The summer months are an ideal time to visit Edinburgh. Here's a list of some places you won't want to miss! The weather is usually warm and pleasant and because it doesn’t get dark until well after 9pm there is plenty time to explore the city or to enjoy a slow afternoon in one of its many green spaces. And, as the days get warmer and the nights longer, Edinburgh’s unique vibe, charm and originality really comes to life. In fact, as a visitor of the city you could feel a bit spoiled for choice in terms of the range of events, exhibitions and experiences on offer. Here’s a few of our most favourite things to do in Edinburgh in the summertime… Holyrood Park is just a short walk from the Royal Mile and spans 640 acres. It’s located right next to Holyrood Palace and the Scottish Parliament and the highest point in the park is Arthur’s Seat, an ancient volcano that sits 251m above sea level. Nearby, Carlton Hill has views across Edinburgh’s old town and various monuments at the top including an incomplete acropolis, originally built as the National Monument of Scotland, this has contributed to Edinburgh earning the nickname ‘Athens of the North’. For a more leisurely stroll, you can pick up the riverside Water of Leith walkway from the city centre, through the picturesque villages of Dean and Stockbridge, past the National Scottish Gallery of Modern Art and ending up in the historic port of Leith. Leith also boasts an impressive foodie scene that includes Michelin-star restaurants, vibrant cafes, cool bars and great options for casual and takeaway dining. Edinburgh is not just about cobbled streets, ancient volcanos and open green spaces… we also have beaches… and our favourite has to be Portobello! Portobello Beach, a few miles from the city centre is a charming seaside suburb, with two miles of sand making it perfect for wild swimming, walking and, well, just chilling. Look out also for the stunning Victorian swimming pool situated right on the promenade, which features an original Turkish baths. Of course, this is just a glimpse of what our city has to offer, the best way to really get to know it is to explore it for yourself. And if you join us for the 2023 University of Edinburgh Summer School you’ll have the chance to do just that! Explore our courses and apply! This article was published on 2024-08-30
