Edinburgh - visiting in December - help please!

[seahart]

We are coming to Edinburgh mid-December on business trip but going to extend for a few days to explore and be a tourist.

Looking at Christmas lights, seems to be two main options - the castle and Botanics gardens. Which is best? Or do both?

Also, ideas for dinner out please!
(The dome is fully booked)

Any anywhere else we must go?

I think Botanic Gardens are good,although I've never actually been myself. Avoid the Christmas market in Princes Street. Over priced, over crowded and an unpleasant experience. There is a light show at Edinburgh Castle just now but not sure how long it runs for.

Botanic gardens. The castle is illuminated anyway. George Street and Rose street lights are pretty and less hectic than Princes Street Gardens.

Botanics!

I've been to both the Botanics and Edinburgh Castle. The Botanics has a lot to do and see and perhaps a better light show than Edinburgh Castle, but the views of Edinburgh at night from the Castle are absolutely amazing. The Castle is quite exposed so if you go there wrap up warm.

The zoo has festive activities this month.
Botanics are beautiful.
George St decor is lovey - ice skating too.
St Andrews Square have a beautiful gifting tree to feed those in need.

Dean village is a beautiful walk to escape the chaos and not too far.

Kyloe delicious for dinner.
Urban Angel for breakfast/lunch.

Botanics over castle - castle has good mulled wine but felt it was better for younger kids (get your photo taken with the big red lion). Not terrible though, in general castle definitely worth a visit.

Fazenda also delicious 🤤

Another vote for the Botanics and go here for dinner
https://tollhouse.scot/

Thank you! Booked tickets for the Botanics and then probably visit the castle one afternoon before it closes and see the city views from up there as dusk falls.

I'll check out the food recommendations too.

Christmas market - we'll probably have a mooch but it's not a key ingredient to the trip.

For a real southerner (and you can't get much further south of England where I live) , Scotland is a long way up but really, really looking forward to it 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Book tables for food. Even if you cancel one on the day. The city is really busy and getting somewhere decent to walk in could be difficult.

You can get great views of the city for free from the roof garden at City Museum, I'd recommend that in preference to Edinburgh castle which always seems more impressive to me viewed from a distance.

Market is not too bad if you go during the day in the week, definitely worth a mooch.

You really need to go to the Xmas markets midweek if you can, at weekend they're packed and really quite unpleasant.
The National museum is good.
Mary King's Close is quite interesting
Do a walking tour
Dean Village - water of leith - stockbridge is a lovely walk. There's a little local market in Stockbridge on Sundays and there's some nice shops and cafes in the "village".
Walk up Arthur's Seat or Calton Hill (calton hill is an easier walk and all tarmac paths)

Dinners:
Howies for Scottish
Fishers in the City
Dishoom for curry
Wighams Wine Cellar
Cafe Andaluz for tapas
Vittorias italian
Whiski rooms or Whiski bar for Scottish / pub grub
Makar's mash bar
Bonnie & Wild in the St James centre for very casual dining

My favourite food on a recent trip to Edinburgh was a tiny Tanzanian cafe just off York Place called Ma Roberts. It's only open for lunch.

Papillo, a small Italian is our favourite restaurant in Edinburgh, and us reasonably price.

We did the Christmas market on its first day. We quite enjoyed walking through the lights on the lower part and the general atmosphere. They have some decent stalls there as well. Yes, the food and drinks are overpriced, but aren’t all Christmas markets?

You can also get good views from Calton Hill if you want a walk.
Also Camera Obsura which is next to the Castle and well worth an hour or so itself

Take a walk up Calton Hill if you get a clear day - great views!

For eating I'd say:

Tattu
Howies Restaurant
Twenty Princes Street
The Kitchin
The Scran & Scallie for lunch
The Huxley for lunch

Sorry to hi jack but are there any child friendly places where they can play while we eat?