2026 Leith Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in August)

I was initially unsure about taking the tram from central Edinburgh to Leith to visit the Royal Yacht Britannia since I'm not very interested in history, but this little trip ended up being the highlight of my journey! The admission price was quite reasonable for my friend and me (£12.50 for young adults), and we found the self-guided tour engaging even though we're not particularly knowledgeable about ships or royalty. It was fascinating to think of all the influential figures who had been in those rooms before us. Unfortunately, I can't provide any comments on the tearoom as we didn't get anything there, but it certainly looked atmospheric and offered impressive views of the water. Overall, I’d definitely recommend this experience! It took us roughly 2-3 hours to complete the visit, although you might want to allow a little more time if this kind of thing truly captivates you.

Visited a friend in Edinburgh for the weekend. She had been to a felting class and got some materials for us to make some pumpkins. Tried felting on my scarf also over a little while and it turned out cute. It was surprisingly fun and not too hard. Pretty relaxing, felt good for on the nervous-system. Next day had a walk around some vintage shops on leith walk and then got autumnal nails done and ate some good food in the street market.

I only had one day to explore Edinburgh, but it turned out to be such a memorable trip. I started my journey from Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station, which is right in the centre and makes it easy to get anywhere in the city. My first stop was a lovely little walk through the old streets, and I stumbled upon the famous clock in Stockbridge. It felt like stepping back in time — surrounded by historic buildings, local shops, and a laid-back vibe. It was the perfect way to ease into the day. From there, I headed up the Royal Mile and found myself at The Hub, with its tall Gothic spire and colourful banners for the Edinburgh International Festival. The atmosphere around there was buzzing with energy, full of tourists, artists, and locals enjoying the cultural events. I loved just standing there, soaking in the mix of history and modern celebrations. In the afternoon, I hopped on the tram (so easy to use, and a nice way to see the city from another angle) and headed to Leith. That’s where I saw the beautiful ship Fingal, close to the Royal Yacht Britannia. The waterfront had such a calm and breezy feel compared to the busy city centre — I even enjoyed some fresh seafood before heading back. By the evening, I felt like I had seen so many different sides of Edinburgh in just one day — historic streets, festival life, and the charm of the harbour. What made it even better was how easy it was to get around, either walking or taking the tram. If you only have a short time in Scotland, a day in Edinburgh is more than worth it. The city is compact, welcoming, and every corner has a story to tell. I left with the feeling that I’ll definitely be coming back! #scotlandshot #edinburgh #edinburgh