Edinburgh on a budget: a local’s top tips

Call me biased, since I’m a local, but Edinburgh is without doubt one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Believe the hype.

This enchanting global reputation and capital city status does, however, come at a price. Visiting Edinburgh can put a substantial dent in your budget, particular on weekend stays and during the world-famous Edinburgh Festival (August) and Hogmanay (New Years Eve) celebrations.

Don’t worry though, there are many to visit Edinburgh on a budget, while still experiencing what the city has to offer. These are my top tips. Let’s go!

This post was written as part of a paid partnership with Hostelling Scotland.

How to visit Edinburgh on a budget

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1) Stay in Edinburgh Central Hostel

Let’s start with the most substantial saving. Aside from international flights if you’re travelling from overseas, accommodation is likely to be your biggest expense in the city, and I’m not exaggerating when I say the prices are often outrageous and ever-increasing.

Personally, I like to try and save money on accommodation so that I can spend it on other things; in my case, FOOD! Priorities.

Staying in a hostel is not only budget friendly, it’s a great experience too. Edinburgh Central Hostel is well located between Leith and the city centre with tram and bus stops very close by.

More reasons to stay:

• Edinburgh Central is rated as a 5* hostel and after my wee staycation sleepover, I can see why! It’s very modern, clean and comfortable with excellent facilities and lovely staff.
• There’s a big café & bar area with sofas, tables, local beer and reasonably price coffee.
• The kitchen is well equipped for cooking your own meals to save money.
• You have the option to add-on a massive cooked Scottish breakfast for £10.
• As well as very budget friendly dorms (from £27 per night), there are spacious en-suite private rooms which still work out considerably less than a hotel room (from £80 per night for a double room).

2) WANDER EDINBURGH OLD TOWN

You can get a true sense of Edinburgh’s history and charm without paying to go into the (often overpriced) tourist attractions. Simply wander with your curiosity and discover the picturesque streets, old buildings and hidden ‘closes’ (Scots word for a narrow alleyway).

Take your time, and always look up and around you; notice the details and historic quirks of the enchanting architecture. Some of my favourite spots in the Old Town are:

> Victoria Street – a winding street with colourful facades, said to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter. Walk up to Victoria Terrace for the best photos.

> The Vennel – an easy-to-miss, enclosed stairway between Lauriston Place and the Grassmarket with quite possibly the most picture-perfect view of Edinburgh Castle.

> St Giles’ Cathedral – a Gothic centrepiece in the heart of the Old Town, St Giles is even more beautiful inside with its stunning stonework and stained-glass windows (free to enter but £6 donation is suggested).

> Cockburn Street – a cobbled, winding street with pretty buildings, cute shops and the ever-popular Milkman Coffee (there’s now a coffee shop at the top of the street as well as the original at the bottom).

3) VISIT THE FREE MUSEUMS

There are lots of brilliant free museums & galleries in and around the Old Town; perfect for budget-friendly browsing or to escape the ever-changing Scottish elements. I love learning about the places that I visit, and Edinburgh has many stories to tell.

> National Museum of Scotland – largest and most popular of them all (also very nostalgic for me), this museum has a vast range of exhibits and displays. Definitely check out Kingdom of the Scots for a deep dive into Scotland’s history and head up to the roof terrace for a view of the Old Town skyline.

> Museum of Edinburgh – delve into city’s history and heritage, displayed in 16^th century building on the Royal Mile, complete with creaky floorboards and original roof beams.

> The People’s Story – a quirky museum in the Canongate Tollbooth (which has a very colourful history in itself), focusing on the social history of Edinburgh from the 18^th – 20^th century.

> The Writer’s Museum – housed in a historic mansion, complete with a picturesque wee balcony, this museum is dedicated to the life and works of Scotland’s literary legends: Robert Burns, Robert Louis Stevenson and Sir Walter Scott.

4) HAVE A TREAT AT CLARINDA’S TEAROOM

This utterly charming, vintage-style tea room is right on the Royal Mile, and there’s usually a queue to get in, but I can confirm it’s not an over-hyped tourist trap. It’s popular for good reason!

A tempting selection of delicious home-baking is beautifully displayed on a wooden cabinet; always the first thing to catch my eye when I enter.

Order a pot of tea and a perfect scone for no more than £8, or for something more hearty and savoury, there is always a choice of homemade soups with the option to add a toastie (approx. £10+ for both).

FOLLOW Clarinda’s Tearoom on Instagram here.

5) go vintage shopping in the grassmarket

Just because you’re travelling on a budget, doesn’t mean you have to skip a spot of retail therapy altogether. The Grassmarket is known for its bustling, historic pubs and homemade ice-cream from Mary’s Milk Bar. It’s also home to two of my favourite vintage shops in the city.

Armstrongs Vintage has been an Edinburgh institution for vintage clothing since 1840; a treasure trove of colour, patterns and prints from through the decades. Govida Boutique, at the other end of the Grassmarket, is an inviting boutique with a second-hand clothing section through the back. Lots of beautiful bargains to be found!

6) TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SET LUNCH MENUS

Edinburgh has an amazing food scene, but eating out in certain top rated establishments can put a considerable dent in your budget. That doesn’t mean you have to miss out altogether, though.

The silver lining is that many restaurants offer set lunch menus for a fraction of the price, so you can indulge in a fancy wee feast in the afternoon, then resume your budget friendly approach for dinner. Check out The Educated Flea (2 courses for £14) and The Palmerston (2 courses for £21, 3 courses for £24).

My favourite casual lunch menu in the city – and the best value of them all – is  French bistro Chez Jules (photos below). It’s busy and noisy, and that’s all part of the charm. The 3 course set lunch menu is only £12.90 and it includes bread, olives and salad. What a deal!

7) HEAD TO EDINBURGH STREET FOOD

I like to try a bit of everything, so it’s no surprise street food is my favourite kind of food, or that I was delighted when Edinburgh Street Food opened its doors in the city in 2023.

This vibrant, and often busy, street food hall is filled with various vendors, covering a range of global cuisine, from Scottish staples with a twist and Detroit-style pizza, to Asian fusion, Mexican and Peruvian.

I really like the atmosphere of the place; the indoor and outdoor seating and great tunes (sometimes DJs) playing at the weekend.

Street food also works out cheaper than sitting down for a more formal dinner in a restaurant (obviously depending on how much you order!).

Oh, and it happens to be less than a 10-minute walk from Edinburgh Central Hostel.

CHECK OUT their Instagram page and view the current menu here.

8) climb arthur’s seat and/or calton hill

The outdoors is always free and Edinburgh is blessed with lots of green spaces, including seven hills (like Rome); all remnants of an extinct volcano which last erupted over 365 million years ago.

Aside from Castle Rock, the most accessible hills from the city centre are Arthur’s Seat and Calton Hill. Each one offers a good old stretch of the legs, blast of fresh air and a different perspective of Edinburgh’s magical skyline.

Comfortable shoes with some grip are recommended for the paths up Arthur’s Seat, while Calton Hill can be accessed via a set of stairs and concrete path from Waterloo Place.

Set off early in the morning or go up for sunset; maybe even pack a wee budget-friendly picnic to enjoy at the top.