Shops

Princes Street is Edinburgh’s main commercial high street, running along the north edge of the city centre with views of the castle on one side. It has all the major UK high-street chains, department stores (including John Lewis), and is the obvious starting point for everyday shopping needs. The nearby St James Quarter adds upscale retail and a good food court to the mix.
For independent retail, Victoria Street and the Grassmarket have wonderful independent shops: bookshops, gift shops, tartan and knitwear sellers, and vintage clothing boutiques. The Grassmarket also hosts occasional outdoor markets. Stockbridge, to the north of the New Town, has one of Edinburgh’s best collections of independent shops and Sunday markets.
For international food shopping, Leith Walk and the surrounding area is well-stocked with Eastern European, South Asian, and East Asian grocery stores. The Nile Valley supermarket on Leith Walk is a particularly good source of Middle Eastern and African ingredients.

Food

Edinburgh’s food scene has improved dramatically in recent years and now has one of the highest concentrations of good restaurants per capita in the UK.
Leith remains the flagship foodie district: the Kitchin has held a Michelin star for years and the string of casual restaurants along The Shore offers everything from excellent fish and chips to Japanese ramen.
In the city centre, the Grassmarket area has strong independent restaurants. El Cartel for tacos, Ondine for seafood, and a number of good casual spots popular with students. Bristo Square, right in the heart of the university area, has coffee shops and casual lunch spots catering directly to student budgets.

Music

Edinburgh’s music scene is lively year-round, with particular strength in folk, traditional Scottish music, jazz, and independent rock and pop. Sneaky Pete‘s on Cowgate is the city’s most beloved small venue, genuinely legendary for its late-night music policy and intimate atmosphere. The Liquid Room on Victoria Street is a 900-capacity venue that hosts major club nights and live acts. Bannermans on Cowgate is the home of Edinburgh’s rock and metal scene, with live bands most nights of the week.
For bigger shows, the Usher Hall is Edinburgh’s premier concert hall, an Edwardian rotunda with excellent acoustics, hosting classical and contemporary acts throughout the year. The Queen’s Hall in Newington is a converted church with a warm, intimate atmosphere for jazz, folk, and world music. The SSE Hydro in Glasgow, a 30-minute train ride, brings the biggest international arena acts within easy reach.

Nightlife

Edinburgh’s nightlife is concentrated in two main areas: the Cowgate (running below the Royal Mile in the Old Town) and Grassmarket.
The Cowgate is Edinburgh’s most established club strip, with Sneaky Pete‘s (small, beloved, excellent music policy), The Bongo Club (alternative, eclectic, very student-focused), and a number of other venues ranging from sweaty basement clubs to slightly larger dance rooms. Grassmarket has a more traditional pub-and-bar character with a lively student crowd.
Teviot Row House, the Edinburgh University Students’ Association building, is one of the oldest purpose-built student unions in the world and hosts events, club nights, and bar nights throughout term time. For something more relaxed, the pubs along Victoria Street and in Marchmont are excellent for evenings that focus on conversation rather than dancing.
Edinburgh Fringe in August, technically before term starts for most students, but often overlapping with freshers, is the world’s largest arts festival and utterly transforms the city. Cheap tickets, free shows, and an electric atmosphere make it one of the most memorable weeks in the city’s calendar.

Culture

It’s hard not to lap up Edinburgh’s rich history, especially as it has retained a lot of the beauty of the old with the luxury of the new. Home to the UK’s largest celebration of visual art, the Edinburgh Arts Festival, and with an array of cultural walks and tours throughout the city, culture in Edinburgh never fails to dazzle.

Every year the city hosts its Hogmanay celebrations, which mixes new and popular music with traditional Celtic party tunes, and is not one to miss!

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