Where to Stay in Edinburgh, Scotland: Best Areas & Hotels for Every Budget
From cobblestoned Old Town to trendy Leith – here’s exactly where to stay in Edinburgh based on your budget, travel style, and what you actually want to do.
Quick Answer - Where Should You Stay?
Is Edinburgh Hard to Navigate as a First-Timer?
Edinburgh is one of Europe’s most rewarding cities to visit and one of its most confusing to book accommodation in. The city is relatively compact, but choosing the wrong neighbourhood can mean spending your holiday on buses when you could be walking to everything on foot.
Here’s the honest truth: most visitors should stay in Old Town or New Town. These two areas sit either side of Princes Street Gardens and between them cover virtually every attraction, restaurant, and experience Edinburgh is famous for.
But that’s not the whole story. Depending on your travel style, budget, and what you’re actually looking for, one of the other neighbourhoods i.e Stockbridge, Leith, or Haymarket might suit you perfectly. This guide breaks it all down so you can book with confidence.
And before you arrive if you’re wondering what to wear in Edinburgh’s unpredictable weather and social scenes, check out our Dress Code Decoder tool. It tells you exactly what to wear for any occasion, from a Michelin-starred dinner in Leith to a casual afternoon on the Royal Mile.
Best Areas to Stay in Edinburgh
| Area | Best For | Ratings | Walkability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Town | First-timers, sightseeing, history | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Walk everywhere |
| New Town | Shopping, style, Georgian architecture | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Walk everywhere |
| Stockbridge | Local atmosphere, boutique charm | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 15-min walk to centre |
| Leith | Foodies, trendsetters, waterfront | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Tram/bus to centre |
| Haymarket | Budget, transport links, short stays | ⭐⭐⭐ | 20-min walk or tram |
Old Town - Best for First-Timers & Sightseeing
If this is your first time in Edinburgh Old Town is the neighbourhood that makes the city feel like nowhere else on earth. Cobblestone closes, medieval tenements, dark wynds (narrow alleyways), and the volcanic rock that Edinburgh Castle sits on: this is the Edinburgh you came to see.
The Royal Mile — the spine of Old Town running from Edinburgh Castle down to the Palace of Holyroodhouse is the city’s most iconic street. It’s touristy in the best possible way: lined with whisky shops, tartan traders, traditional pubs, and historic closes that branch off into hidden courtyards. Victoria Street, curving down from the Royal Mile, inspired JK Rowling’s Diagon Alley and it’s just as magical in person.
Stay here and you can walk to virtually every major attraction. Edinburgh Waverley Station (the main rail hub) sits between Old Town and New Town, and the tram to the airport is a short walk away.
✅ Why Stay Here
- Walking distance to Edinburgh Castle, Grassmarket, Royal Mile
- Unbeatable atmosphere -medieval, authentic, cinematic
- Best pub scene in the city
Easy access to Waverley Station & airport tram - Accommodation for every budget
⚠️ Worth Knowing
- Most expensive area to stay
- Busy and noisy during festival season
- Hilly – some steep walks between sights
- Limited parking (not ideal if driving)
New Town - Best for Shopping, Style & Georgian Grandeur
Don’t be fooled by the name – New Town was built in the 18th century. What makes it feel “new” is the contrast with Old Town: wide Georgian streets, elegant sandstone terraces, and a slightly more refined, less chaotic atmosphere.
Princes Street is Edinburgh’s main shopping boulevard, running along the northern edge of the Princes Street Gardens with views south to the castle. George Street — one block back — is lined with upscale bars, restaurants, and boutiques. This is where Edinburgh dresses up.
New Town is slightly cheaper than Old Town for accommodation and still within easy walking distance of everything. It’s ideal for travellers who want a central location without the full tourist immersion of the Royal Mile.
✅ Why Stay Here
- Slightly cheaper than Old Town
- Beautiful Georgian architecture
- Best shopping in the city
- Excellent restaurant and bar scene on George Street
- Still walking distance to Old Town sights
⚠️ Worth Knowing
- Less atmospheric than Old Town at night
- Can feel more corporate / less characterful
- Princes Street itself is quite commercial
Stockbridge - Best for Local Atmosphere & Boutique Charm
Stockbridge is Edinburgh’s best-kept secret – and the neighbourhood most Edinburghers would choose for themselves. Sitting just north of New Town, it has a completely different feel to the rest of the city: quieter, greener, more village-like, and almost entirely free of tourist crowds.
The Water of Leith Walkway runs through Stockbridge, giving it a genuinely peaceful, almost countryside feel despite being 15 minutes’ walk from Princes Street. The Sunday farmers’ market is one of the best in Scotland, and the independent cafés, bookshops, and delis along Raeburn Place are the kind of places Edinburgh locals spend their weekends.
This is the best place to stay in Edinburgh if you’ve visited before, want to live like a local, or simply want to escape the Royal Mile crowds at the end of the day.
✅ Why Stay Here
- Authentic local neighbourhood feel
- Beautiful, leafy, peaceful streets
- Excellent independent restaurants and cafés
- Sunday Stockbridge Market
- Still 15 minutes’ walk to city centre
⚠️ Worth Knowing
- Fewer hotel options than central areas
- Slightly further from main sights
- Uphill walk back from city centre
Best Hotels in Stockbridge Edinburgh
Leith - Best for Foodies, Waterfront Stays & Trendy Vibes
Twenty years ago, Leith was Edinburgh’s rough port district — an area most tourists were told to avoid. Today, it’s one of the most exciting neighbourhoods in Scotland. Gentrification has been thorough and the results are spectacular: Michelin-starred restaurants, craft cocktail bars, independent galleries, and a genuine creative energy that the city centre can’t quite replicate.
The Shore is Leith’s waterfront strip – a row of restaurants and bars along the Water of Leith where people sit outside even in Scotland’s questionable weather. The Royal Yacht Britannia is berthed here, and the neighbourhood’s converted warehouses and Victorian merchant buildings give it an architectural character entirely its own.
Leith is about 2 miles from Old Town – a 15-minute tram ride or a scenic 30-minute walk along the Water of Leith. Stay here if the restaurant scene matters more to you than being steps from the castle.
🍽️ Read This First
If you’re staying in Leith, you need to know where to eat. We’ve covered the best restaurants in Edinburgh in detail — including the best spots in Leith — in our dedicated guide: Where to Eat in Edinburgh: The Only Restaurant Guide You Need →
✅ Why Stay Here
- Best restaurant and food scene in Edinburgh
- Waterfront location – genuinely beautiful
- Trendy, creative, non-touristy atmosphere
- Royal Yacht Britannia is here
- Tram connects directly to city centre & airport
⚠️ Worth Knowing
- Further from main sights – you’ll use the tram daily
- Some parts still rough around the edges
- Limited hotel options compared to central areas
Best Hotels in Leith Edinburgh
Haymarket - Best for Budget Travellers & Transport Links
Haymarket sits just west of New Town – close enough to walk to Princes Street in 20 minutes, but far enough from the tourist epicentre to offer significantly cheaper accommodation. It’s not the most glamorous neighbourhood in Edinburgh, but it’s practical, well-connected, and home to some of the city’s best value hotels.
Haymarket Station – Edinburgh’s second-largest rail hub – sits here, making it an excellent choice if you’re arriving by train from Glasgow or the west of Scotland. The tram stop is also nearby, giving you direct access to the airport and Leith.
This is the best area in Edinburgh for budget travellers, business visitors on a tight expense account, or anyone who’d rather spend their money on food and experiences than on premium accommodation.
✅ Why Stay Here
- Cheapest hotels near the city centre
- Haymarket Station for rail connections
- Tram access to airport and Leith
- 20-minute walk to Princes Street
- Less touristy, more local feel
⚠️ Worth Knowing
- Not as charming as other areas
- Further walk to Old Town sights
- Limited dining options immediately nearby
Best Hotels in Edinburgh by Budget
If you know your budget but haven’t decided on an area yet – here’s a cross-area breakdown of the best Edinburgh accommodation at every price point.
⚖️ Mid-Range Hotels in Edinburgh (£80–£200/night)
💰 Budget Hotels in Edinburgh (Under £80/night)
🍽️ Already Know Where You’re Staying?
Next up – figure out where to eat. We’ve tested Edinburgh’s best restaurants across every neighbourhood and every budget. Read our Edinburgh Restaurant Guide →
Practical Tips Before You Book Your Edinburgh Hotel
• How Many Nights Do You Need in Edinburgh?
Minimum: 3 nights. Edinburgh is small enough to cover in a long weekend but rich enough to justify a week. Three full days lets you cover Old Town, New Town, a day trip, and still have time for dinner somewhere decent. Four to five days means you can add Leith, Stockbridge, and maybe a trip to the Scottish Highlands.
• Best Time to Visit Edinburgh
May, June, and September are the sweet spots – good weather (relatively speaking), fewer crowds, and reasonable accommodation prices. August is Edinburgh Fringe season – the city is electric but absolutely packed, and prices can triple. Book months ahead if you’re going in August. December is magical for the Christmas market but cold and busy. January and February are the cheapest months and genuinely atmospheric in the city’s historic quarters.
• Getting Around Edinburgh
If you’re staying in Old Town or New Town — you can walk almost everywhere. Edinburgh’s main attractions are within a 20-minute radius of each other. The tram covers the east-west axis well (airport → Haymarket → city centre → Leith). Buses fill in the gaps. You won’t need a car — in fact, parking in central Edinburgh is expensive and stressful.
• Are There Areas to Avoid in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh is a safe city by most standards. There’s no neighbourhood tourists should genuinely avoid. Some outer areas like Craigmillar and Wester Hailes have higher deprivation statistics, but visitors have no reason to end up there. Leith, which had a rough reputation historically, is now thoroughly regenerated and perfectly safe – especially around The Shore and commercial areas.
Use common sense at night in any city – stick to lit streets, don’t leave valuables visible, and you’ll have no issues anywhere in Edinburgh.
👔 One More Thing – What to Wear in Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s social scene has surprisingly varied dress codes – from smart-casual gastropubs in Stockbridge to formal dining rooms in New Town to the laid-back creative bars of Leith. If you’re unsure what to wear for any occasion during your trip, use our Dress Code Decoder tool – enter the occasion and it tells you exactly what to wear.
FAQs
What is the best area to stay in Edinburgh for tourists?
Old Town is the best area for most first-time tourists. It puts you within walking distance of Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Grassmarket, and the National Museum of Scotland. It’s atmospheric, central, and has accommodation at every price point. New Town is a close second – slightly cheaper and equally central, with better shopping and a more refined feel.
What are the best places to stay in Edinburgh, Scotland for couples?
For couples, The Witchery By The Castle in Old Town is the most romantic option in the city – Gothic suites right at the castle gates. For something more intimate and less dramatic, Nira Caledonia in Stockbridge or The Raeburn offer beautiful boutique experiences in a quieter setting. Leith’s Malmaison and Fingal Hotel also appeal to couples who want something different and atmospheric.
Is it better to stay in Old Town or New Town Edinburgh?
Both are excellent choices and they’re only 10 minutes apart on foot. Old Town wins on atmosphere, history, and proximity to the main tourist sights – but it’s more expensive and can be noisier. New Town wins on shopping, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere. For first-time visitors: Old Town. For returning visitors or those who value style and Georgian architecture: New Town.
Where can I find cheap hotels in Edinburgh near the city centre?
Haymarket has the best concentration of cheap hotels near Edinburgh city centre – including Point A Hotel, Four Points by Sheraton, and Moxy Fountainbridge. In Old Town, Ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge offers budget-friendly rates in a central location. Yotel Edinburgh in New Town is also excellent value. Hostels like Castle Rock Hostel (Old Town) and Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel offer the cheapest options of all.
How many days should I spend in Edinburgh?
At minimum, 3 full days. This gives you enough time to cover Old Town (Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, Grassmarket), New Town (Princes Street, Georgian streets), and either a day trip to the Scottish Highlands or an afternoon in Leith. Four to five days is ideal – you can go deeper into each neighbourhood, visit Arthur’s Seat, and explore Stockbridge properly.
Is Edinburgh expensive for accommodation?
Edinburgh is one of the more expensive UK cities for hotels – particularly in August during the Fringe Festival when prices can triple. Outside of festival season, you can find good mid-range hotels for £80–£150 per night in central areas. Budget options start from around £30 per night (hostels) to £60–80 (budget hotels in Haymarket). Booking 3–4 weeks ahead outside of August usually secures good rates.
Is it worth staying in Leith, Edinburgh?
Yes – especially if you’re a foodie, a returning visitor, or someone who prefers a non-touristy neighbourhood. Leith has transformed into one of Scotland’s most exciting restaurant and bar scenes, the waterfront is genuinely beautiful, and the tram connects you to the city centre in under 15 minutes. The Fingal floating hotel is also one of the most unique accommodation experiences in the UK.
