It's no secret we are wholeheartedly in love with Edinburgh, one of Europe's most enchanting cities. It's brimming with historical landmarks, vibrant culture, and stunning architecture– not to mention some great wine bars! While the iconic Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, and Arthur's Seat are undoubtedly breathtaking, they're often teeming with tourists. If you're looking to escape the crowds and experience a more tranquil side of the Scottish capital, here's a guide to our five favorite hidden gems in the city's lesser-known corners.

xxx Ivy & Eve

1. Dean Village: A Serene Escape

Nestled just a short stroll from the city centre, Dean Village feels like a world away from the hustle and bustle. This picturesque neighborhood along the Water of Leith is often referred to as one of Edinburgh's most peaceful spots, with its charming cobbled streets, colorful buildings, and lush greenery. The sound of birds chirping, the gentle flow of the river, and the occasional dog barking create a calm atmosphere that transports you to a simpler time.

As you wander through the village, admire the historic houses that date back to the 19th century. Eve actually lived for a time at Well Court, the beautiful mottled red brick building featuring the tall clock tower. Dean Village was once the heart of Edinburgh's milling industry, and you can still see remnants of its industrial past in the old mill buildings and stone bridges that dot the area. We love to grab a coffee on our way at Cairngorm Coffee on Queensferry St and take a peaceful stroll while getting a little caffeinated pick-me-up. It's the perfect place to get away from it all, even though you're only a short distance from the city center.

2. Water of Leith Walk: A Peaceful Path

Once you've soaked in the charm of Dean Village, continue your escape along the Water of Leith Walk. This 12-mile-long pathway meanders through some of Edinburgh's most scenic and tranquil locations. From Dean Village, you can head west towards the National Galleries Modern One and Two or– our favorite route– east to Stockbridge. Along the way, you'll pass through lush greenery, under old stone bridges, and past various wildlife.

The walk is a perfect way to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Edinburgh while avoiding the big crowds. You will pass parents taking their wee ones (and fur babies) for a stroll, locals carrying their groceries, and joggers on their daily runs. The water gently flows beside you, and the path winds through peaceful woodland, offering glimpses of hidden private gardens and quiet spots where you can stop and unwind. Don't miss St Bernard's Well, a beautiful 18th-century structure atop an ancient spring that is said to have healing powers for many ailments.

3. Royal Botanic Garden and Canonmills: Nature's Oasis

A short detour from the Water of Leith Walk brings you to the stunning Royal Botanic Garden, one of the finest botanical gardens in the UK– and our personal favorite we have visited in the world! Located in the Canonmills neighborhood, this sprawling 70-acre garden is an urban oasis, perfect for those seeking a tranquil retreat from the city. With its carefully curated collection of plants from around the world, peaceful ponds, and striking glasshouses, the garden is a haven for plant lovers and nature enthusiasts alike. Founded in 1630, the garden has a rich history with a focus on scientific research and conservation.

The Botanic Garden is a place where you can truly lose yourself in nature's beauty, with no rush or crowds to worry about. Take a leisurely stroll along the winding paths, enjoy a nice cream tea at one of the garden's cafes, or explore the exhibitions in their visitors center and other buildings on the property. Stop into the gift shop for unique gifts and souvenirs. During the holiday season, they have the most amazing holiday lights and evening activities throughout the gardens. While in Canonmills, check out one of our favorite Instagram-famous bakeries– The Bearded Baker, or check out WineKraft, the sister bottle shop to one of our favorite wine bars in New Town, Good Brothers.

4. Duddingston: A Hidden Gem at the Edge of the City

For a truly off-the-beaten-path experience, head to Duddingston, a quiet village tucked away at the foot of Arthur's Seat. From the end of the Royal Mile, take a scenic walk around or over Arthur's Seat and descend into this charming neighborhood. Duddingston offers a peaceful atmosphere with its picturesque cottages, tranquil Duddingston Loch, and the beautifully maintained Dr Neil's Garden.

After exploring the loch and the lush surroundings, head to the famous Sheep Heid Inn for a refreshing pint or a cosy post-wander meal. This traditional pub is perfect for relaxing, unwinding, and chatting with locals. The pub also has its own 18th-century Skittles alley! Book ahead online to play a game or two. Once you've had your fill, you can even take the bus back to the city center, making it an easy and accessible retreat from the heart of Edinburgh.

5. Morningside: Quirky Shops and Cozy Delights

Morningside is a charming neighborhood that often gets overlooked by visitors in favor of Edinburgh's more famous areas. However, those who venture here are rewarded with an eclectic mix of shops, cozy cafes, and a distinctly local vibe. Morningside is perfect for browsing quirky charity shops, hunting for vintage treasures, or sampling locally made goods.

Among the gems in Morningside, you'll find Edward & Irwin, a delectable chocolate shop renowned for its decadent drinking chocolates. Seriously, this is a hot chocolate we have been talking about for the past decade. The cozy atmosphere and rich, velvety chocolate drinks are the perfect antidote to a chilly Edinburgh day. Our favorite hidden treasure in Morningside has to be the Wild West; tucked away off Springvalley Gardens is an alley dressed up as an old American Western ghost town!

For more places to eat, sip, stay, and play in Edinburgh, check out our Wine Lovers’ guide to Edinburgh and our guide to Old Town Edinburgh and New Town Edinburgh posts!

Featured

Secret Edinburgh Travel Guide: 5 Places to Escape the Crowds

A Guide to Old Town Edinburgh

A Guide to New Town Edinburgh

A Wine Lover's Guide to Edinburgh

With summer quickly approaching, we have been reminiscing last summer's European adventures. We have great news that we will be back in the UK this summer for a Scotland/Northern England expedition! Between now and the end of July, we will also be posting travel blogs on the lovely cities of Chester and Liverpool. So stay tuned for more awesome UK cities!

Last summer we spent a day in York wandering the historic Shambles and cobblestone streets. The weather was so very "British" that day and we were so cold (and wet) that we actually bought hats! Besides the typical English weather, York was completely charming. This was not our first trip to York as we have thoroughly enjoyed visiting a few times before! We put together some of the best places to stay, eat, drink, and play for you all to check out!

xxx Ivy & Eve

Post Updated in 2024!

Map of some of Yorks best from The Perky Peacock http://perkypeacockcoffee.co.uk — Map of some of Yorks best from The Perky Peacock https://perkypeacock.co.uk/

Stay:

The Royal York Hotel - $$$$: This five-star hotel is the perfect place to enjoy a luxurious stay in York. Book a spa treatment for extra R&R time.

Hotel du Vin & Bistro $$$: If you're looking for a great hotel, but not looking to completely splurge on a room, this is the place! Hotel du Vin is located down the street from the York train station and just out of the busy hustle and bustle of downtown York. We love the tasty smorgasbord breakfast buffet, beautiful bar, and in-room Nespresso machines!

The Trembling Madness Apartments $$-$$$: If you are looking for somewhere to stay in the city center and are up for a spooktacular night, we recommend trying one of the apartments at the Trembling Madness (not all rooms are claimed to be haunted). Bonus: they have a lovely pub and bottle shop attached to the building! See the Eat & Drink section below for more!

Holiday Lets $-$$$$: There are some amazing deals for holiday rentals in York like this apartment with beautiful views of the Minster. These flats are perfect for families or groups traveling together. To get you started: Holiday Lettings, York Boutiquelets, Skyes Cottages, and Visit York.

Eat & Drink:

The Perky Peacock - $$: After our hour train ride from Manchester we wanted a little pick-me-up and stopped in this cute coffee shop. Situated right along the river in a tower, there are only a handful of cafe tables inside. If the weather is nice they have tables along the river to sip espresso and nibble on a toasted and buttered teacake (or more substantial breakfast items) before heading off for some York mayhem. They also have adorable logo mugs and totes available for sale!

Bettys Cafe Tea Room - $$$: Bettys is famous in York for your classic afternoon tea experience, however, you have to make reservations in advance so make sure to plan ahead! When we visited we just ordered a cream tea (this includes a pot of tea, a scone, and clotted cream) since we wanted to go grab lunch later and a full afternoon tea leaves you stuffed for hours. Tip: We find a full afternoon tea is simply too much food. We suggest ordering cream tea and bubbly for the fancy effect of the afternoon tea without feeling overly stuffed plus its much more affordable!

Trembling Madness $: For a late afternoon lunch, we stopped in this medieval pub. Also known as Delirium Tremens (DT's), this pub has been open since drinking became a thing, and it has seen its fair share of disaster and death within its walls. The rear end of the building was first built in 1180AD, people were drinking there 312 years before Columbus sailed over our way. We were pleasantly surprised with how cool this place was! On the first floor of the building is a bottle shop where they sell beer, scotch, cider, and more. On the second floor is the pub. We hunkered down in an alcove off to the side of the main dining area. The interior of the pub was fun with mounted animal heads mounted all over the place, and other hidden preserved animals (a baby alligator) were around the room. The beams of the pub are from an ancient ship that last set sail over 800 years ago! We ordered some hardy medieval-inspired fare of a classic cheese board (cheese, bread, and assorted accouterments), and a steak and ale pie, all washed down with real ale and some cider.

The Refectory - $$$$: Looking for the fanciest place to dine for dinner? Then look no further than the Refectory. They serve dishes made from delicious local ingredients and delightful cocktails made to order. They also serve a magical Champagne Afternoon Tea that includes a glass of our favorite bubbly...Lanson.

Love Cheese - $$: This cheese shop has a large selection of Yorkshire, British, and Continental cheeses for sale. In their shop, they also have cheese boards available to pair with a glass or two of wine.

LICC (Luxury Ice Cream Company) - $$: For a bit of heaven, head to LICC for some divine "lux" ice cream. You won't be sorry!

Play:

York Jorvik Viking Center -$$: This museum tells the story of York's rich Viking history. This is truly an immersive experience where you smell the odors (good and bad) of a Viking town, sample the food they ate, and even get to try your hand at blowing a Viking horn!

Shambles Market - Free: Wander York's most famous street- the Shambles, and visit its market full of local produce, goods, and souvenirs.

York Minster - $$: Visit the largest Gothic cathedral of Northern Europe. This place is visible from many points in the city, seemingly popping out from around each corner.

Antique Shopping - Free: There are a bunch of lovely shops to fix your antique needs. We really like the Red House Antique Center right across from the Minster.

W. Hamond - $$$-$$$$: If you're looking for a pretty souvenir, we suggest heading to W. Hamond. This jewelry shop on the Shambles is tiny but packed with lovely treasures. Whitby Jet is one of the local stones of Yorkshire (found on the coast) and W. Hamond has a great selection of the slightly Gothic yet completely chic stone jewelry.

York Museum Gardens - free: If you like English gardens, then the York Museum Garden is the perfect place to visit. Surrounded by St. Mary's Abbey, these gardens are filled with botanical wonders and over 30 species of birds. Be sure to stop in the York Museum as well which is rich with some of England's most precious archaeological treasures.

The Original Ghost Walk of York - $: This tour claims to be the first of its kind in the world! Held nightly, this tour will surely satisfy anyone's appetite for scary stories as York has been named the most haunted city in England, and possibly Europe!

York Pass - $$-$$$: If you are planning to visit more than two of York's attractions in a day, then the York Pass is a great bang for your buck. With this pass, you have complete access to over 30 fantastic attractions in York (York Minster, Clifford's Tower, Castle Museum, York Brewery, York Art Museum, and York Dungeon to name a few) and includes some great discounts on a number of other places.