Edinburgh : second greatest city - the Capital of Scotland

Today I want to introduce you this amazing city: Edinburgh. Actually, it's one of my favourite city of Scotland.

Edinburgh is at the same time an old-style and modern city, and mainly known as the capital of Scotland.

First of all, I'm going to give you advice about all the conveniences, then I'll show you all the restaurants and places to go to enjoy your stay!

How could you get there?

It's really easy to go to Edinburgh. In fact, you have lots of different ways to get to Edinburgh.

The first one, if you're not settled in the country itself, is the plane. You'll fly until Edinburgh airport. Then a bus will pick you up to drive you downtown. You may count about £6 for the bus trip.

Then, whether you live in Glasgow, you've the bus at your disposal. In fact, less than about 4 months ago, the bus company created a link Glasgow-Edinburgh. It's really convenient for the people living next to Buchanan Bus station and it's also cheaper than the train (the trip is a little bit longer, however).

You may count £4 for the single ticket, £6 go and return.

You have lots of departures from Buchanan Bus station, Bus n°900, Citylink. Stances 48/49. Every 15min. This one will bring you on Princes Street or Edinburgh bus station.

For more details about the timetables, check here : http://www.citylink.co.uk/timetables/Winter14/FINAL_Winter2014_GlasgowEdinburgh_8pp.pdf

As well, you can catch the train from Glasgow Central or Queen Street stations, for the ones living in Glasgow. It's really convenient in so far as, the trains are going every 15min from Glasgow Queen Street and Glasgow Central. 
On the other hand, there are lots of trains from Ayr, Aberdeen and much more cities all over Scotland as well.

Prices from Glasgow: £12 for the single ticket, about £12.50 return.
Prices from Ayr: about £25/£30 return tickets.

How could you get around in and outside the city ?

Diffferent ways of transportations are offered to you.

Firstly, you've numerous buses which allow you to move all around the city. However, it's not the only way to get around the city. Indeed, you've the tramline as well, besides the main street of the capital, in the New Town.

Nevertheless, unlike Glasgow, you don't have any subway.

However, obviously, you've got the train. The main train station is situated in the city centre and is called Waverley Station, its trains will take you everywhere you want within the UK.

Finally, you've got the plane. The main airport in the capital is Edinburgh airport, it's situated at about 25 minutes from the city-centre. In order to get there, you may take a bus: The Airlink 100 express and N22 night buses reach Waverley Bridge in about 25 minutes. You can take the Arlink 100 near the Scots monument on Princes Street also. 

Count about £6. Frequency: every 15 minutes.

Otherwise, you can take the tram on Princes Street or Edinburgh Park and then going until Edinburgh airport stop.  

Fare: Adult single £5, adult return £8. Frequency: every 8-12 minutes.

Once arrived to the airport you can go everywhere you want or merely go back home: a lot of destinations are linked to this airport.

Good news : flights going to London up to £15 !

Where could you find an accomodation ?

Actually, you have different choices, as the following :

- The youth hostels from £8/night. Some are really well situated and at the heart of Edinburgh.

Here are the main youth hostels you can find, however it's not an exhaustive list:

https://kickasshostels.co.uk/

http://www.edinburghcitycentrehostels.co.uk/ 

http://smartcityhostels.com/

https://www.syha.org.uk/

Kickasshostels is the cheapest I know, and as well it's really well settled in the city.

- Hostels: quit expensive, you can find them all around the city.

- Air bnb: less expensive than hostels, with a good quality. https://www.airbnb.fr/ 

Edinburgh is not a huge city, so you can stay either in the Old Town or in the New Town, you won't be so far from all the facilities.

Where could you eat ?

- The elephant house: J.K.Rowling wrote parts of Harry Potter’s saga in this place. 

Really cosy and good atmosphere. Also, reasonable prices for having a drink or a snack.

Address: 21 George IV Bridge.

Prices: between £5-£15 for a meal

- Dirty dicks: a funny name for a pub on Rose Street with fancy decoration. This one offers as well as drinks, different typical scottish meals.The food and service are really good ! Go for it :)

Prices: between £7-£15 for a meal.

- You have a lot of different pubs which are offering meals as well on Rose Street for instance, but not only there, you can find them out everywhere in Edinburgh. You will find of course different fast food all around the city too. 

Here is a great article about good places to go for eating in Edinburgh : http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2011/oct/12/10-best-restaurants-food-edinburgh (The Guardian).

What are the best places to visit in here ?

Here are the few things you can’t avoid.

 Beside the Royal Mile: 

- Edinburgh castle: actually, it's a citadel settled on an extinct volcano. Its architecture is really amazing and on top of this place you have a beautiful view of all over the city. I really encourage you to go there, it's the unavoidable place of the Scottish's capital.
However, bad point... the entrance is quit expensive: £16, and no student’s fares are offered. Of course, you're not obliged to get in the castle, but there are some beautiful spaces and rooms to see.

-  Camera obscura: basically, it’s an attraction based on optical illusion, just below the castle. It’s a really funny experience for adults and children. Price: £12.

-  Scotch whisky experience: settled just next to the castle, this museum will show you how the whisky is made and prepared. And surprise, you will be offered a great degustation during the presentation. 

-  St Gile’s cathedral: an amazing ancient church in the Old Town.

 - The Scottish Parliament: in front of Holyroodhouse Palace. It was inaugurated in 2004, the architecture is tremendous, and it’s one of the most modern Parliament of Europe. You can go visit it inside, and you can attend the session if you’ve booked it before. The entrance is free.

-  Palace of Holyroodhouse: it’s the official accommodation of the Queen when she spends time in Edinburgh, generally in July. You can visit this castle, however the entrance is £11, but it’s a good place to see. £13 if you want a guided tour of the gardens.

Old town:

-   Grass market neighbourhood: from 1477 to 1911 the scottish market took place there. Less poetic, in the 17’s century, executions happened in that place too.

Currently, there are a lot of pubs, terraces and restaurants in this area, you can go for a walk there, it's a really pleasant place.

  

 - National museum of Scotland: this is the main museum of Scotland. From Pleist, to modern’s paintings. For everyone taste! Timetable: 10:00am - 5:00pm. Free entrance. 

- Typical shops all around the old town.

New town:

-  Princes Street: the best place in Edinburgh to go shopping. There is also Scott's monument, a tremendous architecture. From this street, you'll have an amazing view of the old town, especially at night. 

- Rose street: you'll find there lots of typical pubs. Fancy of beers, this is your place!

- Charlotte Square: in here, you can find out the Buteh House, which is the official residence of the Scottish Prime Minister. By the way, I advise you to go to the Moray Place, Ainslie Place and Drummond Place as well which are in the area.

- Scottish National Gallery on Princes Street. Free entrance.

-  Walter Scott’s memorial, also known as Scott monument, on Princes Street. You can go at the top of this monument, the ticket costs £3. 

-  Calton Hill: amazing view of all the city, in the Regent Garden. 

Coming later: night out in Edinburgh
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