Novotel Edinburgh Park
Edinburgh, gb
8.86,641 reviews
US$332
per night
Destination guide
Edinburgh
United Kingdom · Europe
Search all hotels in Edinburgh 2026-08-28 → 2026-08-31 · 2 · 1
About Edinburgh
Edinburgh is Scotland's UNESCO twin-city capital — the medieval Old Town's Royal Mile from Castle Rock down to Holyroodhouse Palace via cobbled closes and vaults, meeting the elegant Georgian New Town (Princes Street, Charlotte Square, George Street) across the Waverley Valley. Home to the world's biggest arts festival (Edinburgh Festival Fringe every August), Hogmanay street party, Arthur's Seat volcanic hill, and Scotch whisky heritage. Base for Highland day trips (Loch Ness, Glencoe) and 4h30 LNER ride to London.
At a glance
- Scotland's UNESCO twin-city capital — Castle, Royal Mile, Fringe festival and Highland gateway.
- Compact walkable Old Town + New Town — 20 min end-to-end.
- Book everything 6+ months ahead for August (Fringe + Military Tattoo).
- Base in Old Town (Grassmarket), New Town (Georgian), or Leith (waterfront foodie).
- Currency £; Type G 230V plugs; tap water is safe (softer than London).
Featured stays in Edinburgh — live rates
Prices are live from our licensed booking partner and may change.
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When to visit
May–September for mild days (13–20°C) + long daylight (17h June). August is Festival month — Fringe + International Festival + Book Festival + Military Tattoo simultaneously (book 6+ months ahead; hotel rates 3–5× normal). Dec 30–Jan 1 for Hogmanay (3-day street festival). Winter (Nov–Feb) cold + short-day but Christmas markets + Hogmanay + whisky-tour season.
Getting around
Lothian Buses + Edinburgh Trams share ticket: single £2, day £5, family £11 — buy on Transport for Edinburgh app or contactless tap. Old Town + New Town walkable — most tourists never touch transit. Airport tram/bus £6.50. Uber + FreeNow reliable (£8–15). LNER from Waverley reaches London 4h30, York 2h30; ScotRail to Glasgow 50 min, Inverness 3h30, Aberdeen 2h30.
Where to stay
Old Town (Royal Mile)
Castle + Royal Mile + Holyrood + closes — Witchery, Radisson Collection Royal Mile, Old Waverley.
New Town (Georgian)
Princes Street + George Street + Charlotte Square — Balmoral (Rocco Forte), Kimpton Charlotte Square, Waldorf Astoria Caledonian.
Stockbridge
Village-feel bohemian + Water of Leith walk + Sunday market — Nira Caledonia, Ardmor House B&B.
Leith + The Shore
Regenerated waterfront + Michelin-starred Kitchin + Royal Yacht Britannia — Malmaison Edinburgh, Fingal (floating hotel), Ocean Hotel.
West End (Haymarket + Dean Village)
Financial district + Dean Village hidden hamlet — Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Waldorf Caledonian.
Bruntsfield + Morningside
Southside residential + boutique cafés + Meadows park — 100 Princes Street area extension boutiques.
Your Marhaba Trip Plan
Edinburgh at a glance
- Recommended trip
- 3 days (2 weeks in August for Fringe)
- Best time to visit
- May–September for mild days (13–20°C) + long daylight (17h June).
- Getting around
- Lothian Buses + Edinburgh Trams share ticket: single £2, day £5, family £11 — buy on Transport for Edinburgh app or contactless tap.
- Recommended areas
- Old Town (Royal Mile) · New Town (Georgian) · Stockbridge
Top experiences
- Edinburgh Castle — £21.50 — book online for skip-line + 20% cheaper. Allow 3h. One O'Clock Gun daily except Sunday.
- Royal Mile + Palace of Holyroodhouse — Free walk down; Holyroodhouse £19.50 (closed when royals visit). St Giles' Cathedral free — donation.
- Arthur's Seat + Salisbury Crags — Extinct volcano + city panorama — 45 min climb from Holyrood, free. Best at sunrise or golden hour.
- Edinburgh Festival Fringe (August) — 3,500+ shows in 300+ venues — free + ticketed (£8–25); Military Tattoo £30–90. Book hotel 6+ months ahead.
Book your trip
Do I need a visa for Edinburgh?
- Policy
- Varies by nationality
- Typical stay
- 180 days
UK is NOT in Schengen — separate visa. US/EU/Commonwealth visa-free 6 months. ETA required from 2025 for most visa-free nationals (~£10).
Official government sourceHow do I get to Edinburgh?
Airports
- EDI · Edinburgh Airport · 13 km
Tram to St Andrew Square in ~35 min £7.50 (every 8–10 min); Airlink 100 bus £5.50 in ~30 min; taxi £25–35.
By rail
LNER to London King's Cross in ~4h30; Waverley station in the city centre.
How do I get around Edinburgh?
- Lothian Buses — Comprehensive bus network across the city.
- Edinburgh Tram — Single line connecting Airport ↔ York Place via Princes Street.
- Walking — Old Town + New Town are 20 min end-to-end on foot.
Passes & tickets
Contactless tap on bus + tram — daily cap £5 (family day £11 up to 5).
Transport for Edinburgh app for real-time. Uber, Bolt and Free Now cover cabs.
What should I eat and know about food culture in Edinburgh?
Signature dishes
- Haggis, neeps and tatties — Traditional Scottish plate — vegan versions widely available.
- Cullen skink — Rich smoked-haddock soup from the Moray coast.
- Full Scottish breakfast — Includes tattie scone and Lorne (square) sausage.
Etiquette
- Tip 10–12.5% at sit-down (often included as service).
- Order at the bar in pubs; no table service traditionally.
Single malt whisky is the icon — Scotch Malt Whisky Society is a great tasting stop.
Is Edinburgh safe for travelers?
Overall risk: LowEmergency: 112
- Very safe city — normal urban awareness in nightlife areas.
- August Fringe crowds — watch bags in packed Royal Mile street performances.
- Emergency 112 or 999.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for the UK?
No visa for US/EU/EEA/Canada/Australia/NZ/Japan/Korea/UAE up to 6 months as visitor. From 2025+ non-visa visitors need Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) — £16, 2-year, apply gov.uk/eta. Others apply Standard Visitor visa via VFS Global. Ireland separate (Common Travel Area).
How do I combine Edinburgh with Morocco?
Ryanair + easyJet + BA fly Edinburgh ↔ Marrakech + Agadir 4h from €70 (seasonal direct + year-round via London). Marhaba's Celtic-to-Sahara loop: 3 nights Edinburgh + 2 nights Dublin (1h flight) + fly Marrakech + Sahara 5 nights. Winter especially — Scottish cold-dark to desert warmth.
How do I visit Edinburgh during the Fringe?
August: 3,500+ shows in 300+ venues over 25 days — biggest arts festival on Earth. Book hotel 6+ months ahead (rates 3–5× normal); Airbnb + university halls open up. Free shows daily; ticketed £8–25. Download Fringe app + read reviews as you go. Pair with Military Tattoo (£30–90 esplanade seating) + International Festival + Book Festival simultaneously.
Is Edinburgh good for families?
Excellent — Edinburgh Zoo (pandas + koalas), Camera Obscura + Illusions, Dynamic Earth (climate + ice ages), Royal Yacht Britannia at Leith, Arthur's Seat easy climb, Museum of Childhood free, Portobello Beach 20 min tram east. Book Castle skip-line online. Family rooms standard; Kimpton Charlotte Square strong on families.
What's the best luxury stay in Edinburgh?
Balmoral Rocco Forte (Waverley clock tower — Edinburgh's icon, where JK Rowling finished Deathly Hallows), Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh The Caledonian (New Town grande-dame), Kimpton Charlotte Square, Gleneagles Townhouse (2022 St Andrew's Square opening), Nira Caledonia (Stockbridge townhouses), Witchery by the Castle (Royal Mile), 100 Princes Street.
How do I get from EDI airport to my hotel?
EDI 12 km west. Edinburgh Tram £6.50 (35 min direct to Princes Street — best value). Airlink 100 bus £5.50 (30 min to Waverley). Uber/FreeNow £20–30 (20–40 min). Skylink night bus £5. Combined Airport Bus + Tram day-ticket £10.
Is Edinburgh safe for tourists?
Very safe — one of UK's safest cities. Pickpockets on Royal Mile + Princes Street especially during Fringe. Cowgate + Grassmarket rowdy late-night with stag/hen parties (drunk not dangerous). Watch stairs on cobbled closes (uneven). Emergency 999 or 112.
When is the best time to visit Edinburgh?
August for Fringe — bucket-list but book 6+ months ahead. May–June + September for mild weather + fewer crowds + Beltane fire festival (April 30). Dec 30–Jan 1 for Hogmanay (3-day street party — book 4+ months). Winter (Jan–Feb) cheap + atmospheric with whisky-distillery tours + fireside gastropubs.
You may also like
More ways to extend or combine your Edinburgh trip.
British Isles loop — Edinburgh ↔ London ↔ Dublin
LNER 4h30 + easyJet/Aer Lingus 1h — classic English-speaking triangle.
Celtic pair — Edinburgh ↔ Dublin
Ryanair + Aer Lingus 1h direct — Scottish + Irish heritage pair.
Nordic-Iceland extension — Edinburgh ↔ Reykjavik
easyJet + Icelandair 2h — Scottish castle + Icelandic Northern Lights pair.
Edinburgh ↔ Morocco escape
Ryanair + easyJet 4h €70 (seasonal direct + via LGW/LTN year-round) — Highland cold to Sahara warmth.
