Top 10 Things To Do, Activities and Attractions in Portobello

We've collected top 10 mentioned things to do in Portobello from other articles such as Where Goes Rose?, qmile.com, Condé Nast Traveler, including activities with kids, adult only attractions, cheap and free events

Top 10 Things To Do, Activities and Attractions in Portobello

Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle
4.6 (64082 ratings)4.5 (44933 ratings)
An 11th-century castle and barracks housing the Crown Jewels and National War Museum of Scotland.
Castlehill, Edinburgh, EH1 2NG, United Kingdom
CastleSights & LandmarksHistorical landmark
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
4.6 (8857 ratings)4.5 (12230 ratings)
Long-standing tower with five floors showcasing hands-on exhibits of whimsical optical illusions.
Castlehill, Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH1 2ND, United Kingdom
Sights & LandmarksScience MuseumsObservation Decks & Towers
Mentioned by Lets Travel More
The Most Romantic Spots in Edinburgh
"One of the best ways to enjoy the stunning views of the city with your partner is visiting Camera Obscura, which means a dark room. The site is located behind the Edinburgh Castle and it is a Victorian Rooftop chamber with excellent views. It is one of the oldest buildings in Edinburgh and accepts visitors since 1892."
Mentioned by Edinburgh Festivals
Attractions
"Swap noses and heads, walk through a tunnel of never-ending stars and capture your own shadow on camera. Free rooftop telescopes. Enter a world of illusions where seeing is definitely not believing!"
St Giles' Cathedral
St Giles' Cathedral
4.6 (7230 ratings)4.5 (5872 ratings)
Grand, Gothic medieval building and Presbyterian place of worship where John Knox used to preach.
High St, Edinburgh, EH1 1RE, United Kingdom
CathedralSights & LandmarksChurches & Cathedrals
Calton Hill
Calton Hill
4.7 (2428 ratings)4.5 (8262 ratings)
Prominent hill with neoclassical monuments & sweeping views of the city skyline & Edinburgh Castle.
Edinburgh, EH7 5AA, United Kingdom
Mountain peakSights & LandmarksLighthousesGeologic FormationsPoints of Interest & LandmarksLookouts
Mentioned by RTF | Rethinking The Future
15 Places Architects must visit in Edinburgh, Scotland - Rethinking The Future
"Calton hill is situated beyond the east end of Princes Street and included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Scottish Government’s headquarter base is at St. Andrew’s House on the steep southern slope of the hill. The Scottish Parliament building and many other notable buildings are located at the hill."
Mentioned by The Planet D: Adventure Travel Blog
21 Best Things to do in Edinburgh Scotland (That You Should Not Miss)
"Edinburgh is built on Calton Hill, like Rome in Italy and Bergen in Norway. The top of Calton Hill is one of the best spots for a spectacular view of Edinburgh, especially at sunset. It is a much easier climb than Arthur’s Seat, taking less than ten minutes to reach the top from Regent Road."
Mentioned by cityexplorerstours.com
Best parks and gardens in Edinburgh
"Calton Hill is one of the most recognisable hills in Edinburgh, located close to Princes Street, and offers one of the best views of the city."
Princes Street Gardens
Princes Street Gardens
4.6 (21567 ratings)4.5 (6817 ratings)
Green Flag park of geological/botanical interest, home to several public monuments and memorials.
Princes St, Edinburgh, EH2 2HG, United Kingdom
ParkNature & ParksGardens
Mentioned by Full Suitcase Family Travel Blog
17 Best Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in Edinburgh (+ Map!)
"Princes Street marks a clear division between Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns. On one side, you’ll find all the high street stores you’d expect in a big city, along with countless coffee bars and eateries. Whilst on the other side, you’ll find the steps that take you down to the Gardens and, further, to the Old Town."
Mentioned by Lonely Planet Top Choices
Top things to do in Scotland
"These beautiful gardens lie in a valley that was once occupied by the Nor’ Loch (North Loch), a boggy depression that was drained in the early 19th century. At the gate beside The Mound is the Floral Clock, a working clock laid out in flowers; it was first created in 1903 and the design changes every year."
Mentioned by Only By Land
36 Iconic Edinburgh Landmarks + Top Instagram Spots
"Not only do the gardens offer excellent viewpoints of Edinburgh Castle but there are a few Edinburgh landmarks located within it. Other monuments in the park include both the Ross Fountain and Wojtek the Bear."
Old Saint Paul's Scottish Episcopal Church
Old Saint Paul's Scottish Episcopal Church
4.5 (49 ratings)4.5 (9 ratings)
63 Jeffrey St, Edinburgh, EH1 1DH, United Kingdom
Anglican churchSights & LandmarksChurches & Cathedrals
Mentioned by Culture Trip
The Most Beautiful Churches in Edinburgh
"Also dating back to the 1800s, Old St Paul’s has since been renovated multiple times – the nave extended and the chancel floor raised with marble. Nearly all of the many panes of stained glass, ornaments and vestments were made possible by fundraising or donations. Unusually, the gargoyles at Old St Paul’s are located inside, not on the exterior of the church as is common on buildings of this period."
Craigie's Farm Deli and Cafe
Craigie's Farm Deli and Cafe
4.4 (1741 ratings)3.5 (56 ratings)
All-day cafe deli with contemporary dining area for homemade meals and baking from farm-grown goods.
West Craigie Farm, Queensferry, EH30 9AR, United Kingdom
CafeSights & LandmarksFarmFarm shop
Ross Fountain
Ross Fountain
4.5 (332 ratings)4 (15 ratings)
Garden-side, cast-iron fountain from 1872 representing science, arts, poetry & industry.
Princes St, Edinburgh, EH1 2EU, United Kingdom
FountainSights & LandmarksPoints of Interest & Landmarks
St Mary's Catholic Cathedral
St Mary's Catholic Cathedral
4.6 (316 ratings)4.5 (24 ratings)
Place of Roman Catholic worship, designed by James Gillespie Graham and opened in 1814.
61 York Pl, Edinburgh, EH1 3JD, United Kingdom
Catholic cathedralSights & LandmarksCatholic churchChurchPoints of Interest & LandmarksChurches & Cathedrals
Mentioned by world-guides.com
Edinburgh Churches and Cathedrals: Edinburgh, Scotland
"Address: 61 York Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3JD, Scotland, UK Tel: +44 (0)131 556 1798 This popular Roman Catholic church dates back to 1814, being designed by James Gillespie Graham. Each month on the third Tuesday, look out for the organ and choir recitals. The adjacent Cafe Camino provides a rather tempting menu, offering bacon sandwiches, freshly made soup, lunchboxes for children, a choice of beverages (including coffee, tea, wine, beer and cider) and tubs of locally produced ice cream."
Mentioned by reserveapartments.co.uk
Churches in Edinburgh
"St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral, originally called the Chapel of St Mary’s, held its first masses in August 1814. The Cathedral houses the National Shrine of St Andrew, Scotland’s patron saint, and even has an underground passage leading to a priest’s house in York Place. It wasn’t until the 1970s that passers by could see the Cathedral in its full splendor when tenements in front of the building were demolished."
Grassmarket
Grassmarket
4.5 (15 ratings)4.5 (1727 ratings)
Sloping Old Town street & former 15th-century livestock market with pubs, boutiques & restaurants.
Edinburgh, UK
Notable streetSights & LandmarksHistoric Sites
Mentioned by The Planet D: Adventure Travel Blog
21 Best Things to do in Edinburgh Scotland (That You Should Not Miss)
"The Grassmarket is a bustling part of Edinburgh, which has great nightlife and places to eat, as well as an intriguing past. Situated in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle to the south, it is named, as it was the market where all animals that ate grass –as well as the grasses to feed them – were sold. The bustling square hosts a food and craft market on Sundays and has a plethora of great old character-filled pubs to visit and great restaurants to sample Scottish or international food."
Mentioned by solosophie
Instagram Guide to Edinburgh: Top Photo Spots in Edinburgh
"To the base of Edinburgh Castle, the flat historic market area and event space is known as Grassmarket and is actually located below the water table. Although in the past, this Edinburgh district was used for executions, today the Grassmarket is Filled with unique and quirky pubs. This spot of the city is perfect if you want to grab a bite to eat, catch up with friends, or simply want to snap some street shots."
Mentioned by Out About Scotland
The Best Things To Do in Edinburgh: The Ultimate Guide
"Address: Old Town, Edinburgh, EH1 2HSWebsite: The Grassmarket. The Grassmarket in Edinburgh is a bustling collection of pubs and restaurants which sit around a large open square at the southern edge of Edinburgh Castle. Because the district is so centrally located within the city you can easily find it by either walking west from the Cowgate or walking south from the Castle Esplanade."

Best Breakfast and Brunch Places in Portobello

The Manna House Bakery & Patisserie
The Manna House Bakery & Patisserie
4.5 (448 ratings)
Artisan bakery with an on-site cafe, selling handmade breads, pastries and savoury bakes.
22-24 Easter Rd, Edinburgh, EH7 5RG, United Kingdom
BakeryBreakfast restaurantCafeCoffee shopPatisserieSandwich shop
Bite Me
Bite Me
4.4 (146 ratings)
167 Morrison St, Edinburgh, EH3 8AG, United Kingdom
Sandwich shopBreakfast restaurant
Mentioned by eh1.com
Budget Eats - Eh1: The Independent Guide to Edinburgh
"Bite Me is bright and airy inside, the food is wholesome and tasty. Bite Me plays to its strengths, it has a large interior serving and dining space with simple decor and original modern art enhancing the traditional features … Read More. Category:Budget Eats, Cafe Culture, Foodie, Update, West EndTags:Breakfast, Coffee, Soup"
Le Marche Francais
Le Marche Francais
4.3 (110 ratings)
9A W Maitland St, Edinburgh, EH12 5DS, United Kingdom
French restaurantBreakfast restaurantRestaurant
Mentioned by scotland.org.uk
Best French Restaurants in Edinburgh
"One of the best options in Edinburgh to sample fresh and flavoursome French cuisine. Duck's at Le Marche Noir also offers an impressive wine list."

Top, Best & Fun Rooftop Bars in Portobello

Haymarket
Haymarket
4 (1230 ratings)
Cosy, historic pub with a central, wood-panelled bar, offering both bar snacks and smart dining.
11, 14a W Maitland St, Edinburgh EH12 5DS, United Kingdom
PubBarBritish restaurantGastropubRestaurant
The City Cafe
The City Cafe
4.2 (1548 ratings)
Cool bar with American diner vibe, serving up beers, burgers, cocktails and shakes for hip regulars.
19 Blair St, Edinburgh, EH1 1QR, United Kingdom
CafeAmerican restaurantBarBreakfast restaurantRestaurant
Mentioned by University of Edinburgh
We tried *almost* every pancake in Edinburgh, so you don’t have to
"Step into your dream, cheesy, American teen drama (*cough* Riverdale *cough*) in Edinburgh’s very own traditional late night diner just along from your Cowgate favourites such as Subway and Sneaky Pete’s. A blissful combination. Truly the platonic ideal for a stack of pancakes, sometimes simple really is the best."
Mentioned by Time Out Edinburgh
The 12 best bars in Edinburgh
"A kitschy American diner by day, the City Café becomes a pre-club party joint by night. Cocktail and beer pitchers are the main event, and on the weekends guest and resident DJs spin funk, hip hop and house tracks to get you in the mood for nearby dancefloors."
Lebowskis
Lebowskis
4.2 (1181 ratings)
Traditional, all-wood watering hole serving copious cocktail specials and locally-sourced dishes.
18 Morrison St, Edinburgh, EH3 8BJ, United Kingdom
RestaurantBarPub

Top 10 Kid Friendly Things To Do and Attractions in Portobello

The Ensign Ewart
The Ensign Ewart
4.5 (1367 ratings)5 (3 ratings)
Cosy pub, dating from 1690, with a low, wood-beamed ceiling and an all-day Scottish/European menu.
521-523 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh, EH1 2PE, United Kingdom
PubSights & LandmarksHistoric SitesPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Pittencrieff Park
Pittencrieff Park
4.7 (2723 ratings)4.5 (647 ratings)
Popular green space offering playgrounds, extensive walking paths & a peacock enclosure.
Pittencrieff St, Dunfermline, KY12 8QH, United Kingdom
ParkNature & Parks
Secret Herb Garden
Secret Herb Garden
4.5 (464 ratings)4 (156 ratings)
32A Old Pentland Road, Lothianburn, Edinburgh, EH10 7EA, United Kingdom
Herb shopNature & ParksGardens

Vacation Rentals, Airbnb, Hotels & Cabins near Portobello

4.0 (180 reviews)
Granville Guesthouse
Hotel
$120 /night
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Central Edinburgh 1 Bedroom Flat
Hotel
$92 /night
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2 Bed 2 bath with Private Parking
apartment
$142.5 /night
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