Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is one of the most enchanting cities in all of Europe. If you ever wanted to live in an ancient city, with architecture straight out of Harry Potter, where everybody has a great accent, this is the city to visit. While it is still not on the level of London, in terms of prices, Edinburgh is quickly becoming more and more expensive. If you want to gawk at some of the best and most expensive districts in the city, we have just the list for you:
Leith
Leith used to be a separate city, some distance away from Edinburgh, but due to urban sprawl, it is now a suburb of the capital. As an old port town, Leith has old architecture and a small-time feel, while being well connected to the rest of the city. If you want to experience the charm of the smaller Scottish towns while being within walking distance of a Starbucks, this area is worth a visit. Here you won’t find much in terms of tourism, except for the Royal Yacht Britannia which you might want to see, but having a walk in the surroundings and enjoying one of the small restaurants and cafes is worth experiencing.
New Town
The New Town of Edinburgh is not so new, despite the name, and was mainly built around 1767 and 1850. It’s located in the city center, north of Old Town, and is home to many the shopping boutiques and stores. You can also take a stroll down Princes Street if you are in the mood to spend some money. Besides its commercialization, the New Town also has the Scott Monument and Georgian House which have some history. However, what really makes this area great to live in are the many bars and restaurants and things to do. It is filled with amenities, but still preserves some of the great Edinburgh architecture.
Portobello
Portobello is another suburb of Edinburgh, that is located some distance away from the city center, but still only a few minutes away by car. This coastal town is a great beach spot for whenever the weather is nice, but also has some of the city amenities that one might expect from Edinburgh. Besides vacationing in the summer, there isn’t too much you can do while here. There are some nice cafes and restaurants, but what really sets Portobello apart is the beach, which is a welcome and fun place to visit. Edinburgh is usually considered to be dull and grey, but here you have some more diversity.
Old Town
Old Town, together with New Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in the middle of Edinburgh. As the name suggests, it’s an old area where people have lived for many years and there is great and rich architecture to be found here. There are also many touristy landmarks, like the Edinburgh Dungeon, the St Giles’ Cathedral, and the National Museum of Scotland. If you are just visiting Edinburgh for a few days, this is likely where you will spend most of your time. There is more to do and see here, besides the touristy stuff, and many of the nightclubs, restaurants and entertainment venues of Edinburgh are here.
