I can’t quite pinpoint what was so magical about Edinburgh; perhaps the old, windy cobblestone streets, the historic building at every turn or the ever-present and stunning, Edinburgh Castle. My time in Edinburgh was quick; almost a mere blip in time but it was magnificent. From the moment I landed at the airport, walked outside and saw ‘Edinburgh’ all in lights – I was in love.
I stayed in Kickass Hostels location just outside of Grassmarket Square on West Port. It was hands down the most convenient location I’ve ever stayed at. It also had a view of Edinburgh Castle from the hostel window (bonus!). The hostel was clean, cute and even had a bar, restaurant, and café. The washrooms were clean and the lockers were secure. There was even an outlet at every single bed (even the top bunks!). If you’re planning a trip to Edinburgh – stay here.
The location of my hostel was ideal and allowed my friend and I to explore the city on foot. We packed a lot into our short stay. Our first stop was Arthur’s Seat – an absolutely breathtaking hike and the best place for panoramic views of the city. On one side you can even see the ocean in the distance. The entire city opens up in front of your eyes. This is a must for the outdoor, adventure seeker on any trip. Be sure to snap some stunning photos at the top.
We stopped into The Elephant House for some writing time and a quick bite. Did you know that The Elephant House is where J.K. Rowling wrote most of the first Harry Potter book? Amazing! It was pretty cool to say that I sat in the very café where J.K. Rowling’s life was about to change. My friend and I put our writing skills to the test as we wrote postcards to friends and family at home. The little café is definitely a popular, busy spot but it’s well worth the trip. The food was delicious and a great spot for a snack or maybe to write the next best-selling book?
The rest of our time was spent wandering the historic streets of Edinburgh. The Edinburgh Castle is beautiful although we did not go inside. From the bagpipers busking on the streets to the cute little souvenir shops, there’s definitely something for everyone. We also did one of the underground city walks, which ended up being super interesting, and a great history lesson but also terrifying (although I do get scared quite easily). Of course, we also had to sample some Scottish whiskey and visited a couple traditional pubs.
To this day, Edinburgh is still one of my favourite cities that I’ve visited. There’s something special about this city that will stay in my heart forever. I can’t wait to visit again! Have you been to Edinburgh? What was your favourite part of your trip? Let us know in the comments below. We can’t wait to hear from you!
Let us know what you think!