Edinburgh Car Hire

Are you planning a trip to Edinburgh and thinking about hiring a car to travel around the city? Edinburgh has much to offer and one of the best ways to experience the city is by driving in a car. With your own vehicle you have maximum freedom and flexibility in travelling around the area.

Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and its second largest city. Located on the seacoast, and surrounded by the Firth of Forth to the north and the Pentland Hills to the south, the city offers many great views. Although located quite far north in latitude, the relatively warm sea waters prevent the city's climate from becoming too harsh most of the time. Even in the winter, temperatures rarely drop below freezing during daylight hours.

The city is divided into areas, each of which has its own main thoroughfare where the main shopping venues are located, a park, a high street, and residential neighbourhoods. Edinburgh is also divided into Old Town and New Town areas, and is inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Old Town contains lots of old architecture from the medieval and pre-modern periods. There is also an underground city, the Edinburgh Vaults, built to house immigrant workers, mainly from Ireland, during the Industrial Revolution. The New Town is home to Edinburgh's great Georgian architecture, and the National Gallery of Scotland and the Royal Scottish Academy Building are located here as well.

Leith on the coast is the port of Edinburgh and it is the departure point for many cruises on the North Sea to destinations in Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Germany and Russia. The South Side of the city is an important residential area, and the home to the University of Edinburgh, and Napier University.

The city is famous for its festivals and other large events. The most famous is the Edinburgh Festival, which lasts from July until September. Some of the other well-known festivals are the Edinburgh International Festival, the Edinburgh Fringe, the Edinburgh International Film Festival and the the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival. The Hogmanay celebration starts on New Year's Eve and lasts for four days with assorted festivities and partying held on Prince's Street and the Royal Mile.

Edinburgh has many theatres, art galleries, libraries and museums. The city has a great literary tradition and was or is the home of many great writers earning the distinction as the first UNESCO City of Literature. There is plenty of nightlife in Edinburgh with restaurants, pubs, bars and dancing clubs. Most of the best shopping venues are located in the Prince's Street area.

In order to get around this large city, a car is often a must. The Edinburgh Larger Urban Zone extends over 665 square miles (1,724 square km). A car allows you the greatest freedom in adjusting your travel schedule. Finding car hire companies is not difficult and you can shop for these over the internet. All the major car hire companies have their own web sites, and most will allow you to reserve a car online. To save time and money, simply use our car hire comparison engine to the right!
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