Shops

While Edinburgh boasts all of the usual high-street names, one of its crowning glories is its wonderfully vibrant independent shopping scene. A simple stroll around the cobbled city streets will reveal quirky boutiques packed with unique gifts, jewellery, clothes, books and much more.

Known for its perfect jeans, ALC on Thistle Street makes finding the perfect pair of jeans  easy, while West Port’s Godiva houses everything colourful. If you like your vintage piece, Those were the Days, tucked away off St Stephen Street is a must, or if you’re looking for cute gifts, head over to Hannah Zakari.

Food

With an array of excellent restaurants, cafes and bars to suit every budget, you’ll always find something to satiate you in the Scottish capital.

Mums Great Comfort Food does what it says on the tin, offering 12 varieties of mashed potato, four selections of sausage and three different types of gravy for you to make your perfect bangers and mash. For those wanting to eat healthier, Seeds for Soul in Bruntsfield is a cosy café serving up plant-based goodness, and Union of Genius has an adventurous menu for all to enjoy.

 

Music

Edinburgh is known for producing musical talent that spans all genres. With bars like Sandy Bell’s showcasing traditional Scottish folk music, and Bannerman’s Bar offering some of the city’s best live rock gigs, alternative tastes are definitely catered for in Edinburgh.

If you’re more into your large-scale gigs and pop concerts, Edinburgh also has the Usher Hall, and the Princes Street Gardens. What’s more, each year the city hosts a number of festivals to showcase musical talent, including Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh Summer Sessions and the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues festival.

Nightlife

Edinburgh’s nightlife is a unique blend of the traditional and the new. With the subterranean pubs of the Old Town and the upscale bars and clubs in the New Town, there really is something for everyone wanting a good time.

Whether you’re wanting to cheer on local bands at Sneaky Pete’s in the heart of Cowgate, or enjoy a cocktail in Frankenstein’s, or enjoy a cheap pint with friends at the Three Sisters, you’ll never run out of places to enjoy.

 

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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