Edinburgh is my favourite place in the world, but you cannot deny that in summer, the city can feel crowded and noisy thanks to the international festival. Seeing all the performers, shows, and comedians can be fun, but if you want to escape the hustle and bustle, consider making a trip to its beautiful seaside.
Most visitors to Edinburgh are unaware that just on its outskirts lies Portobello, a charming, historic seaside town that is part of the city. I absolutely love Portobello for its breathtaking beach and quirky independent shops, so I highly recommend it for anyone seeking a quiet escape from the chaotic city centre.
Portobello beach is known for its incredibly soft white sand, which makes it the perfect spot for a picnic or simply to relax with a book by the sea.
What I love about Portobello beach is that it is a really quiet area if you do not go on the weekend but there is always some event going on.
From scavenger hunts, to photographers, yoga or even a beach clean, the community is really active, which gives it a really close-knit and cosy atmosphere.
It also has some beautiful, gothic-looking Victorian homes on the promenade, and there are so many lovely little cafés and restaurants to visit.
My absolute favourite place to eat at the beach is The Boathouse. It has the tastiest pizzas I have ever eaten and is at the very edge of the promenade, so it tends to be quiet.
However, Portobello has so many great places to eat, and it’s worth exploring if you are looking for a good dinner spot without the city centre prices.
My absolutely favourite thing to do is go for lunch at Greek Artisan Pastries, a cute blue-and-white bakery that can be spotted on the main street.
I love its savoury pies, as they are always warm and fresh and have such a great selection that I am always spoiled for choice.
One of the friendliest coffee shops I have ever been to is Tanifiki, known for its African coffee blends. The owner is lovely, but the whole team are always really nice and so helpful every time I visit.
Tanifiki has so many sweet bakery goods, as well as luxurious coffee, that I always have to go in. The last time I went, I got a sea salt brownie, but I also really love the scones and highly recommend them.
If you want somewhere to drink, visit the Foresters, which has a really cosy beer garden and delicious pub grub. It has the absolute best fish and chips and sticky toffee pudding I have ever eaten, and I have to go every few months just to experience it again.
Edinburgh is known for its huge selection of bookshops but if you are a bookworm then you need to visit The Portobello Bookshop.
This independent bookshop has some of the best picks selected by staff members, and I always find something unique to read when I visit.
They also have a great selection of indie books and magazines, which will get you interested in topics you never would have thought to explore otherwise.
Portobello is such an incredible place that is filled with so many independent stores worth visiting that I have not even begun to scratch the surface of this underrated seaside town.
Portobello is a 20-minute drive away from the city centre of Edinburgh and around a 35-minute bus ride away. It takes roughly an hour to walk there but I would highly recommend taking public transport or a taxi f you do not know the area well.