Hey everyone! It’s me again, back with another travel blog around the UK. This time, I ventured to Edinburgh – Scotland’s capital city – for an exciting exploration.

Transport:

To kickstart my journey, I hopped on a train from Guildford Railway Station to London Waterloo, which took about 40 minutes. From there, I caught a tube to London King’s Cross, a journey of about 20-30 minutes. Finally, I boarded a train from London King’s Cross to Edinburgh Waverley, which took approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes. I bought my tickets on trip.com, costing around £100 with a 16-25 railcard. You can also purchase tickets through the Trainline app. Pro tip: plan ahead to get cheaper prices, and don’t forget to check flight prices too, as sometimes flying might be a more budget-friendly option. The entire journey totaled about 6 hours and 30 minutes, so I made sure to bring along some snacks and entertainment to keep me occupied. 🚆💼

Duration of Stay:

I spent a delightful 5 days in Edinburgh, including a day trip to Glasgow (stay tuned for my next post!). I was fortunate to crash at a friend’s place, but you can easily find affordable accommodations on booking.com. 🛏️

Attractions:

During my stay, I checked out some incredible attractions. Edinburgh Castle 🏰 was a definite highlight, but did you know there’s a superstition that students at the University of Edinburgh shouldn’t visit the castle during term time if they want to avoid failing? Quite intriguing, isn’t it? The Royal Mile was perfect for some shopping 🛍️, and Princes Street Gardens 🌳 offered a relaxing hangout spot with breathtaking city views.

One of my favorite spots was the National Museum of Scotland 🏛️. It’s a treasure trove of history and culture, with fascinating exhibits covering everything from Scottish history to world 🌍 cultures. Plus, it’s free to enter, making it an ideal stop for budget-conscious travelers like us.

And let’s not forget Calton Hill, where I caught a stunning sunset 🌇and snapped some instagram-worthy pics 📸. Fun fact: did you know that Jay Chou filmed part of his music video for “明明就” in Edinburgh, with Calton Hill and Edinburgh Castle making an appearance in the MV?

On Saturdays, Edinburgh comes alive with its vibrant farmers’ markets. I had the chance to explore one of them, which is only open from 9 am to 2 pm. The market offered a delightful array of fresh produce, artisanal goods, and mouthwatering food stalls. I couldn’t resist trying some pulled-pork, and let me tell you, it was absolutely delicious! 🍴

But wait, there’s more! If you’re up for it, you can also visit Leith Market, which is open on Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm. It’s another fantastic market with a diverse selection of vendors selling everything from local crafts to gourmet treats. It’s the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in Edinburgh’s local culture and culinary delights. Plus, Edinburgh is famous for its traditional tartan scarves and other Scottish souvenirs, so don’t forget to pick up some unique gifts to take home with you! 🎁

PS: We visited Edinburgh during the spring season, so we were treated to the beautiful sight of sakura blossoms in bloom. 🌸