Edinburgh in summer: beach, sea & festivals
Edinburgh – Where nature meets culture
Edinburgh is regarded as one of Europe’s major festival cities. International festivals take place throughout the summer – some lasting several weeks. From late July through to August, for example, ‘The Fringe’, the world’s largest performing arts festival, fills the Old Town with creativity.
Events in August 2027:
- Edinburgh International Festival
- Art Festival
- Edinburgh Foodies Festival
- The Fringe Festival
- Big Beach Busk (Portobello Beach)
- Edinburgh International Book Festival
- The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
From Edinburgh to the sea: the coast is this close
Edinburgh lies right on the Firth of Forth. This inlet of the North Sea nestles against the city, so it’s only a short walk from Edinburgh to the sea. In the Old Town, it doesn’t always feel like a coastal city – which makes it all the more lovely when you suddenly catch a whiff of the sea air. The distance from the city centre to the sea is around five kilometres. It’s therefore ideal for combining a city break with a visit to the beach, the harbour and the Scottish coast.
Leith: maritime harbour charm on the Firth of Forth
The Scottish capital is criss-crossed by cycle paths, many of which follow old railway lines. One route takes you from Edinburgh to the sea. From the New Town – a good starting point is the Motel One Edinburgh-Princes – you cycle to the harbour district of Leith. It takes about 15 minutes by bike to get from the hotel in Edinburgh to the sea. If you prefer a more comfortable journey, take a taxi; that also takes around 15 minutes. In Leith, you can enjoy fresh seafood and visit the Royal Yacht Britannia.
Portobello Beach: a golden beach near Edinburgh
If you’d rather feel the sand beneath your feet than soak up the harbour atmosphere, take public transport from Edinburgh to Portobello. The Motel One Edinburgh-Princes is the ideal base: buses 26 and 45 leave right outside the door and will take you to Portobello Beach in about 25 minutes. There you’ll find a golden beach stretching for around two miles and a promenade perfect for a stroll.
North Berwick: Coastal cycle route and a day at the beach
If you’re looking for a cycle route by the sea near Edinburgh, you’ll find one along the coast around North Berwick. It takes around 36 minutes to get from Edinburgh to the coast by train (ScotRail), and from there you can explore the cycle routes. By car, the journey takes just under 50 minutes. A two-hour cycle ride takes you from North Berwick along the coast back to Edinburgh; the route forms part of the Coast-to-Coast Cycle Route. North Berwick is also well worth a visit for walks and breaks on the beach, particularly at Milsey Bay and West Beach.
Historic places to visit on warm and rainy days
- Behind thick walls: The city’s landmark towers high above on a plateau of volcanic rock and dominates Edinburgh’s skyline. Edinburgh Castle offers pleasant coolness on hot days – and a dry refuge during summer showers.
- Discovering secret spots: A stroll through the Old Town is like a treasure hunt. Many of the narrow alleyways lead to hidden courtyards or even narrower lanes. These so-called ‘closes’ are one of Edinburgh’s unique features. White Horse Close, Anchor Close and Bakehouse Close are particularly lovely.
Out and about in Edinburgh: a picnic, Arthur’s Seat and the Water of Leith
- A picnic with a view: The best way to round off a summer’s day in Edinburgh is by watching the sunset. Arthur’s Seat offers the best view. It takes about 50 minutes to reach the top, where you can enjoy the sunset and panoramic views of the city.
- A walk by the water: The Water of Leith winds its way from the Pentland Hills through Edinburgh to the sea. Before it flows into the North Sea, it creates a green oasis perfect for a stroll. The starting point is Dean Garden, about two kilometres from Motel One Edinburgh-Royal or Motel One Edinburgh-Princes. From there, the route takes you over small bridges and through old residential neighbourhoods to the Gallery of Modern Art. Along the way, you can stop for a break in cafés or enjoy the views at various points.
Motel One Edinburgh: a central base, just a short trip to the sea
Compared to other European capitals, Edinburgh, with just under half a million inhabitants, is actually one of the smaller cities. The advantage is that you can get anywhere quickly and explore the city at a leisurely pace on long walks. From the two Motel One hotels right in the city centre, you can reach almost all the sights on foot. Both the and the are perfect as a starting point for an exciting tour of the Scottish capital – or for a trip to the seaside!
