Bed and breakfast, airbnb and holiday apartments in Edinburgh

From the moment you catch a glimpse of Edinburgh Castle which dominates the hilly skyline, you will be captivated by this city's ancient beauty. Edinburgh is famously compact, which means its attractions can be accessed in a very short time from any hotel room or apartment. From a room with a view at the peak of the cities hills, to a luxury holiday rental to carry on indulging yourself after a whiskey tour, there is the ideal accommodation on any budget which is just waiting to be selected.

When to visit Edinburgh?

Edinburgh has a reputation for grey clouds and rainy climates, but there really is no month where you can avoid it, so you are better to just embrace it! The northern temperatures do start to improve around April to September, which make these the busiest months in the city. For a quieter trip however, choose to visit Edinburgh in December when the Christmas market takes over the cobbled streets, where you might even see some snow on the ground.

How to get to Edinburgh?

Edinburgh is situated on the east coast of Scotland and can be accessed by driving north from the neighbouring country of England. For visitors beyond the UK however, Edinburgh is most easily accessible by air, with international flights landing at Edinburgh Airport. The cities airport is one of the largest in the UK, and the busiest in Scotland, as it handles over 12.3 million visitors annually, and welcomes passengers from companies such as American Airlines, Lufthansa and AirFrance. Once you land at Edinburgh Airport, you can reach the centre in under half an hour, and it is most easily accessed from an express bus service which runs every ten minutes. Many visitors choose to visit Edinburgh as part of a wider trip across Scotland, and why not? This is a great opportunity to see some of the country's many landmarks in one go. You can travel from your holiday apartment in Glasgow by train to the heart of Edinburgh in less than an hour, while a trip from your accommodation in Aberdeen will take approximately 2 and a half hours.

How to get around in Edinburgh:

For a capital city, Edinburgh is incredibly compact, and can be lightly covered on foot in just a few hours, meaning whatever holiday accommodation you choose, the tourist attractions are never too far away. For visitors who do not want to battle the many hills, Edinburgh has a foolproof bus service, with frequent and reasonably priced busses which will take you almost everywhere you could want to visit in the city.

Where to stay in Edinburgh?

The Royal Mile

The Royal Mile really is as grand as the name suggests, as choosing your holiday accommodation in this prestigious district will allow you to wake up in a room with a view of the Scottish Parliament, the cathedral, and of course, the iconic Edinburgh Castle. Securing an apartment in this sought-after district is only a few clicks away with Likibu, so indulge yourself in historic Edinburgh and book one today.

Stockbridge

If you want a taste of the cities arty scene, but still want a luxury holiday accommodation to return back to at the end of a culture filled day, then choose a bed and breakfast in the bohemian neighbourhood of Stockbridge. A holiday rental in this opulent district will also place you a short walking distance from the Botanical Gardens, for the days when the Scottish rainclouds disappear above the city.

Leith

Leith is the hipster hangout for Edinburgh' coolest residents, so choose a reasonably priced homestay or youth hostel, and spend the rest of your savings experiencing Edinburgh' most quirky traits. It is, after all, one of the only places you sample two of the biggest Scottish trademark beverages, Irn Bru, and whiskey.

The Grassmarket

If you are missing the authentic European buzz of cafes which spill onto cobbled streets, then The Grassmarket is the perfect place to choose holiday apartment in Edinburgh. Sleeping in The Grassmarket will leave you only a stone's throw away from some of the city's most iconic bars and restaurants, meaning you can enjoy everything Edinburgh's nightlife has to offer, right into the early morning.

What activities to do?

Edinburgh Castle

Perhaps the most famous, and prominent attraction in the city, Edinburgh Castle is simply unmissable, both as a tourist attraction, and quite literally, as the fortress dominates the historic Edinburgh skyline. Choose a tour guide from one of the castles actors to highlight that it is a castle which is steeped in history, dating as far back as the Iron Age. Even if you don't go inside the castle walls, a walk up to the castle will deliver unmissable panoramic views of the rest of the city.

The Royal Yacht Britannia

If this yacht is good enough for the royal family, it is good enough for anybody, which is maybe why this attraction has been voted Best Attraction for 12 years in a row and has been awarded a perfect 5 stars on Trip Advisor UK. Visiting the water palace will leave you in awe at the floating splendor and will give you the chance to spend time exploring waterside Edinburgh. If you have chosen a holiday rental in the diverse district of Leith, you are staying in the yachts neighbourhood, so be sure to find time to visit this worldwide famous attraction.

Arthur's Seat

It is traditional for visitors to take the 250-metre-high hike to the peak of Arthur's Seat, where they can wash their face in the dew which has collected in the seat, so remember to pack your hiking gear, and embrace Edinburgh's wild and natural side. Just remember to take an extra-long shower in your holiday accommodation to get rid of the mud.

Museum of Scotland

Filled with the country's biggest exhibitions, and natural history collection, the museum of Scotland is unmissable for visitors travelling to Edinburgh with children. For those less interested in the history, but more in the cities architecture, the museum is still an essential hotspot, as the splendour of the building itself is one of Edinburgh' best kept secrets. Be sure to leave your holiday rental or hotel room early however, as the museum can get busier as the day goes on, particularly in peak summer months.

Go on a whiskey tour

You don't need to know much about whiskey, but you can't leave the city without at least sampling one. For those who are into the flavours and inspiration behind the iconic beverage, spend an evening on one of Edinburgh's many whiskey tour's. You can set out on a walk which covers some of the greatest whiskey bars, or you could go behind the scenes of the whiskey making process at a local distillery. Either way, you will probably be hitting snooze in your hotel room or holiday rental that next morning.

Calton Hill

As beating heart of Edinburgh's culture and party scene, Calton Hill is no stranger to a tourist crowd, as throughout the day, they can be spotted photographing the view of city, and throughout the night, they flock to the many playhouses and cocktail bars. Stay in an apartment, and live like a local, to make the most of this vibrant hotspot, and stay out until dawn, knowing your bed is only a short hop away.

Luxury shopping in the New Town

Sure, Edinburgh is a historic town with features which which date back through the centuries, but that doesn't mean that the New Town has had to be sacrificed. Some of the biggest names in and fashion have chosen Edinburgh's New Town as their home, from departments such as Harvey Nichols, to designer boutiques which are dotted around the district. The New Town is a shopper's haven, so why not make the most of this retail paradise, and splurge on a luxury holiday rental or hotel room to make your accommodation as memorable as the shopping.