Edinburgh neighborhoods to avoid and best areas to stay

You prepare a trip to scotland and want to know if there are any neighborhoods to avoid in Edinburgh, what are the best area to stay to visit ?

To avoid choosing your hotel in a red-light district of Edinburgh or one not very recommended for tourists, here is the 2024 guide + the map of the districts of Edinburgh to help you find your way more easily.

Dangerous neighborhoods to avoid in Edinburgh

This article was designed by cross-checking multiple information and data available on the internet (neighborhoodscout.com, statistics.gov.scot, crimegrade.org, scotland.police.uk and more).

Edinburgh a dangerous city?

NO: We can say that in 2024 Edinburgh is not a dangerous city.

Edinburgh is a very pleasant, peaceful city where it is good to live in complete safety. It is one of the safest towns in the UK.

Unlike Dublin, which has seen an increase in violence in recent years (see the article in the Nouvelobs newspaper: Dublin became the scene of an ultra-violent gang war), Edinburgh has stable security. To see the Scotland Police press release.

According to Numbeo ranking of the most criminal cities in Europe, Edinburgh is positioned at the bottom of the table among the least dangerous cities in Europe as Prague, Munich, Lisbon, Vienna ou Malaga.

With a fairly low crime index, Edinburgh is in comparison less criminal than Barcelona, Berlin, Paris ou Milan.

But be careful to put this type of classification into perspective, which is based only on the opinions and feelings of Internet users and not on official figures. Indeed, Edinburgh is not 100% secure because as in all cities, there are some areas that are less secure than others.

EDINBURGH on the Crime Map in Europe
Map taken from the Numbeo.com website

Edinburgh dangerous for tourists?

NO more than the majority of tourist towns

Indeed, when I myself visited Edinburgh, I was able to observe that in all the tourist places, there is no risk for the tourists. However, visitors should always be careful because like everywhere there are pickpokets.

Victoria Street one of the must-see places in Edinburgh

Edinburgh neighborhood map

Edinburgh (city and suburbs) has 54 districts numbered from EH01 to EH54 (post code area), the complete list and map of which can be found on Wikipedia.

Specifically concerning the city of Edinburgh, there are many small neighborhoods, the main ones of which are:

  • Royal Mile - Old Town
  • newtown
  • Individual
  • Stockbridge
  • Calton
  • West End
  • Southside
  • Haymarket
  • Corstorphin
  • Georgie & Dalry
  • Portobello
  • Bruntsfield & Morningside
  • marchmont
  • queensferry

To identify the neighborhoods to avoid in Edinburgh and the best areas to stay for tourists, here is a map that allows you to locate them:

Dangerous neighborhoods in Edinburgh?

No, there are no dangerous areas in Edinburgh, but there are areas to be avoided because they are less interesting for tourists.

Indeed, there is no security problem in the Scottish capital and therefore no area to avoid in Edinburgh in particular. But for a successful tourist stay, it will be better to avoid districts that are too far away tourist sites, poorly served by public transport or the red light districts of Edinburgh.

Neighborhoods to avoid in Edinburgh

Without being dangerous neighborhoods, here are (according to various forums, blogs, Web rankings) the few neighborhoods to avoid for a tourist stay:

  • The area around Holyrood park (Queen's Park) in central Edinburgh which wouldn't be too safe at night;
  • The area around the docks of the Individual can generate a feeling of insecurity;
  • In isolated places of Calton Hill and the garden The Meadows to avoid at night;
  • Lothian Road and Grassmarket are two very festive areas with many pubs and clubs. Suddenly, alcohol can cause noise, assaults and fights.

Best neighborhoods Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a small capital but it has many pretty neighborhoods which all have their own identity. Difficult to present them all to you or to say which are the best because it is a matter of taste.

However, estate agents cite the following areas as being the best in Edinburgh (unclassified and non-exhaustive list):

  • Corstorphin
  • Newington
  • Individual
  • Portobello
  • Old Town
  • newtown
  • Stockbridge
  • West End
  • Southside
  • Dean Village
  • Bruntsfield

Best area to stay when visiting Edinburgh

Edinburgh is attracting more and more visitors who stay there for an average of 2 or 3 days. In order not to waste time in transport, the most practical is to find accommodation in the district closest to the tourist sites. Thus, you can visit the city on foot, go to a restaurant, go out at night without having to take the bus.

Far from neighborhoods to avoid in Edinburgh: Edinburgh Cathedral must-see my walking route

Old Town tourist district Edinburgh

In Edinburgh, the most touristy district is Old Town all along the Royal Mile. It is the historic center where Edinburgh's iconic sights are located. Close to the Castle, busy streets, pub areas, the Royal Mile is the ideal location for tourists.

It is from this area that the tourist bus leaves which is convenient for visiting Edinburgh when it rains!

Where to stay in Edinburgh to visit?

It's not easy to find accommodation in Edinburgh's Old Town. Indeed, given the number of visitors who generally discover Edinburgh in summer, hotels and other accommodation are often sold out very quickly.

Here are 2 good addresses:

The hotel I recommend (The Radisson Collection Hotel) is located in the beautiful historic Old Town district and on the most beautiful street in Edinburgh: the Royal Mile.

Hotels, Airbnbs and other Bed and Breakfasts are quite expensive in Edinburgh. For small budgets, here is a simple hotel but well located for sightseeing and with a very good value for money:

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