Looking for a room or hotel in the centre of town ?

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Edinburgh is packed with accommodation of all shapes, sizes and locations. The city is easily navigated via a pretty good public transport system so it shouldn’t matter too much if you are not situated in the centre of the city when on a sightseeing holiday. That said, it is always nice to have a sea view or a castle view, depending on your requirements. When it comes to finding somewhere to stay in ‘Auld Reekie’ the world is your oyster!

The first rule of thumb to consider when seeking suitable accommodation is to gain an understanding of the layout of the city. Basically, Edinburgh Castle can be found in the middle of the city centre and is reached via an assortment of steep alleyways, steps and the cobbled high street (known at the castle end, as the Royal Mile). The castle not only occupies the most central spot, it also teeters upon the highest spot of the city (and so offers the best panoramic views).

If you struggle with restricted mobility (as do I; my knees can play me up something rotten at times), Edinburgh can be a challenge. The Royal Mile is a bit of a climb no matter what direction you come from and those cobbles can put a strain on the knees. Don’t be put off though, for with advanced preparation life can be a lot easier. Finding ground level accommodation close to the city centre isn’t too difficult when you give yourself an early start! Many of the tenement buildings in central Edinburgh are several floors tall and don’t have a lift (elevator). It is all about knowing what you want but more importantly what you don’t want from a place to stay.

If you are struggling to find accommodation in the Old Town, worry not for it is possible, while in Edinburgh, to enjoy the charms of the Old Town, despite staying in the New Town. It is that close! The views on offer from the New Town side, if anything, are better! The night time skyline occupied by the castle and its grandiose neighbours is illuminated with all the colours of the rainbow.

For your bearings, the main shopping thoroughfare of Princes Street (running parallel to the Royal Mile) draws a line through the city centre dividing it into the Old Town (to the south of the line) and the New Town (to the north of this line). The New Town provides a bountiful supply of apartments sporting high ceilings and picture rails. The places to stay in this part of town are within a mile or so of Edinburgh Castle and a wealth of top Old Town attractions and on top of that, the area features a broad collaboration between places to shop and places to eat and drink.

Last but not least, if you are planning to visit Edinburgh during the high season, make life easier on yourself and book your accommodation at least six months in advance. The range of available places to stay are generally much more diverse and you can usually find somewhere really close to the Royal Mile (if that is what you want), saving a fortune on public transport and taxis.