Weekend in Edinburgh Visiting Friends
A perfect long weekend in Edinburgh, filled with the magic of the Fringe, beautiful architecture, seaside adventures and precious time with old friends at their Georgian home
Edinburgh is one of those cities that seems to have something for everyone. On our latest visit, we enjoyed a wonderful mix of the lively Fringe Festival atmosphere, beautiful architecture and seaside adventures. But above all, we spent precious time with old friends — and our elderly dogs and best paw friends, Buddy and Hamish, had a very happy reunion.
Staying with Friends in Their Georgian Home
Our very good friends, who used to live in our neighbourhood, bought a fixer-upper Georgian home during Covid. Now, with the renovations nearly complete, they invited us to stay for a long weekend during the Edinburgh Fringe.
The house was full of character, with its original period features providing a beautiful backdrop to a thoughtful, modern renovation. High ceilings, elegant proportions and historic details were combined with comfortable family spaces, a hot tub and sauna, cinema room and gym, making the house feel both special and incredibly welcoming.
Most of all, though, it was the time spent together that made the trip so memorable. Staying with friends made the weekend feel less like a sightseeing break and more like a proper family holiday. We grilled, we laughed, we hiked and we reminisced. It was lovely.
The Magic of the Edinburgh Fringe
Visiting Edinburgh during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is an experience like no other. The city comes alive with energy, with performers, musicians and artists appearing around almost every corner, particularly along the Royal Mile.
For families, there is plenty to enjoy too. We loved wandering through the city, discovering colourful performers and catching snippets of shows along the way. It is worth planning a little in advance and choosing performances that suit the children’s ages and interests. Kenz and Lady Yeya even went on a special underground ghost tour, which was a definite highlight.
Exploring Edinburgh’s Beautiful Architecture
One of the joys of Edinburgh is that you can turn a corner and suddenly find yourself surrounded by beautiful architecture. From the medieval character of the Old Town to the elegant Georgian streets of the New Town, the city is a delight to explore on foot.
Edinburgh manages to feel wonderfully historic without ever seeming stuck in the past. That combination of history, character and energy is what gives the city so much charm.
A Day at Portobello Beach
After all that city exploring, a trip to Portobello Beach was the perfect change of pace. Portobello has a lovely seaside feel, with a wide sandy beach and plenty of space for children to run around.
We enjoyed the simple pleasures of walking along the shore, playing in the sand and taking in the sea air. It was a reminder that one of Edinburgh’s greatest advantages is its variety: you can spend the morning surrounded by centuries of history and the afternoon building sandcastles by the sea.
We also met up with our friends for dinner at Joppa Rocks, where we enjoyed a delicious seafood feast — the perfect way to end the day.
Edinburgh: A Little Bit of Everything
What made this trip so memorable was the combination of experiences. We had the excitement and energy of the Fringe, hike to Arthur’s Seat, the beauty of Edinburgh’s architecture, the freedom of a day at Portobello Beach and, most importantly, the pleasure of catching up with old friends in their gorgeous Georgian home.
Edinburgh is a wonderful destination for families because you don’t have to choose between culture, history and fun. You can have all three — and add a beach day for good measure.
