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A beautiful UK city was named one of the best in the world for 2026, and there's something that instantly stands out, as I found during my visit.

The capital of Scotland, Edinburgh, was ranked the third-best city in the world for 2026 by Time Out with Intrepid Travel last week, thanks to its walkability, thriving food scene, green spaces, and vibrant art and culture. So my trip to the historic city of Edinburgh, just a few days later, came at the perfect time. I was eager to see if it really lived up to its newly acclaimed title.

I arrived at Edinburgh Waverley train station on a Saturday afternoon, with a nifty LNER direct train service available from London's King's Cross that takes just over four hours, and immediately found myself at the heart of the action. The station is conveniently positioned between Edinburgh's Old Town and the New Town, and not far from the city's Princes Street Gardens, so it instantly felt walkable.

In less than a 20-minute walk, I had dropped my bags off at the hotel and arrived in the Old Town, ready to explore the historic city. I gazed upon the Gothic St Giles' Cathedral, before walking along the cobbled streets, adorned with Scottish shops and ancient buildings, to the sound of bagpipes.

I wandered up towards the iconic and striking Edinburgh Castle, standing on Castle Rock at a towering 260 feet above the city, before taking in the majestic vistas. Walking back down the steady slopes that make up Edinburgh, I found myself lost among charming cobbled lanes, before emerging into another spectacular spot,

Still in the Old Town, I explored the famed and colourful Victoria Street, lined with independent shops and artisan coffee shops. The winding, cobbled street with stacked architecture is said to have inspired Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter franchise, and is also home to The Elephant House, said to be the 'birthplace of Harry Potter', as J. K. Rowling spent many of her days writing in the café.

On one blistery day, I hiked up to the top of Arthur's Seat, which provided panoramic views across the city, before a steady decline to Holyrood Park as I fought the strong Scottish wind. I also found myself wandering to another lookout at Calton Hill with the National Monument of Scotland, and later found the picture-perfect spot on the steep staircase of The Vennel, with a striking backdrop of the castle.

And just when I thought I had explored every inch of the city, I spent one afternoon walking around Dean Village, just a 30-minute walk from the Old Town, as I passed by historic buildings and wide streets. Dean's Brae Bridge provided another picturesque spot, with its yellow, white, and orange medieval timbered buildings lining a tranquil river, though it's become a popular tourist spot for that Insta-worthy shot!

I also found time to visit the Royal Botanic Gardens, as well as the charming village of Stockbridge, shaped like a sweetie and offering more independent shops and cosy coffee shops to shelter from the chilly weather. While I was racking up more than 20,000 steps a day, it didn't feel like it, as I got lost in the city, bursting with character and charm.

I was left in awe at how easy it was to walk and navigate this beautiful city, and found another hidden gem around every corner, every step, and every street I took. So it's no wonder that its residents, who took part in the Time Out survey, ranked the city highest for walkability, which was instantly obvious during my time in Edinburgh.

While the city is big, it's compact, with winding streets that conveniently link the Old and New Town, with major attractions and eateries never far apart. I didn't once feel the need to order an Uber, catch the tram or board the hop-on, hop-off bus tour, as walking around the city proved incredibly straightforward.

It meant I could explore Edinburgh at my own pace and uncover hidden gems you might otherwise miss - just be sure to wrap up warm amid the chilly weather. Plus, I was never short of places to eat, with Makars Mash Bar a personal highlight, alongside Bonnie & Wild and the Edinburgh Street food courts.

And if you're a coffee fan like me, it's a haven for artisan houses, with trendy ceramic tumblers serving up a steaming flat white alongside a freshly baked cinnamon bun or shortbread rounds. Plus, there's a bundle of traditional pubs to grab a pint, or the snug Salt Horse Beer Shop and The Wee Vault, serving up Vault City sour beers that are independently crafted in Edinburgh.

After a three-night stay, I can say without question that Edinburgh absolutely lived up to my expectations, and more. Would I rank it among the best cities in the world? Definitely! Do I miss it already? Without a doubt. Will I return? 100%!

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