One might not typically associate a trip to Edinburgh with a seaside excursion, but the Scottish capital sits tantalisingly close to some of the UK’s best beaches. After a few days spent taste-testing your way around Edinburgh’s top restaurants , cosying up in the city’s best pubs or working your way through this list of the best things to do in Edinburgh , some salty sea air might just be the perfect way to round off your trip. Below, find the loveliest rocky shores and sandy stretches to add to your Edinburgh must-visit list.
Let’s start with the most obvious choice. Portobello sits just three miles east of Edinburgh’s city centre, and has become a creative hub of late. Take a stroll along the promenade and stop off at some of the cute bakeries and cake shops en route (Bross Bagels and Twelve Triangles are our favourites).
The sands are a lovely golden colour, and when the sun shines, it's the perfect place to lay down a blanket and have a picnic. Civerinos is a wonderfully kitsch pizza place serving up wonderfully cheesy slices and frozen margaritas. Gullane is one of east Scotland’s most beautiful coastal stretches: a sweep of honey-hued sand curving around the country’s wild waters.
In the summer, nab a spot to laze and make the most of the warm weather, and keep an eye out for wind and kite surfers skimming the waves – the beach is a popular spot for locals keen on water sports. Finish off with a walk along the maze of sand dunes. One of the most popular.
