Edinburgh’s Leith Neighborhood: Our Tips for the Harbor District

What You Need to Know About Leith

Leith is Edinburgh’s harbor district, located northeast of the Old Town, about a 15-minute drive away.

Until the 18th century, Leith was Scotland’s most important trading port and only became part of the city in 1920.

Today, far fewer ships dock here than in those days, but Leith Edinburgh has become a genuinely cool day-trip destination once you’ve already checked out the main Edinburgh attractions.

Here you’ll find great bars, restaurants, cafés, and of course the Shore — Leith’s inner harbor.

How to Get to Leith

Since Leith isn’t far from Edinburgh’s city center, you can easily reach the harbor district by car, bus, tram, or even on foot:

Getting to Leith by Car

If you have a rental car or your own vehicle, just drive the just under 3 kilometers along Lochend Road.

The drive takes only about 15 minutes — and you’re free to spend as much time in Leith as you like.

Getting to Leith by Bus

No car? No problem. You can take the bus to Leith easily. A great option is the route from South Bridge in the Old Town to Foot of the Walk in Leith.

The ride takes just under 20 minutes and you get to see quite a bit along the way. A bus ride costs only about £2 per person. You can buy your ticket directly from the driver (by card or cash) or through the m-ticket app on your phone. The app is really only worth it if you plan on taking the bus frequently.

Alternatively, you can hop on an Edinburgh hop-on/hop-off bus and tour the city all the way through to Leith’s harbor district.

Getting to Leith by Tram

If you’d like to take the tram from Edinburgh to Leith, simply board at Princes Street and ride for about 30 minutes to The Shore — and you’re there. Trams run every seven minutes.

The best ticket option here is the Adult Single (city zone) for £2. You can buy tram tickets at the machine on the platform or on your phone via the m-ticket app.

Keep in mind that a ticket is only valid for one journey — you’ll need to buy a second ticket for the return trip.

Good to know: Edinburgh City Passes do not include free travel on city buses or trams. They only cover the hop-on/hop-off buses.

Walking to Leith: Water of Leith Walkway

If you’re in the mood for a long walk, you can make your way to Leith on foot — along the Water of Leith Walkway.

The path follows the Water of Leith river for about 7 kilometers from Edinburgh’s city center all the way to Leith.

Along the way, you’ll pass some wonderful, lesser-known spots and hidden gems in Edinburgh — like Dean Village, Stockbridge, and St. Bernard’s Well.

Depending on your pace, the walk takes one to two hours.

Want to go even further? You can start your hike at a point further west. The full Water of Leith Walkway stretches 19.6 kilometers from the village of Balerno on Edinburgh’s outskirts all the way to Leith.

Sights in Leith Worth Seeing

Leith Inner Harbor

In Leith, the North Sea flows into the Water of Leith river and inland through Edinburgh. That’s a seriously special feature.

The inner harbor, with its surrounding buildings and long waterfront promenades, even reminds you a little of Norway — and there’s plenty to keep you busy.

You can visit the Royal Yacht Britannia, go for a stroll, or browse the Ocean Terminal shopping center, among other things.

Good to know: Harbor cruises aren’t available in Leith. If you’d like to experience the Scottish coastline near Edinburgh from the water, head to South Queensferry — a harbor town northwest of Edinburgh.

Royal Yacht Britannia

The Royal Yacht Britannia served as the Queen’s royal vessel for over 40 years. Today, the ship docked in Leith harbor is a top-rated 5-star attraction.

You can explore all five decks and every room with a free audio guide — including the Queen’s bedroom and Lady Diana’s bedroom.

To round off the visit in true British style, the Royal Deck Tearoom serves tea, cakes, and sandwiches.

Buy tickets for the ship tour online

Trinity House Museum Leith

Trinity House, housed in a Georgian building, is a maritime museum with an exhibition entirely dedicated to seafaring.

Even if that doesn’t sound thrilling at first, some of the exhibits are genuinely remarkable. Alongside historic navigation instruments, you can see things like whaling harpoons and narwhal tusks.

The museum is only open on certain occasions, though — check the events list before you go. A bit of a shame, but worth planning around!

Old St. Ninian's Church

Less maritime but seriously beautiful, Old St. Ninian’s Church was founded in 1493 and has been through quite a lot since then. In 1560, for example, it was burned down by the English during their invasion of Scotland.

Fortunately, it was rebuilt shortly afterward, and today it’s a wonderful photo subject and the oldest building in Leith Edinburgh.

You won’t find a congregation inside anymore, though — the rooms are now offices, which we find pretty enviable.

Restaurants and Cafés in Leith

All that sea air works up a serious appetite. Luckily, Leith has some really great restaurants, cafés, and bistros to choose from:

The Ship On The Shore

For really delicious fish right in the harbor district, The Ship On The Shore is the place to go. Sitting right on the Water of Leith, you can order fresh seafood and fish platters — in our opinion, the perfect way to wrap up your visit to Leith.

Not a fish fan? They also serve the classic, hearty Scottish Breakfast.

Borough

Borough is a modern restaurant in the southeast of Leith with a menu that’s genuinely creative and really healthy. Alongside fried turnips, you’ll find sauerkraut and other unexpected combinations. We loved it!

Williams & Johnson

Williams & Johnson is a super modern coffee shop right on the Water of Leith. There’s a great selection of coffees and teas, plus outdoor seating by the water — perfect on a sunny day.

Find out the best time to visit Edinburgh!

Mimi's Bakehouse

If you have a sweet tooth, Mimi’s Bakehouse is absolutely your place. They serve cakes, cupcakes, and brownies in abundance. And the best part: the treats are wonderfully bite-sized, so you can try several different kinds — they’re served on a tiered cake stand, too. What a delicious sight!