EDINBURGH OVERVIEW
Edinburgh is the capital city of
Scotland, one of the most picturesque cities in Europe. The
Old Town and New Town districts of Edinburgh are listed as a
UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995.
After London, is the
most visited tourist destination in UK. Edinburgh is well-known for
the annual Edinburgh Festival, a collection of official and
independent festivals held annually over about four weeks from
early August.
The city is affectionately nicknamed Auld
Reekie ( Scots for Old
Smoky), because when
buildings were heated by coal and wood fires, chimneys would
spew thick columns of smoke into the air.
Edinburgh offers the
perfect balance between traditional and contemporary.
Overlooked by an imposing castle, you could find perfect picture
postcards views, mysterious winding streets, elegant terraces and an
abundance of shops, bars and restaurants.
Edinburgh is surrounded by
an amazing and breathtaking nature, with green hills and
misterious lakes, studed by castles. The Celtic folklore will
transform your staying in Edinburgh in a tale.
Photo: Comparior
WHAT TO SEE AND WHAT TO DO IN EDINBURGH
The
city lies in the shadow of an extinct
volcano.
Ascending, your efforts will be rewarded by breathtaking
views
of the city. Calton
Hill
is the perfect place to watch a romantic sunset over the city.
The
Old Town
has preserved its medieval plan and many Reformation-era buildings.
Here, the number one attraction is the Castle
and you can find the two most important museums: the Royal
Museum and the Museum of Scotland.
Numerous vaults below street level are present, continuing to fuel
legends of an
underground city
to this day. No
wonder the
city has built up a reputation
for ghost tours and
these are now one of the most popular attractions.
Edinburgh's
largest cathedral is an empowering Gothic building, the St.
Giles' cathedral,
just in front of the Parliament
House.
Going to the Georgian
New Town,
you will find the National
Gallery,
the Scotland's greatest collection of European paintings and
sculpture from the Renaissance to Post-Impressionism.
The New Town
was an 18th century solution to the problem of an increasingly
crowded Old Town, here you can find large squares and the main
streets.
Don't miss a visit to the Scottish
Whisky Centre!
GETTING THERE
Edinburgh International
Airport is
7 miles outside
the city centre. The #100 bus
(a 24 hour service) covers this distance.
Edinburgh has two main
train
stations Waverly Station
(in the city centre) and Haymarket
Station.
The main bus
station is on Elder Street.
GETTING AROUND
The
Old Town is perfect to visit on foot.
An efficient bus
service runs throughout the city.
The taxi is a quite cheap
alternative for the Edinburgh small size.
EDINBURGH USEFUL INFORMATION
Language: English
Currency: British Pound
Electricity: 230/240
Volts AC/50Hz. 3-pin plug
Area Code: +44 (UK)
Emergency Codes: Ambulance, Fire, Police 112/999
Time Zone: GMT
Main Tourist Office: Princes Street 3
Climate: Edinburgh
has very unpredictable weather. The Gulf Stream winds keep the
temperature relatively mild. July and August are the warmest months.
Spring and Summer are the best seasons to visit the city.
