Living in Edinburgh: Being a digital nomad in this magical city 

Living in Edinburgh is a great experience and the small but perfectly formed city offers many benefits to remote workers 

#Living in Edinburgh #Edinburgh digital nomad #Edinburgh remote working

With so many amazing places to go, being a digital nomad sure can be tough! But Edinburgh is one of the best small cities in Europe to live in and certainly one of the most beautiful! It has a superb quality of life and it’s a perfect mix of town and country – as a compact yet bustling city with the rolling hills on your doorstep. All in all, living in Edinburgh is unlikely to be a decision you regret.     

Wander

As we said, Edinburgh is fairly small and you can walk around the city centre in an hour or two. The Old Town is where you will find the likes of Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. After hours, you will also find bars, clubs and restaurants on its side streets and within the areas of the Grassmarket and Cowgate. 

The New Town, with its stunning Georgian architecture, has a sophisticated feel, with excellent bars and restaurants. Pack comfortable shoes as the cobbled lanes and steep streets are not heel-friendly! Less touristy areas such as Stockbridge and Morningside are well worth a visit and are excellent places to base yourself if you are intending to have a longer stay.  

Wander further 

If you leave Edinburgh for the day, you can reach some outstanding areas of natural beauty to explore in just an hour or two. Head to famous University town, St Andrews, for a round of golf at its famous Old Course – considered the oldest golf course in the world. 

Stroll along the stunning West Sands Beach and grab a pint at one of the many quaint and cosy pubs en route. Pick up one of the town’s infamous fudge doughnuts, at Fisher & Donaldson, for the trip home. 

If the weather is good, take a cliff-side walk along the Fife Coast from Elie and pass through the idyllic fishing towns of Pittenweem and St Monans. 

Take in the views and reward yourself with fish and chips at the famous Anstruther restaurant. 

Other day trips from Edinburgh include the Pentland Hills, Gullane, St Abbs and the picturesque towns of Perth and Melrose. Venture West to nearby Linlithgow for a walk with a view of the stunning Linlithgow Palace.    

Eat

The food scene in Edinburgh is growing quickly and you can find all types of options for all types of budgets. Ting Thai Caravan and Nok’s Kitchen serve the best Thai food in the city.

For modern Pan-Asian, The Wee Buddha is a great option. Maki and Ramen is a great option for sushi and ramen. The Outsiders serve an excellent value, and elegant, set lunch. For something sweet, head to Mimi’s Bakehouse or The Pastry Section in Stockbridge. 

Drink

Of course, Edinburgh is a must-visit for malt whisky enthusiasts and even if it’s not your favourite tipple, give it a try in one of the specialty shops and distilleries dotted around the city. Our favourites are Cadenheads, the bar and restaurant at the Scotch Whisky Experience and Royal Mile Whiskies. 

Off the beaten path, head to Bennet’s Bar for a more local experience where you can try more fine Whisky drams. 

Other excellent drinking spots in central Edinburgh and New Town include The Bon Vivant, Thistle Street Bar, Kay’s Bar, The Wally Dug and Good Brothers Wine Cellars.  

Work 

There are several WeWorks dotted around the city, and Techcube is a popular hub for tech workers and developers. Otherwise, head to some of the lovely independent cafes to work, including Cairngorm Coffee and Union Brew Lab.   

Stay 

No matter where you go in the world as a digital nomad, Airbnb will likely be your first choice for accommodation. Other good places to spend some time include CoDE Pod Hostels, a new and modern hostel chain which offers well-priced accommodation and a good opportunity to meet other travellers and digital nomads.  

The information on this page is not professional, business or lifestyle advice and is for entertainment purposes only.