Edinburgh — Old Town Weekend
A weekend in queer Edinburgh combines medieval old town with a warm-hearted scene. You will explore the Royal Mile and the castle, stroll through the trendy Pink Triangle district and enjoy the cozy atmosphere of the Scottish capital. Everything here is just a rough suggestion that you can freely customize.
What to expect
Edinburgh is divided into two parts, and that's exactly what makes it so appealing: a medieval old town with a castle and Royal Mile on one side, the Georgian New Town with its austere facades on the other. In between is the Pink Triangle around Broughton Street - small but with a warm scene and bars where you can quickly get into conversation.
The view over the city from Arthur's Seat is a must, as is a walk through the winding closes of the old town. If you're looking for a night out, CC Blooms and the surrounding bars of the Pink Triangle offer a club night that's more cozy than glamorous. Scottish. During the day, the Princes Street Gardens invite you to rest between sightseeing stages.
Edinburgh is compact enough to reach a lot on foot, and despite the many tourists, it has a core that has remained down-to-earth.
Your programme — day by day
Old Town
View & Club Night
New Town & Conclusion
Hotels around Edinburgh
Tap the map for prices and availability.
Gay Edinburgh
Gay Edinburgh takes place mainly in the so-called Pink Triangle, a manageable district in the north of the New Town. Broughton Street and Picardy Place are home to most of the Scottish capital's queer bars, cafes and hangouts. The distances are short. You can reach a lot of things on foot, and the hustle and bustle of the tourist mile around the Royal Mile is still only a few minutes' walk away. One of the big names in the scene is CC Blooms, a bar with a dance floor in the basement, which has existed since 1991 and is the first place to go for many visitors in the evening.
The New Town is a good base for a few days because you can easily combine the scene, the historic center and viewpoints like Calton Hill on foot from here. The highlight in the queer calendar is Pride Edinburgh, which will take place on Saturday, June 20 in 2026 and is one of the largest LGBTQ events in Scotland with a march across the city. If you arrive during this period, you should book early. Overall, Edinburgh can be explored well on a long weekend. From May to September, the summer months bring the longest days and the mildest weather, while in August it gets crowded but also extra lively during the festival. You should be prepared for rain all year round.
- Destination
- Edinburgh, Schottland
- Travel time
- Long weekend (Thu–Sun)
- Best season
- Mai – Sep
- Price level
- €€
- LGBT safety
- Very high
Bars, clubs & locations on gay-location.de
Last reviewed: 29. July 2026