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Thinking about taking a trip to EDINBURGH?
Don’t know where to start?
Read below for some tips on where to visit during your stay!
Here are some MUST-DO things to do to make the most out of your trip to Edinburgh!
1.) Climb Arthur’s Seat
Okay, yes, this is a very classic touristy thing to do in Edinburgh, but I would definitely say IT’S WORTH!
If hiking is not your thing, maybe this isn’t the activity for you, but the view at the top of Arthur’s Seat is INCREDIBLE.
Also, climbing Arthur’s Seat is the perfect way to get some steps in after eating your heart out in Edinburgh!
Unfortunately, I went on a day when the path was EXTREMELY wet and muddy, so my shoes definitely took a BIG HIT, but being able to climb that steep hill, watch the sun set in the distance over the city, and breathe the fresh air are things I remember WAYYY MOREE than my dirty shoes.
If you do happen to go on a day when it’s muddy (or not), make sure you wear the right shoes for traction and support! Also would be a good idea to bring some water with you too!
2.) Eat at Dishoom for some AMAZING Indian food
Dishoom is inspired by the Irani cafes that were once abundant in Bombay (now known as Mumbai).
My experience at Dishoom was so amazing I had to go a second time before leaving Edinburgh.
Both times I went, Dishoom was PACKED with people.
I went in with the expectation that the food and atmosphere would be overrated, but I was COMPLETELY WRONG.
My sister and I ordered:
-Okra Fries (YES YES YES! A must-get! Super crispy and kind of addicting to munch on while you wait for your other food to arrive)
-Vegetable Samosas (We got these SUPER FRESH! Flakey pastry outside that makes for a nice crisp! Careful when you bite into these because the pea and potato filling is HOT!)
-Pau Bhaji (Okay, you HAVE to try this! Probably our FAVORITE dish during our whole stay in Edinburgh!)
-Garlic Naan (Great, quality naan. If you don’t like garlic naan, you’re missing out)
-Awadhi Lamb Biryani (Lamb was very tender and the combination of spices worked very well)
-Salli Boti (Another INCREDIBLE dish they have at Dishoom! The buttered roti on the side and the crunchy crisp-chips on top make this dish so ridiculously packed with flavor and different textures)
I tried some of the most AMAZING dishes at Dishoom, and whether or not you’re a fan of Indian cuisine, I highly recommend at least giving this place a try.
Website: https://www.dishoom.com/edinburgh/
3.) Try some authentic FISH AND CHIPS at Bertie’s Proper Fish & Chips
There are MANY places to get your hands on some fish and chips in Edinburgh, but I definitely recommend trying Bertie’s Proper Fish & Chips!
Let me start out by saying their portions are HUGE!
My sister and I ordered the battered cod with twice-cooked chips and tartare sauce.
We were expecting maybe 3 or 4 small pieces of battered cod, but we actually got ONE HUGE FILLET of battered cod!
I’m typically not a fan of tartare sauce, but this sauce was perfect for the crispy, yet tender fillet of fish. You can definitely tell how fresh the fish is at this place because there is no fishy odor, and the fillet was perfectly firm and smooth.
I can’t speak for all of the food at Bertie’s Fish & Chips, but I can genuinely say that they do their fish and chips REALLY WELL.
Also, their restaurant is really spacious with a lot of cute decor, so getting a table shouldn’t be too much of a hassle.
Website: https://www.bertiesfishandchips.com/
4.) Visit the Christmas Market
I visited a few Christmas markets in France, but I think the one in Edinburgh is my favorite!
Literally, every square inch of this place is decked out in twinkly Christmas lights and holiday-themed decorations.
There are dozens and dozens of petite cottages where different vendors sell almost everything imaginable from homemade soaps and candles to Christmas ornaments to seasonal liqueur and MORE!
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Even if you’re not interested in buying any knick-knacks, walking through the Christmas Market during the evening time is a MUST!
My personal suggestion is to grab a nice, THICK freshly-made Belgian waffle with nutella! They make them SO FRESH, and eating it in the cold air makes it feel extra special.
The Christmas Market is also home to numerous carnival rides, so don’t be afraid to try some out if they’re calling your name!
Admission into the market is always free, but the rides, food, and souvenirs unfortunately are not.
5.) Grab some drinks at Copper Blossom
This bar was recommend to me by a friend, so of course I was extremely interested in checking it out.
I think this place definitely has to be one of the most beautifully decorated bars I have ever seen so far.
The entrance to the bar is a small, quaint hallway covered with vines and decorated with copper embellishments. To add to its mystical glow, white orbs of light hang from the ceiling as you walk through the hallway to the front door.
Inside, Copper Blossom brings in lots and lots of natural light during the day and gives off ethereal, contemporary fairy tale vibes at night.
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The same effort and time they take to make their bar look picturesque is also present in their drinks!
Copper Blossom definitely focuses on preparing fresh, vibrant, and colorful drinks to delight your eyes and your tastebuds!
Website: https://www.copperblossom.com/
6.) Take a stroll through Dean Village
After a nice, filling meal, taking a stroll through Dean Village is the perfect way to kill some time in the afternoon.
Walking around Dean Village will only take about 30 minutes, but it’s especially peaceful and worth seeing!
Dean Village is a rustic, residential area in Edinburgh that sits along a quiet and tranquil stream.
The village is a great place to take some cute pictures with the scenic water and the vintage-style cottages in the background.
Each building and cottage boasts its own unique structure and color palette for a quaint ambiance sure to bring you some peace away from the bustling streets of Edinburgh.
7.) Have TEA TIME!
One thing my sister and I were DETERMINED to do in Edinburgh was to have TEA.
But not just regular tea, we wanted BOUGIE tea with the fancy 3-tier array of perfectly cut finger sandwiches and elegant pastries KIND OF TEA.
In Edinburgh, there are MANY places to have tea time, and after much debate on which place we should go to, we finally settled on having tea time at The Dome.
When I tell you this place was EXQUISITELY decorated, I am NOT exaggerating at all.
I think my eyes actually lit up when I first stepped into the building because of how beautiful everything was.
Everything inside The Dome was incredibly ornate with humongous bouquets of flowers with sparkling embellishments, decorated Christmas trees both small and large to fit every corner (with even some hanging from the CEILING), and twinkling multi-colored lights to fill the room.
Tea Time at The Dome was truly one of the highlights of our trip to Edinburgh! With the unlimited tea AND the 3-tier assortment of finger food, there was really nothing to complain about.
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