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Accommodation in Edinburgh for long-term stays as a digital nomad
Find the best accommodation in Edinburgh for long-term stays, with top areas, colivings, cafés, and places for digital nomads.
Edinburgh, the second most visited city in the United Kingdom, is a top destination for digital nomads and freelancers who admire its architecture, style, and culture. If you’re looking for the best accommodation in Edinburgh for long-term stays, here are some great options to help you make the most of your time in the city.
Edinburgh has become an interesting hub for digital nomads wanting to temporarily reside in Scotland, thanks to its excellent tech infrastructure, including high-speed internet and coworking spaces. Additionally, the quality of life in Edinburgh is high, offering a peaceful and cultural environment. Let’s explore the available options for living in this city.
Accommodation Options for Long-Term Stays in Edinburgh
Edinburgh offers excellent facilities for international students, freelancers, creatives, and digital nomads. There’s a wide range of flexible accommodation, so the key is choosing the right type for your needs.
Coliving in Edinburgh
If you’re looking for a social, modern, and practical experience, coliving might be your best option. Edinburgh has several coliving spaces designed specifically for young people who travel with a slow travel mindset or work remotely.
Spaces like CoDE Coliving, WiFi Tribe, or independent projects combining coworking with shared living offer private rooms, spacious common areas, community events, and most importantly: flexible contracts from 1 month onwards.
This type of accommodation is ideal if you want to arrive and feel part of a community from day one. Plus, utilities (water, electricity, internet, heating) are included, which makes things much easier.
Furnished Apartments for Temporary Rent
Another popular option in Edinburgh, especially if you’re travelling as a couple or simply prefer more independence, is furnished flats or apartments. There are many in peaceful residential areas, equipped with kitchens, laundry facilities, and views of the city or parks.
The best way to find them is through websites like Rightmove, Zoopla, or OpenRent, where you can filter by property type, area, contract length, and whether it’s furnished or not.
Many landlords offer contracts for 3 to 6 months with the option to extend. However, Edinburgh has a high demand, especially during university season (September to December), so try to book at least one month in advance.
Airbnb for seasonal stays
This may not be the most economical option, but Airbnb remains a valid alternative if you’re looking for something immediate and hassle-free with no contracts or paperwork. Some properties offer long-stay discounts (from 28 days onwards), and many are well-equipped for working from home.
That said, for stays longer than 3 months, it might be worth negotiating with the host or even moving to a cheaper option after the first month. Airbnb is perfect for settling in while you explore the neighbourhoods and find something that suits your pace.
Rooms in Shared Houses
One of the most common (and affordable) ways to live in Edinburgh is by renting a room in a shared house. This option is perfect if you want to stick to a tight budget while living with others in similar situations.
Platforms like Spareroom or Facebook groups are very helpful for this. Most of these houses are already equipped, with all bills included, and contracts can range from 1 month to a year.
In this format, the most important thing is to ensure that the environment suits you (some houses are quiet, while others are more social), and that public transport or bikes connect you well to the rest of the city.
Holafly for Digital Nomads in Edinburgh
If you’re planning to spend a good amount of time in Edinburgh and also travel frequently to other European countries, having a stable connection is crucial. With Holafly’s monthly plans, you can use a multi-destination eSIM that gives you internet access in the United Kingdom and other European destinations without having to change your SIM card or buy SIM cards in each place. You can also share data, keep your WhatsApp active with your number, and manage everything from the app. Ideal if you work remotely or don’t want to worry about being without signal when you need it most. You can also install the eSIM for the United Kingdom, which allows you to browse the internet with unlimited data for as many days as you need.
Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 160 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍
The Best Neighbourhoods in Edinburgh for a Temporary Stay
Edinburgh may not be a very large city, but it is quite diverse. Each area has its own style, ranging from classic and elegant to bohemian, university-focused, or alternative. Here are some of the most popular neighbourhoods if you’re thinking about living long-term as a digital nomad or slow-travel traveller.
Leith: Creativity by the Sea
Leith is Edinburgh’s old port and today it is one of the most artistic and trendy areas of the city. It has undergone a massive transformation in recent years, going from an industrial zone to a meeting point for artists, freelancers, chefs, and creatives of all kinds.
Coworking Spaces in Leith There are several comfortable and well-equipped spaces like The Melting Pot, which, although closer to the city centre, has a lot of people from Leith, or Tribe Porty, a community coworking space located in Portobello, with regular activities, workshops, and events.
Cafes for Remote Work Leith has spots like Toast, Nauticus, and Printworks Coffee, where you can work with good wifi. The atmosphere is usually relaxed, with many people working from their laptops.
Recommended Coliving Spaces in Leith While Leith doesn’t have many official colivings, you can find interesting shared houses with a coliving vibe on platforms like Spareroom or Ideal Flatmate, especially in residential areas near the coast.
Furnished Apartments in Leith There is a good range of furnished flats with contracts ranging from 3 to 6 months. You can find them on sites like Rightmove or OpenRent, many with views of the water or close to Leith Walk, a street full of shops, cafés, and restaurants.
New Town: Great Connectivity and Stylish Coworking Spaces
The New Town area is the architectural heart of Edinburgh. Its symmetrical streets and Georgian buildings house offices, shops, and shared working spaces. It’s perfect if you want to be at the centre of everything, without sacrificing peace.
Coworking Spaces in New Town Here you’ll find some of the city’s most popular coworking spaces, such as Regus, WeWork George Street, or Spaces, all with facilities for remote workers who need meeting rooms, flexible desks, or private offices.
Cafes for Remote Work George Street and Queen Street are full of cafés with good wifi and a calm atmosphere, like The Edinburgh Press Club, Fortitude Coffee, or Wellington Coffee.
Long-Term Hotels in New Town Some “aparthotels” like Fountain Court Apartments or Native Edinburgh offer long stays with kitchens and services included, designed for those staying a month or longer. These spaces tend to be a bit pricier.
Furnished Apartments in New Town Here you’ll find more elegant properties, perfect if you want to treat yourself. There are plenty of studio or one-bedroom apartments with kitchens and all services, ideal for stays of 1 to 6 months.
Marchmont & Bruntsfield: Quiet, University Vibes and Great Connectivity
These two areas are south of the city centre, about a 15-20 minute walk from the castle. They’re popular with postgraduate students, researchers, freelancers, and nomads seeking a quieter environment with nearby parks and a strong sense of community.
Coworking Spaces in Marchmont and Bruntsfield There aren’t big coworking chains here, but you’ll find local spaces like The Melting Pot or small shared offices organised by residents. There are also houses functioning as private coworking spaces for the community.
Cafes for Remote Work Project Coffee, Brew Lab, and Café Artista are popular spots in the area. Many students and remote workers spend hours here.
Recommended Coliving Spaces in Marchmont In this area, you can find shared houses with flexible contracts, popular among master’s students and young professionals. It’s best to check Facebook groups or platforms like Spareroom.
Furnished Apartments in Bruntsfield These neighbourhoods have many Victorian-style properties divided into flats. It’s common to find furnished apartments, ideal for those staying 3 to 12 months. They’re not the cheapest, but they’re very comfortable and well-located.
Stockbridge: Bohemian and Local
Stockbridge has quiet streets, stone bridges, organic markets, and a strong sense of community. It’s perfect if you’re looking for tranquillity, inspiration, and great food.
Cafes for Remote Work There are charming spots like The Pantry, Cowan & Sons, or Cuckoo’s Bakery, where you can work peacefully and enjoy good food. It’s one of those neighbourhoods with a favourite routine and spots.
Furnished Apartments in Stockbridge There are many studio and family apartments suited for medium-term stays. The best part of Stockbridge is that everything is within walking distance: Shops, supermarkets, cafés, and Inverleith Park for fresh air.
Southside: Cultural Life and University Vibes
Southside, also known as Newington, is south of the Old Town, very close to the central campus of the University of Edinburgh. It’s a lively, diverse area with alternative culture. If you enjoy being surrounded by international students, second-hand bookstores, independent theatres, and conceptual cafés, this is your place.
Coworking Spaces in Southside There aren’t many large options, but there are small studios or shared houses that function as informal coworking spaces. Also, you’re close to The Melting Pot and other central spaces, which you can reach on foot or by bike in under 15 minutes.
Cafes for Remote Work Spots like Black Medicine Coffee, Cult Espresso, and Press Coffee are popular with digital nomads.
Recommended Coliving Spaces in Southside There are many coliving spaces in shared houses with people from all over the world. It’s easy to find shared spaces with good energy and flexible contracts. We recommend checking platforms like Cohabs, Roomi, or international student groups.
Furnished Apartments in Southside Newington has a great selection of one or two-bedroom furnished apartments, priced lower than those in the centre. Ideal if you want something comfortable, close to everything but without the tourist hustle and bustle of the Old Town.
Frequently Asked Questions About Staying in Edinburgh for a While
In general, you’ll need proof of income, identification (passport), and in some cases, a reference letter. If you don’t have a UK history, many landlords accept advance payments.
Both options are valid. If you want something more formal and secure, agencies are recommended. If you prefer to negotiate directly and save on fees, search on OpenRent or Gumtree, but be more cautious to avoid scams.
Very easy. Edinburgh has good fibre-optic and 5G coverage in most neighbourhoods. However, if you’re working from home, be sure to check the internet speed before renting.
Yes, Edinburgh is one of the safest cities in the UK. As in any city, there are areas that are more active at night, but in general, you can walk around calmly. The international community is also large and very welcoming.
It can be helpful when you first arrive while you look for something more permanent. Many hosts offer discounts for long stays, but in the long run, it’s more economical and practical to rent through other channels if you’re staying for several months.
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