Sarah’s guidebook
Places to visit & things to do
Food, fun and exploring - one day I'll find time to do seperate lists for each but for now it's all going here. Our favs - do share yours in your reviews and we'll add them for others to discover too!
The Elephant House
21 George IV BridgeGreat coffee and a must for Harry Potter fans!
A beautifully restored interior to the building and a great natural history collection - go see how long a giraffe's tongue is or get freaked out by the size of spider crabs! The rooftop garden is small but worth going up for the view. Brilliant for adults and children alike - and FREE!
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National Museum of Scotland
A beautifully restored interior to the building and a great natural history collection - go see how long a giraffe's tongue is or get freaked out by the size of spider crabs! The rooftop garden is small but worth going up for the view. Brilliant for adults and children alike - and FREE!
Just a lovely greenspace in the heart of the city, popular with families and students. Watch out for the cycle paths - bikes and skateboarders move pretty quick. There's a great kids play park down to the far left past the tennis courts. PLenty of space to walk the dogs - there's spare poop bags in the flat if you forget yours :-)
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The Meadows
Melville DriveJust a lovely greenspace in the heart of the city, popular with families and students. Watch out for the cycle paths - bikes and skateboarders move pretty quick. There's a great kids play park down to the far left past the tennis courts. PLenty of space to walk the dogs - there's spare poop bags in the flat if you forget yours :-)
The underground story of Edinburgh. Beneath the Royal Mile lies a warren of hidden closes where citizens of Edinburgh lived, worked and died in the 16th and 17th centuries. Tours in these subterranean chambers are led by guides in the character of real people who lived in the close.
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The Real Mary King's Close
2 High StThe underground story of Edinburgh. Beneath the Royal Mile lies a warren of hidden closes where citizens of Edinburgh lived, worked and died in the 16th and 17th centuries. Tours in these subterranean chambers are led by guides in the character of real people who lived in the close.
One of the last bastions of traditional folk music (and a fine pint) in Edinburgh and as such extremely worthy of your attention
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Sandy Bell's
25 Forrest RdOne of the last bastions of traditional folk music (and a fine pint) in Edinburgh and as such extremely worthy of your attention
Fabulous Brazilian street food stall with gluten-free, sweet and savoury crêpes and an open-air performance space in summer.
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Tupiniquim
Fabulous Brazilian street food stall with gluten-free, sweet and savoury crêpes and an open-air performance space in summer.
Riddle’s Court is an A listed building located close to Edinburgh Castle. Dating from the late 16th century, it is one of the finest surviving merchant’s houses on the Royal Mile. If you love discovering the past do make time for a visit
Riddle's Court
322 LawnmarketRiddle’s Court is an A listed building located close to Edinburgh Castle. Dating from the late 16th century, it is one of the finest surviving merchant’s houses on the Royal Mile. If you love discovering the past do make time for a visit
This is perhaps not everyone's cup of tea but I find it enthralling. One of the largest collections of surgical material (there are samples and exhibits in jars - warning - some are pretty grim!) and permanent exhibitions concerning the history of surgery, dentistry and pathological anatomy.
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Iziko Museums of South Africa
Nicolson StreetThis is perhaps not everyone's cup of tea but I find it enthralling. One of the largest collections of surgical material (there are samples and exhibits in jars - warning - some are pretty grim!) and permanent exhibitions concerning the history of surgery, dentistry and pathological anatomy.
A family favourite, especially getting lost in the mirror maze! Get in in good time as it gets busy especially in the summer!
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Camera Obscura kanye nehlombezayo
549 CastlehillA family favourite, especially getting lost in the mirror maze! Get in in good time as it gets busy especially in the summer!
Worth walking the length from the Castle to the Palace on a nice day, stopping to watch a street entertainer or grab a coffee or bite to eat. Great chance to pick some souvenirs along the way.
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Izinto zokukhethwa kwamantombazane e-Royal Mile
Worth walking the length from the Castle to the Palace on a nice day, stopping to watch a street entertainer or grab a coffee or bite to eat. Great chance to pick some souvenirs along the way.
Nice spot, reliable and varied menu, Reasonably priced.
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The Outsider Restaurant
15-16 George IV BridgeNice spot, reliable and varied menu, Reasonably priced.
Your local loose foods, organic healthy and happy shop. If you're living your zero waste life this is the 'supermarket' for you - it's a short walk across the Meadows.
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The New Leaf Co-op
23 Argyle PlYour local loose foods, organic healthy and happy shop. If you're living your zero waste life this is the 'supermarket' for you - it's a short walk across the Meadows.
Great cosy little place serving perfectly aged Scotch beef from Tweeddale in the Borders. Portions are generous, service attentive but gentle and you'll want to stay a while.
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Buffalo
12-14 Chapel StGreat cosy little place serving perfectly aged Scotch beef from Tweeddale in the Borders. Portions are generous, service attentive but gentle and you'll want to stay a while.
Brewhemia
1A Market StA beer hall worth visiting
All sorts of things go on at Summerhall - a culture & arts event space come village. There's Pickering Gin distillery and Barnerys Brewery plus all sorts of events - have a look at their website for what's on during your stay.
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Summerhall
All sorts of things go on at Summerhall - a culture & arts event space come village. There's Pickering Gin distillery and Barnerys Brewery plus all sorts of events - have a look at their website for what's on during your stay.
THe Grassmarket is wortha visit in its own right especially so you can walk up (or down) Victoria Street - a personal favourite. There is a farmers market there every Friday 10 til 5pm. Get your veg, flowers and handcrafted goods.
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Grassmarket
10 GrassmarketTHe Grassmarket is wortha visit in its own right especially so you can walk up (or down) Victoria Street - a personal favourite. There is a farmers market there every Friday 10 til 5pm. Get your veg, flowers and handcrafted goods.
Food scene
Great fresh made noodle takeaway. You can order online and pop round to collect - it’s only a few minutes walk away
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Red Box Noodle Bar
51 W Nicolson StGreat fresh made noodle takeaway. You can order online and pop round to collect - it’s only a few minutes walk away