Edinburgh is among the most attractive and tourist-friendly cities in the UK. It offers an atmosphere that’s quite distinct from the rest of the country, with its combination of historic buildings, quality restaurants and gorgeous parks. The city is easily reachable from Glasgow and the rest of the UK, with trains travelling to Edinburgh on a regular basis.
If you’re paying a visit over the Christmas period, then you’ll also find a wealth of seasonal attractions competing for your attention. Let’s look at five of the best of them!
German Market
Traditional German markets have become a regular fixture in dozens of major cities across the UK. And there are few better than the one in Edinburgh, which has been running for more than two decades. You’ll find everything on sale, from delicious bratwurst to warming mulled wine. And there’s even a sixty-metre-tall ‘Star Flyer’ and an enormous ferris wheel, which afford you an incredible view over the city’s iconic skyline, including the nearby castle.
Ice Skating
For the past few years, Christmas revellers have been able to indulge in outdoor ice skating over at St. Andrew Square. But this year, Essential Edinburgh (the body in charge of managing the city centre) have deemed the attraction too damaging. But you can still indulge in ice-skating in Edinburgh at Christmas time, thanks to the Murrayfield Ice rink, over on Riversdale Crescent.
Nativity Scene
What will be at St. Andrew Square, however, is the city’s annual nativity display. Since 2003, the same scene has been depicted. Tim Chalk’s iconic sculpture breaks a little bit from tradition, featuring just a handful of statures, and excluding many of the extended cast of angels, shepherds and wise men that typically dominate the nativity scene. If you’re in the area, you’ll definitely want to make a point of visiting!
Christmas Shopping
If you need to finish your Christmas shopping before the big day itself rolls around, then Edinburgh is a fantastic place to do it. You’ll find plenty of suitable gifts at the aforementioned Christmas market. But if you’re after luxury brands and designer clothing, then it’s worth a trip to Multrees walk, where Louis Vuitton and Michael Kors have their stores.
University Carol Service
Every year, Edinburgh university puts on a carol service including a range of performers. The crowning jewel of the event is invariably the carol singers themselves, who’ll be running through a range of classics. The venue for the event is typically announced in early December, so be sure to keep an eye on the University for updates. The event is usually not ticketed, so if you want a seat, you’ll need to get there in good time.