Edinburgh City Breaks

Edinburgh at a glance

Edinburgh is a city brimming with superb architecture, top museums, great restaurants and a vibrant nightlife. With a dramatic cityscape, dominated by Edinburgh Castle, there is a photo opportunity around every corner. The heart of the city, where you’ll find the most interesting sights, is very walkable but beware the hills!

The city is famous for its many festivals, the huge Edinburgh Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe that run throughout August being the most famous. You’ll find an almost endless choice of music, theatre, comedy and arts – pop up venues appear across the city and the Royal Mile becomes a hub for street performers. The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo takes over the castle esplanade in August and welcomes military personnel and bands from across the world – pre-booking tickets is a must and we can help with this.

Outside of August the city still is still a cultural hub with a wealth of theatre and musical performances in the city’s theatres.

Things to do in Edinburgh

• Edinburgh Castle: Enjoy stunning views of the city from the castle dating back to the 12th century.
• Ghost Tour: Spooky tales of the city’s past are brought alive on a journey through the old closes and wynds of the Old Town.
• Palace of Holyroodhouse: The King's official Scottish residence lies at the foot of the famous Royal Mile.
• Edinburgh Zoo: Book a visit to see the giant pandas in this popular city attraction!
• Arthur’s Seat: One of Edinburgh’s seven hills, Arthur’s Seat offers a variety of different walks and provides the best views of the city.
• National Museum of Scotland: The museum today houses a fascinating array of treasures from around the world, taking in the natural world, world cultures, science and Scottish history. 
• St James Quarter: A new city centre modern complex for shopping, dining, cinema and home to the new W Hotel.

Getting around

Edinburgh has a small central core and that means that walking is often the best option, however it has an excellent bus network too. It operates throughout the city centre and beyond. Hop on – hop off tourist buses are also a good option should weary feet need a rest.

Dining in Edinburgh

Eating out in Edinburgh will offer something for everyone, from gastro pubs to Michelin starred restaurants. It is easy to venture outside of the city hub to experience dining options in neighbourhoods such as Stockbridge, Leith and Brunstfield. Here you’ll find a thriving local scene where you can mix with the locals, booking ahead is essential as most restaurants will be busy every night.

Must-try local dishes

• Haggis, neeps and tatties – Scotland’s world famous dish
• Black pudding – often locally made and delicious
• Cranachan – the best Scottish desert? We think so!

Shopping in Edinburgh

The St James Quarter offers some excellent shopping and leisure options and sits at the far eastern end of Princes Street. The mall links to Multrees Walk, where you’ll find high end designer shops, and this links seamlessly on to George Street where there is a fine mix of shopping, restaurants and bars. Across the Old Town of Edinburgh you’ll find independent retailers and souvenir shops aplenty.

Osprey Holidays top tip

Nestled in the W Hotel, Edinburgh is Joao’s Place – a secret speakeasy bar with some of the best views of the city. The service is top notch and the drinks menu extensive, this hidden gem requires a booking so don’t forget to book ahead.