUXURY<\/strong>: Gleneagles Townhouse<\/a> \u2013 An ornate and lavish five-star property, this hotel boasts beautiful rooms bedecked with antique furniture and historic designs. There\u2019s a delicious breakfast each morning, a bar and gym on-site, and a spa and wellness center with a relaxing sauna. The beds are wonderfully plush and comfortable too.
\n <\/p>\n

Where to Stay in the Southside\/University<\/h3>\n

\"The
\nI view this area as a separate part of town, though others might lump it in with the Old Town. It\u2019s pretty close to the historic center but I think a far enough walk that it has its own vibe. Given that it\u2019s the location of the university, it has a lot of cheap restaurants and pubs and is close to the famous lookout, Arthur\u2019s Seat. I like staying here, because there are fewer tourists, so it has a more local vibe to it.<\/p>\n

Best places to stay in Southside\/University<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

BUDGET<\/strong>: Argyle Backpackers<\/a> \u2013 This laid-back hostel is located in an old townhouse. It feels more like you\u2019re staying with a friend than in a hostel, as everything is cozy and homey (or \u201chomely,\u201d as the British say). It\u2019s located on a quiet residential street just a 10\u201315-minute walk from the Old Town. I like that there’s a kitchen for cooking and a relaxing backyard space where you can hang out and meet other travelers. The staff are super lovely and really make you feel at home.<\/p>\n

MIDRANGE<\/strong>: The Salisbury Hotel<\/a> \u2013 This boutique townhouse hotel in a quiet setting is just a five-minute drive from the Royal Mile. There\u2019s a simple breakfast buffet offered each morning, and the friendly staff go out of their way to make you feel welcome. The rooms all have original Georgian features, and there\u2019s even parking available if you have a vehicle.<\/p>\n

LUXURY<\/strong>: Prestonfield House<\/a> \u2013 This uber-luxurious, five-star hotel is wildly lavish; I love the really ornate decor. The rooms all have antique furnishings and the on-site restaurant hosts a posh afternoon tea. I think it’s the perfect choice for a luxe retreat or romantic getaway.<\/p>\n

***<\/center><\/p>\n

Edinburgh<\/a> is small, so there are not a lot of places to explore. More distant neighborhoods do have hotels, and prices drop a lot the farther out you stay, but you\u2019ll spend more of your trip on the bus (or too much money on Ubers) and away from the city\u2019s best things to see and do. When visiting Edinburgh, just look at these three neighborhoods and pick the one that suits your plans best. You won\u2019t go wrong.<\/p>\n

 
\n

Get Your In-Depth Budget Guide to Europe!<\/span><\/h3>
\"Get<\/div>

My detailed 200+ page guidebook is made for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guides and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel while in Europe. It has suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on and off the beaten path things to see and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, bars, safety tips, and much more! Click here to learn more and get your copy today.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n

\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
Plan your trip to Europe like a pro<\/h5>\r\n

Get all my best Europe travel tips as well as free planning guides sent straight to you and see more of the country for less! <\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n\"GET\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n