Edinburgh Mini Guide
Scotland’s capital city Edinburgh is known for its fantastic architecture and the many festivals held there. The landscape in this part of Scotland is dramatic, with features such as Arthur’s Seat and the Castle Crag having been formed by volcanic activity.
To get to Edinburgh you will fly into Edinburgh Airport which connects with many European destinations including
Amsterdam,
Frankfurt and
Zurich.
At the airport, Rhino car hire can have your vehicle waiting for you to make the short journey eastwards into Edinburgh. If you are coming to Edinburgh from the south of England you will take the M1 motorway until it becomes the A1. Edinburgh is linked to the rest of Scotland by the M8, M9, A90 and M90 roads.
The old town of Edinburgh has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the city has a mixture of fine medieval buildings, Gothic churches and Georgian grandeur. Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace are the centrepieces of the old medieval town while the new town and commercial centre is 18th century Georgian.
Other areas of interest are the port area of Leith, the beach district of Portobello and Edinburgh west where the fortress of rugby, Murrayfield Stadium, can be found. You’re best advised not to drive in the city centre and instead use the park and ride facilities. This also saves you having to find a place to park where you will not be harassed by parking wardens. When you consider that there are the usual confusing one-way systems within Edinburgh as well as road works to build a new tram line, then the park and ride makes more and more sense.
The romantic city of Edinburgh is rich in history, so what better way to soak up its unique character than with a musical walking tour?
Like much of Britain, expect the weather in Edinburgh to be cold during winter and unpredictable during the rest of the year. The most exciting times of year to go are during the New Year’s Eve celebrations of Hogmanay and in the summer for the Edinburgh and Fringe festivals.
These are unsurprisingly the busiest times of year to visit and you will have to book your accommodation very far in advance to have any chance of finding somewhere to stay. There is so much to see in Edinburgh that the Edinburgh Pass is a sound investment as it allows you access to 27 sights (worth £155) for the price of £24 (a one day pass). It also gives you guide books and discount vouchers for shops and restaurants making it a bargain.