First solo trip ever- Hope to go to Edinburgh- Any tips?

[datcherygrateful]

I am hoping to go visit for a weekend, end of September.
I have been looking at places to stay- I am leaning towards Motel 1, but its nearly £500 for the weekend. I can't find anything central that is much cheaper than that. I could venture out and am open to it, but I've never been to Edinburgh, and don't know how big the city is.

I am nervous tbh as I haven't travelled on my own before or stayed in my own company away from my home and family so I'd appreciate any tips you have really. I am an early riser and would unlikely stay out past 8 or 9pm tbh out of fear. Any advice is much appreciated!

• places to stay if you've been
• things to do or not bother doing
• tips or advice when staying away as a solo female.

Thank you

Mary king's Close is a must-see.

Edinburgh is very safe and easy to get around. Good for you for getting out of your comfort zone!!

I’m from Edinburgh, I always feel safe in the city, it’s very light up here until quite late.

Fingal is stunning, we had afternoon tea and you get to look round the ship. The service is amazing, so attentive, you would be absolutely fine on your own.

You can get the tram from the centre straight there.

The Hub hotel on Rose Street would be a great location. Or the ibis on the grass market.

Edinburgh is a great city to explore and generally very safe. You can get to most places by walking but the bus and tram service is very good.

Go for a cocktail in The Dome, afternoon tea at the signet library.

I love the portrait gallery, wandering round Stockbridge, the national museum, museum of childhood and a ghost tour. The harry potter walking tour is good if you like HP.

Thank you so much :)

Thank you so much! I will look into this

Thank you! These look great :)

I live in Edinburgh and I can confirm it's perfectly safe to be out past 9pm. 🙄 The city centre is hoaching at all hours.

I also live in Edinburgh. City centre will be very busy on a weekend at 9, 10, 11 or even 12 at night. I regularly walk home from a night out and there’s always loads of people around. If you’re staying in eg Old Town and going to the usual tourist places @datcherygrateful you will be in very busy areas.

I visited Edinburgh solo a few years ago and stayed in Motel One.

The best thing I remember doing was a photography tour. A chap took a few of us around the sights, learning how to take cool photos.

Stay in a Premier Inn. City centre. Safe and good prices.

The National Gallery is central and free, nice cafe. Don’t do the castle: it’s much better from the outside. Eat at Chez Jules for delicious cheap French food in an Edinburgh institution. Walk around the city centre, the Grassmarket, the new town.

Get a cocktail in Panda and sons; or the Harvey Nichols cocktail bar, which has great views.

Get a tram down to leith. There’s a lovely farmers market down at the shore on a Saturday afternoon and lots of nice places to eat. The kings wark for a friendly pub with food.

If I’m away solo I like to go to a show in the evening as it means I can be out, rather than in hotel too early. Take a look at what’s on. The centre of Edinburgh is walkable, and safe, so it will be easy to get home

I've stayed in Motel One Glasgow by myself a few times and thought it was great! Am sure Edinburgh one would be just as good.

Solo holidays are so liberating. Bring a book, research your days to include a couple of key things eg museums/galleries/shops- and enjoy! Edinburgh is a very safe and friendly city, you'll be grand!

It's a very safe city and easily walkable but there's a great bus service if you don't feel like walking. It's about a 30 min walk from Waverley to Leith. You will have a great time.

Motel 1 is a great location. Other options could be the Premier Inns at Waverley, York Place or Princes St. These are very central.

Worth doing the city bus tour on the first day to get your bearings.

Loads of great restaurants. If you can come during the week lunch at Martin Wishart in Leith is fantastic. Aizle is also very good. The Gleneagles Townhouse is in an old bank. Very grand. Afternoon tea at the Balmoral. Breakfast at the Scottish Cafe or Mimi's cafe. Cafe Marlayne on Thistle St do a set lunch which is very good value. Other restaurants: The Palmerston. Lucky Yu, Fishers.

Attractions: Scottish Gallery on the Mound, Camera Obscura, Museum of Scotland, Mary Kings Close, Museum of Surgeons, Britannia and The Scotch Whisky Heritage centre. If you like a spa, the One Spa at the Sheraton has a gigantic rooftop jacuzzi.

I stayed in a single room in Edinburgh Central YHA. It was great!

I’m currently in Edinburgh and feel safe walking around alone, and I’m naturally fairly cautious.
I’d stay city centre if possible as it’s going to be busier and easier to get to places.
I send the PP recommend of Howies for food, I’d also add Bonnie & Wild in St James Quarter (specifically The Ice cream store)
Consider a show at one of the comedy clubs, the Monkey Barrel is just off the Royal mile, they do earlier shows too if you wanted to not be out too late and there are normally solo travellers attending.
I would also recommend looking around Topping Books and Valvona crolla an Italian deli which are next to each other.

Funnily enough I was about to recommend the same hotel and restaurant. The hotel has a nice residents only lounge bar. Or the travelodge a couple of doors down from howies is nice.

I did a search for you, picking 27-29 September, at the Hub, and that comes out at £326.

We've stayed there, and it was very good - can definitely recommend.

Thank you so much! These are really great choices! I'm compiling a list- and am getting excited :)