The Hidden Gems of Edinburgh

by Kate
(Edinburgh)

When you're holidaying in a new place, it goes without saying that you'll want to tick all the big tourist boxes. In the historic town of Edinburgh with its iconic fortress-like castle, ghost tours, bagpipers and whisky shops - there are innumerable sights for visitors wanting a firsthand slice of tartan-bedecked charm. But going to Edinburgh and only hitting the top och-aye-the-noo spots is a bit like going to Paris and only visiting the Eiffel tower - great as they are, there's a whole lot more that this beautiful city has to offer.

Photo Credit: Larry Johnson - Flickr

The Spoon Café, a quirky loft-style restaurant-café that delivers a plentiful dollop of kitsch, with its mismatched vintage china, pop-art cushions and upcycled retro furniture. The food is comfort cooking at its best, perfect for warming the cockles after a day trampling Edinburgh's cobbles, you'll find wild boar sausages, braised pork belly and slow cooked lamb shank on a menu jam-packed with British classics. But Spoon Café also has a claim to fame, it's where Edinburgh's no. 1 literati JK Rowling penned the first book in the Harry Potter series.

Mushroom Garden, a secluded walled herb garden tucked away off the Canongate, this is one of Edinburgh's best-kept secrets (I lived in Edinburgh for 9 years before stumbling upon it one happy day). As the weather turns chillier, you might be lucky to get picnicking, but don your scarf and gloves and it?s a perfect place to rest your weary feet and enjoy a cup of takeaway hot chocolate from one of the many Royal Mile cafes nearby.

Cramond Village - if you fancy getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, take a short bus ride out to Cramond, a picturesque village perched on the Forth Estuary. Stroll along the promenade and pop into one of the local cafes for a spot of tea and cake, or if the tide is low, take a walk along the causeway to take in the stunning views from Cramond Island (it's muddy, so wellies are recommended!)

Grassmarket shopping - Under the watchful gaze of the castle and flanked by sprawling green gardens, Edinburgh's famous Princes Street is certainly one of the most attractive high streets in Britain, and is bursting to the gills with shopping treats but style mavens may prefer the Grassmarket and the surrounding streets for a dash of something a little more eclectic. At craft boutique Hannah Zakari you can pick up handmade jewellery, bags and beautiful prints from local independent designers, or head up Victoria Street to Kate Moss shopping favourite Totty Rocks to check our their one-off, handmade dresses, trenchcoats and sporran handbags.

The Royal Observatory - Edinburgh's brown sugar-hued architecture and old winding streets make the city a great destination for daydreamers, but stargazers of a more traditional sort will love the Royal Observatory up on Blackford Hill. Throughout the year, the Observatory runs public astronomy evenings, showing and talking you through the star-strewn skies of Scotland. Winter holidaymakers in particular are in for a treat as the skies are darkest and views at their best from October to March.

This short guide on Edinburgh's hidden gems was written by Kate from the PadPod, which offers hundreds of holiday homes and self catering accommodation in Edinburgh, for all tastes and budgets.