Edinburgh is a majestic ancient city in Scotland, crowned by a castle on a granite rock that rises high above the streets.But the atmosphere of the city hides behind the historical surroundings.In museums and galleries you can spend time during the day, and closer to the night - sit in a pub, go to a club, theater or a restaurant with a view of the harbor.
HOW TO GET
Edinburgh International Airport is located 12 km west of the city.It accepts flights not only from all over England, but also from continental Europe, Ireland and some cities in North America.The duration of the flight from Moscow, excluding connections, is about 4 hours.
The airport has an information office, storage room, ATMs, currency exchange, shops and restaurants, car rental offices and Wi-Fi.You can get there by Lothian Buses Airlink service 100 from Waverley Bridge, which is located at the exit of the railway station.One-way fare 3.5-5.30 GBP, round-trip around 10 GBP, journey time 30 minutes, departures every 10-15 minutes, tickets can be purchased from the driver.The bus stops at West End and Haymarket along the way.You can get there by taxi, the cost is 22-30 GBP, the journey takes 20 minutes.
In addition, you can get to Edinburgh from Glasgow Airport, it is located only 100 km to the west.Scottish Citylink bus number 905 connects the airport and Glasgow Buchanan bus station, where you can change to bus number 900 to Edinburgh (GBP 15-18.40, journey 2 hours, departs every 15-30 minutes).The prices on the page are indicated for October 2018.
Glasgow is also accessible by First ScotRail, journey time 50 minutes, departures every 15 minutes, fare £12-15.
On the bus
Edinburgh Bus Station is on the north-east corner of St Andrew Sq, with entrances from the square and Elder St.There is an information office, wi-fi, a storage room.
On the train
The main railway station of Edinburgh - Waverley (Waverley Bridge), is located in the heart of the city and receives trains from all over the country.Another station, Haymarket (Haymarket Tce), serves as a stop and departure point for westbound trains.Tickets can be purchased from the Edinburgh Rail Travel Center (4.45-00.30 Mon-Fri, 7-00.30 Sun) at Waverley Station.
DISTRICTS OF EDINBURGH
Simply Town (town, from the English "city") is medieval Edinburgh with its Royal Mile, which leads from Holyrood Palace to the castle.This is the most interesting district of the city for tourists.
New Town (respectively, "new town") is the second half of the historic center, which earned the prefix "new" for its 18th-century buildings.It is also the commercial center of Edinburgh, which is respected by shopaholics from all over the world for the number and quality of shops.
Stockbridge and Canonmills (Stockbridge and Canonmills) is located next to New Town, there are also interesting shops and the best place to relax in the city - the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Edinburgh/East - Portobello beach area and the historic village of Duddingston.Edinburgh/South is a popular part of the city for students, as there are plenty of places to eat and, more importantly, drink.The famous chapel of Roslyn, which is described below, is also located here.Edinburgh/West attracts with its zoo and (for connoisseurs and amateurs) Murrayfield rugby stadium.
TRANSPORT
The city's public transport is represented by Lothian Buses, which cover most of the center of Edinburgh, and First Edinburgh - in the suburbs and villages near the city.The route schedule can be found at each stop.The cost of travel around the city is 1.5 GBP (children under 5 are free, from 5 to 15 - 0.7 GBP).The drivers of Lothian buses do not give change, they need to pay a strictly defined amount, but First Edinburgh are more loyal to tourists confused in unfamiliar pieces of paper and give them change.But Lothian Buses also offer a day pass for 5 GBP, which gives you the right to an unlimited number of trips during the day, the ticket is bought from the driver.There are also night buses in the city, departures once an hour from midnight to 5 am, the fare is 3-5 GBP.
By taxi
Edinburgh's fancy black cabbies can be hailed on the street, ordered by phone (+£0.5-0.8 per call) or found in the car park.However, it is worth bearing in mind that this form of transport is very expensive: a minimum fare of £2.1 (£3.1 at night) per boarding plus the first 450m, then £0.25 for every 240 yards (220m).In other words, a typical 2 mile (3.5 km) trip around the city center will cost you 6-10 GBP minimum.
On a bicycle
Even though Edinburgh is full of hills and climbs, it's a very bike-friendly city if you follow the rules.First, you should not forget about traffic that is not typical for Russia, and secondly, you must comply with local requirements: turn on the lantern in the evening, do not drive on a one-way street in the opposite direction, do not run a red light, do not drive on lawns.Local "bobby" police have the power to fine careless cyclists up to 40 GBP.And otherwise, a beautiful marquise, the pleasure of cycling around Edinburgh is truly incomparable.
There are offices of many international rent-a-car companies in the city, but the best prices are in small local agencies.
"Royal Edinburgh Ticket" is a great opportunity to see as many sights as possible and save money.It allows you to visit 3 popular sights of the city: Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse and the royal yacht Britannia.The ticket is valid for two days.Ticket price: 55 GBP, concession (for pensioners over 60 and students): 48 GBP, child (5-15 years): 30 GBP.
HOTELS
Inexpensive hostels are concentrated in the Cowgate Area, at the bottom of the Royal Mile and its alleys.Guesthouses and small hotels are scattered all over the city, but the most are around Newington Road and Minto Street on the south side and on Pilrig Street and Newhaven Road in Leyte.Both of these areas are located within a 20-minute walk from the city center and are connected to it by bus routes.
ENTERTAINMENT AND SIGHTS
The Balmoral Hotel with a giant clock on the tower (symbol of the city), Edinburgh Castle and the so-called "Royal Mile" (Royal Mile) leading from the castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse (the former palace of Mary Stuart, and now the residence of the Queen of England).In the center of the city is Princes Street, where the famous Scottish Monument and the National Art Gallery are located."King Arthur's Throne" rock rises not far from the palace.
Gland Stone Land is a shopkeeper's house built in the 17th century, where the setting and interior have been preserved in their original form.On the first floor there is a reconstructed small shop with goods of that time, and on the upper floor there is an apartment furnished in the spirit of the 17th century.
The Scottish Monument is a monument to the writer, more like a church, one of the most famous sights of Edinburgh.In the center of the city there is a 60-meter statue of Sir Walter Scott and his dog Maida.
Other sights of Edinburgh: Church of St. Margaret, Castle Rock, the royal residence in Scotland, the church of St. Housing, the Scottish Parliament building, the Royal Museum, museums of modern history and the history of Scotland.
Galleries of the city: Fruitmarket, Talbot Rice, Scottish Gallery of Modern Art, National Portrait Gallery, Museum of Scotland.A walking tour of the historic center of Edinburgh, a tour of Roslin Chapel and the royal yacht Britannia, a tour of Stirling Castle.
In Edinburgh, for an additional fee (GBP 15), you can visit the Plant Chapel, richly decorated with symbolic sculptures and frescoes depicting Bible stories, the time of the Knights Templar and the Masonic Society.Now, thanks to Dan Brown's novel The Da Vinci Code, it has become even more popular among tourists, because it is where the action of the last chapter of the novel takes place.
SHOPPING
The main shopping avenue of the city is Princes Street (New Town), which is located north of the castle.It runs through almost the entire city center, from the railway station to Lothian Road.There are large shopping centers (musical HMV, Topshop and H&M), as well as tourist-oriented souvenir shops and shops.George Street runs parallel to this street, which is also famous for its shopping and restaurants.
On Cockburn Street in the Old Town you can find "alternative" Princes Street benches with Scottish music and kilts, pyrisng-accessories and "subcultural" clothes.The Royal Mile, especially on the hill near the castle, is an ideal place for shopping for Scottish-themed souvenirs: postcards, magnets, whiskey, kilts and bagpipes.
A special pleasure to walk through the Grassmarket (Old Town).Not so much because of the shops and cozy bars located here, but because of the charming views of the castle and cute houses.Multrees Walk (or simply The Walk) is home to expensive brands Vidal Sassoon, Armani, Vuitton, Harvey Nichols or Calvin Klein (New Town).
CAFES AND RESTAURANTS
Scotland is whiskey. So, when going to Edinburgh, it is worth setting aside a couple of hours to visit The Scotch Whiskey Heritage Centre, which is located at the top of the Royal Mile.Here, tourists will be given an unforgettable tour, told about the history and origin of whiskey, methods of distillation, types of malt and, of course, will be given a chance to try it.You can also buy a bottle or two to take home here: more than 200 types at very reasonable prices.
In general, it is very difficult to advise any institution in Edinburgh, they all differ in good quality of food and, of course, beer.Many traditional Scottish pubs can be found in Grassmarket Square (there aren't many locals here, but there are plenty of tourists).
If the romance of the Middle Ages has had enough, but you still want a beer, you can go to the modern bars of Edinburgh, George Street and George IV Bridge.You can listen to music and go dancing in clubs in Cowgate and Lothian road, for example, in Base, Gig and Diva.Other popular local youth venues include Opal Lounge, Shanghai, Bacaro, GHQ, The Hive, Octopussy (Thursdays at HMV Picture House) and Why Not.
On the pedestrianized Rose St, there are many pubs where you can have a cheap bite.And in Chippy's establishments you can taste hamburgers, blood sausage and "haggis" - the national Scottish dish made of lamb shanks.
