Budget hostels at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Save big money at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this summer

Edinburgh is the most beautiful urban landscape in the British Isles. With its medieval castle dominating the skyline, there is no shortage of beauty awaiting your arrival in Scotland. Renowned throughout the world for its historic architecture, the ‘Athens of the North’ is a gorgeous place for backpackers on holiday.

The Scottish capital trebles in size during the month of August and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is considered to be the largest arts festival in the world. Book your hostel today and ensure you have cheap accommodation in place for the Fringe!

The Ed Fringe’s forte has always been comedy and millions of people visit the city in anticipation of seeing the UK’s most popular comedians. While the Assembly Rooms, Underbelly and the Famous Spiegeltent inevitably host all the big shows, there are always wacky and insanely weird events taking place in phone boxes, public toilets and even people’s private homes.

With bars open until sunrise and a carnival atmosphere booming across the city, there is never a better time to visit Scotland than during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Get your hostel booked today and experience comedy, art, theatre and all night parties in Scotland on a backpackers budget.

What to see and do in Edinburgh

Scotland's capital city has two distinctive sections, the Hanoverian eighteenth century ‘New Town’, which is home to Princess Street with panoramic views of Edinburgh Castle and Princess Street Gardens. Edinburgh’s ‘Old Town’ meanwhile is its medieval cultural quarter with its aristocratic palaces and cobbled streets.

Dominating the city’s skyline and perched on an extinct volcano, Edinburgh Castle is Scotland’s most popular visitor attraction. As the home to the Scottish crown jewels, the Stone of Destiny and the medieval siege cannon Mons Meg, Edinburgh Castle has become Scotland’s greatest symbol and makes for a spectacular day out for travellers.

Situated just off Scotland’s most famous street, the Royal Mile, you can get a fascinating insight into lives of Edinburgh residents at Real Mary King’s Close. Go underground and explore a secret warren of hidden 17th century streets. Here you can find out how medieval residents suffered from plague, plots and murder.

If you want to explore more of the city’s glorious skyline then get an open top bus tour from outside Waverly Station. By embarking upon a city wide tour you can hop and on off and discover the Scott Monument, the modernist Scottish Parliament, St Giles' Cathedral, Arthurs Seat, Royal Britannia Yacht and the Queen’s royal residence Holyrood Palace.

After a couple of days sightseeing you’ll be completely immersed in Edinburgh’s 1,000 year old history. Bustling with life and rich in culture, the Scottish capital is a joy to discover on foot. With an atmospheric medieval town and neoclassical Georgian New Town, Edinburgh is almost guaranteed to capture your imagination on holiday.

Where to drink in Edinburgh

Most people start their nights out in the Grassmarket district of the city, which is conveniently located in the historic Old Town. Underneath the towering presence of Edinburgh Castle, there is a grand row of old man pubs and they form the heartbeat of Edinburgh’s vibrant drinking scene.

Some backpackers favourites include the White Hart Inn, Last Drop and Biddy Mulligan's and during the festival season they remain open to 5am and guarantee a typically gregarious and uniquely Scottish atmosphere.

Where to eat in Edinburgh

From Indian street food to fish suppers, Edinburgh is bursting with budget options for backpackers. The Original Mosque Kitchen is a popular student favourite offering amazing curries for less than £4 per portion. It's a brilliant place to stock up if you're on a budget and especially if you're hungover from the night before. Some people even go twice today to nourish their love of traditional Indian cooking.

The Dogs meanwhile is an elegant budget cafe offering traditional Scottish dishes close to Hanover Street in Edinburgh's New Town. Failing that you can always get fish and chips for under a fiver on the Royal Mile or Rose Street. If nothing else it's healthier than a deep fried mars bar...

Where to stay in Edinburgh

• The Hostel Edinburgh is housed in a Victorian building and provides shared dormitories with shared bathroom. It is the easiest hostel to find when traveling from Edinburgh Airport or Glasgow. Rooms are available from €21.00
• The WestEnd Hotel can be found a short 10-minute walk from Princes Street. It provides accommodation in dormitories with bed linen included and it makes for an excellent choice for first-time visitors to Scotland. Rooms are available from €24.70
• Haggis Hostels provides female and mixed dormitories in a 18th-century Victorian period building and is is one of the most popular hostels in Edinburgh. This hostel is super cheap and friendly. Wonderfully located in the New Town, you can save big money staying here. Rooms are available from €34.70