Some places like Singapore and Nice, France are great for living, while others like Athens, Greece and Seoul, South Korea are great for tourism. But there's a select few places–Madrid, Spain; Vienna, Austria; Bangkok, Thailand, etc–that are great for both.

Put Edinburgh at the top of that list. I planned two nights but stayed a week because it had everything a solo traveler could want!

Bam!

I stepped off the bus and was hit with my Welcome to Edinburgh moment within seconds of looking up.

The Scott Monument stared back at me and I was in awe of its architecture. I soon realized this wouldn't be just a first impression, but a lasting one.

I couldn't put a finger on why Edinburgh stood out though. Was it the color of the stone used in the buildings? The greenness of its plentiful parks? The contrast between the two? Or something else?

Regardless, the clash of modern meeting medieval made me feel like I was living in a real-life fairytale.

Or perhaps, immersed in one of my favorite childhood stories...

Hogwarts

That's where it felt like I was.

From Victoria's Street that inspired Diagon Alley, to the Royal Mile that was lined with the same medieval architecture from the movies, one thing was clear.

Wandering through the streets must never get old.

The best thing I did was get lost. I walked past Edinburgh Castle, St. Giles Cathedral, and Grassmarket Square daily, doing my best to soak it in. Coming to terms with the magnificence of the city felt like sensory overload.

I strolled through Holyrood Park for a great view of the city, Inverleith Park to see young professionals playing with their dogs, and The Meadows to enjoy a picnic among all the University of Edinburgh students.

I still don't understand how grass can be so green.

Nonetheless, it felt easy to assimilate in a city where such spectacular offerings are enjoyed by tourists and locals alike.

The UK's Greatest Invention

Edinburgh is expensive and for budget backpackers, Edinburgh is cripplingly expensive.

But thanks to my local friend Miranda, I discovered the greatest product offering in the United Kingdom–a £3.50 Meal Deal from Sainsbury's Local or Tesco, stores guaranteed to exist within a 10-minute walk.

A main, a side, and a drink that single-handedly saved me from going bankrupt. I had them at least once a day, and it allowed me to splurge on some restaurant recommendations that weren't serving cold food from a grocery store.

I ate so much Indian food at Dishoom that I thought I might have to be carried out on a stretcher. It made me question all my life choices but left no doubt that it is the best Indian cuisine I've ever had.

National food of the UK am I right?

Furthermore, I got a tasty reminder of home at Bread Meats Bread. I seldom opt for burgers abroad because they can't compare in size, juiciness, or greasiness to US burgers. This place made me eat my words and their quirky special which stuffed the patty between fried donuts acting as buns.

So good.

The Local Connection

Miranda was worth far more than her Meal Deal recommendation; I also got to experience Edinburgh through her eyes. It was way better than my hostel bubble.

We hiked up to Arthur's Seat together for a great view of the city–something she does once a week.

We also met up for some traditional Scottish dancing, called a Ceilidh (pronounced "Kaylee") and I cannot explain why this was a top-tier dancing experience, but it just was. Inclusive, low-stakes, and high energy, I could've stayed all night b'doinky-doinking (I don't know how else to describe it 😂) away.

Finally, I got to hang out with her university friend group to celebrate the end of their semester! Full of good vibes, we chatted the night away while watching the sunset and drinking wine. It was so fun, that I decided to extend my stay justttt one more time.

I then realized this was the 4th time I had extended my stay in Edinburgh. Clearly, I didn't want to leave.

The gang of us met up the next night at Stramash, one of their favorite live music venues. Not only did I learn what a Baby Guinness was, but I also learned that the city's nightlife goes harder than its laid-back reputation might suggest.

You just have to know where to find it 😉.

The Right City at the Right Time

When I visited, I was busy digital-nomading and applying to MBA programs.

I needed somewhere to plop down, navigate easily, and soak in while prioritizing my work. Edinburgh was the perfect place.

The lack of a language barrier made everything easy. The city's walkability meant I never worried about accessibility. The jaw-dropping architecture allowed me to experience the city by simply existing.

The only major downsides I could find were affordability and weather. But these were negated by £3.50 Meal Deals and 5 straight days of sunshine with 8:30 PM sunsets.

It's safe to say that I struck gold in Edinburgh. Give it a shot as a future travel destination to take at a slow pace with maximum livability!

:)