Portobello
Location: Portobello, Edinburgh, EH15
Known locally as ‘Porty’, Portobello is a small town to the east of Edinburgh with views overlooking the Firth of 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 also 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, cafés, amusements and a public swimming baths. It became a popular holiday resort during Victorian and Edwardian times. Today, it retains its seaside charm, and is particularly popular as a place for relaxation in sunny weather. The town hosts a number of community events, including family fun days, beach races and music events.
5 things to do in Portobello
- Relax on the beach, enjoy the views out to the Firth of Forth, and visit the bars and cafés along the promenade.
- Visit the Victorian swim centre and Turkish baths, located on the beach front.
- Head along to the High Street to explore a unique mix of shops, eateries and more.
- On the first Saturday of the month, visit nearby Brighton Park for the monthly farmers’ market.
- Attend events held at the beach and promenade over the summer, which may include beach volleyball competitions, sailing regattas, bootcamps and music events.
