It has been so long since I posted a travel diary but here’s finally one! From July 16th until July 20th Lotte and I went to Edinburgh, Scotland! We both were so excited to see what this city had to offer because so many people told us it’s a great city to explore, and let me tell you, it really is. Of course I had to share (almost) everything we did, saw, ate, where we stayed, so that’s why I made travel diary of our trip. Enjoy!
➳ Where I stayed
When Lotte and I had the idea of going on holiday together, I started scrolling through Expedia almost every single day. A couple of days later I had made a list of hotels I had found in Edinburgh and one of them was Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile. It had just opened when we decided to book it so we didn’t really know what to expect. Over the past months we kept checking the reviews and were really excited to check it out ourselves.
Since the hotel is located near the Royal Mile, it’s literally in the centre of the city and really easy to find. We arrived at the hotel pretty early in the morning so we weren’t able to check-in just yet, but we did get to leave our luggage so we could explore the city for a little bit. Around 3:00 PM we went back and finally got to check into our hotelroom. Our room was pretty big, because besides the normal hotelroom stuff, it also had a small kitchen in it. Above you can see a couple of photos of the interior of the hotel in the lobby and eating area. I would definitely recommend staying at this hotel when you go to Edinburgh, because it’s located in the centre of the city, which is great!
➳ What I saw
In total we spend five full days in Edinburgh and we saw so much. Since it’s too much to talk about everything we saw, I just want to share some of the highlights of this city. Let’s start with the Royal Mile. Located around the Royal Mile was our hotel, so we almost passed it every single day. You’ll find lots of tourists, Scottish shops and the St. Giles Cathedral there. It’s really the centre of Old Town. When you walk completely onto the hill, you’ll find Edinburgh Castle. This is a sight I think everyone should visit. There is so much to see and do here. Lotte and I found it a very interesting sight, plus you have an amazing view over Edinburgh!
When you cross the bridge to go to New Town, the first street you will encounter is Princes Street. Lots of different shops are located on this street so naturally you could find us there a lot haha. The streets around Princes Street are also worth visiting because that’s where you’ll find more unique shops and stuff like that. On our last day in Edinburgh we decided to go to National Scottish Gallery. It’s free (which is great) and they have art there from lots of Dutch artists, like Rembrandt van Rijn and Frans Hals.
One of my favorite things we visited is definitely the Royal Botanical Gardens. ? It is kind of like Hortus Botanicus in Leiden, but this one is so much bigger and has a beautiful glasshouse in it as well. Above you can see some of the photos I took there and maybe you’ll understand why it’s one of my fave places. After we visited Royal Botanical Gardens, we actually got back on the bus tour and got out just at the bottom of Calton Hill. Edinburgh is a city filled with hills to climb and one of those is Calton Hill. The smart people we are, we definitely started walking up Calton Hill on the wrong side because when we went down, it was just a couple of stairs and we were down again… But that’s okay. At least we got our steps for the day in and of course we were able to enjoy the amazing view over Edinburgh.
➳ Where I ate
Hula Juice Bar & Gallery | 103-105 W Bow, Edinburgh
One of the first food spots on our list to visit was Hula Juice Bar & Gallery. I had seen lots of people talk about this hotspot online and post cute photos of their food and drinks on social media. On the last full day in Edinburgh we decided to have breakfast at Hula. First of all, the interior is really cute. Everything is pink and jungle themed. Besides that, the food was really good. For example, I got a simple toast with jam but you can also get fresh juices or a piece of cake. Oh, and it’s based just around the corner from Victoria Street, which is a lovely neighborhood.
Bibi’s Bakery | 37 Hanover Street, Edinburgh
Everywhere I go, I always want to find a cute little bakery. While we were wandering around Princes Street, we went into some streets connected to it and found Bibi’s Bakery. From the outside we could already see all of the beautiful cupcakes displayed so we just had to go in. Lotte got a double chocolate cupcake and I got a vanilla cream one, since that’s my favorite flavor. Our cupcakes were delicious so we definitely recommend you going there and picking up your own cupcake.
Wildmanwood | 27-29 Marshall Street, Edinburgh
Our last night we actually decided to go to one of our favorite places we had dinner during our trip, and that was Wildmanwood. Here you can get the best pizzas (at least that’s what we think haha). The first time we went there I got a pizza but Lotte got a dish from the grill part of their menu. The second time we actually decided to share a pizza and get some bruschetta with it as well. Both times we enjoyed our food so much and it’s really inexpensive! ?
➳ What I recommend
Of course all of the big sights in Edinburgh are lots of fun to visit, but I also have some other places I recommend checking out or doing when you’re in Edinburgh. While we were trying to find our hotel, we had to climb (yes, really climb) through a couple of streets. One of those was Cockburn Street, which has some really cute shops and restaurants in it. This is one of the nice streets to go when you want to escape being a tourist for a little haha. Oh, and for more shopping, definitely go to Victoria Street. It reminds me so much of Notting Hill in London, right?
Besides that, we went on an Hop On Hop Off bus tour and I would really recommend going on the green bus. They have a live guide that tells you some fun facts. For example we got to see the cafe where JK Rowling started writing the Harry Potter books and more. There are two things I would do next time I am in Edinburgh. Firstly I would like to visit the Camera Obscura Museum and secondly I would want to hike on Arthur’s Seat. We did go to the top of Calton Hill, but Arthur’s Seat is kind of next level… So if you’re really into hiking and want to enjoy a pretty view of Edinburgh, this is something you can do!
As you are able to tell from this blog post, Lotte and I actually got to see so much in the five days we were there. We didn’t expect to like Edinburgh as much as we did in the end. The people are really nice and there is a lot to see and do. Btw, food isn’t really expensive like everyone told us. But we were very smart with our money as well, so we mostly just went out for lunch and dinner, and got some simple croissants for breakfast. Anyways, I really hope you liked this travel diary from our trip! Have you ever been to Edinburgh? What place or sight would you like to visit?
Love,
Neeltje
Cockburn street sounds so fun! I’d love to see the pretty storefronts and unique cafés!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Author
It really is! I am glad you enjoyed this post 🙂
These pictures are gorgeous wow! I want to go to Edinburgh so bad but never had the chance, but after seeing your pictures I will definitely make the effort to try and go! And the place you stayed, wow! So gorgeous!
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Ah, you should definitely go! Thank you 🙂
Wow! That looks spectaculair! I love England but never been to Scotland! I hear from everyone that itnis so beautiful there!
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It’s so beautiful! I definitely want to explore other cities there as well 🙂
I can imagine that! Have you ever been to South England?
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I have only been to London, Oxford & Bath (which are all such lovely places) besides Edinburgh, but I really want to go to Brighton 🙂
Oh my god!! I NEED to go to Edinburgh! I have just come back from Amsterdam and I agree with you totally that the Royal Botanical Gardens looks like the Hortus Botanicus. That was a lovely botanical gardens in Amsterdam and I didn’t think there was one like it in the UK. I will need to make this one of my travel destinations next year. ??
Author
Ah that’s so excitig! Amsterdam is one of my favorite cities, hopefully you had a lovely time 🙂
I did thank you I had a lovely time. It really is a lovely city but the bikes everywhere are stressful. ?
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Haha, I’ve grown up with it so I don’t mind but I can imagine it being stressful if you aren’t used to it 🙂
It looks awesome there!
https://sugarcoatedbears.blogspot.com/
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I know right! 🙂
Can’t wait to head back to Europe again!
xx,
Chels
http://www.chelseaasoflate.com
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I can completely understand 🙂
Wauw wat een mooie foto’s heb je gemaakt! Het ziet er erg mooi uit de omgeving!
Author
Ah heel lief! Dankjewel 🙂
Beautiful pictures and a beautiful city!
Author
Ah thank you! I know right 🙂
Thank you for sharing this amazing place! I would love to see it!
Author
You should definitely go see it 🙂 X
Jaaaa hier word ik blij van. Nog nooit geweest, maar hoor altijd zulke goede verhalen. Die botanische tuin ziet er vet uit en al die leuke straatjes. Tof!
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Dankjewel! Ja het is echt een geweldige stad 🙂 X
Wow, so nice! Love your pics! The brother of my boyfriend studied there, so I hear a lot of stories about this awesome city.
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Ah thank you! You should definitely visit 🙂
We are going in November, cant wait
Author
You will have a lovely time!
That city looks unreal! I’d love to visit it one day. Lovely pictures 🙂
http://www.blossomikebana.com
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You definitely should! Xx
Mooie foto’s. Ziet er heel gaaf uit!
Author
Dankjewel! X
I would like to visit this city! Love your pictures!
http://www.alovelystyle.com
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Ah thank you 🙂
Wat een mooie foto’s. Mooie bewerking of filter. Leuke reisblog, wie weet reizen we er ook naartoe. Dan komt dit mooi van pas.
Author
Dankjewel! 🙂
LOVE 🙂
xx
Hadasah Love | http://www.styletolove.com
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Thanks! Xx
Wauw, wat tof dat je daar bent geweest! Snds ik Reign kijk wil ik er ook heel graag naartoe.
Author
Dankjewel! Het is echt een gave stad 🙂
Great post!
Have a happy week.
https://nairgraphies.com/blog/
Author
Thank you!
Such an amazing pictures! It must be a wonderful city!
xx
Mónica Sors
NEW POST: MES VOYAGES A PARIS
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Thank you! It really was 🙂 X
I’ld like to visit Edinburgh too. I’ve never been there but I like Scotland!
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I think you’ll like it as well 🙂 X
Thank you …. i love to read it ?
And thanks for the inspiration.
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No thanks 🙂
The organization of this article makes me very happy. Sorry, that may have been weird I just really loved the way you had the places you ate listed and the categories haha. This trip looks incredible, Edinburgh is definitely on my top 10 list of places I am dying to travel to!
Author
Thank you! It’s such a beautiful city 🙂 X
Edinburgh is nooit een plaats geweest waar ik heel graag naar toe zou willen gaan, maar na het lezen van dit artikel zou ik dat dus wel willen, haha! Hele mooie foto’s Neeltje!
Author
Ah dankjewel! Xx
Zelf zou ik niet heel erg snel naar Schotland gaan, ook al blijven mensen tegen mij zeggen dat het een must see land is. Maar door je verslag en foto’s lijkt het mij heel erg tof om er een keer heen te gaan.
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Ik had dit eerst ook, totdat ik een vlog zag waarin iemand in Edinburgh was 🙂 Het is echt een leuke stad! X
A friend of mine went to Edinburgh to study, and ever since I have been very curious about it. Your article gives a great impression!
Author
Ah thank you so much!
Wat een mooie plek! And I love the hotel, ziet er zo gezellig uit.
Author
Ah dankjewel 🙂 Xx
Wauw wat een prachtige plek zeg. Ziet er gaaf uit!
Author
Dankjewel 🙂
Looks like you had a good time! I live at Portobello by the sea which is a nice bit to visit (I love that it’s only 20 minutes to the centre by bus!)
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That’s indeed really close by! This way you can visit Edinburgh whenever you like 🙂
Wauw, wat een mooie foto’s!
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Dankjewel!
Great post, I loved it 🙂 It looks beautiful!
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Thank you so much 🙂
Those photos make me miss Edinburgh so much! I grew up there but now live in England and there is something just alluring about a good old castle that stately homes can’t fill!
https://philippascholz.wordpress.com
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Ah, I am glad this made you think of Edinburgh again 🙂
lovely photos!
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Thank you!
Edinburgh is a dream ? Hope you have time to visit and follow my new born blog https://gwendolyntravels.com/ ?
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It’s such a lovely city! Definitely worth a visit 🙂 Xx