Cheap Flights to Edinburgh in October

The medieval core of Edinburgh running along the Royal Mile from the Castle down to Holyroodhouse — this is where most visitors want to be for the first trip. Accommodation is dense and ranges from party hostels (budget) to boutique hotels in converted historic buildings (mid-range to luxury). The crowds on the Royal Mile itself are intense in summer, but step one street off and you're in quiet closes and wynds that feel like a secret. Best for first-timers who want maximum walkability to the sights.

Built in the Georgian era (late 1700s) and still looking pristine, New Town is where you find Edinburgh's best shopping (Princes Street, George Street), the National Portrait Gallery, and a more residential feel than the Old Town. Charlotte Square is one of the most handsome urban squares in Britain. Hotels here tend to be business-oriented but several independent boutique options have opened in recent years — and you're a 10-minute walk from the Old Town via the North Bridge or the Mound.

Edinburgh's port district, about 2 miles north of the Old Town, and the city's most interesting neighborhood for food and drinking right now. The Shore along the Water of Leith has The Kitchin, Restaurant Martin Wishart, and a string of gastropubs and wine bars. Accommodation is cheaper than the center — budget another £5-8 each way on the bus (Lothian Buses run frequently). The Royal Yacht Britannia is moored at Leith and worth the visit. Stay here if you want to eat well and feel like a local.

A village-within-a-city feel, with the Water of Leith walkway, independent boutiques, and a Sunday farmers market that's genuinely excellent (not touristy). About 20 minutes' walk from Princes Street but feels a world away. Several good guesthouses and small hotels — quieter than the center at night, with neighborhood pubs that reward the extra walk. The Edinburgh Botanic Garden is right here, free to enter, and spectacular in spring.

Sits directly below the Castle Rock in a historic market square that's now lined with pubs, hostels, and independent restaurants. It's lively (loud on weekends) and historically interesting — public executions used to happen here, and the White Hart Inn claims to be Edinburgh's oldest pub. Budget accommodation is excellent in this area, and you're a 5-minute walk from the Royal Mile. Best for backpackers and anyone who wants to be at the center of the action without paying Old Town hotel prices.

South of the Old Town, this is where Edinburgh's residents actually live and shop. Independent cafes, curry houses, wine bars, and the Traverse Theatre make it worth exploring. Accommodation is noticeably cheaper than the tourist core, and you're a 20-minute walk from the Castle. The Meadows park is right here — a vast green space that's packed with locals on any sunny day and is where the city reveals its more relaxed, residential character.