A Long Weekend in Edinburgh
I realised I’ve never actually shared a proper guide to Edinburgh here, despite visiting so many times over the last few years. With Fringe 2025 coming up (or in case you’re planning a trip later in the year), I thought it was the perfect time to put one together. Edinburgh is genuinely one of my favourite cities, and it’s a place I could never get tired of visiting and exploring. Edinburgh is packed with charm and character and there is plenty to do! If you’re after ideas for your itinerary, cosy cafes, and the best food spots, this 48-hour guide should give you plenty of inspiration.
Getting to Edinburgh and Places to Stay
I’ve visited both by air and train from London, but the train is definitely my preferred option. It runs directly from London King’s Cross to Edinburgh Waverley Station, which drops you right in the centre of the city. If you’re staying centrally (which I’d recommend for a short visit), you can easily walk to your accommodation from there and start exploring straight away. Alternatively, you can fly to Edinburgh Airport and take a bus or the tram to central.
For a short trip, I recommend staying as centrally as possible because the city is walkable and you can get to most places on foot. I’ve stayed at Eden Locke (a couple of times as part of a collaboration and a couple of times without!) and Cheyne Street and would recommend them both highly.
A few more hotels on my list are:
Hoxton Edinburgh (newly opened in 2025!)
I’ve saved all of my recommendations (the stars) on the map below so you can browse for more accommodation options in Edinburgh.
Find more places to stay in Edinburgh
Day 1 - Edinburgh Old Town
Once you’ve dropped your bags off, you can start exploring straight away. Edinburgh is such a walkable city and I think the best way to experience it (especially on your first day) is to just wander. The Old Town is full of cosy nooks, stunning architecture and cute little corners. Start by heading towards Edinburgh Castle. You can go inside if you're keen just admiring it (and the surrounding views) from the outside is a great way to start your trip. It can also get really busy in this area so you may not want to hang around for too long!
From here, you can wander down the Royal Mile with lots of shops to stop in. Keep an eye out for little nooks like Advocate’s Close - a great photo spot. From here, you can wander down Cockburn Street where you’ll find plenty more independent shops and cafes. I’ve also shared a guide on my favourite spots to photograph in the city (link below).
A few of my favourite spots in this area are:
Stills - a photography gallery and cafe
Milkman Coffee - great coffee and cosy interiors (but also usually really busy)
Armchair Books - a magical, slightly chaotic secondhand bookshop
If you have more time, head over to New Town for a contrast. A few more of my favourite spots here:
Lifestory - a beautifully curated home and lifestyle shop
Fifth Season Vintage – great for unique secondhand finds
Seventy One Steps – a lovely shop with a mix of design-led pieces
Cafen Speciality Bar – a relaxed, minimalist coffee spot with great drinks
Topping & Company Booksellers - a dreamy independent bookshop with rolling ladders and endless shelves
If the weather turns (which is quite likely in Scotland), you can head to the National Museum of Scotland or the Scottish National Gallery. Both are beautiful spaces and great if you love art, design or history.
End your first day by heading up to Calton Hill, just a short walk from Waverley Station. It’s one of the best sunset spots in the city, with stunning views over the skyline. I love this spot all year round!
10 Beautiful Spots to Photograph in Edinburgh
In this guide, I share my top favourite places in Edinburgh, perfect for exploring and photographing, whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning.
Day 2 - Pentland Hills
While you could easily spend a second day wandering Edinburgh’s cobbled streets, I’d recommend using the second day (likely your “non-travel” day) to explore a little beyond the city. One of the best things about Edinburgh is how quickly you can be surrounded by nature. Within 30 minutes, you can be surrounded by the beautiful Scottish countryside.
Before you start your day trip, you could head to Cairngorm Coffee or Söderberg for a pastry - both of these are close to Princes Street where you can catch the bus. However, if you’d prefer a more substantial breakfast, you could visit Urban Angel or Leo's Beanery.
If you’re up for a walk and a bit of fresh air, head out to the Pentland Hills Regional Park. If you have a car, it’s an easy drive but there are also public transport options (which I used). One of the best routes is for the Glencorse Reservoir walk, which you can reach by taking a bus from central Edinburgh to Flotterstone Inn (check the bus times in advance!). From there, you’ll find well-marked trails and beautiful views.
On your way back into Edinburgh, stop off in the Bruntsfield or Morningside areas (the bus route will go this way). These local neighbourhoods are full of independent shops, cosy cafes, and a more local, lived-in feel than the city centre.
For dinner back in the city, a few places I’d recommend or are saved on my list for next time:
Butta Burger - for a relaxed dinner (just down the road from Eden Locke if you do stay there)
Matto Pizza (delivery only) or Civerinos Slice if you want a sit-down pizza
Noto - for small sharing plates
Day 3 - Stockbridge and Dean Village
On your final day, I recommend wandering around Stockbridge. It’s one of my favourite parts of the city as this neighbourhood has a village-like feel, full of charm, character, and some very good food and coffee. From Stockbridge, you can take a peaceful stroll to the picturesque Dean Village. The walk is short and scenic, making it the perfect way to spend the last few hours of your trip.
If you have a bit more time before heading home, I’d also recommend a stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens - a peaceful spot that’s especially lovely in spring and summer, and just a short walk from Stockbridge. You can also check in advance if there are any interesting exhibitions on.
Amongst lots of independent shops and cafes, a few of my favourites in this area are:
Circus Lane - the iconic photo spot you’ve probably seen online
Kestin – a beautifully curated menswear shop
Mootz General Store - for the most incredible focaccia sandwiches. I wish I could have taken lots more home with me!
Stockbridge Market - a lovely weekend food market if you’re visiting on a Sunday
Rare Birds Bookshop - a gorgeous independent bookstore that supports female authors
Fortitude Coffee or Artisan Roast Stockbridge - both great for a morning coffee or midday pit stop
Joelato - for a small but delicious selection of gelato
LANNAN Bakery - one of the most popular bakeries in the city right now. It opens at 9am but queues often start well before. We arrived at 8:30am and were 10th in line, eventually waiting an hour - but it genuinely was worth it. The pastries are big, creative, and beautifully made. Each pastry was about £5.
If you're staying until the evening (or need more dinner inspiration for other evenings) head to dinner at The Scran & Scallie or The Raeburn, both excellent neighbourhood spots.
To summarise, my suggested itinerary for a long weekend in Edinburgh is:
Day 1 - Explore Edinburgh’s Old Town
Day 2 - Take a day trip out the city to the Pentland Hills
Day 3 - Stockbridge and Dean Village
Whether you’re visiting for the Fringe, a cosy autumnal weekend, or a spontaneous summer trip, Edinburgh is one of those cities that is charming all year! I already can’t wait to go back. I hope you found this guide useful! You can follow along on my Instagram and TikTok for more travel inspiration.
Thanks for reading,
T.
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