So’s guidebook
Music
Captains Bar
4 S College StThis traditional local pub has fun traditional Scottish live music
The Jazz Bar
1a Chambers StGood live music across all styles of jazz.
Drinking
Panda & Sons
79 Queen StA fun speakeasy underground bar
Nice close-by pub with excellent magic shows on Thursdays.
15 locals recommend
The Joker And The Thief
71 Elm RowNice close-by pub with excellent magic shows on Thursdays.
An excellent independent bar that serves a wide selection of microbrews.
37 locals recommend
Salt Horse Beer Shop & Bar
57-61 Blackfriars StAn excellent independent bar that serves a wide selection of microbrews.
Sightseeing
Beautiful panoramic views. I always recommend people go here before anything else, to get a picturesque sense of the layout of this wonderful city.
1098 locals recommend
Calton Hill
Calton HillBeautiful panoramic views. I always recommend people go here before anything else, to get a picturesque sense of the layout of this wonderful city.
An interesting collection of plants and trees, year round. Water of Leith Walkway nearby.
18 locals recommend
Botanical Garden's East Entrance
An interesting collection of plants and trees, year round. Water of Leith Walkway nearby.
Holyrood Park
Queen's DriveA miniature taste of the highlands, right in the city!
Dean Village
Dean Pathcute neighbourhood along the Water of Leith walkway
A well-displayed collection in a stunning open Victorian building, with a modern three-dimensional labyrinth like addition.
1378 locals recommend
National Museum of Scotland
A well-displayed collection in a stunning open Victorian building, with a modern three-dimensional labyrinth like addition.
Princes Street
Princes StreetNice views of the Castle
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
549 CastlehillLots of fun, but expensive.
Interesting interactive history of underground Edinburgh
373 locals recommend
The Real Mary King's Close
2 High StInteresting interactive history of underground Edinburgh
Food scene
Excellent gelato made by Mary herself, a legendary ice cream creative.
131 locals recommend
Mary's Milk Bar
19 GrassmarketExcellent gelato made by Mary herself, a legendary ice cream creative.
Orinoco Latín Food
281 Leith WalkYummy Venezuelan Street Food
Twelve Triangles
90 Brunswick StI love the Baklava Buns from this nearby bakery
Shops
An amazing collection of interesting books, especially on the 2nd floor
13 locals recommend
Topping & Company Booksellers of Edinburgh
2 Blenheim PlAn amazing collection of interesting books, especially on the 2nd floor
Traveler advice
Don't miss
Exploring Old Town and New Town
Old town is the area to the South of Princes Gardens. It was built organically around the Castle and Royal Mile, and includes Grassmarket, Cowgate, and parts of the area between the Castle and The Meadows.
New Town is the area directly North, West and Northeast of Princes Street. It was started in the early 1800s, during the Age of Reason, and is laid out in a way that presents urban planning as organised and logical.
Both Old Town and New Town are part of Edinburgh's World Heritage designated area. It is worth meandering through both to get a sense of their differences.
Don't miss
Exploring other parts of Edinburgh
Beyond Old Town and New Town, other parts of Edinburgh are well worth exploring.
One of my favourite things to do is to walk along the Water of Leith, especially anywhere between the Museum of Modern Art and Leith Shore. Many nice places along the way, including Stockbridge, Canonmills and Dean's Village.
Other areas:
Leith Walk and Leith Shore (port town now part of Edinburgh)
Bruntsfield and Morningside.
Newhaven (old fishing village).
Southbridge heading south (U of Edinburgh student area)