12 romantic things to do in Edinburgh

You'll never run out of romantic things to do in Edinburgh

They say Paris is the city of love, but beautiful Edinburgh has got a trick or two up its sleeve when it comes to romance.

From sunsets to stargazing, and spas to cinemas, here are 12 ideas for a romantic outing that you and your partner won't forget in a hurry.

Cruise the canal

Let your love flow on a trip along the Union Canal.

Enjoy a two hour-long afternoon tea cruise on board the Lochrin Belle, leaving from the Fountainbridge Canal Basin.

Visit: 15 Valleyfield Street, EH3 9LP - re-union.org.uk

12 things for couples to do in Edinburgh

Learn to stargaze

Enjoy an evening under the night sky at the Royal Observatory’s winter astronomy evenings.

Running on Friday nights until April, you can get cosy on the flat roof of the observatory with your date and see what's written in the stars.

Visit: Blackford Hill, EH9 3HJ - roe.ac.uk

Share a sundae

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, Mary’s Milk Bar (nestled in the Grassmarket) is the perfect place to cuddle up together with warming hot chocolates.

Alternatively, grab a spoon each and delve into a sharing sundae piled high with freshly made gelato.

Visit: 19 Grassmarket, EH1 2HS - marysmilkbar.com

Snuggle in at the cinema

Swap your standard multiplex cinema visit and recline back on comfortable sharing sofas at the Dominion Cinema, where you can still see all the latest releases in style.

Visit: 18 Newbattle Terrace, EH10 4RT - dominioncinemas.net

Hold hands in the gardens

Wrap up warm and take a stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens with your date for the ultimate romantic walk.

You can also stop off for a bite to eat and a hot drink to warm up at the various cafe spots across the gardens.

Visit: Arboretum Place, EH3 5NZ - rbge.org.uk

Indulge in a spa treatment

From massages to facials, a spa day at One Spa provides the perfect chance to relax and get rid of those winter blues with your loved one.

Visit: 8 Conference Square, EH3 8AN - onespa.com

Take a trip to the beach

On a good weather day, walk along the Portobello promenade hand-in-hand and pop into the amusement arcades or one of the many cafes along the way. You'll feel a million miles away from Edinburgh.

Get your skates on

Murrayfield Ice Rink provides the perfect excuse for holding hands as you attempt to show off your skating moves.

Visit: Riversdale Crescent, EH12 5XN - murrayfieldicerinkltd.co.uk

Go on a ghost tour

Cuddle up to your partner and squeeze their hand tight during one of Edinburgh’s City of the Dead ghost tours, with underground adventures or darkened graveyard visits.

Visit: 26B Candlemaker Row - cityofthedeadtours.com

Try to tango

Brush up on your dancing skills and enlist your partner to join in on a visit to Dance Base, where they offer plenty of partner classes for all abilities.

Visit: 14-16 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, EH1 2JU - dancebase.co.uk

Visit the zoo

Wander hand-in-hand between the enclosures, stop off for a bite to eat at one of the three restaurants and visit Edinburgh’s loved up panda couple, Tian Tian and Yang Guang, during your romantic day at Edinburgh Zoo.

Visit: 134 Corstorphine Road, EH12 6TS - edinburghzoo.org.uk

Watch the sunrise or sunset from Calton Hill

Whether you’re an early riser or prefer a sunset stroll, you can enjoy a walk up Calton Hill to enjoy stunning views across the city.