Hotels in Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle Introduction

Edinburgh Castle is the crowning jewel on the Royal Mile – the onetime home of Scottish kings and queens that's now the most-visited attraction in the whole capital. Capping the rugged Castle Rock with its stone-faced keeps and crenulations, its human history is thought to date back to the 2nd century AD. Since then, chapels, towers and great halls have been added to the medley of this striking construction, creating what is now undoubtedly the most iconic medieval monument in the city. Don't worry, there are oodles of hotels in the vicinity of Edinburgh Castle.

Hotels near Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle hotels promise a stay in the midst of history. Hiding between the age-stained stone facades of the Old Town area, they fuse medieval architecture with warming modern touches. Imagine standing in front of a stone fireplace, a crackling fire in the hearth, while you sip a golden 10-year-old malt whisky, or experience luxury in a designer suite housed in a high-ceilinged merchant house from the 16th century. At the other end of the budget there are hotels offering multibed dorm rooms for the adventurous backpacker. Major events like the Edinburgh Fringe in August and Hogmanay in December see a rapid increase in room prices, while bargains can often become available in late winter and early autumn.

Where to stay near Edinburgh Castle

Check out the coveted places to stay along the iconic Royal Mile. This historic concourse was once trodden by royalty and is now packed with quaint pubs, enthralling historical sites and restaurants. There are other hotels and B&Bs hiding in the alleyways that shoot off to the north and south of the main thoroughfare. These are the gateway to the warren of lanes that is the Edinburgh Old Town – a place to immerse yourself in the medieval vibe of the capital. There are also some comfy aparthotels in the New Town past George Street.

Things to see near Edinburgh Castle

Staying in a hotel near Edinburgh Castle should put you right in the beating heart of the Scottish capital. You'll be just a short walk from your boutique B&B to the flying Gothic buttresses of the beautiful St Giles' Cathedral and the bustling medieval market square of Grassmarket – now a nightlife hub. The Princes Street Gardens are to the north, home to the Scottish National Gallery where you can enjoy masterpieces by Gainsborough and Degas, among others. In nearby Chambers Street visit the diverse collections of the National Museum of Scotland, where tales of rebellions and Roman invaders unfold in the exhibits.

How to get to Edinburgh Castle

Walking is the best way to reach Edinburgh Castle – you'll only need to look up to see the great citadel marking the skyline of the capital to help you navigate to its gatehouses. What's more, the streets around the Old Town and the Royal Mile are a pleasure to stroll, peppered with benches, parks and little coffee shops aplenty. From the airport, you can take the Airlink 100 bus to Waverley and alight just at the base of the famous landmark, while train arrivals into Waverley Station are your best bet for hitting the castle by rail.