Among them, Leith, Musselburgh, Aberlady and North Berwick are located along the coastline east of Edinburgh, while Dunfermline and Stirling are located west of Edinburgh.Of course, you can also go to Glasgow in the west and visit Edinburgh and Glasgow, the two major cities in Scotland, together.
Leith
Leith is located in the north of Edinburgh and was once the busiest commercial port city in Scotland. With charming beaches and the romantic Newhaven Harbour, the famous Royal Yacht Britannia is moored here. You can board the ship to visit the royal-level yacht, and there is also traditional English afternoon tea on the deck.
How to get there
Self-driving: 20 minutes drive from Edinburgh
Bus: Take bus No. 16, 25, 34, 35, 36, etc. from the center of Edinburgh
Musselburgh
Musselburgh is about 10 kilometers away from Edinburgh and is a historic town on the eastern coastline of Edinburgh. There are beautiful beaches, famous racecourses and golf courses here. The popular Portobello beach is actually located near Musselburgh. There are also many medieval historical architectural attractions, restaurants, cafes and taverns in the town.
How to get there
Self-driving: 30-40 minutes drive from Edinburgh
Bus: Take bus No. 26, 30, 44, 113, etc. from the center of Edinburgh
Train: Take "ScotRail" to Musselburgh, about 10-15 minutes
Aberlady
Aberlady is a beautiful coastal town in eastern Scotland, about 30 kilometers from the center of Edinburgh. There is a famous migratory bird habitat here, where thousands of migratory birds live and breed every year.
In addition, there are many well-preserved historical buildings, churches and houses in the town, many of which can be traced back hundreds of years. If you want to go to Aberlady, it is best to go in summer and autumn, when everything is revived and the scenery is particularly charming.
How to get there
Self-driving: 30 minutes drive from Edinburgh
Bus: Take 22, 43, X5, 124, etc. from the center of Edinburgh
Train: Take "ScotRail" to Longniddry Station, then transfer to bus 124 to Aberlady, about 45-60 minutes
North Berwick
This is a small town on the east coast of Scotland, located on the eastern coastline of Edinburgh. It is a tourist destination featuring beaches, golf courses and seabirds. The most famous beaches are Canty Bay Beach and West Bay Beach. In addition, North Berwick also has a unique seabird colony landscape, which attracts many bird watching enthusiasts every year. The historical architectural attractions Tantallon Castle and Dirleton Castle are also located here.
How to get there
Driving: 40 minutes from Edinburgh
Bus: Take X5 or 124 from Edinburgh city center
Train: Take "ScotRail" to North Berwick, about 45 minutes
Dunfermline
Dunfermline is an ancient city located about 25 kilometers north of Edinburgh. It can be reached by crossing the Firth of Forth, just in time to see the Forth Bridge. The town has a rich historical and cultural heritage, with churches, palace ruins and museums. There is also a forest park including a peacock garden and a greenhouse botanical garden. It takes about half a day to visit the park and attractions.
How to get there
Self-driving: 30-40 minutes drive from Edinburgh
Bus: Take X54, X56, X59 and X61 from Edinburgh city center
Train: Take "ScotRail" to Dunfermline Queen Margaret, about 45 minutes
Stirling
Although Stirling is one of the smallest cities in the UK, it is also one of the most historically valuable cities in central Scotland. It was once the political and industrial center of the ancient Kingdom of Scotland, and was once the capital of Scotland and the residence of the royal family.
The main attractions are the National Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle. If you are interested in the ancient Kingdom of Scotland, you must not miss this city.
How to get there
Self-driving: 30-40 minutes drive from Edinburgh
Train: Take "ScotRail" to Stirling, about 60 minutes
In-depth tour: Glasgow
Unlike the above cities, you can basically go back and forth from Edinburgh on the same day. Glasgow, nearly 80 kilometers away from Edinburgh, is the largest city in Scotland. It has the atmosphere of the Industrial Revolution and the Victorian era, and is also a very charming and diverse tourist destination. You can stay here for 2-3 days to slowly visit and have an in-depth tour.
In addition to visiting famous attractions such as the cathedral, the city hall, and major museums and art galleries, the most pleasant thing is to stroll through the cultural and artistic districts of Glasgow, Hillhead and West End, and feel the humanistic atmosphere of the city.
In addition, Glasgow is also the second largest shopping city in the UK outside of London. There are many trendy brands and luxury stores on Princes Street and Ingram Street in the city center. There are also many independent shops around the University of Glasgow, from vintage shops to bookstores and record stores. Friends who like shopping can enjoy the pleasure of shopping here.
Recommended route
George Square - Gallery of Modern Art - University of Glasgow - Kelvingrove Art Gallery - Glasgow Cathedral - Glasgow Necropolis
Conclusion
In addition to Edinburgh, these cities are also worth visiting.