30 EDINBURGH regularly tops the lists of 'the best cities in the world' and attracts more than four million tourists a year, but most of them miss the quirkiest - and tastiest - things in the city. For while throngs of visitors crowd the Royal Mile and the city's castle, few know that the real gems lie on the city's back streets - from the cryptically named 'closes' to the mouthwatering squegg. 30 Edinburgh's rich history, picturesque landscapes and cool bars and restaurants is why so many people flock to the city Credit: Alamy 30 Grassmarket is a historic marketplace, and today it's still home to many independent gift, clothing and homeware shops, and restaurants, bars and cafes Credit: Alamy 30 There's much to be explored inside Edinburgh Castle, which is open daily except Christmas and Boxing Day Credit: Getty In 2022, Edinburgh was crowned the 'world's best city,' last year it was named among The Times' top 20 best cities in the world and earlier this year, Travel & Leisure named it one of the world's most beautiful cities.
As part of our Best of British travel series, we tapped up some of Edinburgh's most in-the-know residents for the best hidden gems in the city. If you had a friend visit from abroad, what shouldn't they miss? Shop owner Susan Doherty said: Take a meander around the historic closes - the narrow winding adjoining lanes off the main streets - of the Old Town. Wind your way around The Royal Mile and the Grassmarket - a historic market place full of indepen.
