The first day is all about settling in. Our hotels are short walk from both Haymarket and Waverley Train station. Check-in, explore your room and the rest of the hotel, then head out to explore your new ‘hood. If you’re in at Apex City of Edinburgh or Apex Grassmarket Hotel, hop over to Cold Town and enjoy a drink on their rooftop terrace, taking in the incredible views of Edinburgh Castle and the Grassmarket, or take a walk from Apex Waterloo Place up to Calton Hill and enjoy a drink and unrivalled views at The Lookout.
It’s time to get to know Edinburgh’s Old Town. Start your day with the big players, head to Edinburgh Castle (you’ll want to book your tickets in advance), afterwards take a stroll down the Royal Mile towards Holyrood Palace and the Scottish Parliament at the base of Arthur’s Seat. A trip to Edinburgh’s Dungeons gives you a great flavour of life in Edinburgh in centuries gone by, and the Harry Potter Walking Tour will add a sprinkle of magic to your exploring! A quick pit stop for a slice at one of Edinburgh’s best pizza places, Civerinos, or a famous pulled pork roll from Oink on Victoria Street will keep you going throughout the day, and you’ll be taking in some of the city’s most interesting streets as you go. Get your culture vulture hat on for the afternoon and visit the National Museum of Scotland. If the sun comes out to play, end the day with a coffee watching the world go by at The Meadows.
Time to get out of town and head East! Travel by train or car to the coastal town of North Berwick (about 40 minutes by car) and enjoy a day by the seaside. Spend the morning wandering around the National Flight Museum, and exploring the streets of this quaint seaside town. Lunch is the main event up these neck of the woods – head to The Lobster Shack for fresh caught lobster right on the harbour. If travelling by car, a pit stop on your way back through Gullane for a stroll along the beach and an ice-cream doesn’t go a miss.
Today your heading over the Edinburgh’s New Town. A wander through Princes Street Gardens sets you up for the day. As well as the enjoying the main shopping streets, Princes Street, George Street and Multrees Walk, a walking tour around the most beautiful streets of Edinburgh is a great way to explore this side of town. Stop for a bite to eat at any one of the city’s independent bars or restaurants on Thistle Street, before walking down to explore Stockbridge, an area north of the city, packed with great cafes, bars and restaurants. It’s also a magpie’s heaven and home to some of the city’s best charity shops. Back up near Princes Street you’ll find National Portrait Gallery for another culture hit and The Scottish National Gallery, both easy places to get a lost for a few hours.
You’ll want to enjoy your final hotel lie in, and no doubt another delicious breakfast, but if your travel plans allow, there’s still time to explore one last bit of the city. Head to Leith by way of the Water of Leith, a pathway leading right through the city to the docks. The best part? You’ll end up at Mimi’s Bakehouse, and it would be foolish not to enjoy one of there insta-famous slices of cake.
If you like the sound of this but you’ve not already secured your hotel, book a stay with us today. Stay for four nights or more and get one night free, or seven nights or more and get two nights free. Stay for longer and experience more this summer.