Day one
Morning
Arrive with comfy shoes and lots of energy. It’s easy to make your way from the airport by tram or to take a short walk from Haymarket or Waverley train station to any of our Edinburgh hotels.
Unpack and take a stroll to visit Calton Hill just along from Apex Waterloo Place Hotel. A short climb and you’ll be amazed with 360° views of the city.
Afternoon
Head up to Edinburgh’s trendiest shops and bars on George Street. Shop ‘til you drop in stores such as Jenners, make your way over to Harvey Nichols in St. Andrew Square or indulge in the designer stores on Multrees Walk - the list of places to shop is endless.
An afternoon of shopping deserves a treat. Pop in to Apex Waterloo Place Hotel, just off Princes Street, for a delicious Afternoon Tea and a glass of Prosecco to relax.
Evening
Whether you’re staying with us in the West End, New Town or Grassmarket, take some time to relax and unpack before dinner. Edinburgh is packed full of restaurants for all tastes. From Mediterranean to Indian to Chinese and Italian, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
One of our favourites is The Witchery on the Royal Mile. The restaurant is unique and daring, delighting taste buds with Scottish ingredients until late each night. Much loved by locals, The Witchery offers fine Scottish dining and is known for its exceptional service.
The Royal Mile includes a variety of ghost and history tour companies. After dinner, check out The Real Mary King’s Close or take a Mercat Tour. Both offer award-winning guided tours exploring Edinburgh’s hidden and haunted past.
Day two
Morning
After a great night’s sleep in one of our dreamy beds, you’ll wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. We take breakfast seriously here at Apex and offer up a wide range of delicious continental and cooked items - the best fuel for a day exploring. If you’re up early, take the bus down to Leith (number 35 opposite Museum of Scotland near Apex Grassmarket Hotel or number 22 at the back of Apex Waterloo Place Hotel) and enjoy brunch at Mimi’s Bakehouse with an award-winning cupcake or pastry as a sweet treat.
Catch the number 35 bus back up into town and get off opposite the parliament, this takes about 20 minutes. From here, take a hike up Arthurs’ Seat, Edinburgh’s dormant volcano. At 251m above sea level, your climb is rewarded with stunning views of the city and the Forth River. Leave a few hours in your schedule to make your way there and enough time to climb then appreciate the showstopping views.
Afternoon
An afternoon spent exploring Edinburgh’s Old Town is not to be missed on your city break. History buffs will definitely want to pay a visit to Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile. Edinburgh Castle is a famous icon on a World Heritage Site and includes guided and audio tours, plenty of interesting history and even a Crown Jewel shop. Venture out on to the Royal Mile to visit traditional Scottish shops and boutiques and choose a souvenir to take home.
Evening
Celebrate on your last night in Edinburgh with a trip to the theatre. Whether you’re with the girls, family or on a romantic break, Edinburgh Playhouse offers a variety of shows year round. Previous shows have included The Lion King, Jersey Boys, Billy Elliot and Mamma Mia and tickets are available at atgtickets.com. Mamma Roma just across the road offers a delicious and reasonably priced pre-theatre menu with friendly, fast service to make sure you’re on time for your show.
After the show, stop in at one of Edinburgh’s trendy bars for late night drinks. We love the wide selection on George Street, but our favourite is Hoot the Redeemer on Hanover Street, between George Street and Princes Street. This quirky 1950’s style funfair offers alcoholic ice cream and a make your own cocktail machine!
Whatever you choose to do in Edinburgh, you know that you'll get a dreamy night's sleep and warm welcome when you stay with us. Explore our Edinburgh hotels.
