Experience Edinburgh at Christmas with days spent browsing market stalls, exploring the Old Town and stopping for hot chocolate between the shops. Scotland’s capital gives you plenty of ways to enjoy the season, from Christmas shopping to evenings catching up over dinner. With PREMIER SUITES Edinburgh as your base, you can make time for the celebrations and have your own space to relax afterwards.

A Christmas break does not need a packed itinerary. You might spend a morning picking out presents, an afternoon visiting a museum and an evening taking in the city lights. Staying for a few nights gives you time to enjoy Edinburgh at your own pace.

Browse Edinburgh’s Christmas Markets

The Christmas markets are a good starting point for your visit. Head to East Princes Street Gardens to browse stalls selling gifts, decorations and food, with the Scott Monument rising above the celebrations.

Take your time looking for something to bring home. You might find a decoration for your tree, a present for a friend or a treat to share back at your apartment. Stop for a hot drink as you explore, then see what catches your eye at the food stalls.

The wider Edinburgh’s Christmas programme includes fairground attractions and entertainment across the city centre. Some activities need separate tickets, so check the programme before your visit if there is something your family particularly wants to try.

Explore the Old Town

Make time to explore Edinburgh beyond the Christmas celebrations. The Old Town’s closes, courtyards and stone buildings give you plenty to see during a winter walk.

Start along the Royal Mile and leave time to step into the shops along the way. You can browse Scottish gifts, books and local produce, or stop in a café when you need a break from the cold.

Victoria Street is another spot to add to your route. Its curved street and colourful shopfronts make it a favourite for photographs, but it is also somewhere to slow down and browse.

Wear shoes with a good grip, as Edinburgh’s hills and cobbled streets can be slippery in wet weather. A shorter walk with a few stops can be more enjoyable than trying to cover every landmark in one afternoon.

Make a Start on Your Christmas Shopping

If you want to get through your Christmas list while you are away, Edinburgh gives you plenty of choice.

Princes Street is a useful place to begin, while George Street offers more shops alongside places to stop for lunch. You can also spend part of your day at St James Quarter, particularly when you would rather browse indoors.

For presents with a local connection, leave time for the independent shops around the Old Town and Stockbridge. Books, prints, Scottish food and homeware can all make thoughtful gifts.

Try shopping earlier in the day, then leave your bags back at your apartment before heading out again. It makes an evening meal or a visit to the Christmas markets much easier to enjoy.

Add Some History to Your Stay

A Christmas city break is also a chance to see the places Edinburgh is known for throughout the year.

Edinburgh Castle is an option for anyone interested in the city’s history. Set aside enough time to explore rather than fitting it into a gap between other plans. Book ahead and check opening arrangements for your chosen date, especially if you are visiting around Christmas itself.

You can also spend time at the National Museum of Scotland. It is a useful addition to a winter itinerary, with collections that give adults and children plenty to explore indoors.

Choose one main attraction each day and leave room for everything else. You will have more time to enjoy what you came to see, without spending your break watching the clock.

Warm Up Over Food and Drink

Part of the appeal of Edinburgh at Christmas is having a reason to stop somewhere warm after exploring.

Plan a lunch between the shops, settle into a café with a book or book a dinner to catch up with friends. Around the city centre, you can choose from Scottish cooking, international menus and places serving something quick before your next stop.

If there is a restaurant you particularly want to visit, reserve a table before travelling. December brings Christmas parties and group gatherings, so leaving every meal until the last minute can limit your options.

You can also keep things simple. Pick up something for dinner, head back to your apartment and spend the evening watching a Christmas film. There is no need to go out for every meal to make the most of your stay.

Enjoy Christmas with the Family

Edinburgh gives families plenty of ways to spend time together during the season. Market visits, sightseeing and shopping can all fit into a short break, but leave space for rest as well.

Keep outdoor plans flexible. Children may enjoy an hour exploring the Christmas celebrations more than a full afternoon in the cold. Follow it with lunch or an indoor attraction, then decide what everyone feels like doing next.

Pack gloves, warm layers and waterproof coats. Having a change of clothes ready at your accommodation also makes it easier to head out again after wet weather.

The best moments may be the ones you have not scheduled, such as choosing a decoration together or sharing a treat after a walk.

Stay at PREMIER SUITES Edinburgh

PREMIER SUITES Edinburgh Fountain Court offers a base in the city’s West End, near Haymarket. The serviced apartments include kitchen facilities, living space and complimentary WiFi, giving you flexibility throughout your Christmas break.

Start the morning with breakfast in your apartment before heading out to explore. Keep snacks ready for when you return, or prepare dinner when you fancy an evening indoors.

That flexibility is useful when travelling with family or staying for several nights. You can spend your days enjoying Edinburgh and return to familiar routines in the evening.

From Christmas shopping and market visits to winter walks through the Old Town, there is plenty to fill your stay. Book your Christmas break at PREMIER SUITES Edinburgh and give yourself time to experience the city this festive season.