Edinburgh’s Best Beach Days

Whilst the weather remains quite changeable at the moment, there’s nothing quite like making the most of a sunny Scottish day with a trip to the seaside! Below, I have compiled a list of my all-time favourite beaches in and around Edinburgh, so whether you’re looking for a peaceful coastal walk, a classic beach day with friends, or somewhere to watch the sunset, there’s something here for everyone.

Portobello Beach

An Edinburgh classic! Not only is Portobello the nearest beach to the centre of Edinburgh, it also has so much to offer. With its long stretch of sand, lively promenade, and abundance of cafés, restaurants and ice cream shops, it’s the perfect place to spend a warm afternoon.  I have two personal favourite stops at Portobello Beach, both located on the promenade. The first is another Edinburgh classic – Civerinos! A self-described “neighbourhood New York style pizza joint”, Civerinos serves up huge pizza slices for as little as £4.50, making it an ideal budget-friendly beach lunch for students. The second is The Beach House. A cute café, with tables both inside and outside on the promenade, overlooking the beach, it has lots to offer, including delicious crepes, ice cream and hot chocolate. It’s truly the perfect place to stop for a sweet treat after a walk along the promenade!

North Beach, North Berwick

30 minutes by train from Edinburgh, North Berwick makes the perfect beach day trip if you want to go just a little further than Portobello. This charming seaside town, nestled along Scotland’s coastline, has plenty to offer despite its small size. My favourite part of the beach is called North Beach, but both strips of the beach are truly gorgeous on a sunny day. In between the two strips, you can find The Rocketeer Restaurant which offers not only amazing Fish and Chips, but also stunning beach views.

Additionally, North Berwick is the perfect town for a spot of light shopping. With a mix of chain shops (such as Fat Face, Oxfam and Boots), and independent shops (of which I can wholeheartedly recommend Meg Maitland, Paper Flower and Sugar Mountain), there’s plenty to browse at a relaxed pace.

Whether you’re visiting with friends, family, or simply looking for a peaceful solo escape from the city, North Berwick is the kind of place that leaves you wanting to plan your next trip back before you’ve even left!

Cramond Beach

Cramond is a village, just north of Edinburgh, accessible within an hour by bus and/or tram from Waverley. The village has plenty of charm, with a peaceful atmosphere that makes it feel far removed from the busy city centre. Both Gathering Space Cafe and The Harbour offer lovely spots to stop for food or coffee.

One of the most unique features of Cramond is that, when the tide is low, you can walk across a pathway to Cramond Island. Although it is only a small island, it offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Firth of Forth and the coastline. And for the history buffs amongst you, you can even find some old military relics and bunkers from WWII on the island, along with the concrete pylons which stretch to Cramond Island that were used as anti-boat defences.

NOTE: It is very important to check tide times beforehand for safe crossing times as you could get stuck on the island when the tide comes back in. You can text CRAMOND to 81400 to receive the safe crossing times from the RNLI.

Yellowcraig Beach

Although Yellowcraig Beach is nearer to Edinburgh than North Berwick, it is a little more difficult to get to – it is either a 50-minute drive or 1 hour 30 minutes by bus, including a 30-minute walk. However, trust me when I say that it is definitely worth the effort! It is a gorgeous, family-friendly beach, known for its wide stretch of sand and its stunning view of Fidra Island. It is also a popular spot to watch the sunset over the sea.

And if you’re looking for an extra adventure, right beside the beach you’ll find woodland trails that are perfect for a peaceful walk. The picturesque paths wind through the trees and dunes, making Yellowcraig feel like more than just a beach trip – it’s the perfect destination for an entire day outdoors.

So, whether you choose to adventure out to North Berwick, Yellowcraig or Cramond, or stay closer to home at Portobello Beach, we are not short of beautiful coastal spots here in Edinburgh. Even if the Scottish sunshine doesn’t always last long, making the most of those warmer days with a trip to the beach is truly one of the best parts of living here and something we should not take for granted!