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Kaplan City Guide: Edinburgh
Every month we ask our students to give us an insight into their lives at Kaplan by providing a collection of tips for their Kaplan cities, from ‘must-see’ things to do, to favourite hangouts, and hidden restaurants. This month’s city is Edinburgh, the majestic capital of Scotland and one of the most iconic and historic cities in the United Kingdom. Here are some of the things they had to say about studying in Edinburgh:
Visit Arthur’s Seat
If you are in Edinburgh you have to climb Arthur’s Seat, the views are fantastic.
Hanna Marietta Stampfli, Switzerland
One of the most popular tips amongst our students was the shared thought that no trip to Edinburgh would be complete without a visit to Arthur’s Seat. Less of a seat and more of a walking route, Arthur’s Seat is in fact a collection of hills, and once at the top, offer amazing views of Edinburgh. With 5 different routes offering varying views from all different angles, this is the spot to visit with friends.
Head to Finnegan’s Wake
In my opinion, the best place for going out is Finnegan’s Wake because it represents a typical Celtic bar – unique group music and an atmosphere that is typical of the lively ambiance found in Celtic pubs.
Cédric Haricot, France
If you want to experience an authentic Scottish pub, Finnegan’s Wake is the choice of one of our Kaplan students, Cédric. He
describes it as the best place for going out as it represents a typical Celtic bar. Located in the city center, it's close to the Royal Mile and St. Giles Cathedral and makes the perfect pit stop between exploring the city or after a fun day out.
Go to Edinburgh’s Fringe Festival
If you enjoy theater and comedy, you shouldn’t miss Edinburgh’s Fringe Festival.
Hanna Marietta Stampfli, Switzerland
As a city that is famous for it’s Fringe Festival, the Fringe Festival is something that is recommended by many of our students. As the largest arts festival in the world, offering everything from dance classes, stage shows and pottery demonstrations, the festival offers something for every one of all ages. According to Swiss student Hannah, every August Edinburgh is always crowded because of the festival, which is great for those who enjoy crafts, theatre and comedy.
Walk the Royal Mile
The Royal Mile is a great spot to visit because there are lots of pubs to enjoy a pint.
Myriam Gallego Martinez, Spain
Another firm favourite amongst our students is to walk the iconic Royal Mile. For those of you that don’t know, the Royal Mile is the name given to a succession of streets that run throughout the Old Town of Edinburgh, connecting Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The Royal Mile is littered with pubs, bars and shops, and is considered to be a great place for shopping, eating and drinking while enjoying some of Edinburgh’s most historic scenery.
Where to eat
One of the best parts of living in a new city is trying out new restaurants and new foods. Many of our students were so impressed by the food in Edinburgh that they found it hard to pick their favourites. Luckily for you a small handful of them did manage to narrow down their favourites, so be sure to check out their recommendations.
For French student Cédric, his favourite place to eat was at an excellent Indian restaurant two minutes walk away from the Canal Point student accommodation. For Hannah Marietta, Café Class, near to the student’s residence, was her dining place of choice. She said everything in the café was delicious, even the ‘haggis and black pudding’ which is a local delicacy that you get if you order a Scottish breakfast (which she fully recommends by the way.) Chinese restaurant Lian Pu was another favourite with a number of our students, as was Shanghai Pub and Finnegan’s Wake.
Have you visited or studied in Edinburgh and know of any local gems? Let us know!
If you are interested in improving your English, find out more about our schools in the UK and check out our school in Edinburgh.
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