"Location is very central on Cowgate near grass market, castle, and royal mile."
Boucher from United States
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"Bedding and room nice and clean."
Alicia from United Kingdom
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"Good setup with privacy screens on bunks and lockers for each bunk."
Carmen from United Kingdom
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"The location was perfect, you could walk almost everywhere from there pretty quickly."
Ada from Finland
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"Central I was there for 10 km race not far from start at royal mile great for exploring city."
Murphy from Ireland
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Budget-friendly hostel in central Edinburgh steps from the Royal Mile
Rooms & Accommodation
Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate offers private rooms and mixed dormitories with options for female-only dorms. Each room includes free lockers inside the room and key card access. Towels are available for hire at the property.
Amenities & Services
The hostel provides a 24-hour front desk with express check-in and check-out. A bar, vending machines, and daily housekeeping are available on site. Luggage storage is offered for a fee, and there is an outdoor terrace with seating.
Dining & Food
Guests can purchase a continental breakfast at the property, with free hot drinks served between 9am and 11am. The bar serves wine, champagne, and snacks from the coffee house on site. A vending machine is also available for quick refreshments.
Location
Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate is a 10-minute walk from Edinburgh Waverley train station and 200 metres from the Royal Mile. Edinburgh Castle is a 10-minute walk away, and Edinburgh Military Tattoo is 300 metres from the hostel. Edinburgh Festival Theatre is 400 metres from the property.
Safety & Security
The property has 24-hour security with CCTV in common areas and outside, plus fire extinguishers and smoke alarms. Each room uses key card access, and lockers are provided inside the rooms. Security alarms are installed throughout the building.
Highlights
Location: 200m from Royal Mile, 10-min walk to castle
Dining: Continental breakfast, free hot drinks, bar
Safety: 24-hour security, CCTV, key card access
“The location hits a sweet spot, putting you right in the heart of things for a reasonable price. Attention to practical details, like integrated bed lights and privacy panels, genuinely enhances the sleeping space, creating a more comfortable rest. This thoughtfulness extends to the staff, who seem genuinely helpful, making for a solid, practical stay.”
James DavidEditor-in-Chief at Uklothian
Select your room type
Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals
Bed 4-Bed Female Dorm Ensuite
2 persons
18 m²
1 Bunk bed
Heating
Shower
room details
Quadruple Room
2 persons
15 m²
2 Bunk beds
Heating
Shower
room details
Quadruple Room Ensuite
2 persons
15 m²
2 Bunk beds
Heating
Shower
room details
Show all rooms
Price and Room Availability Calendar
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Facilities
Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences
Facilities: Very good
7.1/10Review score
General
No smoking on site
24-hour reception
Express check-in/ -out
No pets allowed
24-hour security
Luggage storage
Locker room
Coffee shop
Vending machines
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Key card access
Guest Parking
No parking available.
Services
Housekeeping
Welcome drink
Dining
Snack bar
Bar/ Lounge area
Business
Fax/Photocopying
Spa & Leisure
Leisure/ TV room
Room features
Free Wi-Fi in rooms
Heating
Terrace
Garden furniture
Media
AM/FM alarm clock
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Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate Location
96 Cowgate Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH1 1JN,
Map view
City landmarks
Museum
Edinburgh Castle
760 m
Landmark
Arthur's Seat hike
2.8 km
Palace
Palace of Holyroodhouse
1.13 km
Gallery
Scottish National Gallery
620 m
Park
Princes Street Gardens
1.01 km
Landmark
Calton Hill
1.03 km
Landmark
Nelson Monument
1.03 km
Landmark
Surgeons' Hall Museums
640 m
Botanical Garden
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
2.2 km
Museum
Dynamic Earth
1.15 km
Park
Holyrood Park
1.58 km
Museum
The Museum of the Royal Scots and the Royal Regiment of Scotland
770 m
Square
Grassmarket
620 m
Nearby
Museum
National Museum of Scotland
590 m
Royal Mile
Royal Mile
290 m
High Street 2 Warriston's Close
The Real Mary King's Close
60 m
Museum
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
390 m
Church
St Giles' Cathedral
130 m
Store
Edinburgh Old Town
190 m
Monument
Scott Monument
470 m
Museum
The Writers' Museum
290 m
Museum
Gladstone's Land
270 m
Museum
Museum of Childhood
310 m
2 Chalmers Close High Street (opposite Museum of Childhood on Royal Mile)
Brass Rubbing Centre
120 m
Museum
John Knox House
340 m
53 Princes Street
Princes Street
530 m
Church
Mercat Cross
210 m
Gallery
City Art Centre
270 m
354 Castlehill
The Scotch Whisky Experience
430 m
Cemetery
The Robertson Mausoleum
580 m
Restaurants
Oink
350 m
34 Victoria Street 82 Canongate
Deacon's House Cafe
490 m
304 Lawnmarket Brodies Close
Wings Edinburgh
100 m
7 Old Fishmarket Close
Uncle's Fish & Chips
440 m
52 George IV Bridge
National Library of Scotland Cafe
480 m
National Library of Scotland 92 Cowgate George IV Bridge
Yum Yum
440 m
48 George IV Bridge Old Town
The City Cafe
260 m
19 Blair Street
The Deli Global
450 m
13 George IV Bridge
Pizza Paradise
350 m
4-6 South Bridge EH1 1LL
Angus Fling
370 m
27 George IV Bridge
The Piemaker
380 m
38 South Bridge
ClamShell
90 m
148 High Street
The Tron
320 m
9 Hunter Square
Explore Edinburgh
Local Highlights
Top Attractions
Activities
Dining
Entertainment
Edinburgh Castle
10 minutes' walk
Historic fortress offering panoramic views and rich history. Guided tours provide insights into Scotland's past.
National Museum of Scotland
8 minutes' walk
Diverse exhibits from Scotland's history to cultures worldwide. Free admission enhances its appeal.
The Real Mary King's Close
1 minute walking
Guided tours through underground streets reveal Edinburgh's past. An engaging experience for history enthusiasts.
Arthur's Seat Hike
35 minutes' walk
Thrilling hike up an extinct volcano offering stunning city views. Ideal for outdoor lovers seeking adventure.
The Meadows
14 minutes' walk
Peaceful park perfect for relaxation or picnics. Beautiful scenery and expansive green spaces invite leisure.
Oink
5 minutes' walk
Casual eatery known for its succulent pulled pork sandwiches. Great for a quick, delicious meal.
Uncle's Fish & Chips
6 minutes' walk
Traditional fish and chips with a cozy atmosphere. A local favorite for comfort food lovers.
The Bongo Club
12 minutes' walk
Lively music venue featuring various genres. Hosts events from live bands to DJ nights for all ages.
The Stand Comedy Club
15 minutes' walk
Showcase for comedy talent with weekly performances. Ideal for a fun night out, suitable for all ages.
Getting around
City Centre
Edinburgh 4 min · 300 m
Airports
Edinburgh (EDI) 21 min · 13.6 km
Glasgow (GLA) 132 min · 88 km
Bus
Bus stop 3 min · 200 m
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Property information and rules
Check-in
from 15:00-23:59
Check-out
until 11 am
Guest Parking
No parking available.
Internet
Wireless internet is available in the hotel rooms for free.
Breakfast
A full breakfast is served at the price of GBP 8.0 per person.
Children & extra beds
There are no cots provided in a room.
Pets
Pets are not allowed.
Number of rooms:
141
Former name
cowgate hostel
Reviews and Ratings
Feedback about Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate from previous guests about their experience.
Cleanliness
7.2/10
Comfort
7.1/10
Facilities
7.1/10
Free Wi-Fi
8.1/10
Location
8.7/10
Staff
8.3/10
Value for money
7.6/10
Pros
Spacious rooms
Comfortable beds
Helpful staff
Central location
Cons
Bar noise
Thin walls
Guest reviews
based on 3439 reviews
7.1/10
No reviews yet on our siteUnfortunately, our guests have not yet left any reviews for this hotel, but you can read reviews from Booking.com.