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When Americans think of a trip to Europe, they usually think of places like Paris and its grand Haussmann-era architecture, Amsterdam’s picturesque canals, or London, with its red telephone boxes, iconic double-decker bus, and landmark-packed embankment.
Those are indeed iconic destinations, but oftentimes, they don’t offer that immersive experience many crave when planning a Transatlantic getaway: you know, old as it may be, it’s not like London’s skyscraper-dominated skyline is giving exactly ‘medieval’.
If it’s fairytale castles and a virtually unchanged 15th-century cityscape you’re dreaming of, perhaps this is where you should be jetting off to instead:
Bye, London… Hello, Magical Edinburgh
To the north of the United Kingdom, some 331 miles from London, Edinburgh is the hilly capital of Scotland, sitting on the shores of the Firth of Forth, which flows directly to the North Sea, and as you can see from the pictures, something out of a whimsical dream.
According to Resonance, a consultancy firm ranking 100 European cities based on livability, ‘lovability’, and prosperity, Edinburgh ranks at number 18, ahead of tried-and-true city breaks like Hamburg in Germany, Dublin in Ireland, and Istanbul in Turkey.
It is particularly praised for its architecture, plethora of museums, and world-famous Fringe Festival, the largest in the performance arts category, set to return in August—if you love experimental plays and discovering up-and-coming comedians, you know where they’ll be.
Still, you may be wondering, what else has the ‘Auld Reekie’ got to offer, and how exactly does it rank so high on Resonance’s list?
Edinburgh Is One Of Europe’s Best-Preserved Medieval Cities
Considering it is a national capital, Edinburgh is pretty compact and surprisingly idyllic, with no obvious ‘business’ districts in sight, none of its southern counterpart London’s buzzing traffic, and higher levels of walkability.
If you love exploring on foot, especially around historical places that feel like an open-air museum, then you’ll love Edinburgh:
It is primarily split between a medieval Old Town, distinguished by its dark sandstone buildings, conical roofs, and soaring church spires, and imposing Edinburgh Castle, and a Georgian-era ‘New’ Town, dotted with palatial buildings and lush gardens.
Must we add that ‘New’ is fairly old by American standards: most of the buildings in the New Town, lying at the foot of the hill the original city was built on, date back to the 18th century.
As you go back and forth between both areas, make sure you stroll up the Royal Mile, a cobblestone walk cutting through the heart of Old Edinburgh, linking the modernist Scottish Parliament to Edinburgh Castle, and lined with beautiful townhouses.
So This Is What Makes The Capital Of Scotland A Great City Break
One of the best cheap eats in town is, in fact, right on the Mile: if you’re ever craving generously-filled pork sandwiches (topped with crispy pork skin), do pay Oink (by Canongate) a visit.
Other must-see spots include St. Giles, a magnificent 12th-century cathedral, topped with what looks like a stone-made crown, Edinburgh Castle itself, one of Britain’s most impressive strongholds, home to the Stone of Destiny, formerly used in the coronation of Scottish rulers, and The Writers’ Museum:
Housed in Lady Stair’s House, a 133-year-old edifice, it celebrates the lives and contributions of three Scottish writers, Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson.
Speaking of writers, if you ever read Harry Potter as a child, you’re probably aware J. K. Rowling drew much of her inspiration for Hogsmeade, and other Wizarding World fantasy locations, from Edinburgh’s timeless moyenâgeux aesthetics.
Perhaps this is our cue to tell you that, as an avid fan, you can even go for some coffee and a classic scone with clotted cream and jam at the Elephant House, the cozy cafe where Rowling wrote the first books in the franchise.
What About The New Town?
As you make your way to the New Town, via the winding stone-paved lane flanked by colorful shopfronts, Victoria Street, your gaze is likely to be diverted to the Balmoral.
A landmark five-star hotel opened in 1902, it is a Scottish Baronial icon with detailed stonework and a 58-meter clock tower. The tower looms over the neighboring Edinburgh Waverley, the city’s main train station, and Princes Street Gardens.
Whilst the Old Town feels like stepping back in time some 500 years, the New Town is comparatively livelier and more modern. It has wider streets that accommodate cars, a busy tramway, and a higher concentration of commercial buildings.
Don’t miss out on the Scott Monument, a sole-standing, Victorian Gothic structure, directly opposite the Balmoral, George Street, an elegant thoroughfare best known for its high-end shops and restaurants, and for sunset, head up to Calton Hill, where a breathtaking panorama of Edinburgh awaits.
Our Favorite Hidden Spots In Edinburgh Away From The Crowds
Away from both the Old and New Town, there are numerous hidden spots to escape the crowds and experience a more laid-back side of Edinburgh.
Dean’s Village is one of our favorites. A peaceful neighborhood originally settled as a miller’s village, it runs along the Water of Leith, a watercourse flowing through central Edinburgh. With its riverside townhouses and scenic promenade, it’s truly something out of a storybook scene.
For a taste of a real, grittier Edinburgh, however, the one with authentic pubs that serve traditional Scottish grub and craft beers, the edgy urban art scene, and a creative atmosphere, take a local bus further out of the historic center to Leith, a vibrant working-class area.
Can’t get enough of Edinburgh’s medieval charm? Craigmillar Castle is a lesser-known medieval fortress, one of Scotland’s best-preserved. Built in the 14th century, it has very few visitors compared to Edinburgh Castle.
It is also a short 2.5-mile walk to Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano rising 823 feet above sea level, easily accessible via several tourist-friendly hiking trails, with varying levels of difficulty:
The easiest path to climb is definitely the Dunsapie Loch route. This gentle ascent commands great views of the lush-green hills, Edinburgh, and the North Sea in the distance. Its starting point is off Queen’s Drive, close to Holyrood Park.
How To Get To Edinburgh From America
The best thing is, Americans can fly nonstop to Edinburgh (EDI) from as many as 8 U.S. cities!
You can find the full list of available flights, their frequency and average duration, and how much round-trip tickets cost roughly when booked in advance below:
| Departure point | Airline(s) | Frequency | Flight duration | Av. roundtrip price |
| New York (JFK) | Delta Air Lines, JetBlue | Daily | 7h10 | $468–$934 |
| Newark (EWR) | United Airlines | Daily | 6h45 | $481–$581 |
| Boston (BOS) | Delta Air Lines, JetBlue | Daily | 6h20 | $563–$744 |
| Philadelphia (PHL) | American Airlines | Daily (May 24–October 5) | 7h55 | $647–$725 |
| Washington (IAD) | United Airlines | Daily | 8h06 | $456–$734 |
| Chicago (ORD) | United Airlines | Daily | 8h48 | $462–$734 |
| Atlanta (ATL) | Delta Air Lines | Daily | 9h23 | $734–$926 |
| Orlando (MCO) | Virgin Atlantic | 2 flights a week (Wednesday and Saturday) | 9h44 | $764–$926 |
Vinicius Costa
Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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