Some places leave footprints on your heart from the very beginning—and for me, that place is Edinburgh. Discovering the Magic of Edinburgh has been a personal journey, from my earliest years living here to countless visits since. Though I moved away as a toddler, Edinburgh never really left me. Now, even just a two-and-a-half-hour drive away, every return feels like stepping through a portal into another world. It’s a city steeped in history, alive with stories (and magic), and it holds some of my dearest memories. Edinburgh isn’t just beautiful—it’s bewitching.
Discover the Magic of Edinburgh with me, and learn why it will always be my favourite city (and it might even become yours too)!
🏙️Discovering the Magic of Edinburgh vs London – Same Vibes, Less Chaos
Both cities have their charm. London is a global powerhouse, full of iconic landmarks and fast-paced energy. Read more about its charm in my London Blog. But Edinburgh? Edinburgh has soul and a sprinkle of magic that you are unlikely to find anywhere else in the world. The cobbled closes, gothic spires, and looming Arthur’s Seat give it a timeless, cinematic beauty. And unlike London, Edinburgh’s charm isn’t drowned out by the noise, it invites you in like a good book. Yes, its certainly gotten busier but not like London.
Due to its tourist influx, Edinburgh is becoming the first city in Scotland to introduce a tourist tax, starting from Summer 2026. The tourist tax for visitors will be set at 5% of accommodation costs. You can read more about this here. Nevertheless, prices are around 33% cheaper than of those in London, find out more here.
It’s also a lot safer. Statistically, Edinburgh has significantly lower crime rates than London, especially in terms of violent crime. For solo travellers, families, and those wanting a bit of peace of mind while exploring, this makes a real difference. You can wander the city’s winding streets at night, or hike up Arthur’s Seat at dawn, which would be unthinkable in London.
🍲Discovering the Flavours of Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s food scene is as cosmopolitan as it comes. From traditional Scottish cuisine (like fish and chips), to world-class international cuisine, like Asian food, it is a well ate city. My personal favourite is a lamb curry at Kebab Mahal. My family have been going there for over twenty-five years, and every time we return, we finding the meals just as delicious and the small restaurant looking just as how it looked back in the day!
Whether you want a warm, buttery scone and a strong coffee at a quiet café, or to grab a fresh ramen for lunch, and finish off with authentic Middle Eastern street food or fine Italian dining, the city has everything you need, and If you are into seafood, Edinburgh’s proximity to the coast means you’ll get some of the freshest in the UK, often without the London prices.
Go on a treasure (or food) hunt, to find the small, independent restaurants, experimental food spots, and cute vegan bakeries tucked away in unexpected corners. Note – in the city centre, you will be charged an involuntarily ‘service charge‘ to your food bill, you can keep an eye out for this and ask (kindly) for it to be removed if you don’t want to pay it. Its not compulsory.
✨ Discovering the Magic of Edinburgh Through Harry Potter
Growing up with a deep love for Harry Potter (seriously, I had ALL the books and DVDS!), it’s no surprise that Edinburgh still feels like home. The city pulses with the energy of the wizarding world, and you can practically feel the spells in the air as you wander around.
The Birthplace of Harry Potter
You can walk the same streets that inspired Diagon Alley (Victoria Street) and see George Heriots School, which inspired Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. JK Rowling lived in Edinburgh and wrote the early chapters of Harry Potter in the cosy, bohemian warmth of The Elephant House café. After shutting its doors due to damage from a fire in 2021, the café (known as the ‘Birth Place of Harry Potter), reopened in 2024. Although this café is the most well-known spot, J.K Rowling wrote parts of Harry Potter in many others cafe’s. You can read more about them here.
From the windows inside The Elephant House Café, you can see Greyfriars Kirkyard, where the names on gravestones may feel hauntingly familiar to any Potterhead. This graveyard, formed the characters of Tom Riddle, McGonagall and others. If you don’t know the story of Greyfriars Bobby, a very loyal dog to his owner and the story makes me cry, you can read more here.
Then there’s The Balmoral Hotel, where Rowling wrote the final lines of The Deathly Hallows in a private suite, room 552 on 11th of January 2007 (as she had became too famous to write in her beloved cafes). The suite is named after her and is a luxurious home to the magical legacy she built, with rates soaring past £1,000 a night.
You don’t need to stay in a fancy suite to feel the magic of the city. Just take the Harry Potter Walking Tour, and you’ll trace the very stones and alleys that breathed life into Hogwarts and Diagon Alley. It’s like walking through pages of your favourite book, except real.
If you want even more magic, go for a walk through Holyrood Park, and visit the Palace.
🎄Discovering the Magic of Edinburgh in Every Season
Then there’s Edinburgh Castle, perched high above the city like something out of a fairy tale. It isn’t just a postcard attraction, it’s alive with activity. Throughout the year, it hosts everything from historical re-enactments to massive live performances, with big celebrities. I watched JLS perform there just last year (in the rain, classic Scottish weather—but totally worth it). The atmosphere was electric, echoing through the ancient stones with music.
In August, the city transforms with The Fringe and the world-renowned Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. The population swells by nearly a million as performers, artists, and visitors flood the streets. Last year, Margot Robbie was even spotted heading to the festivities, proving once again that everyone, even Hollywood’s finest, is drawn to Edinburgh’s pull.
Yet, for all its buzzing energy in summer, Edinburgh doesn’t lose its charm in winter. In fact, it might shine even brighter. At Christmas, the city becomes a sparkling snow globe, with one of the best festive markets in the UK. Yes, it can be a bit on the pricey side, but the twinkling lights, marshmallow-hot choc, and that crisp December air make it feel entirely worth it.
Serene Trails
If you ever need to step away from the city buzz, Arthur’s Seat and the surrounding hiking trails offer a peaceful escape—one that’s both breath-taking and steeped in history. Climbing those hills with the wind in your face and the skyline behind you, it’s easy to feel like you’ve stepped into a different time, or even a different realm. My mum did this climb whilst she was pregnant with me, and had my brother in the buggy. Kudos to her!
You can also check out the trails of Blackford Hill. These green, open spaces are so close to the city centre, and offer the kind of peaceful escape that’s hard to come by in larger capitals. And that’s the thing: Edinburgh gives you everything. History, culture, nature, safety, and charm!
The Edinburgh Zoo
Edinburgh Zoo is a childhood staple, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve visited. Watching the pandas, who were brought over from China (I still remember the day they flew over with their keeper, it made national news!) was a huge highlight, but sadly as of December 2023, they have returned home to China after their 12 year stay in the Zoo. Not to worry though, as there are so many other animals in their care, from Lions to Penguins and Sloths, discover more about them here.
P.s on the Zoo’s website, they have a 24 hour webcam of their animals free to watch from the comfort of your own home. These include: The Giraffes, The Koalas and The Penguins! The experience is undoubtedly a wonderful day out, (for all ages), and prices are £27.50 for adults and £17.50 for children (3-15). **These prices are for online bookings, where you can save yourself a couple of quid than if you were to pay at the door.
Conclusion: A must visit and forever my favourite city
To me, Discovering the Magic of Edinburgh is more than just visiting a city. It’s stepping into a living storybook where myth, memory, and magic converge. Whether you’re wandering the closes of the Old Town, hiking Arthur’s Seat, or sipping coffee in a café where wizards were imagined, the feeling never fades.
It’s magical in every season, stunning in any weather, and filled with wonders both hidden and grand. So if you’re dreaming of a place that feels like both an adventure and a homecoming, Discovering the Magic of Edinburgh might just be the journey your soul needs.
Thinking about visiting? Do it. Whether you’re a Harry Potter fan, a foodie, a culture lover, or just someone in need of a little peace and inspiration, Edinburgh will meet you exactly where you are, and give you a bit of magic to take home.