A 15-minute walk from the city centre, this 900-year-old mill village on the banks of the Water of Leith is a hidden historic gem.
Places of note Dean Gardens is home to St Bernard’s Well – a natural spring with waters that reputedly heal all manner of maladies. Head west along the river to the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art to see works by Picasso, Matisse, Hepworth and Roy Lichtenstein.
Weather Edinburgh’s rainy reputation precedes it, but people forget the city’s extraordinary summers. June is best, when the sky only goes dark at 11pm – that’s an hour more sunlight than in London.
Famous faces Plenty of dead ones: the Dean Cemetery is home to some of Scotland’s best-known figures, from the inspiration for Sherlock Holmes, Joseph Bell, to artist John Bellany. For more up-to-date celebrities, Game of Thrones stars Kit Harington and Rose Leslie reportedly bought a flat in the area not long after tying the knot in Scotland in 2018.
To stay
The stylish Edinburgh Residence is perfect for a weekend away, with 29 townhouse-style suites – you can order afternoon tea in your own drawing room. Doubles from £102 a night.
To stay
Well Court was built in 1883 by the owner of The Scotsman, JR Findlay, and retains its old-fashioned charm – residents still use a communal washing line. This flat sleeping four costs £420 for two nights.
To Airbnb
Ideal for a city break, this room for two in a Georgian house has a balcony overlooking the Water of Leith. From £193 for two nights.
To buy
Larger than it looks, this mews house in the Dean Conservation Area has three bedrooms and an integrated garage. £550,000.