Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland, a compact city of about half a million people built across a chain of extinct volcanic hills. Its Old Town and New Town together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with Edinburgh Castle on its rock at one end of the Royal Mile and the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the other. Visitors come for the medieval closes, the Georgian crescents, free national museums, Arthur's Seat, Scottish seafood and whisky, and the festivals that fill the city every August.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Edinburgh.
-
- lively seaside promenade, family-friendly with a hardy sea-swimming crowd
- promenade
- cafes and ice cream
- public toilets
- playground
- bandstand
- lifeguards not permanently on duty (RNLI Swim Safe sessions run for children)
Portobello Beach
A wide sandy beach with a Victorian promenade, shops and cafes - Edinburgh's main seaside resort.
Editor’s tip. Take Lothian Buses 15, 15A or 26 from the city centre; weekend parking near the promenade fills early.
-
- quiet estuary village foreshore, walkers and wildlife rather than sunbathing
- pay-and-display car park
- cafe and ice cream
- public toilets (in the village area)
- riverside walk
- Roman fort remains
- boat club
Cramond Beach and Foreshore
A tidal sandy-muddy foreshore at the mouth of the River Almond, best for walks along the promenade and out to Cramond Island.
Editor’s tip. Check tide times before crossing to Cramond Island and follow the tide board at the causeway start.
-
- breezy local promenade, joggers, cyclists and dog walkers
- promenade
- cafe (Boardwalk Beach Club, seasonal)
- car park
- public toilets
Silverknowes Beach
A long sandy and shingle esplanade beach on the Firth of Forth, part of the Edinburgh coastal path.
Editor’s tip. Wear windproof layers; the beach is exposed and breezy even in summer.
-
- small, quiet local bay beside the harbour
- small sandy beach
- coastal path access
- nearby cafes at Granton
Wardie Bay Beach
A small sandy bay near Granton Harbour, used mostly by locals.
Editor’s tip. Check tide and sea conditions locally before swimming; the bay is tidal and cold.
-
- traditional family seaside town, relaxed with harbour cafes
- sandy beaches on both sides of the harbour
- Scottish Seabird Centre
- cafes
- tidal pools
- public toilets
North Berwick Beaches (West Bay and Milsey Bay)
Two small sandy beaches either side of North Berwick Harbour, with views to Bass Rock and the Forth islands.
Editor’s tip. Take the ScotRail train from Edinburgh Waverley (about 30-35 minutes) rather than driving on sunny days.
-
- quiet, scenic and secluded, rarely crowded
- small sandy beach
- toll car park (small fee)
- views of Bass Rock
- ruined Auldhame area walks
Seacliff Beach
A quiet east Lothian beach with dramatic views of Bass Rock and the ruins of Tantallon Castle nearby.
Editor’s tip. Bring water and food; there is no confirmed cafe on site.
-
- spacious, relaxed dune beach with a golf-village feel
- large sandy beach
- car park
- public toilets
- dunes
- cafes in Gullane
Gullane Beach (Gullane Bents)
A broad sandy beach and dunes backed by Gullane Bents, with views of the Firth of Forth and Fife.
Editor’s tip. Keep to the paths through the dunes, which are protected.
-
- calm, family-friendly woodland and shore
- sandy beach
- pay-and-display car park
- woodland picnic area
- Fidra Island views
- toilets
Yellowcraig Beach
A sandy beach and woodland park with views to Fidra island, the lighthouse island reputed to have inspired Treasure Island.
Editor’s tip. Bring food and drink; there is no confirmed beachfront cafe.
-
- wide, windswept and nature-focused
- large sandy beach
- dunes and salt marsh
- car park
- public toilets
- nature trails
Belhaven Bay (John Muir Country Park)
A long sandy beach and dunes in John Muir Country Park, with salt marsh and views of Bass Rock.
Editor’s tip. Take care with swimming; rip currents can occur on the open coast.
-
- quiet, windswept nature reserve for birdwatchers
- car park
- nature reserve paths
- bird hides
- dunes
- tidal mud flats
Aberlady Bay Nature Reserve
A tidal nature reserve with sandy dunes and mudflats, famous for geese and waders.
Editor’s tip. Bring binoculars; the best viewing is around high tide and in autumn and winter.
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Edinburgh memorable.
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Bathing Water
SEPA classifies designated bathing waters and issues short-term pollution advice at sepa.org.uk; check before entering the sea, especially after heavy rain.
Lifeguards
Permanent lifeguard cover is not confirmed at the Edinburgh city beaches; check the RNLI lifeguarded beach finder at rnli.org and follow flags where present.
Tides
Tidal conditions matter at Cramond (causeway) and Aberlady (mudflats). Check tide times at tidetimes.org.uk or the BBC weather tide pages before visiting.
Transport
Portobello, Cramond and Silverknowes are reachable by Lothian Buses (about £2.20 single or £5 day ticket, ~$3 / ~$6.70). East Lothian beaches use ScotRail to North Berwick or Dunbar and East Coast Buses; fares and times at scotrail.co.uk and eastcoastbuses.co.uk.
What To Pack
Even in summer, pack a windproof layer, towel, water shoes (rocky or pebbly sections) and a dry bag; sunscreen is still needed on bright days.
Dogs
Some East Lothian beaches have seasonal dog restrictions; read signs at each car park.
Parking
Car parks at Cramond, Gullane Bents, Yellowcraig, Seacliff and Belhaven charge small fees or use pay-and-display; Portobello has on-street parking and charges.
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Edinburgh’s coast.
Is Portobello Beach good for swimming?
Swimming is popular with a year-round local community, but the water is cold (about 13-16 C at its August peak) and currents can be strong near the groynes. Lifeguards are not permanently on duty, so check SEPA advice first.
From the Portobello Beach editorial.
How do visitors get to Portobello Beach from central Edinburgh?
Lothian Buses services 15, 15A and 26 run to Portobello in about 25-30 minutes from Princes Street. A single fare is about £2.20 and a day ticket about £5.
From the Portobello Beach editorial.
Can visitors swim at Cramond Beach?
Swimming is not recommended because of strong currents where the River Almond meets the Firth of Forth. The foreshore is better suited to walking and wildlife watching.
From the Cramond Beach and Foreshore editorial.
Is the Cramond Island causeway safe?
It is walkable only at low tide and becomes dangerous when the tide covers it. Visitors should follow the tide board at the causeway start and the RNLI advice.
From the Cramond Beach and Foreshore editorial.
Is Silverknowes Beach suitable for swimming?
Conditions are cold and often windy, and no permanent lifeguards are confirmed. Visitors should check SEPA classification and the RNLI beach finder before entering the water.
From the Silverknowes Beach editorial.
Is Silverknowes accessible for wheelchairs and cycles?
The promenade is flat and suitable for cycling and wheelchairs. The sand and shingle itself is less easy to cross.
From the Silverknowes Beach editorial.
Is Wardie Bay a good beach for families?
It is small and basic, with cold tidal water and no confirmed lifeguards. It suits a short visit and paddling more than a full beach day.
From the Wardie Bay Beach editorial.
Are there facilities at Wardie Bay?
Facilities are limited. There is coastal path access and cafes nearby in Granton.
From the Wardie Bay Beach editorial.