Edinburgh is a beautiful city. It has all the bells and whistles. There is a magnificent castle, world-class museums, breathtaking vistas and incredible food. When it comes to a “gateway” city, Edinburgh is a great choice.

What is this Gateway City You Speak of?

Gateway cities, to me, are places that are great for the first time International traveler. Let’s face it, that first trip can be a bit scary! You don’t know what to expect, you worry about speaking the language, etc. Finding a city that interests you and helps keep your fears at bay is a gateway to start traveling.

Most people, myself included, end up in London. It hits all the markers above, but it is also a great big city. It can be intimidating, when you get down to it. The Underground seems really complicated, finding a hotel that isn’t way on the edge of nowhere can be tricky, and it’s expensive.

If I had to do it all over again, I would go to Edinburgh for my first trip.

Edinburgh – Human Sized

I’ve developed a real fondness for ‘second’ cities. These are the places people go next. After Paris, you go to Lyon or Cannes or Marseille. When you have seen London, you move on to York or Manchester or Edinburgh.

When I was in Lyon I heard a great comment about the place. It was at the Tourist Information office, one of my favorite places to go in a new city. The young man who was helping me figure out a couple of easy day trips got to chatting with me. He commented that while Paris is indeed lovely, Lyon is more ‘human-sized.’

I love that description. It just means that it is more navigable, a bit more user-friendly than the glitzy ‘A-list’ cities. Edinburgh fits this description quite nicely. While it is still a big city, it feels a bit more human-sized. It is a very walkable city, and in my experience, the locals are amazingly friendly.

Bus Stops and Conversations

On my first day in Edinburgh, I was trying to get to my B&B. I got on the wrong bus. Right out of the gate, I took the wrong bus. So there I was looking at a map and wondering where I was supposed to get off. A really lovely woman asked me where I was headed and told me about my mistake.

That seems pretty decent – but it didn’t stop there. No, she got off at the next stop with me, walked me to the proper stop, and then waited with me until my bus arrived. She then proceeded to tell the driver where I was headed and made him promise to let me know where my stop was! Edinburgh gets big points for that alone.

In fact, I met amazing people at bus stops, and had incredible conversations. Not only did I meet the nurse above, I met a farmer who chatted with me about what I should see, a couple who were keen to learn about the Pacific Northwest (where I am from), and a woman who gave me an inside tip on a restaurant.

Valdemort was Here

Beyond the loveliest people, Edinburgh is a very literary and artistic city. Authors through the ages have been inspired by this city; from Robert Burns to JK Rowling. It is a very literary and artistic place. In fact, a view across the Old Town as a summer storm rolled in, it was easy to see where the Harry Potter books got their wonderful atmosphere. I could almost picture Valdemort appearing out of the clouds to swoop down on the city!

Inspiration is pretty much everywhere you look. There’s a castle. I have said it before, all the best cities have castles, and Edinburgh doesn’t disappoint. I would be hard pressed to find another spot in the UK, perhaps Europe, that has been witness to as much history as this pile of bricks.

In fact, the majority of the city can make that claim. When you consider the area called the New Town dates from 1760, and that Edinburgh and its environs have been continuously inhabited for well over a thousand years, inspiration is going to be in the very pores of the place.

Getting Your Feet Under You

Edinburgh is doing a lot to woo travelers. There is a tram line from the airport to the heart of downtown. The bus system is excellent, and makes staying just outside the city center an easy and budget friendly option. It is a town with an established foodie culture, and there is no end of interesting things to see and do.

The tourist information office at Waverly station is filled with interesting ideas for things to do. It is centrally located and easy to find. In fact, that sums up pretty much all the main attractions in Edinburgh – centrally located and easy to find.

Whether it is strolling the Royal Mile from the castle to the Holyroodhouse Palace, taking a hike up to Arthur’s Seat, or finding a museum to browse, it is all pretty much right there for you. Honestly, I think it is one of the easiest cities to get around.

Consider the Alternatives

London is amazing, and it is an easy place to get to from pretty much anywhere. When most of us think of a gentle entry point to our international travels, it is the city that most often comes to mind. It is also a place that can be overwhelming just due to the size and the sheer amount of people.

Choosing a second city, like Edinburgh, is a great way to get your feet on foreign soil in a quieter, more user-friendly way. I think it is a wise move to weigh your options for your first trip to any country. The glitzy first city will always be a draw, but when you consider the alternatives, you might find a more ‘real’ experience in a second city. The scale is often more manageable and the locals less jaded by tourists; however you still have enough to see and do to fill your time.

Do you have a favorite ‘second city’ or one that you really want to see? I’d love to hear about it.