Portobello Beach
Address: Portobello, Edinburgh, EH15 2DX
Known locally as ‘Porty’, Portobello is a small town to the east of Edinburgh with views overlooking the Forth. Its sandy beach is two miles wide and has won lots of awards for cleanliness, water quality and visitor facilities. Portobello is about a 20-minute drive from the city centre and can be reached by bus.
The promenade was built in 1864, creating public access to the beach. From then on, more attractions and facilities appeared, including bars, cafes, amusements and a public swimming baths. It became a a popular holiday resort during Victorian and Edwardian times. Today, it retains its seaside charm, attracting swimmers and sunbathers in sunny weather. The town hosts a number of community events, including family fun days, beach races and music events.
5 things to do at Portobello Beach
- Visit the bars, cafes and along the beach front.
- Play on the beach and swim in the sea on a sunny day. (swim safety tips)
- In cooler weather, go to the Victorian swimming pool and Turkish baths.
- The beach and promenade become venues for various events over the summer, such as a triathlon and beach volleyball competition, sailing regattas, beach bootcamps and the Big Beach Busk.
- On the first Saturday of the month, visit nearby Brighton Park for the monthly farmers’ market.
