Edinburgh – Hostels in Edinburgh. Maps for Edinburgh, Photos and Reviews for each hostel in Edinburgh.

Perched on an extinct volcano, the castle is something every backpacker should visit – not only is it fascinating, it’ll also help you get your bearings in the winding lanes below. Keep an eye open for actor-led tours.

Website: http://www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk/

Address: Edinburgh Castle, Castlehill EH1 2NG

District: Old Town

Phone: 0131 225 9846

This is a scream-filled adventure through 1000 years of Scottish villains, rogues and rascals. Actors, special effects and rides bring to life the torture chamber, serial killers and even local cannibal Sawney Bean.

Website: http://www.thedungeons.com/edinburgh/en/

Address: 31 Market Street, EH1 1DF

District: Old Town

Phone: 0871 423 2250

Edinburgh’s only full-time comedy venue, The Stand is a showcase for local talent. With shows seven nights a week, you’ll be laughing all the way back to the hostel.

Website: http://www.thestand.co.uk/

Address: 5 York Place, EH1 3EB

District: Queen Street

Phone: 0131 558 7272

Probably best avoided during school holidays, but when the kids are tied to the desks, launch yourself into a world of interactive exhibits that journey through the story of Earth.

Website: http://www.dynamicearth.co.uk/

Address: Holyrood Rd, EH8 8AS

District: Holyrood

Phone: 0131 550 7800

Uni central, Southside is filled with studenty places to eat at, drink at and generally kick back a bit. With students at its focus, this is a particularly backpacker-friendly place to visit.

The heart of Edinburgh, the Old Town is loaded with elegant stone buildings, museums and famous sights, including the castle, St Giles’ Cathedral and the Scottish National Gallery.

Pretty impossible to avoid, Princes Street is the main shopping street and is closed for anyone but trams, buses and taxis. All the buildings are on the north side of the street, leaving amazing views of the Old Town and Edinburgh Castle.

Running for four weeks in August, this is a global pinnacle of performing arts, flooded with world-class theatre, dance and music. It is the world's largest arts festival. Not one to miss.

Website: http://www.eif.co.uk/

Edinburgh IS New Year for many – December 31 sees the city turn into a giant street party. Everyone has to do New Year in Edinburgh at least once in their life. It’s the law.

Hugely popular with the hostel and backpacker crowd, the Fringe runs alongside the International Festival. It’s a showcase for experimental work and emerging talent, with loads of free shows.

Website: https://www.edfringe.com/

Music fills the streets for ten days in July, with 400 virtuoso performers from around the world dropping in to astound jazz fans.

Website: http://www.edinburghjazzfestival.com/

A free, volunteer-run music and community festival in June – there are three music stages, plus a dog show, art competitions and more. Get out of the hostel and enjoy a taste of local life.

Website: http://www.meadowsfestival.org/

Address: The Meadows Melville Drive, Edinburgh, Midlothian EH9 9EX, United Kingdom

District: Newington

A celebration of world music and dance held on Leith Links, a former golf course. It’s also great opportunity for globetrotting backpackers to enjoy some international grub.

Website: http://www.edinburgh-mela.co.uk/

Address: Links Gardens, Edinburgh EH6 7QR, United Kingdom

District: Leith Links

The show-stoppers here are the homemade soups that will take you on a world trip, from Lebanese lemon, lentil and spinach soup to Moroccan Harira, all served with a good hunk of bread. Each day has six soups to choose from.

Website: http://www.unionofgenius.com/

Address: Forrest Rd, EH1 2QN

District: Old Town

Phone: 0131 226 4436

Photos: https://www.facebook.com/UnionOfGenius/photos_stream

Get your gnashers round some ‘snasters’ (trans: guilty pleasures) at Lovecrumbs in West Port. It does cakes and… nothing else. If our cakes were this good, we’d never do anything else either.

Website: http://www.lovecrumbs.co.uk/

Address: 155 West Port, EH3 9DP

District: West End

Phone: 0131 629 0626

Head to Hemma for hungry backpacker’s breakfast: think haggis, bacon, poached eggs, sautéed potatoes, mushrooms and a hunk of toast from the local Manna House bakery. The Bloody Marys are legendary.

Website: http://www.bodabar.com/hemma/

Address: 73 Holyrood Rd, EH8 8AU

District: Holyrood

Phone: 0131 629 3327

Want to escape the dorm and grab a cocktail? This cosy bar turns out amazing ones. It’s quiet after work, but visit on Friday or Saturday evening for a more frenetic experience surrounded by beautiful people.

Website: http://www.bramblebar.co.uk

Address: 16A Queen Street

District: Queen Street

Phone: 0131 226 6343

Opened in May 1997, The Liquid Room has an obscene list of artists from every genre. From Snow Patrol to De La Soul, Kaiser Chiefs to Black Eyed Peas.

Website: http://www.liquidroom.com/

Address: 9C Victoria Street, EH1 2HE

District: Old Town

Phone: 0131 225 2564

This is a cracking spot for an after-shop cocktail. Get super relaxed beneath the biggest lampshades on Edinburgh or shake up a cocktail all of your own with a cocktail masterclass.

Website: http://www.thewestroom.co.uk/

Address: 3 Melville Place

District: West End

Phone: 0131 629 9868

Princes Street is stuffed with the major chain and department stores and Scottish souvenir shops. See what your tartan is at Romanes & Paterson – they’ve sold kilts and other tartan items since 1878.

Address: 62 Princes Street, Edinburgh EH2 2DF

District: Princes Street

Phone: 0131 225 4966

On the last Saturday of every month, bric-a-brac your way through all sorts of vintage goodies that you’ll suddenly find yourself needing.

Website: http://www.outoftheblue.org.uk/out-of-the-blue-flea-market/

Address: Dalmeny Street

District: Leith

It’s tough dragging yourself out of the hostel after a Friday night out - but this award-winning Saturday morning market features over 50 producers selling meat, fish, cheese, chutneys, bread and organic beer. We reckon it’s worth it…

Website: http://www.edinburghfarmersmarket.co.uk/

Address: Castle Terrace, Midlothian EH52 6RH

District: West End

Phone: 0131 220 8580

When you’re backpacking, you need to count the pennies. Most of the galleries and museums are free, and there’s plenty of outside stuff to do too – so learn to love Edinburgh’s parks.

With so many festivals in summer, Edinburgh costs a fortune at that time of year, so visit at another time of year. Or book really early!

Hostel life and student life have a lot in common. So head to Southside, where there are loads of mid-week treats aimed at the local university population. It’s a great window on young Edinburgh too.

Check out The List to see what’s free in pubs and places around the city https://www.list.co.uk/events/where:edinburgh/