Where to Stay in Edinburgh 2025: From Castle Views to Hidden Gems
Discover Edinburgh's best accommodations from atmospheric Old Town hostels to elegant New Town hotels. Navigate Festival prices and find your perfect Scottish base for 2025.
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Where should I stay in Edinburgh?
The best area to stay in Edinburgh depends on your budget and interests. Old Town is ideal for History lovers and first-time visitors wanting authentic Edinburgh atmosphere with prices around £120-250/night. Budget travelers should consider hostels in New Town (£18-45/night), while luxury seekers will find excellent options in Grassmarket (£300-700+/night).
Related questions:
- • What's the cheapest area in Edinburgh?
- • Is Edinburgh safe for solo travelers?
- • When should I book hotels in Edinburgh?
Essential Edinburgh Accommodation Info
TL;DR: Stay in Old Town for first-time visitors, book 2-3 months ahead, budget £60-110-£110-250 per night for good value.
- 1 Budget accommodation in Edinburgh ranges from £18-45 for hostels to £60-110 for budget hotels
- 2 Best neighborhoods include Old Town, New Town, Grassmarket
- 3 Book 2-3 months in advance for best rates, especially during August (Festival Season), Hogmanay (New Year), June-September
- 4 Mid-range hotels (£110-250) offer the best value for most travelers
- 5 Consider location carefully - staying centrally saves on transport costs
💰 Edinburgh Accommodation Prices 2025
Prices vary by season, location, and booking timing. Peak season rates can be 50-100% higher.
Edinburgh, Scotland's magnificent capital, offers accommodations as dramatic as its skyline. From £18 hostel beds with castle views to £900 luxury suites on Princes Street, the city provides options for every traveler exploring its medieval streets and Georgian grandeur. The challenge isn't finding somewhere to stay - it's choosing between a atmospheric Old Town guesthouse steps from the Royal Mile or an elegant New Town hotel near designer shops. Whether you're here for the world-famous festivals, whisky pilgrimages, or Harry Potter magic, I'll guide you through Edinburgh's diverse neighborhoods to find your perfect Scottish sanctuary for 2025.
Best Edinburgh Hotels by Category
🕯️ Most Atmospheric Stay: The Witchery by the Castle
£395-650/night • Gothic luxury suites in 16th-century building
Location: Royal Mile
Why it's great: Theatrical interiors, steps from castle, lavish breakfast, unforgettable romantic experience
🏰 Best Budget Location: Castle Rock Hostel
£20-50/night • Historic hostel with unbeatable castle views
Location: Old Town
Why it's great: Prime Royal Mile location, castle views from lounge, great atmosphere, fantastic value
🎩 Best New Town Elegance: The Principal Edinburgh George Street
£150-280/night • Georgian grandeur in the heart of New Town
Location: George Street
Why it's great: Beautiful period features, central shopping location, afternoon tea tradition, refined comfort
🏮 Best Boutique Value: Grassmarket Hotel
£100-180/night • Modern boutique hotel in historic market square
Location: Grassmarket
Why it's great: Vibrant location, rooftop terrace, local character, great pubs and restaurants nearby
Quick Comparison of Top Accommodations
The Witchery by the Castle
Features:
Pros:
- + Prime location
- + Great value
- + Excellent service
Cons:
- - Can be pricey
- - Book early
Castle Rock Hostel
Features:
Pros:
- + Prime location
- + Great value
- + Excellent service
Cons:
- - Can be pricey
- - Book early
The Principal Edinburgh George Street
Features:
Pros:
- + Prime location
- + Great value
- + Excellent service
Cons:
- - Can be pricey
- - Book early
Grassmarket Hotel
Features:
Pros:
- + Prime location
- + Great value
- + Excellent service
Cons:
- - Can be pricey
- - Book early
| Accommodation | Price | Location | Features | Pros | Cons | Best For | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Witchery by the Castle ★ 4.5 | £395-650/night | Royal Mile | Theatrical interiorssteps from castlelavish breakfastunforgettable romantic experience |
|
| Most Atmospheric Stay | View |
| Castle Rock Hostel ★ 4.5 | £20-50/night | Old Town | Prime Royal Mile locationcastle views from loungegreat atmospherefantastic value |
|
| Budget Location | View |
| The Principal Edinburgh George Street ★ 4.5 | £150-280/night | George Street | Beautiful period featurescentral shopping locationafternoon tea traditionrefined comfort |
|
| New Town Elegance | View |
| Grassmarket Hotel ★ 4.5 | £100-180/night | Grassmarket | Vibrant locationrooftop terracelocal charactergreat pubs and restaurants nearby |
|
| Boutique Value | View |
Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Edinburgh
🏰Old Town
The medieval heart centered on the Royal Mile, with cobbled streets, hidden closes, and the iconic castle looming above.
Best for:History lovers and first-time visitors wanting authentic Edinburgh atmosphere
Average cost:£120-250/night
Vibe:Atmospheric, touristy, historically immersive
Pros:
- Castle and Royal Mile access
- Medieval character
- Ghost tours
- Traditional pubs
🏛️New Town
18th-century planned neighborhood with Georgian architecture, upscale shopping on George Street, and refined dining.
Best for:Shoppers and luxury seekers preferring elegance over medieval charm
Average cost:£140-300/night
Vibe:Sophisticated, orderly, cosmopolitan
Pros:
- Designer shopping
- Fine dining
- Georgian architecture
- Princes Street Gardens
🍺Grassmarket
Historic market square below the castle, now filled with pubs, restaurants, and independent shops with a bohemian edge.
Best for:Young travelers and night owls wanting central location with character
Average cost:£90-180/night
Vibe:Lively, historic, slightly alternative
Pros:
- Great nightlife
- Castle views
- Local atmosphere
- Central location
🌿Stockbridge
Charming neighborhood with village atmosphere, Sunday market, independent shops, and excellent restaurants.
Best for:Couples and foodies seeking local Edinburgh life away from tourists
Average cost:£80-160/night
Vibe:Relaxed, artistic, authentically local
Pros:
- Sunday market
- Local cafes
- Peaceful
- Water of Leith walks
⚓Leith
Edinburgh's regenerated port with Michelin-starred restaurants, trendy bars, and maritime history.
Best for:Foodies and travelers wanting Edinburgh's hippest neighborhood
Average cost:£70-150/night
Vibe:Trendy, multicultural, gastronomic
Pros:
- Amazing restaurants
- Lower prices
- Royal Yacht Britannia
- Local scene
Staying in Old Town
Pros
- Castle and Royal Mile access
- Medieval character
- Ghost tours
- Traditional pubs
Cons
- Can be pricey
- Tourist crowds
- Limited parking
Staying in New Town
Pros
- Designer shopping
- Fine dining
- Georgian architecture
- Princes Street Gardens
Cons
- Can be pricey
- Tourist crowds
- Limited parking
Budget Hotels & Hostels in Edinburgh
Edinburgh offers excellent hostel options and good-value hotels, though prices skyrocket during August's festivals. B&Bs provide authentic Scottish hospitality at reasonable rates year-round.
Top Hostels (£18-45/night)
Budget Hotels (£60-110/night)
Premier Inn Edinburgh City Centre
Great value, central location
When to Book: Seasonal Price Guide
Edinburgh's accommodation prices vary dramatically with festivals and seasons. August sees extreme demand, while winter offers cozy atmosphere at fraction of summer prices.
🔥 High Season: August (Festival Season), Hogmanay (New Year), June-September
August Festival season sees prices triple with minimum stays required. Book 6+ months ahead or expect to pay premium. Hogmanay also commands top rates. Summer generally busy but manageable.
💰 Low Season: November-March (excluding Hogmanay)
Winter brings 40-60% savings with cozy pub atmospheres and potential snow-capped castle views. November and February offer exceptional value. March sees early spring with fewer crowds.
Essential Booking Tips for Edinburgh
⚠️ Book Festival Accommodation NOW
Edinburgh Festival (August) accommodation sells out by February. Prices triple, minimum stays apply, and even hostels charge premium rates. Book 6-12 months ahead or consider staying in Glasgow with train commute.
ℹ️ Old Town vs New Town Choice
Old Town offers medieval atmosphere but involves hills, cobbles, and crowds. New Town provides Georgian elegance with flatter terrain and better shopping. Both equally central - choose based on style preference.
💡 Consider Airbnb for Longer Stays
Edinburgh has excellent Airbnb options, particularly in residential areas like Stockbridge and Bruntsfield. For stays of 4+ nights, apartments offer better value than hotels, especially for families or groups.
✅ Airport Bus Makes Location Flexible
The Airlink 100 bus connects the airport to the city center in 30 minutes for £4.50. This reliable service means you can stay anywhere centrally without worrying about expensive airport transfers.
Getting Around Edinburgh
Edinburgh's compact center makes walking the best option for most sightseeing. The Royal Mile connects the castle to Holyrood Palace, with most attractions within easy reach. Be prepared for hills and cobblestones - comfortable shoes essential! The excellent bus network covers the entire city with night buses for late returns. Trams connect the airport to city center via Princes Street. For Festival season, book restaurant tables in advance and expect crowds everywhere. Many hotels offer luggage storage if arriving before check-in. The hop-on-hop-off bus provides good overview and transport between spread-out attractions. Weather changes quickly - layers recommended year-round.
Frequently Asked Questions About Edinburgh Accommodation
1 What's the average hotel cost in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh hotels average £120-200 per night in 2025. Budget options cost £60-110/night, mid-range hotels £110-250/night, and luxury properties £300-700+/night. Prices double during August Festival season and Hogmanay.
2 Should I stay in Old Town or New Town Edinburgh?
Old Town offers medieval charm near the castle and Royal Mile but can be touristy and hilly. New Town provides Georgian elegance with better shopping and dining. Both are walkable and well-connected, so choose based on your style preference.
3 When is Edinburgh accommodation most expensive?
August during the Edinburgh Festival sees prices triple with limited availability. Hogmanay (New Year) also commands premium rates. Best value is November-March excluding holidays, when hotels offer 40-50% discounts.
4 Are Edinburgh hotels walkable to attractions?
Yes, Edinburgh's compact center makes most attractions walkable from central hotels. The Royal Mile connects major sights, though Old Town involves steep hills and stairs. New Town and Grassmarket offer flatter terrain with easy access.
What's the average hotel cost in Edinburgh?
Should I stay in Old Town or New Town Edinburgh?
When is Edinburgh accommodation most expensive?
Are Edinburgh hotels walkable to attractions?
Final Thoughts
Edinburgh captivates visitors with its dramatic blend of medieval mystery and Georgian elegance. Your accommodation choice shapes your experience - Old Town for history and atmosphere, New Town for sophistication and shopping, or trendy neighborhoods like Leith for local flavor. While Festival season demands planning and premium prices, the electric atmosphere justifies the cost for many. Off-season visitors enjoy a more intimate Edinburgh with cozy pubs, manageable crowds, and excellent value. Whether you choose a castle-view hostel or Georgian townhouse hotel, Edinburgh's compact size ensures you're never far from its magic. Book early, pack layers, and prepare for one of Europe's most enchanting cities.
Next stop on your journey? Check out our guide to where to stay in Bath !
Helpful Resources
About the Author
Marco Castelletti
A Rome native with a passion for European culture, Marco has spent two decades exploring every corner of the continent. His architectural background gives him unique insights into Europe's historic cities, while his foodie soul ensures readers find the best local trattorias and hidden wine bars. Currently based in Barcelona, he splits his time between writing and leading cultural tours.
