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Date spot in Edinburgh

Portobello Beach

Take the bus to Edinburgh's seaside and walk the promenade along two miles of sand.

Portobello's wide sandy beach at low tide, with the promenade and a row of houses stretching into the distance

Portobello Promenade, east Edinburgh

Portobello Promenade, Edinburgh EH15 1HH

Why it's a good date: A day at the beach without leaving the city. Walk the prom one way and the sand the other, and warm up with chips or an ice cream from one of the cafés along the front. Dogs are welcome on the sand all year; from April to July, when birds are nesting, keep them close or on a short lead.

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Photo: Graeme Yuill, CC BY-SA 2.0 (resized)

More from our Edinburgh guide

  • The Outlook Tower's black-and-white domed turret with flags against a bright blue sky

    Camera Obscura and World of Illusions

    Castlehill, at the top of the Royal Mile

    549 Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2ND
    • Activity
    • Rain-proof ☔

    Watch the live camera obscura show of the streets below, then work your way down five floors of mirror mazes and optical tricks.

    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.

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    Photo: Interestingfax, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)

  • Victoria Street's curving row of red, blue and pink shopfronts beneath tall stone tenements

    Victoria Street and the Grassmarket

    Victoria Street and the Grassmarket, Old Town

    The Bow Bar, 80 West Bow, Edinburgh EH1 2HH
    • Bar
    • 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.

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    Photo: Daniel Kraft, CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped and resized)

  • Sandy Bell's bright blue corner pub front on Forrest Road, with its sign above the door

    Sandy Bell's

    Forrest Road, near the Meadows

    25 Forrest Road, Edinburgh EH1 2QH

    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.

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    Photo: Mike Pennington, CC BY-SA 2.0 (resized)

From our guide to date ideas in Edinburgh

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