Date spot in Edinburgh
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
Watch the live camera obscura show of the streets below, then work your way down five floors of mirror mazes and optical tricks.
Castlehill, at the top of the Royal Mile
Address: 549 Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2ND- Activity
- Rain-proof ☔
- Mid-price
Why it's a good date: Daft, hands-on fun that makes you both laugh, and it's dry. The rooftop terrace has one of the best views of the Old Town, so aim for a clear day if you can.
Photo: Interestingfax, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
More from our Edinburgh guide
Victoria Street and the Grassmarket
Victoria Street and the Grassmarket, Old Town
Address: The Bow Bar, 80 West Bow, Edinburgh EH1 2HH- Bar
- Mid-price
- Romantic
Wander down the curve of colourful shopfronts on Victoria Street into the Grassmarket for a drink under the castle rock.
Why it's a good date: Independent shops on the way down, old pubs at the bottom and the castle above you. It's busy by day, so come in the evening when the pubs are lit up.
Photo: Daniel Kraft, CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped and resized)
Sandy Bell's
Forrest Road, near the Meadows
Address: 25 Forrest Road, Edinburgh EH1 2QH- Bar
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Best in Autumn, Winter
- Cosy
Squeeze into the small Old Town bar that has hosted traditional music sessions every night for decades.
Why it's a good date: Live fiddles and pipes a few feet away, and the music is free. It fills up fast, so go early for a seat, or turn up for a weekend afternoon session.
Photo: Mike Pennington, CC BY-SA 2.0 (resized)
The Cameo
Home Street, Tollcross
Address: 38 Home Street, Edinburgh EH3 9LZ- Activity
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Cosy
Catch a film at one of Scotland's oldest working cinemas, open since 1914, with a bar to take your drinks into the screen.
Why it's a good date: An old-fashioned cinema date with a good mix of new releases and classics. Get there early for a drink in the bar, then pick up dinner in Tollcross afterwards.
Photo: Mike Shaw, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)
