Places to Visit in Edinburgh: Make Leith Your Next Port of Call
There is no denying that when it comes to amazing places to visit in Edinburgh, the sky is the limit. But once you have taken in all the sights of city-centre Edinburgh, visited all the wonderful museums and explored Edinburgh’s sensational underground city, why not make a day of Leith? Nestling on the shores of the Firth of Forth, on the northern-most part of the city, Leith is a vibrant, vivacious part of Edinburgh all its own.
Why Leith Is One Of Our Favourite Places To Visit In Edinburgh
For hundreds of years, Leith has served as the port of Edinburgh. Rich in history, the original harbour dates back to the 14th century and has welcomed a fair few travelling kings and queens to our shore. In fact, for Game of Thrones fans out there, you can even visit “King’s Landing”, the official place where King George IV landed on 15th August 1822. Occupied and fought over by the Scottish, English and French for centuries, the area is today a lively hub of eateries and entertainment, which has remained true to its motto throughout the years – Persevere.
Getting On Board With Things to Do In Leith
As you exit our hotel, turn left and take a stroll down Leith Street. The mile-long Leith Walk links the east end of Princes Street (where we are) to the Leith district where you will find one of the most amazing places to visit in all of Edinburgh – the Royal Yacht Britannia. Once the former floating residence of Her Majesty the Queen, the Royal Yacht Britannia is today one of Scotland’s best-loved visitor attractions. Follow in the footsteps of royalty as you tour what life was like on-board a royal voyage. If sailing the royal seas is not what you had in mind, hit the docks in one of Edinburgh’s most iconic walks, Walk the Water of Leith.
Enjoy Some Retail Therapy With Shopping In Leith
From shipping to shopping, Leith has it all. The picturesque Leith Walk has a sensational assortment of eclectic shops and eateries en-route to Leith district. Ocean Terminal (a large and lavish shopping mall) is home to all the big brand names, while Georgian Antiques houses one of Scotland’s largest antique emporiums. McNaughtans Bookshop is a haven for booklovers, and Dock Place is the place to be for the weekly Saturday Leith Market.
With so many wonderful shops, delicious delis, chic cafes and curious curios, is it any wonder that Leith is fast becoming a delightful hidden gem when it comes to places to visit in Edinburgh?
Visitor Tip: Once you have seen your full of Leith, we recommend taking a bus or taxi back to the hotel. While it is easy enough to take a leisurely stroll down Leith Walk, it is all uphill on the way back.
