Date ideas in Edinburgh

When it comes to date ideas, Edinburgh will never leave you high and dry. From ghost walks to gorgeous viewpoints, the city is guaranteed to offer the perfect experience for you and your partner to enjoy. Whether you prefer indoor dates to date nights out on the town, you will have no trouble making your outing a day to remember.

1. Watch the sunset from Arthur’s Seat

An ancient volcano, Arthur’s Seat looms over Edinburgh’s Old Town. If you and your partner don’t mind a long walk, its peak is the perfect location to sit and watch the sunset together. Sharing a kiss in front of the Edinburgh skyline is guaranteed to be a moment to remember for the rest of your lives.

2. Visit a Michelin-star restaurant

Treat your partner to a fancy meal at Timberyard, a quality Michelin-star restaurant specialising in putting a modern spin on British dishes. Set in a warehouse dating back to the 1800s, the restaurant was set up inside a props & costume shop and has since become one of the best eateries in Edinburgh. Your partner will appreciate the treat, and you can share some excellent wines too!

3. Have a meow-velous cup of coffee

At Maison de Moggy, you can turn a simple indoor date idea into an afternoon full of cats. Book in advance to cuddle with cats (and possibly your partner, too) for an hour or more, and enjoy a cosy cafe menu while you do. Choose the best cat out of long fur, shorthair, Bengal, and Siamese residents - but never let them know that you have a favourite!

4. Have a picnic on Calton Hill

If you’re looking for ways to make your first date really stand out, a simple picnic could take the cake if you choose to have it on Calton Hill. Show your partner both the Edinburgh skyline and your food assembly skills at the same time with a basket full of surprises. Make sure to choose a sunny day just to make sure rain doesn’t interrupt your romantic afternoon!

5. Experiment at a cocktail bar

The theatrical Alchemist Bar is the place to go if you’re looking for a new cocktail experience. Themed after the ‘witches’ of Edinburgh’s past, it can be found in an atmospheric building near Edinburgh Castle. If all you want to do is sit down and have a cocktail together but you’re tired of the same old options in every place, Alchemist will help you to mix things up for this date.

6. Explore Edinburgh Castle

Nobody can go through this great Scottish city without visiting Edinburgh Castle at least once - so why not visit it with your date? The castle is designed to offer an immersive experience, letting you and your partner wage war, walk in the footsteps of the castle military, and even have afternoon tea.

7. Go for a haunting ghost walk

Is your partner into the darker side of Edinburgh’s history? A trip to the vaults with Auld Reekie Tours could be the perfect surprise for them just as long as they aren’t scared of the dark! Explore the subterranean city beneath Old Town and see if you can spot one of the many ghosts that reside there. The question is: if your partner sees one, will you believe them?

8. Wander through Edinburgh’s Old Town

The city’s rich history is on full display in the Old Town. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it includes the Royal Mile, a street built into the glacial ridge of an extinct volcano. Historical architecture mixed in with beautiful natural landscape makes the Old Town a perfect walk to enjoy each other’s company. If you don’t feel like booking activities or busying yourself with attractions, winding down the narrow streets with your partner by your side can be a wonderful alternative for a date.

9. Visit Camera Obscura

One of the most original date ideas in Edinburgh has to be Camera Obscura, a five-story experience of interactive exhibits. From optical illusions to 3D cityscapes, it is a great place to go if you don’t know exactly what your partner likes. With 100 total exhibits, this day trip will help you to narrow down their preferences - all while having a great time together.

10. Escape together

Wanting to put your teamwork skills to the test? An escape room at Escape Hunt could be just the thing for you. Battle against unique puzzles while experiencing the pressure of a ticking timer. Don’t worry, they’ll let you out if you complete the room. If you don’t, who can say? At least you and your partner will be together.

Are you looking to make a move in the near future? Explore our new builds in Edinburgh to discover the perfect home for you.

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