Edinburgh. The capital of Scotland, home to haggis and J.K Rowling. But what makes it so good for student trips? With a hundred and one things to do, a hopping nightlife and exceptionally cheap drinks, it makes the perfect getaway for any college trip. Add to this the city's winding cobbled streets, beautiful parks and banterful inhabitants and there really isn't any reason you shouldn't go. But in case you don't believe me...
How do I get there?
Flights from anywhere in Ireland to Edinburgh tend to be very cheap, about €30 - 40€ return. But that doesn't include luggage. So either share a suitcase with a friend or just bring a carry-on bag. If you're only going for a few nights, you won't need much anyway. The bus from the airport to the city centre costs £7 return. So far so cheap and cheerful right?
Where should I stay?
There are plenty great places to stay in Edinburgh but, if it's prime location you're after, the Castle Rock Hostel is your best bet. I've stayed there a few times and it's a favourite among backpackers. Located a short walk away from the castle in the old town, this hostel promises a great atmosphere along with a cosy bed. The staff are happy to help in whatever way they can AND they run free pub crawls on Thursdays!
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Where's good to eat?
Not a hotspot for vegetarians, Oink Hog Roast serves the best pork in Edinburgh. It won't burn a hole in your pocket - baps cost between £2.60 and £4.60, depending on the size. It's ideal for a hangover cure and piecing together the events of last night. Centrally located in Edinburgh's old town, you'll find Oink on the bustling Victoria Street, famous for its quirky shops and restaurants.
Where's good for pints?
Edinburgh is well-known for its laid-back, alternative nightlife. With a wide selection of traditional Scottish pubs, hole-in-the-wall bars and quirky clubs, there really is something for everyone. My personal recommendation for drinks and bops would be Dropkick Murphys, a pub located in Cowgate. Cheap pints, good music and good times guaranteed.
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What's awesome to do?
Besides the kick-ass castle, which looms over the city, there are quite a lot of really fun things to do. My top five include...
1) Camera Obscura and World of Illusions - This place is an absolute blast and well worth a visit with friends. Five floors full of mindfucks and a rooftop terrace that looks over the city makes it totally worth the £7 entry fee.
2) Elephant House Café - Any Harry Potter fans should definitely pop in here. J.K Rowling herself spent hours in this café, conjuring up the book series that hooked an entire generation. If the coffee in here can inspire you to write a magical book series that makes you richer than the Queen, it must be pretty decent, right?
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3) Go Ghostbusting - As a historic city, Edinburgh plays host to the world's most haunted graveyard, Greyfriars. City of the Dead is definitely the best tour company in town. My personal advice is to go on the double tour, which will bring you to the once plague-infested underground vaults as well as Greyfriars. You're guaranteed to laugh, learn and shit yourself... probably all at the same time.
4) Edinburgh Zoo - A little bit outside the city but easy to get to, Edinburgh Zoo hosts a shit-ton of cute animals... including pandas! Who doesn't want to see cute fluffy pandas chowing on bamboo, eh? Another good idea for a hangover cure. Just make sure you get there early - tickets to see the pandas are limited so don't miss out!
5) Cocktails in tea cups - No, not an alternative, weirdly-dressed indie band. Bramble bar serves up some of the best cocktails you'll ever taste, and in the quaintest vessels - tea cups! This isn't just for girls, either. There's obvious potential for a great lads cover photo, with all your mates drinking cocktails from tea cups... pretty classy eh?
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Some tips...
- Don't be afraid to grab a taxi if you're lost, as taxis are surprisingly cheap in Edinburgh. If the city wasn't so beautiful, I probably wouldn't have walked anywhere.
- The city is divided into two sides: Old Town and New Town. You'll figure out the difference as soon as you arrive. Shopping streets and clubs are generally located in the New Town. The Old Town is where you'll find the castle, historic buildings and some of the smaller, more traditional pubs and bars.
- Engage with the people! Scots are extremely friendly and have a great sense of humour. Although they can be a little difficult to understand, they won't mind if you ask them to speak more slowly!
- Edinburgh is a student city. There are four main universities in Edinburgh, so it's a pretty student-friendly place. It's also very popular with international students and backpackers, so everyone is pretty much always up for a drink and a laugh.
Happy travelling!
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