Edinburgh attracts more than a million tourists every year, but for its 500,000 residents, the throbbing crowds can sometimes get a bit frustrating to say the least. So, it's hardly surprising that seasoned Edinburgh locals tend to steer clear of the usual hotspots, like Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile.
However, if you think that being a tourist in your own city means paying over the odds for lukewarm drinks, being bumped about in the street by herds of visitors or buying tonnes of tartan tat, then think again. Follow these tips to enjoy the best of our wonderful city without all of the seasonal stress:
Go out when its quieter (ie not August)
Edinburgh has a very definite tourist season - it's usually from the beginning of June until the end of September, with August obviously being the epicentre. Avoid these times, and you’ll probably find that the crowds are a lot more manageable. Just be wary: some attractions change their opening hours during the non-peak season, so be sure to check ahead.
Enjoy Edinburgh for free
Being a tourist in Edinburgh doesn’t have to mean hefty entrance fees. In fact, a lot of the city’s top attractions, like the National Galleries, the National Museum on Chambers Street and many of the little museums on the Royal Mile (such as The People’s Story) are completely free of charge. Even those that do have an entrance fee, such as Edinburgh Castle, open their doors for free on St Andrews Day on November 30 every year. Allocated tickets sell out fast though, so get in there early!
Do a spot of tourist shopping
Most locals have a pretty cynical attitude to all the tartan shops on the Royal Mile, and arguably your results may vary, but there are actually a couple of hidden gems that are really worth checking out. If you fancy some Scottish themed merchandise, Ness on the High Street sells some really tasteful and fashionable plaid bags and jackets, the all-year-round Christmas Shop near the Canongate is an attraction in itself, and for those with a sweet tooth there are plenty of places to get confectionery goodies including Fudge Kitchen. Plus, if you have any relatives overseas the Royal Mile is a brilliant mine of value-for-money birthday or Christmas gifts.
Leave your preconceptions at home
Yes, it’s easy to scoff at the crowds clogging up the Royal Mile, or the queues of people waiting for the Tattoo up at the Castle - but have you ever thought that the tourist droves are actually onto something? There’s a reason that Edinburgh attracts around 1.3 million visitors annually, with that number growing every year. Edinburgh is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, rich in history and host to some of the most impressive spectacles in the world, the Edinburgh Festival just being one of them. And you actually live here, you lucky thing.
So why not take the day off from being a resident of Edinburgh and be a tourist - you’ll never know what you might find!
See more things to do in Edinburgh from Time Out.