Portobello Beach
Portobello Beach
4
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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Top ways to experience Portobello Beach and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
852 within 5 kms
Attractions
567 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- GrahamRugby, United Kingdom1,558 contributionsA promenade, sand and seaMost people who visit Edinburgh, come here for the castle and the shopping of Princess Street. For those staying a little longer, you want to come to Portobello. The area is located by the seaside. There is a long promenade along the beach. The beach is very sandy and the sea clean. There are Cafes and places to eat all along the front. You can get here by bus from the city centre or drive and park. For those seeking warmer waters there are two swimming pools. There is also the last Victorian Turkish bath house.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 19 March 2024
- EV3 contributionsBest LGBTQ+ neighbourhood in EdinburghA vibrant LGBTQ+ area with many locally owned shops, cafes and restaurants. great beach for a swim, bonfire or a run. Portobello hosts the Porty Pride each year with thousands of people joining the vibrant events organised by the beach and in local centres. A must visit locationVisited March 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 20 March 2024
- Stacy DAtlanta, Georgia60 contributionsUnderrated Edinburgh neighborhoodUnderrated Edinburgh neighborhood. Being from the south in the U.S., it was so interesting to see a different type of beach town. Great food, pubs, and wine bar plus cute shops. So many adorable dogs playing on the beach and in the waves. Easily walkable and a $12 Uber ride from the Scotsman Hotel. Definitely make it a priority to spend a day here when visiting Edinburgh.Visited September 2024Travelled with familyWritten 22 September 2024
- jennifer bEdinburgh, United Kingdom14 contributionsGreat customer service and fab icecreamI've just had the loveliest service from a young man selling Oscars gelato on portobello prom. His people skills were amazing as was the gelato. He let me taste a few of the selection before I made my choice. It made my day Thank you.Visited January 2025Travelled with friendsWritten 11 January 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
804 reviews
Excellent
352
Very good
318
Average
86
Poor
28
Terrible
20
Martinw034
Chorley, UK548 contributions
Sept 2020 • Family
This is an ideal spot to spend time on a sunny day or take a brisk walk on less sunny days. Busy but not too packed when we visited - though clearly the groups of young people have no concept of social distancing, hopefully the stiff breeze countered any virus.
Well worth a visit as an antidote to the bustle of Edinburgh.
Well worth a visit as an antidote to the bustle of Edinburgh.
Written 18 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JonathonLondon
London63 contributions
Jan 2020
Good for walks, talks, beach ambles, but a lot of dogs off leash/lead! About 2 km long there is a prom walk way beside the beach parallel to Portobello High St with facilities dotted along the way such as kids play parks, net ball, 5 cafe's, 2 pubs, 1 mobile cafe citroen van, usually 3 buskers, a pool, gym, amusement arcade... and 2 permanently closed public toilets. One can't help but wonder why Edinburgh Council have not efforted nor actioned into making this a high amenity beach area? It could be tree lined like some beach proms in England and it could be 5 star instead of just tawdry average.
Pity about all the dogs running amok and dogs defecating all over the beach. We noticed all the dog muck bags left on the prom wall (not put in bins). If dogs were banned from this beach it'd be a fab place (like all dogs are banned from amenity beaches in other self-respecting areas).
I noticed a few pit-bulls and guard dogs running off lead. This should not be permitted as there are many kids in the area.
Pity about all the dogs running amok and dogs defecating all over the beach. We noticed all the dog muck bags left on the prom wall (not put in bins). If dogs were banned from this beach it'd be a fab place (like all dogs are banned from amenity beaches in other self-respecting areas).
I noticed a few pit-bulls and guard dogs running off lead. This should not be permitted as there are many kids in the area.
Written 20 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Astencijo
Basingstoke, UK296 contributions
Sept 2020 • Family
We've been visiting Portobello beach almost daily at the end of each day in the city. It has such a great wibe! You have little stands for crepes, ice cream, coffee and ect. My son devoured many crepes there while us sitting and enjoying just being there. If you love the sea and simple pleasures, then it's a must area to visit 🙂
Written 19 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Splishsplasher
Scotland, UK334 contributions
Sept 2021
I had previously reviewed Beach House a while back, and had given it a good rating on that visit, however a recent visit last month to 'the competition' - 'Miso' (just next along the prom) I am saddened to say that both I and my dining partner both preferred 'Miso' to Beach House.
Although there had been a bad service timing issue at our recent visit to 'Miso' - a human or otherwise error(?) the menu, the value for money, and the overall atmosphere of 'Miso' is preferable to our liking.
The service at beach House was good and the staff knowledgeable and helpful, the food just was not what we had expected, given what we had experienced at 'Miso', and the overall value for money suffered due to that.
A observation not included in my review. There were also a lot of dogs and 'doggy people' (Doggers?) lurking around outside, which was not a comfortable experience for my dining partner as they are adverse to dogs, particularly when they jump up on strangers without warning.
Hopefully, our next visit will be a better experience, and we'll let you know.
Although there had been a bad service timing issue at our recent visit to 'Miso' - a human or otherwise error(?) the menu, the value for money, and the overall atmosphere of 'Miso' is preferable to our liking.
The service at beach House was good and the staff knowledgeable and helpful, the food just was not what we had expected, given what we had experienced at 'Miso', and the overall value for money suffered due to that.
A observation not included in my review. There were also a lot of dogs and 'doggy people' (Doggers?) lurking around outside, which was not a comfortable experience for my dining partner as they are adverse to dogs, particularly when they jump up on strangers without warning.
Hopefully, our next visit will be a better experience, and we'll let you know.
Written 14 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lyn holden
Penwortham, UK7 contributions
Dec 2019
Lovely clean beach. We were on the far left side of the beach as you face the sea and there were lots of dogs playing and a dog friendly cafe nearby on the front where the staff even brought dog water bowls to the table and shared their chips with the dogs when having their breaks. Dogs loved it and though it was almost new year, we even had sun. Nice day out even in winter and great coffee.
Written 13 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MapleRidgeMalf
Maple Ridge, Canada146 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
The Portobello Promenade is a delightful walk from the Joppa Pump Station all the way towards Leith Harbour. We were there on a blustery, but not raining January day and views of the water and the houses and shops along the way were very enjoyable. Not crowded at all because of the time of year and the weather, but I would expect the beach gets much more crowded on a nice summer day.
Written 8 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CaravanDonna
Tamworth, UK28 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
What a surprise ! We were lucky to visit on a hot weekend so saw the beach busy with families, young adults and children alike. It was not so busy you couldn’t feel relaxed and there are many places for food to sit on the promenade or takeaway. There was very little litter and what was had been cleaned up by the next day. There was a small but good arcade / ice cream stand etc etc but none of the kiss me quick feel. The beach at night remained quite busy with groups around fire pits etc and whilst people were drinking the atmosphere still felt welcoming rather than intimidating as some places can. The town itself has a bit of a run down feel BUT there are great places if you look - a couple of nice craft beer places, the Forresters Guild serving higher end food (has a French bistro feel) excellent fish and chips you can eat in or out at Andrew’s and the wonderful Portobello Books. There is also a very good bus service into city and further afield and the buses were cheap snd clean so no need for taxi’s. Overall I would definately recommend the beach and town as a place to visit or act as a summer base.
Written 19 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Noeleen H
Edinburgh, UK37 contributions
Jun 2021
This is the nearest beach to Edinburgh. It's crowded, rubbish left lying around, too many folk on bikes trying to get through the crowd and too many dog owners allowing their dogs to roam off the lead. The eateries are very expensive for what you get and they not the most pleasant folk on the prom. It's a shame really as the place could be really nice.
Written 29 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
K pri
Edinburgh, UK2 contributions
Feb 2022 • Friends
This place used to be good but not any longer. The waitress is very rude and speaks little English. Its expensive and when asked for more hot water top up our drinks she just glared at us but it was because the drinks were cold and the food took so long. When paying i was charged an extra £1.50 for the hot water!! Then was told my bill had been already been put through and did i have a problem with that. I will never be back again in this place. Over priced, horrid staff and poor food and drinks.
Written 15 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DAVID M
Bridge of Weir, UK95 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We recently visited Portobello beach for the first time with my sister and her husband who live a few miles from this location. The sand is spotless and the beach was crowded with families and dog walkers enjoying the fresh air.. The beach stretches for quite some distance and offers great views of the Fife coast which Is directly opposite. I was really amazed to see Arthur’s seat from the town centre. It is well worth seeing when visiting Edinburgh.
Written 21 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are no sharks in the water off Portobello Beach.
Written 3 February 2023
A Tripadvisor member
Friesenheim, Germany
Is it allowed to make a bonfire at the beach? If yes, are there maybe even designated places for making a bonfires?
Written 6 October 2021
A Tripadvisor member
Friesenheim, Germany
Is it allowed to make a bonfire on the beach? Is there even one or more designated fireplaces or pits?
Written 6 October 2021
I am coming up for the first time, just wondering is there much to do when there
Written 15 April 2021
To be honest with you, the location itself isn't a hotbed of activity. The general area offers a lot...... Leith which is next door offers art galleries, good restaurants of all shapes and sizes, and copious good pubs. Just down the road is the ocean centre with the Brittania moored alongside and open for visitors. Of course Edinburgh which is easily reached offers venues galore. Portobello is a haven of peace with a nice beach and good coffee bars.
Written 2 February 2023
Good morning
When you say you stayed overnight, did you have a motorhome? Looking to come to Edinburgh in a couple of days time and wondered if you can park there? Thanks
Written 21 August 2018
Sorry we just parked the car in a street nearby, we never saw any motor homes near the beach
Written 21 August 2018
Is there anywhere to rent a sunlounger or is it towels/blankets all the way??
Written 26 June 2018
We walked a fair amount of the beachfront at Portobello and I don't recall seeing any stacks of sunloungers like you might see in the Med, best take something with you.
Written 27 June 2018
Is this beach dog friendly, some aren’t during the summer months
Written 25 June 2018
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