Planning your trip to Edinburgh Fringe? We’ve got you covered
Our ultimate guide to the world’s largest arts festival
It’s that time of year again when the Edinburgh Fringe is upon us.
With over 3000 acts including comedy, plays, musicals, puppet shows, live radio and cabaret, there’s no wonder thousands of us flock to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival every year. And here’s what to expect…
WHEN IS EDINBURGH FRINGE?
With Edinburgh Festival Fringe being its official name, the event happens every year in August and runs for three weeks. The official dates for this year are from Friday 5th – Monday 29th August 2022.
WHAT IS THE EDINBURGH FRINGE?
It’s the largest arts festival in the world with an endless variety of theatre, comedy and creative performances showcased throughout Edinburgh. The festival is known to be a place where comedy legends are made including the likes of Tom Stoppard and Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
The first event began in 1947 as a fringe event for the Edinburgh International Festival. But the Fringe has now become bigger and isn’t a fringe to anything as it now hosts over 3000 shows all over the Scottish capital every year. While theatre remains a vital part of the Fringe, these days it’s best known for stand-up comedy.
WHERE IS THE EDINBURGH FRINGE?
Well, obviously, it happens in Edinburgh but if you’re wanting specifics then the festival takes place at several venues, ranging from a sprawling former medical school (Summerhall) to lots of quirky smaller bars. But don’t worry you won’t have to travel far between each venue as most venues are within a 15-minute walk of each other.
HOW MUCH DOES THE EDINBURGH FRINGE COST?
Tickets are around £20, with many cheaper options too and can be bought online. Seating isn’t reserved so get yourself there early as it’s on a first come first served basis.
Or, if you’re on a budget there are a couple of ways you can get cheaper Edinburgh Fringe tickets. From taking a stroll down the Royal Mile and watching the free performers to arriving at the start of the programme to enjoy 2-4-1 cheap seats as acts warm up.
EDINBURGH WEATHER
Temperature (min-max average): 11°C – 19°C
Hours of sunshine: 10 hours
Rainy days: 21 days – (make sure to pack a brolly just incase!)
EDINBURGH HOTELS
The Lane Boutique Hotel
4 Canaan Lane, Morningside, Edinburgh EH10 4SY
Voted Trip Advisor’s Travellers Choice Award 2022, The Lane was built in 1871 and was once a grand Victorian house. Now it has been transformed into a luxurious boutique hotel that’s home just 2 miles from the city centre.
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Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel
61 Grassmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2HJ
Cosy, convenient but most of all chic, the 4-star Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel sits at the foot of Edinburgh Castle, just off the must-see Royal Mile. Featuring boutique bedrooms and sumptuous suites with free Wi-Fi, a modern restaurant and access to fabulous leisure facilities just next door.
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24 Royal Terrace
24 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh, EH7 5AH
Home on one of Edinburgh’s most iconic Georgian terraces, 24 Royal Terrace is a 16-bedroom hotel that backs onto the Royal Gardens of Holyrood Palace and Calton Hill with gorgeous, commanding views across to the Firth of Forth.
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Hub by Premier Inn Edinburgh City Centre (Rose Street) hotel
37 East Market Street, Edinburgh, EH8 8FR
If you’re on a budget, then look no further than the Hub by Premier Inn on Rose Street. With a vibrant arts scene, style-conscious shopping and a long stretch of buzzing drinking dens, lively Rose Street in Edinburgh’s New Town is one of the most flocked-to streets in the Scottish capital.
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The Raeburn
112 Raeburn Place, Stockbridge, Edinburgh EH4 1HG
Voted Trip Advisor’s Travellers Choice Best of the Best Award 2022, The Raeburn offers a romantic setting with an array of amenities and is just 0.4 miles from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and 0.5 miles from Dean Village.
BOOK NOWEDINBURGH RESTAURANTS
The Dome
14 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2PF
The Dome is one of Edinburgh’s most famous landmarks, especially at Christmas. This award-winning bar and restaurant have Corinthian columns, marble bars and palms in separate rooms for fine dining, light lunches or teas.
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Dishoom Edinburgh
3a St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH2 2BD
Dishoom Edinburgh located on the vibrant St Andrew Square serves a lovingly curated menu of Bombay comfort food and first-class drinks all day, every day. Serving you the fabulous taste of India in bonnie ol’ Scotland.
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Tattu Edinburgh
18 West Register Street, Edinburgh EH2 2AA
This Instagrammable restaurant serves traditional and modern Chinese cuisine in exquisite presentation with a beautiful backdrop of cherry blossoms. Here you can expect a unique dining experience.
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The Ivy Edinburgh
At The Ivy, you will be served a modern, all-day British brasserie menu in a refined, art-filled space with an outdoor terrace located in the prestigious St. Andrew Square. Plus, it’s open seven days a week for breakfast, weekend brunch, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.
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Tigerlily Edinburgh
125 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 4JN
Step into Tigerlily, one of Edinburgh’s most talked-about boutique hotels with a buzzing bar and restaurant. Tigerlily’s menu has no borders, serving a sensory journey to different corners of the world through their inspired list of dishes.
BOOK NOWBARS IN EDINBURGH
Bar Soba Edinburgh
104 Hanover Street, Edinburgh EH2 1DR
If you’re looking for somewhere to spice things up, then look no further. From eclectic décor to Pan-Asian bites and classic cocktails, Bar Soba is the restaurant and bar that you need to visit. Head to Hanover Street to work your way through their extensive cocktail menu.
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The Cauldron
57a Frederick Street, Edinburgh EH2 1LH
As we all know J.K Rowling started writing Harry Potter whilst in a café overlooking Edinburgh Castle. So to celebrate this we know just the bar for you Hogwarts fans. The Cauldron is shaking things up with its themed cocktail-making experience with a theatrical haunt where you’ll be given robes, wands and a vat to create your own heady concoctions.
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The Wee Vault Tasting Room and Bottleshop
7A West Maitland Street, Edinburgh EH12 5DS
If you’re more into beer than cocktails, then The Wee Vault – a taproom and bottle shop rolled into one – is for you. Head on over to sample and buy all kinds of delicious brews, from rare guest beers to mouth-watering meads.
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Le Monde
16 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2PF
Boutique boozing at its best, Le Monde is a wonderland of glamorous interiors and bottles of fizz, perfect for a sophisticated sip. If you enjoy a glass of Champers and listening to live music, this is well worth a visit.
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Angels Share
7 – 11 Hope Street, Edinburgh EH2 4EL
Looking for somewhere fancy for a tipple? Think gastro fare, expert bottles of whisky and decadent drinks, Angels Share is a perfect spot if you’re wanting to add some sophistication to your trip.
BOOK NOWGETTING AROUND EDINBURGH
The best way to get around Edinburgh is through Lothian Buses and we can almost guarantee that you’ll be close to a bus stop wherever you stay. They also run NightBus services every night on selected routes so you don’t have to worry about getting how to get back to your hotel.
WHAT TO DO IN EDINBURGH
Edinburgh Zoo
134 Corstorphine Road, Corstorphine, Edinburgh EH12 6TS
Set in over 82 acres of wooded hillside, Edinburgh Zoo is home to over 2,500 amazing and endangered animals including, two of the only giant pandas in the UK.
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Edinburgh Castle
Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NG
A visit to Edinburgh wouldn’t be complete without a cheeky pic beside Edinburgh castle, right? One of the oldest fortified places in Europe, the Castle stands on Castle Rock, which has been occupied since at least the Iron Age.
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Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
The Royal Mile, 549 Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2ND
This five-story attraction is jam-packed with over 100 interactive, hands-on illusions for all ages to enjoy. Tour Edinburgh’s streets without moving, test your brain against mind-bending illusions and take spectacular cityscape photographs from their rooftop terrace.
The Edinburgh Dungeon
31 Market Street, Edinburgh EH1 1DF
Take the ultimate underground journey through Edinburgh’s darkest history with live actors, theatrical sets and interactive thrilling rides. See various historical events from Scottish history showcased in a scary fun style, with audience interaction and special effects. This isn’t for the faint-hearted!
MORE INFOFor more information or to book your tickets for Edinburgh Festival Fringe, visit their website.
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