Unusual Date Ideas in Edinburgh for Valentine's | No. 1 UK Attraction

Unusual Date ideas for Valentine’s in Edinburgh

A man and a woman pose for a selfie outside on deck.

Looking for something beyond the ordinary? We have compiled our top suggestions for unusual date ideas in this beautiful city. Whether you are visiting or are a local, be a tourist for the day and see the city through new eyes with your Valentine.

We may be a little biased but what could be more special than a day out on a ship! Our team love to make every person who visits feel like they have had a special experience, one worthy of your time and is great value for money. Spend a few hours immersed on the ship, as if the Royal Family have just left their home to step ashore allowing you to dive into history. Below decks see how this unique Royal Navy ship sailed the world for over 40 years with 220 crew aboard. No visit is complete without a trip to the Royal Deck Tearoom for calming waterfront views with a lunch of hearty soups, sandwiches or a cup of tea with a scone or slice of cakes, straight from the Royal Galley.

Two visitors in the Royal Deck Tearoom on Britannia in Leith drinking Champagne.

Always looking forward to dessert more than the main or starter? Afternoon tea is a British tradition and still feels like a proper occasion, but one that allows you to spend quality time together, relaxing over savoury and sweets treats for a few hours. Edinburgh has lots of restaurants with either a different spin on this classic or a unique setting:

An icon in the city, especially at Christmas with its spectacular lights is The Dome on George Street.
Our sister ship Fingal, an Art Deco inspired setting with decadent, picture-perfect treats and a warm welcome from the crew.
The Caledonian Edinburgh, known for themed teas in the recently reopened The Court.

Two afternoon tea stands on tables in the Lighthouse Restaurant on Fingal

See history in a new light, or rather in the dark! Get a bit of a fright and share a laugh together whilst you explore the underground of this city - it could be just the unique spin for Valentine’s Day that you are looking for:

Edinburgh Dungeon tells Edinburgh's dark history through live actors and theatrical sets. Are you brave enough?
Mercat Tours choose between ghost stories or history tours of the underground city vaults.
The Real Mary King's Close, explore myths and legends to the deadly Plague pandemic on streets frozen in time.

A lady with an orange umbrella speaking to two people outside St.Gile's Cathedral in Edinburgh.

On a crisp Winter’s day, a walk around the city is a joy. Grab your reusable cups and either take a warming hot chocolate from home or visit one of the many coffee shops for the perfect bench seat pit stop accompaniment. Lovely walks can be found at: