Discover Edinburgh’s 200 best Local Soul spots for your trip

Portobello Beach

★ 4.6 · 6,967 reviews

Escape the city for Portobello Beach, Edinburgh's classic seaside stretch on the Firth of Forth. Walk the sand, follow the promenade, and warm up with a drink at one of the front-facing tea shops.

Leith Links

★ 4.4 · 2,425 reviews

Wander onto Leith Links, the broad green heart of Leith and a former golf course. Stroll the open lawns, watch locals play football or tennis, and let the kids loose on the new playgrounds.

Sandy Bell's

★ 4.5 · 1,504 reviews

Discover Sandy Bell's, a small, friendly pub where Scottish folk music fills the room most nights. Pull up a seat with a real ale or a single malt and enjoy the informal sessions alongside the locals.

Corstorphine Hill

★ 4.8 · 41 reviews

Escape to Corstorphine Hill, a wooded local retreat on Edinburgh's western side. Follow gravel paths through trees and rocky sections, then look out over the Firth of Forth from the top.

Dominion Cinema

★ 4.8 · 1,845 reviews

Settle into the Dominion Cinema, a 1938 Art Deco gem in Morningside. Catch a mainstream film in plush, old-fashioned comfort and take in the cafe-bar and period details before the lights go down.

Marchmont

Step off the tourist trail into Marchmont, a tenement-lined district south of the Meadows. Stroll its Victorian streets and pause at an independent café to see how locals live.

Figgate Park

★ 4.6 · 1,311 reviews

Walk the paths of Figgate Park, a local green space around a large pond in Edinburgh's east. Look out for swans and ducks, and stop at the picnic tables.

The Meadows

★ 4.7 · 7,589 reviews

Cross The Meadows, Edinburgh's big, tree-lined park just south of the Old Town. Follow the shaded paths, spot the Processions memorial, and join the locals picnicking or running across the grass.

Stockbridge

Wander Stockbridge, a village-style corner of Edinburgh beside the Water of Leith. Browse independent shops and delis, then pause at a café before following the riverside path.

Blackford Hill

★ 4.9 · 141 reviews

Head up Blackford Hill, a local favourite and nature reserve with a gentle climb. Wander between grassland and trees, watch for buzzards, and settle at a viewpoint for Edinburgh's skyline at sunset.

Leftfield

★ 4.7 · 337 reviews

Settle in at Leftfield, the Edinburgh bistro that locals treat as their neighbourhood favourite. Share a short menu of carefully cooked dishes alongside wines selected with obvious care.

Water of Leith Walkway

Follow the Water of Leith Walkway for a peaceful riverside escape inside Edinburgh. Stroll beside the flowing water through shaded green corridors, at your own pace, in roughly two relaxed hours.

Broughton Street

Stroll Broughton Street, the independent-minded strip on the edge of Edinburgh's New Town. Browse antique and vintage shops and clothing boutiques, then settle into a café or restaurant for a relaxed lunch or evening.

Nile Valley Cafe

★ 4.7 · 845 reviews

Grab a wrap at Nile Valley Cafe, the budget favourite Edinburgh's students swear by. Order the Thuri Best at the counter and eat quickly and cheaply before heading back out.

The Cumberland Bar

★ 4.4 · 905 reviews

Discover The Cumberland Bar, an old-school gastropub with real ales and a relaxed beer garden. Settle in for a proper Sunday roast or a quiet pint in an easygoing local setting.

Nauticus

★ 4.8 · 601 reviews

Discover Nauticus, a ship-inspired pub in Leith with dark panelling and glittering chandeliers. Pick a dram or a craft cocktail and settle into the cosy, convivial atmosphere.

Craigmillar Castle Park

★ 4.6 · 200 reviews

Stroll through Craigmillar Castle Park, a quiet green corner of south-east Edinburgh. Follow the woodland paths, let children loose on the playground, and wander around the castle ruins.

Victoria Park

★ 4.5 · 1,213 reviews

Stroll through Victoria Park in Leith, a friendly local park with something for every age. Let the kids try the play equipment, then wander past interesting trees and the garden areas in the evening light.

The Wee Red Bar

★ 4.3 · 146 reviews

Discover The Wee Red Bar, a small, inclusive bar-club tucked inside Edinburgh's university. Catch a live gig or a DJ set in a cosy room that locals and students call their own.

Portobello

Escape to Portobello, Edinburgh's easygoing seaside suburb on the Firth of Forth. Walk the promenade, stroll the sandy beach, and finish with a coffee or ice cream by the water.

Snax Cafe

★ 4.6 · 1,002 reviews

Find Snax Cafe tucked down an Edinburgh alley, where the chalkboard menu mixes breakfast, burgers and curry. Grab a toastie or panini at the counter and eat alongside the locals on their lunch break.

Spylaw Park

Seek out Spylaw Park, a hidden-gem green space that locals know well. Take a 45-minute stroll through its quiet, attractive grounds and enjoy a peaceful pause from the city.

The Mosque Kitchen

★ 4.1 · 2,236 reviews

Pop into The Mosque Kitchen on Nicolson Square for a cheap, filling curry among locals and students. Pick a vegetarian or meat curry with rice and eat in the busy, informal canteen.

Teuchters Landing

★ 4.6 · 4,077 reviews

Discover Teuchters Landing, a cosy dockside pub in Leith with a big whisky and beer list. Settle in with a hearty plate of haggis or fish and chips and a well-poured drink by the water.

Sneaky Pete's

★ 4.1 · 304 reviews

Discover Sneaky Pete's, a loud and compact Edinburgh club where new bands and DJs keep the room buzzing until late. Squeeze in close for an intimate gig or dance to a hard-driving set.

The Bow Bar

★ 4.6 · 2,783 reviews

Discover The Bow Bar, a compact, no-frills pub devoted to cask beer and single malt whisky. Let the bartenders guide you through a dram or a pint, with a hot pie on the side.

Kilimanjaro Coffee

★ 4.3 · 1,347 reviews

Slip into Kilimanjaro Coffee for a slow morning in Edinburgh. Sink into a sofa with a freshly roasted coffee or chai latte and a panini or soup.

Saughton Park

Head west to Saughton Park, a relaxed local green space that suits families and unhurried walkers alike. Spend an hour on the paths, enjoying the park's tidy, attractive setting.

Starbank Park

★ 4.8 · 194 reviews

Climb Starbank Park in Newhaven for views across the Firth of Forth and, in spring, a blaze of cherry blossom. Walk both park sections and pause among the tulips with the sea in sight.

Cramond Beach

★ 4.7 · 2,030 reviews

Spend a relaxed morning at Cramond Beach, a peaceful stretch of Edinburgh's Firth of Forth shoreline. Walk the sand, time the tide for the island crossing, and finish with an ice cream.