by Edinburgh is a picturesque and ancient city which was founded in the 7th century and is the capital of Scotland. The city is divided into two large parts: the Old Town and the New Town.
About 13 million tourists come to the city every year and when the large-scale Edinburgh Festival is held in August, the number of visitors doubles.
Weather and climate
Edinburgh, like Scotland, is characterised by a climate with high humidity. The temperature does not usually fall below 0C in winter and in summer it rarely exceeds 23C. These climate features are caused by the warm Gulf Stream near the coast where this city is located and which increases the average temperature by several degrees leading to a greenhouse effect.
The main surprise for visitors is the frequent change of weather – if it has just rained then within a few minutes the sun is shining down again. And then it rains again.
How to get to Edinburgh from Edinburgh Airport
Edinburgh Airport is very close to the city centre. The cheapest way to get there is by bus or tram which go both to the city centre and on other routes. The price of the trip is between 4.50 and 7.50 GBP. There is also the option of taking a taxi for 15 GBP.
Edinburgh Transport
Edinburgh is Scotland’s central transport hub. You can travel by rail from this city to other cities in Scotland.
Since there is no metro in the city, the main means of transport include trams, buses and cars. To explore the main attractions of Edinburgh just take a tram or bus and enjoy the trip – there are also double-decker sightseeing buses where the guide will tell you the amazing history of the city, tell you what shops you can go to and where you can stop and have a delicious lunch. You can purchase convenient and economical passes for buses that are valid both day and night.
Where to stay in Edinburgh
The city provides a large selection of accommodation for tourists. There are both expensive hotels and hostels as well as budget options. You can also book guesthouses. Of course, the further from the city centre the housing is, the cheaper it is, but you can also find decent housing at a good price near to the centre.
A small list of hotels with good reviews:
1) Staycity Aparthotels in the West End – this is located close to the city centre. Four stars and a rating of 7.1.
2) Leonardo Royal Edinburgh in Haymarket – a modern hotel in the city centre with good family rooms at reasonable prices. Four stars and a rating of 8.2.
3) Elder York Guest House in the New Town – an excellent guest house. Four stars and a rating of 8.6.
4) Safestay Edinburgh on the Royal Mile – a hostel located near the Royal Mile. Spacious rooms, guest kitchen and a roof terrace. Rating: 8.1.
5) Containers Hostels – the hostel is located 3km from the city centre and is a convenient budget option. Rating: 7.1.
Edinburgh what to see
The most interesting excursions are conducted in the Old Town where you can see the most beautiful examples of mediaeval architecture. These include:
1) Edinburgh Castle – the most popular attraction in the city. The castle rises noticeably above the centre of the city. It dates from the 12th century. The castle currently houses the National War Museum of Scotland.
2) The Royal Mile – a small part of the Old Town which includes mediaeval streets with adjacent branches. There are many interesting museums, shops and souvenirs along the Royal Mile.
3) St Giles’ Cathedral – located in the centre of the Royal Mile. The cathedral is impressive with its Gothic architecture as well as its relics and stained glass windows.
4) Mary King’s Close – located within the Royal Mile. It is one of the most mysterious places in the city. After several years of “burial” the street was reopened to tourists. They say that in previous times a lot of crimes and murders took place on the street and corpses infected with plague were also left there.
5) National Museum of Scotland – the museum displays archaeological finds, objects, natural science exhibits and much more.
The city also has many other interesting attractions:
• Holyroodhouse Palace
• Arthur’s Seat
• Princes Street
• Walter Scott Monument
• Royal Yacht Britannia
• Princes Street Gardens
