Expectations about Edinburgh were high, end every minute spent there approved them. I must admit that high expectations. rarely give good time, but hey sunny Edinburgh?! Top of the game. I thought that finding accommodation would be a problem, but it turns out early September is perfect time for cheap trills in the city. The students haven’t returned yet which gives plenty of empty airbnb rooms, and our host, restored my trust in AirBnb.

The flight from Berlin to Edinburgh felt super quick, and getting from the airport to the city centre by bus, even quicker. First the view on the castle amazed us, and secondly stopping at super sunny St. Andrew Square.

Our Airbnb was less than 10 minutes walking from St. Andrew Square, and situated in the New Town. I was shocked when I learned that the so called New Town area was build in the 18th century. The streets looked amazing, clean, spacious, houses with flowers and colourful doors, but yet another shock was when we saw that people also live two levels below the street.
Our host told us that Edinburgh is very safe, and suggested that we can have our window open even though we were on the ground floor. I think that this statement gave a lot of meaning on our whole Scottish trip.

We began exploring in the Stockbridge area, because we wanted to test the newly opened Lannan bakery, of course they were sold out and we could only have mortadella sandwich, and filtered Obadiah coffee to go, and both were amazing. Then we continued along Raeburn street or the busy area according to google maps, and there was everything on this street, from charity shops, to pie joints, pubs, fashion retailers and hairdressers, but it all looked so cozy. I added many spots on my want to go list for my next visit to Edinburgh.

Our next steps were towards the sightseeing spots aiming for the Edinburgh Castle. We reached the Royal Mile and then the entrance to the castle, but since we were so casual all the tickets were sold out, and we had to buy for the next day. Usually we do not do 100% tourist stuff, but this felt like a must. Book your ticket in advance not only avoiding the sold out risk, but also to ensure better price. Our change of plans lead us to the most famous street in Edinburgh, Victoria street or the so called Harry Potter street, and then the Grassmaret Square, which for me felt as the most tourist spot after the two previously mentioned one. The place is full of pubs, there was crafts market as well, but the real hidden gem that is in the are is the Edinburgh Castle Viewpoint Photo spot, favourite among newly weds.

Maybe Victoria street is the most famous, but my personal favourite from the Old town was the Cockburn Street. It has everything Victoria street has, except the colours, but even more cool spots for food, coffee and whiskey. Shops as well.
The most famous food in Edinburgh are Haggis and we followed the recommendation of our host, and ended up at Arcade Bar that specializes in Haggis & Whiskey. I would describe Haggis as upside down Shepherd’s pie.

Edinburgh is known as city on 7 hills, the lowest being Calton Hill, around 15 minutes walking from the old town and the highest Arthur’s seat, but if you do not have time for hiking, the first one gives equally nice views on the city, and it is as well home of the unfinished wannabe Pantheon monument.
The tiredness was kicking in and we started weighting, should we take a walk along the canal towards Leith, go check out another pub or take a nap, and explore in the night. The decision was number 3. We are either getting old or smart.

We checked some of the busy streets of the city Gorge and Rose street being our main point, but then we decided to extend the feet towards the south of town and ended up at Wild Cat Cocktail Bar. Interesting and worth trying it. And we ended the night in the city bus with all the students.
What I really liked about the public transport in Edinburgh, that you just tap your payment card and you are good to go. So carefree.

The route at day two started similarly to day one, just know at the local Stockbridge Market. Markets are my favourite, so I am biased when saying a must visit, but there were so many new foods to try, that I was impressed. Then on the way to the Royal Mile we stopped by Lannan again, and this time we had a focaccia. Amazing as well.
We were wandering without agenda figuring out cute courty yards and streets like the Dublin Meuse for example, had a coffee at Fortitude Cafe, and wanting to only check out the Portrait Museum cafe, we ended up spending almost two hours in the museum itself.
Many museums and galleries in Edinburgh are free of charge, inform yourself about the ones you want to visit.

And finally it was time for the Edinburgh Castle. The views from it are amazing, especially if you are lucky and have blue sky above you. I think we spent 2.5hours in the castle, and I think we were pretty detailed in our sightseeing. We even waited 20 minutes in line to see “the stone” & “the crown”, the only down side was that the cafe and restaurant were closed during a pivate event, everything else very educative and interesting, said from the history non-fan.

Somebody wanted to have whiskey again so we repeat Arcade Bar, I opted for the Edinburgh gin, and for window shopping. and then the tram took us to Leith.
Leith was on our list because of two reasons. I had a recommendation for the place called Toast and particularly for the Seafood Chowder Soup with an egg, but they were also closing not according to their google maps times, plus they had daily changing menu, so chances of chowder were low, and secondly because the barista from earlier today, recommended the Malt & Hops bar here .
However we ended up having full late lunch at Fishers and I was first time introduce to the cup of soup in a restaurant concept. Great one I must say. The fish was yum, the crab burger not really, but the sticky toffee pudding, was out of this world. I would definitively recommend this place a lot, but go for the traditional options and avoid crab, and then our 3 miles journey towards the city center along the canal started.

The morning after was time to leave, the inital plan was to have a breakfast at Artisan roast but we changed our mind and picked a sunny side cafe. From here we needed around 15 minutes to the Central Railway Station where we took the train to Glasgow. After around 90 minutes we were there, and the very hot and sunny weather, gave impressions as if you are somewhere else, and not on the rainy island.
We didn’t have so much time to explore Glasgow as we like, due the fact that the city is very spread around, so we did the central basics, Buchanan street, and the bustling streets towards Charing Cross station, had a glims of live by the river Clyde and took the train to pick up our camper van.
In my head we had time for the Hidden Lane area, and Glasgow green, but my head has too many plans.
However we enjoyed admiring the George Town Square and sharing a moment with the locals.
The city is super hilly, so dont trust the average timing to get somewhere on foot, unless you are going downwards.
When we came back we only had time for delish lunch at the Meat Joint Steakhouse, which was 10/10

When we arrived i gave a spoiled kid comment, that maybe we are not experiencing the city “as it should” since we are having the best weather, but from the perspective of having 30 minutes of rain in the highlands, i must admit i feel blessed.
I know Edinburgh is favourite of many, but personally for me a weekend was enough, next time when I would have the opportunity to visit Scotland I’d rather go for the unseen regions like Aberdeen, the Speyside area or even Glasgow. But definitively a must visit city, and I forgot to mention another why. Because all the people were so friendly, ready to chat, but not in a way that it makes you feel uncomfortable.