The Best Things to do in Leith, Edinburgh

The Royal Yacht Britannia

The Royal Yacht Britannia was the home to the Queen and the Royal Family for over 40 years. This grand vessel is now permanently berthed at Ocean Terminal in Leith. 

Over the years, the Royal Yacht Britannia sailed over 1,000,000 nautical miles on 968 state visits. The Royal Family invited world leaders and prominent figures aboard.

Visiting is a must for anyone interested in the history of the Royal Family and nautical enthusiasts alike. Explore five decks of the ship on a self-guided tour with a handy and informative audio guide.

Meander through the crew's quarters, the captain's Bridge, the State Apartments, and even Queen Elizabeth II's favorite room. You can even stay for tea and treats in the Royal Deck Tearoom.

After you visit the Royal Yacht Britannia, why not spend the night? Well, you can't stay overnight on the Royal Yacht Britannia, but you can stay on her sister ship, Fingal.

Water of Leith Walkway

The Water of Leith Walkway is an 18-mile expansive footpath that extends throughout Edinburgh on the Water of Leith. While many visitors walk to Leith on the city street, Leith Walk, you may choose to take the scenic route on the Water of Leith Walkway.

Walk through Dean Village, Stockbridge, the Royal Botanic Garden and eventually you will reach Leith. It's a tranquil stroll with stunning scenery on the way.

You can also cycle the Water of Leith Walkway, too. Should you wish to travel to Leith by bike, be sure to take this beautiful tree-lined trail to avoid cars and traffic.

The Shore

The Shore is the area in the middle of Leith and the center of all the action. This is where you can soak up harbor views as you dine al fresco on warmer weather days.

There are many restaurants, cafes and bars, located inside historic buildings right on the waterfront. We loved walking around these cobblestone streets and admiring the views all around.

Right by the Leith docks is the Victoria Swing Bridge (pictured above), which is mostly for pedestrian use nowadays. It's a rather striking shade of blue, and we loved gazing out to the harbor from here.

Trainspotting Film Locations

Do you love books and films set in Scotland, like Trainspotting? The book and movie were set in Edinburgh and more specifically, Leith.

Be sure to stop by Cables Wynd House, better known as the Banana Flats and the childhood home of the character, Sick Boy. These locations are best visited on a two hour guided tour with Paul James Stewart Tours.

Paul grew up in Leith during the 1980s and offers an insightful and honest perspective on Trainspotting. He shares what life in the neighborhood was really like during the era depicted in the book.

Bookshops in Leith

When we visited Leith, we noticed that there were so many great independent bookshops. Some of these can be discovered on Leith Walk and some in the heart of Leith. Here's a listing of Leith bookstores to check out, in no particular order:

1. La Belle Adventure (specializing in French graphic novels and comic books, available in English and French)
2. Argonaut Books (an amazing independent bookstore)
3. Logan Malloch (a gift store with a small books section, mostly Scottish books)
4. McNaughtan's Bookshop (Scotland's oldest secondhand and antiquarian bookshop)

Coffee Shops in Leith

There are several great coffee shops and cafes to frequent in Leith. Whether you need a morning coffee, a midday caffeine fix or a soothing cup of tea, these cafes in Leith provide a place to rest, relax, and enjoy a delicious beverage.

1. Artisan Roast Leith Walk: I enjoyed a delicious oat latte here, and I also love that they had vegan cinnamon buns, too.
2. The Old Spence Cafe
3. Printworks Coffee Leith
4. Irish Dude Coffee and Food
5. Kofi and Kreme
6. Qupi Cafe
7. The Remedy

Vegan Restaurants in Leith

While there's no shortage of fresh seafood spots and even Michelin-star dining in Leith, I wanted to highlight some places to find plant-based cuisine in the neighborhood. As someone who follows a vegan diet, I'm always on the hunt for delicious vegan meals.

We had lunch at a quaint vegan cafe called Faceplant Foods. They serve up delectable grilled cheeze sandwiches, wraps with their homemade mock meats and sauces, and an item I couldn't resist trying, the Crunchwrap Superior.

Here are some other restaurants to check out when you're in Leith:

• The Sly Fox (100% vegan)
• Leith Depot (vegan-friendly pub)
• Roseleaf Bar Cafe (separate vegan menu)
• Razzo Pizza Napoletana (a few vegan pizzas)

Breweries and Taprooms

Craft beer fans, rejoice! Leith is a haven for microbreweries and taprooms with dozens of unique brews on tap. Leith is an amazing destination to grab a pint or two. Here are our top choices for craft beer in Leith:

• Campervan Brewery Taproom
• Lost In Leith Bar (Campervan Brewery beers and unique beers from around the world)
• Moonwake Beer Co. Brewery & Taproom
• Newbarns Brewery and Taproom
• Pilot Brewery (no taproom, only for takeaway)
• Malt & Hops (pub dating to 1749, amazing selection of cask beer)

Where to Stay in Leith

There are many great places to stay in Leith, especially if you'd like to immerse yourself in this charming neighborhood. Here are a few of our top picks.

Fingal Hotel

Britannia's sister ship! A one of a kind experience aboard Edinburgh's boutique floating hotel in Leith.

Ocean Mist

A quirky boutique hotel aboard Ocean Mist featuring amazing views of the Water of Leith.

Malmaison Edinburgh

Stylish designs and fantastic dining await in this vibrant Leith boutique hotel.

Holiday Inn Express

A modern and comfortable place to stay that won't break your budget.

Getting There

Getting to Leith is easy. The best option is walking from Old Town or New Town to Leith. It doesn't take too long, plus you can stop for coffee or go shopping at the unique boutique stores on the way.

Go for a stroll on Leith Walk, a street that connects Leith to the east side of Princes Street. From one end of Leith Walk to the other, it takes about 30 minutes of walking.

Edinburgh Trams connect Edinburgh Airport and Newhaven, making several stops along the way. Stop at Leith Walk, the Shore, and Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre.

Lothian Buses also provide public transportation around Edinburgh. From Princes Street, take the 11, 16 or 25 bus. You can also use the website to find bus schedules or simply use Google Maps to find the best route from your location.

Do you have any questions about visiting Leith? Be sure to ask them in the comments section below.

I hope you enjoy your day in Leith and your trip to Edinburgh! It's one of our favorite cities in the world - we even got married here!