There is no single “best” area in Edinburgh. The city is compact enough that wherever you stay, you’re rarely more than twenty or thirty minutes from what you came to see. What changes between neighbourhoods is atmosphere, noise levels, dining options, price and how local your experience will feel.
This guide covers every major area honestly, with a clear-eyed verdict on who each one suits.
Old Town
Old Town is Edinburgh’s historic heart. The Royal Mile runs through from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and almost every major tourist attraction falls within easy walking distance.
The National Museum of Scotland is here, and it’s free. Victoria Street also offers a sweep of colourful shop fronts. Grassmarket has a good mix of historic pubs, some dating to the 1500s, and lively restaurants.
The flip side is that Old Town is Edinburgh’s busiest area, particularly in summer and during the August Festival season. Streets along the Royal Mile can feel crowded by mid-morning. But the evenings are more manageable, and the atmosphere after dark is genuinely hard to beat.
New Town
The New Town was built in the 18th century. Today it’s Edinburgh’s most polished neighbourhood, with Princes Street and George Street for shopping, a strong restaurant scene and some of the city’s finest hotels. The Scottish National Gallery and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery are both here.
New Town is separated from Old Town by Princes Street and the valley of Princes Street Gardens. In reality, you can walk between the two in under ten minutes via the Scott Monument end of the gardens. What you get by staying in New Town is slightly quieter streets, better transport connections, including the tram to the airport and toward Leith, and a more residential feel.
It’s also where TARKA is based, on South St Andrew Street, just off St Andrew Square, directly adjacent to Princes Street. That central New Town location puts guests within minutes of both the Old Town and the tram network, making it one of the most strategically well-connected spots in the city.
Leith
Leith is Edinburgh’s port district, sitting about three kilometres north of the city centre along the Water of Leith. It’s a mix of Michelin-starred restaurants, craft beer bars and contemporary art galleries.
The Shore has some of Edinburgh’s best restaurants in a few compact blocks. The Royal Yacht Britannia is one of the city’s most-visited attractions. The tram now connects Leith directly to Princes Street and all the way to the airport, making the journey into the centre quick and easy.
Staying in Leith means you’ll need the tram or a bus to reach the castle or the Royal Mile, but your evenings will be spent in a neighbourhood that Edinburgers love.
Stockbridge
Stockbridge sits just northwest of the New Town. It’s a town of independent coffee shops, delis, bookshops and a Sunday market. The Water of Leith runs through it, with a lovely walkway that connects to the Royal Botanic Garden.
It’s a particularly good choice for couples, slow travellers, and those returning to Edinburgh for a second or third visit who already know the major attractions and want something quieter. The city centre is a fifteen-to-twenty-minute walk, or a quick bus ride.
Southside & Newington
Immediately south of Old Town, the Southside and Newington neighbourhoods are shaped by the University of Edinburgh. This brings affordable restaurants, independent bookshops and student-friendly bars, alongside easy access to The Meadows and Holyrood Park, where you’ll find Arthur’s Seat.
Buses run frequently into the city centre. During the Edinburgh Festival in August, Southside venues and pop-up performance spaces make it an especially lively place to be.
Dean Village & West End
Dean Village is a medieval mill village that now sits in a wooded gorge along the Water of Leith, a ten-minute walk from Princes Street. It’s primarily residential, but staying nearby gives you access to this calm area as well as the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art.
The adjacent West End neighbourhood sits between the New Town and Haymarket Station. It’s quieter than the New Town, with a handful of good restaurants and easy bus connections.
Stay at TARKA, Edinburgh
TARKA sits on South St Andrew Street, just off St Andrew Square and directly adjacent to Princes Street. With thoughtfully designed capsules, a rooftop Japanese restaurant and bar with views over Calton Hill, Edinburgh Castle and the Firth of Forth, with tram access to the airport and Leith right on the doorstep.
TARKA offers the ideal balance between affordability, design and location. Inspired by Japanese capsule hotels and reimagined for a UK audience, it’s the best of both worlds.
