Solo Female Travel in Edinburgh

Edinburgh, Scotland's enchanting capital city, is located in the United Kingdom's northernmost region. This historic and vibrant city, famed for its breathtaking landscapes, lies within easy reach of rolling hills, dramatic cliffs and the stunning Firth of Forth. Often referred to as the "Athens of the North," Edinburgh is rich in cultural heritage, boasting medieval and Georgian architecture that is beautifully preserved, especially the iconic Edinburgh Castle which dominates the city panorama. It is globally renowned for its annual summer festivals, including the world's largest arts festival, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Edinburgh is also home to Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano, and the Royal Mile, a vibrant and bustling street filled with shops, restaurants and historic buildings, making it an unforgettable destination for travelers worldwide.

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Is Edinburgh good for solo travel?

Safety:

Safety:Very safe

Edinburgh, is generally a safe city for solo female travelers. It has a friendly atmosphere, well-patrolled streets, and public transport that runs reliably into the late hours. There are excellent security measures in place, with CCTV widely used across the city. However, like any other city, it's always important to stay aware of your surroundings, especially when walking alone at night in less busy areas. Always keep your belongings close to you and avoid displaying expensive items. Stick to well-lit, busy streets and always tell someone where you're going or use a trusted taxi service if you're out late.
Transport:

Transport:Easy

Edinburgh is relatively simple to navigate. It's a compact city so most attractions are within walking distance. But, expect to trek up and down a lot of hills. There is also a reliable array of public transportation including buses, trams, and trains to reach farther destinations. However, it can get crowded during the peak travel season or during the festival season.
Things to do:

Things to do:Fascinating

Edinburgh is a literal treasure trove for solo female travelers seeking adventure, history, culture, and beauty. From exploring the iconic Edinburgh Castle, wandering the charming alleys of Old Town, to climbing Arthur's Seat for panoramic city views, there is always something to do or see. Edinburgh also provides an extensive variety of shops, wonderful museums, galleries, and a fantastic food scene that caters to all preferences. The city is incredibly safe, people are genuinely friendly, and it's easy to navigate, making it ideal for solo travel.
Food:

Food:Above average

Edinburgh boasts a wide range of culinary delights from traditional Scottish dishes like haggis to international cuisine from Indian to Italian. There are hundreds of restaurants and cafes where you can taste both local and exotic flavors. Vegetarians/vegans are also catered to, though such options can be limited in traditional pubs. The city's considerable number of upscale, Michelin-starred restaurants cater to the gastronomically adventurous. But don't expect the city to go easy on your pocket when it comes to dining, as eating out in Edinburgh tends to be pricier than in many other UK cities.
Budget:

Budget:Moderate

Edinburgh, UK can be moderately budget-friendly. Accommodation, transportation and food can be quite reasonable if planned carefully. However, attractions and evening entertainment may add a higher cost than smaller cities or towns. It's a city where you can enjoy quite a lot without spending excessively, especially if you're keen on exploring the beautiful streets, gardens, and architecture which are absolutely free.

Is Edinburgh worth visiting?

Overall rating

4.7 /5

based on 47 experiences

Things to do

4.8/5

Safety

4.9/5

Food

4.4/5

Budget-friendly

3.5/5
Jessica

Jessica

United States

Solo travel

It’s the most charming of cities with warm people, rich history, stunning views, and unforgettable experiences. The castle dominated the city and tour, and is a can’t miss. It feels…. Like you can sense the history as in one direction you overlook crashing waves, in another grassy hills, and yet another, a thriving metropolitan city.

Posted: August 28, 2024
Things to do: 5/5Food: 4/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel

I felt safe the entire time, however I must say I didn't go out after 10 because I usually woke up at 8:30 to start doing and seeing stuff around town. So I don't know how it is at night. The things to do and see were great, most museums were free admision and the people there are very kind and helpfull. I'd recommend doing an underground tour in the old vaults, edinburgh castle and ofcourse the national scotish museum. I also made my own bag at the islander workshop, however do book it in avances since it sell out fast.

Posted: July 24, 2024Experienced: May, 2024
Things to do: 5/5Food: 3/5Budget-friendly: 2/5Safety: 4/5
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Elín

Elín

Iceland

Solo travel

I love Edinburgh! I have been a few times during Christmas time 🎄 Activities: I reccomend going to the Christmas Market and googling different events they have in December as a part of Edinburgh Christmas. I have been to the castle once and I really reccomend it, if you're on the fence about it, I'd say it's worth the money, just take your time there and don't go too late in the day to be able to look at everything; I reccomend getting the audio tour thing to learn all the fun facts. I recommend hiking Arthur's Seat, taking a walk to Charlton Hill. Places to stay: I've stayed at 4 different locations in Edinburgh. My favourite place to stay is Castle Rock Hostel, the vibes are perfect, I felt safe and there are so many opportunities to meet people there. I've only stayed in the 4 bed rooms and it was great! If you want to stay at a hotel I reccomend Grassmarket Hotel, I've stayed there twice and it was great both times! I've also stayed at Kick Ass Greyfriars: I reccomend it, also a great place to meet people. A&O Edinburgh City: cheap and good accomidation, not as easy to meet people unless you're a bar vibe kind of person, because the communal area is a bar.

Posted: July 20, 2024
Things to do: 5/5Food: 4/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 5/5
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Sara

Sara

United Kingdom

Solo travel

Edinburgh was my first solo trip. I travelled during the night by bus from London, did a free tour around the city, took a train to St Andrews and was back to Edinburgh for another free tour in the evening about ghosts and dark past of the city. That night I went to a pub that was recommended by the tour guy that used to be a church. Next day I did a day tour to the Highlands and I was back in the city by the evening to get my night bus back to London. Great trip. Great feeling of power and control over my life.

Posted: June 19, 2024Experienced: March, 2018
Things to do: 5/5Food: 3/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 5/5
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Group travel

I felt safe in Edimburg. People are really nice and curious. I went there with my friend and wondering around was so nice ! I definitely recommend this place if you travel alone you are going to feel safe because there is always a lot of people outside !

Posted: June 4, 2024
Things to do: 4/5Food: 1/5Budget-friendly: 2/5Safety: 5/5
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Eira

Eira

United Kingdom

Solo travel

I stayed at Castle Rock hostel and had an amazing time! They had events planned for each night so was really easy to meet other travellers that way. Spent my day wandering around the city - it was quite expensive I had a low budget to be fair, so ended up buying groceries and making myself food for the most part. It was really easy to just walk everything was really close. I visited: Arthur’s seat, national gallery and museum, Dean village, and small parks and areas of the city that were very pretty!

Posted: April 6, 2024
Things to do: 5/5Food: 4/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 5/5
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Group travel

I went to Edinburgh with another woman around my age and we had a great time! Our airbnb was located about 30 minutes from the Royal Mile, but with the public transportation, it was a quick and easy experience. Overall, we felt very safe. Edinburgh is a pretty small city that is very walkable. We went in July and there were definitely large crowds of tourists that made it hard to navigate around popular spots, but I was never a debilitating feature. Some of my restaurant recommendations include: - Nok’s Kitchen - Luckenbooth - Vittoria on the Bridge - Makar’s Mash Experience recommendations include - Edinburgh Castle - The Real Mary King’s Close - The Scotch Whisky Experience - Calton Hill Edinburgh is a beautiful medieval city with lots of charm, so I hope you enjoy your trip!

Posted: March 1, 2024
Things to do: 3/5Food: 4/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 5/5
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Gigi

Gigi

United States

Solo travel

I am in love with the city, the country side, the people, the food, the vibe, the weather, just beyond impressed with how kind the people are there, so much to do, never ending, get to the Royal mile, get a hostel around and you won’t run out of things to do, a lot of activities free, plenty of chances for good pictures, and of course plenty of pubs, I can’t wait to go back

Posted: February 27, 2024
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel

I went solo to Edinburgh and loved how walkable the city is and how friendly, always felt very safe. The historical buildings are everywhere and beautiful. Bus system easy to use. Food and craft beer was great.

Posted: February 7, 2024
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel

Edinburgh is a small city so its really easy to walk everywhere, but there is also a tram. Its really safe and people are sooo friendly. It's a really vibrant city, and so so beautiful. I made a ton of friends and would love to come back.

Posted: January 24, 2024Experienced: October, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 4/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 5/5
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Is Edinburgh safe for women?

Safety rating

4.1 /5

Based on 17 experiences

Crime rates rating

1.5 /5

Based on 17 experiences

Stefanie

Stefanie

Lived here for 7 years, never felt unsafe. Even when walking home drunk after a night out on my own for 30min through the whole city centre. Just made friends along the way! Obviously I can't say nothing ever happens, this is just my own experience.

Posted: August 20, 2024
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Edinburgh is a safe city but still needs to be aware of some teenagers, especially when they are in groups and also keep an eye on your personal belongings. August is the festival month of Edinburgh and may have a higher rate of pickpocketing.

Posted: August 9, 2024
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Meet locals in Edinburgh

Meet local women in Edinburgh who are open to meet up for a coffee or a drink, show you around, give local advice or practice a language with.
Barbara

Barbara

About Me

Hello there! I'm Barbara, a 33-year-old Spanish woman who absolutely adores traveling the world. My heart sings with excitement at the mere thought of exploring new destinations. From the charming streets of European cities to the serene beaches of faraway islands, I thrive on immersing myself in diverse cultures and soaking up every experience that comes my way. Sampling local cuisines, making connections with people from all walks of life, and collecting memories that will last a lifetime – that's what fuels my passion for travel. Each new adventure adds a chapter to my life story, and I can't wait to see where my wanderlust takes me next!

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Sula

Sula

About Me

Hello I am Sula. I am a creative, people centred person who loves to travel and immerse myself in new cultures. I love meeting new people and believe human connectivity is the core to life. I am taking a year out after the summer before going to University to study Fine Art. I am currently taking a foundation course in Art and Design in Edinburgh to prepare my portfolio to apply to Universities next year. My location means I am more than happy to share the secrets of Edinburgh and give guidance. 🥰

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Local tips

Edinburgh is safe for solo women and NB travellers, and I would feel safe at night on my own in well lit main roads as there are usually people about. I live in Leith so am biased, but I think the bars, restaurants and shops around here are great. It has a more artsy and diverse feel than other parts of Edinburgh. I would explore Leith walk and Easter road for cafes, pubs, bars and shops, and the Shore for cafes and pubs especially if the weather is nice as you can sit outside. There are a few nice cafes and pubs also on great junction street, particularly the Lioness of Leith, and Constitution Street, particularly Smoke and Mirrors for an evening wine/cocktail, or Rocksalt cafe for coffee/food (they also do lovely cakes!). Portobello is also lovely for a seaside town vibe, and crammond beach is nice to cycle along and for a BBQ. Getting around there are great cycle paths (though some parts of Edinburgh are pretty hilly!), buses are frequent and so are trams though these only go to particular spots. If you are feeling lazy you can take your bike on the tram.

Posted: July 6, 2024
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I live in Edinburgh and personally believe that Edinburgh is safe and easy to navigate. Both the tram and the bus run to the city centre from the airport. One of the key things I suggest when it comes to public transportation in Edinburgh is downloading the Lothian Buses app. There are many different buses in Edinburgh, but using the app can help you find the best ways to get virtually anywhere in the city.

Posted: October 11, 2023
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I live in Edinburgh and I believe it's very safe - normal city precautions are sufficient. It's probably one of the safer cities in the UK. Any place fairly central should be suitable for living - buses are good, and you can walk to most places.

Posted: September 14, 2023
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Edinburgh is a very safe city, although like everywhere it has its areas that are not as nice. I would strongly recommend staying in Leith, with many Airbnb options, excellent transportation links to the city, and lots of great cafes/bars etc. The main areas I would advise to avoid are Wester Hailes, Niddrie Mains, and Drylaw. I wouldn't say these areas are necessarily more dangerous for a woman, they are just somewhat more socially disadvantaged and generally less safe at night.

Posted: September 13, 2023
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If you're looking for tourist attractions, you should definitely visit the castle, and then you can walk down the Royal Mile towards Holyrood Palace and, if you feel like it, climb up Arthur’s Seat! The National Gallery on Princes Street is also stunning, and the modern art galleries are just beyond the city center, near Stockbridge - which is also a charming part of the city. From there, you can also visit the botanical garden or walk along the Leith River back to the city via Dean Village (a picturesque place). I also love the natural history museum, which is located near Grass Market, where you can have a drink with a view of the castle. If you want to explore the surroundings of Edinburgh, I would recommend North Berwick to the east of Edinburgh, St Andrews, and the east coast of Fife.

Posted: November 24, 2022
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I live in Edinburgh, a brilliant city with plenty of attractions. Climb Arthur's Seat if the weather is nice. The walk up to Carlton Hill is easy, and the view of the city and across the water is amazing. Visit Portobello beach if you have time, and eat a slice of pizza from Civerinos! Be sure to also stop by Mary's Milk Bar ice cream shop on Grass Market. You can also go on a ghost tour. Above all, have fun exploring the city! When it comes to food, Ting Thai Caravan is located in the centre, it's delicious, reasonably priced and if the weather is nice, you can get takeaway and sit on the Meadows.

Posted: November 20, 2022
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Stay with locals in Edinburgh

Stay with local women in Edinburgh who offer free accommodation as part of cultural exchange. Hospitality exchange is a great way to meet new people, learn more about new cultures and experience destinations like a local.
Kayla

Kayla

Edinburgh

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Want to be a social designer and live a nomad life. Now MA Design for Change student @University of Edinburgh!. Interested in art & design, community building, culture & nature exploring, solo travel.

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Emma

Emma

Edinburgh

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Northern Irish doctor living in Edinburgh - lover of the outdoors!

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Upcoming visitors to Edinburgh

Connect with upcoming visitors to Edinburgh who are looking for travel buddies or meet ups.
Nicole

Nicole

About Me

Hey I'm Nicole! I love traveling and meeting new people. I'm into fitness, reading, hiking, gaming, coding and photography🌻

Speaking

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Tally

Tally

About Me

Hi, I’m Korean Chinese. 🗺️I’m passionate about traveling and get to know different cultures. Currently I’m in the middle of my gap year, discovering myself and exploring the world. I will be in Europe for 50days, and would love to meet up with new people, talks walk, sightseeing, lunch/dinner together, clubbing. 🌈 Bi

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