Portobello Beach

Beach · Portobello

Portobello Beach

Beach · Portobello

1 Promenade, Edinburgh EH15 2DX, United Kingdom

Highlights

Portobello Beach offers a charming seaside vibe with sandy shores, dog-friendly strolls, plus cozy cafes and fun amusements for all ages.

1 Promenade, Edinburgh EH15 2DX, United Kingdom Get directions

portobellobeach.com

@onthegrid

"Portobello beach is Edinburgh’s only beach. Located 2 miles east of the city centre, it is a sandy beach with spectacular views over the Forth to Fife and beyond. Popular with locals and tourists alike, it’s rare to find the promenade and beach deserted. During the summer Porty beach been likened to the beaches of Spain with visitors swimming, rolling in the waves, and sunbathing. Kayaking and sailing are also popular and beach volleyball games are played near the swimming pool entrance. Many dog walkers, runners, and cyclists can be found on the promenade which runs parallel to the beach and continues on to Seaview Terrace which leads through Joppa and nearby Musselburgh." - Sarah Wardlaw

On the Grid : Portobello Beach

View Postcard for Portobello Beach

@onthegrid

"Portobello Beach, Portobello by Sarah Wardlaw. Portobello beach is Edinburgh’s only beach. Located 2 miles east of the city centre, it is a sandy beach with spectacular views over the Forth to Fife and beyond. Popular with locals and tourists alike, it’s rare to find the promenade and beach deserted. During the summer Porty beach been likened to the beaches of Spain with visitors swimming, rolling in the waves, and sunbathing. Kayaking and sailing are also popular and beach volleyball games are played near the swimming pool entrance.Many dog walkers, runners, and cyclists can be found on the promenade which runs parallel to the beach and continues on to Seaview Terrace which leads through Joppa and nearby Musselburgh."

Edinburgh

View Postcard for Portobello Beach

@onthegrid

Edinburgh

View Postcard for Portobello Beach

Shelley C

Google

It is a big, sandy beach. Children will love it here. There was an amusement arcade, places to eat, and toilets. Personally, as an older solo traveller, I found it a bit boring. After a walk along the beach, there was not a lot to do. Dogs are allowed on the beach, and, as usual, there was some dog mess. The beach is accessible to people who use wheelchairs or have mobility issues. You can hire beach wheelchairs, though you require your own sling for the hoist. The promenade is also fully accessible.

Ankitha Chapte

Google

The beach was a bit too commercial for my expectations. There are a lot of places for food and drinks like Miro’s, Crumbs etc and also an arcade. The beach is pretty clean and you’ll find a lot of cute dogs and kids around that brighten up your experience just by looking at them play. The views are absolutely phenomenal and picturesque. The colours of the sky and the water compliment each other so well that it makes it look extremely serene. People can swim, paddle etc as the water is pretty calm. Now it all depends on your tolerance to the water temperature and outside temperature as I saw people swimming in 2 degrees while I was covered in 3 layers lol. There’s a cemented walking path running parallel to the sandy shoreline which gives you access to the restaurants. It is kids and wheelchair friendly, and has a park too.

Modelangel

Google

Lovely walk on the prom at the beach. Dog friendly. A few restaurants and cafes where you can sit indoors or outside to enjoy the view. Especially on a nice sunny day. Nice kids play area..Arcade for both kids and adults.

Joe Madden

Google

Best place on the planet (this planet 🌏) Great beach, nice folk, community feel, nice cafes... Any time of year.

Dennis Smalley

Google

Long time since i had been to Portobello. Walking the prom at the beach we came across this marvellous coffee Shop/ Restaurant.Interior is warm and comfortable.Our cakes and coffee were excellent and the service was Good.The staff are so friendly and helpful.This place is literally on the beach prom and today although a little chilly weather was just good enough to enjoy views over Firth of Forth from outside seating.A thoroughly recommended class establishment.

Tracey

Google

Enjoyed the afternoon at Portobello Beach. A Lovely beach. Plenty of places to enjoy food, drinks & ice cream. There is also a amusement arcade, Children’s park & swimming pool. You can also hire free beach wheelchairs. This is a dog friendly area 😊😊😊😊😊

Drift Wood

Google

Really lovely big long soft sandy beach. With lots of food eateries and popup shops along tge sea front. As well as public toilets.

Sareta Nas

Google

This beach is next level of relaxing.However, I couldn’t enjoy my time with the dogs playing around “they look adorable “but I’m high allergic from dogs, they come around and play with me and my children,if you are having the same thing choose somewhere else.

Donald M.

Yelp

This used to be a real dirty and messy beach according to the locals, now the local council have specialist equipment to sift the beach of 70% of the rubbish left behind by the beach goers it is sad in a way as when you leave you see that the bins are half empty and the beach is full of rubbish at the end of the day. I saw a lot of nails and deadly spikes left behind by barbeques and people playing volley ball. This place gets real busy at the weekend, and warm days with cafe's nearby selling ice cream and cold drinks. Sadly there is nothing grand here as the tacky amusement arcade's have moved in.

Rayan D.

Yelp

This sea side town just outside of Edinburgh (yes it is part of it but only of Greater Edinburgh) is a joy to visit. The houses are grand and the shops are small. The main attraction is obviously the beach and this is what my review is mostly about. The white sand area has several bars and amusement halls and is flanked by the promenade that runs from Joppa to Leith (ish). It mostly received blue flags (clean beach) The whole year round you can set foot here and there is a seasonal reason for visiting. In the Spring & Summer it is all about visiting the beach for a spot of sunbathing and a swim. Many people will have their children and dogs out. You can enjoy a picnic or even a BBQ on the beach. There will be events all over the beach - like volleyball, canoeing, jet skiing, windsurfing and kite sailing. Be aware that the beach will be packed! In the autumn it is mostly used for walks (with dogs), kites and runners (either beach or promenade) - the winter is for the foolhardy and campfires are not unheard of - especially during Hogmanay. Great fun in the winter as you will see many snowmen on the beach (when there is snow) - which makes for great pictures. The high street has many shops that are mostly independent retailers and delicatessen shops. There is a great community feel. It is a great addition to the wonderful city of Edinburgh and if you can visit.

Liam M.

Yelp

Love going here is very peaceful. Very lovely to have something like this in a city This is probably my favourite place in Edinburgh

Brian S.

Yelp

Portobello Beach is a very nice one in the capital city of Scotland. It's usually too cold and windy to sunbathe, but I generally prefer walking on beaches anyway. And this is a lovely beach to walk on! The promenade has lots of nice cafés, chippies, and shops so you can pop in if it gets too chilly or suddenly starts raining. The beach itself is usually full of families and people walking dogs, and generally having a good time. It's a nice place to hang out, and I recommend it.

Tanja R.

Yelp

Good for an afternoon stroll and close to the town center of Edinburgh! Year after Year I celebrated New Year either on or near Portobello Beach and it's about time to mention it's perfect location and proximity to Edinburgh for it's citizen to enjoy this place. It's so easy to get to - by car and by bus 26. From Portobello village you walk down to the Promenade and start your stroll along the beach, passing several coffee shops, pubs and ice cream parlors. There is even a local swimming pool that you can enjoy. I think that cycling is also an option. The promenade can be crowded in the summer as its an ideal place for relaxing after a long week. Still worth it so for adults and children alike.

Em C.

Yelp

If you can get past the litter and the loitering teenagers, Portobello is a wee delight! Essentially it's a mini seaside in the suburbs of the city - a 20 minute bus ride from the centre and you're there. Set on the open banks of the Forth, there is a long stretch of sand, an amusement arcade, a chippy, sea and a Wimpy. And as for sun? Well, if you're lucky! You are in Scotland after all. It's easy to forget that when you're enwrapped in the seaside feel of Portobello, but nevertheless it's still a bit chilly! I would advise against visiting at night and it's not the most glamourous area in the world, but it's still quaint, old fashioned and a lot of fun for the kids. It's in a reputable enough area and there is a wee shop around the corner for the beach where you can buy a bucket and spade. So what are you waiting for? Wade in!

Matthew L.

Yelp

After staying in Edinburgh for four years I finally visited the area of Portobello. And after that initial visit I have always advised people to pay it a visit. Located on the coast, next door to its neighbour Leith, Portobello is home to Edinburgh's only beach. The beach is long, sandy (a rarity in some parts of Scotland) and is always busy when the sun comes out. On top of this, the buildings that hug the surrounding area around the beach can only be admired. Many are from the Victorian area and add to the beauty of the area. It seems an area where you can chill out and feel the sea breeze! On top of this, the high street which is set around the town hall has all the local shops you will need and has a good selection of bars, little cafes and restaurants. Portobello is quite a distance away from Edinburgh but Lothian buses provide a good range of services which stop every twenty minutes or so and take you up to the city centre. The area has defiantly improved over recent years and is certainly one of Edinburgh's best spots to visit.

Terry W.

Yelp

Portobello's beach can be one of the best places to come with you pals when the weather's fine. In the Summer it offers the perfect opportunity to pick up some rays, go for a swim (if you're brave enough), build some sand castles, or generally just chill out! The beach front is littered (literally as well unfortunately) with with bars, ice cream vans and shops, amusement arcades and fish and chips shops and offers an authentic seaside resort trip, without even leaving the city! The beach can get a bit cramped in certain parts when the sun does come out, but if you walk towards southwards, towards Joppa, you will find that the beach is cleaner, and that there are less people.

Gavin M.

Yelp

If you can get past the used condoms, HIV infected needles, raw sewage, broken glass, and cold, rainy, windy weather, then yes I suppose Portobello Beach is indeed a pretty cool place to chill out. Not being a huge lover of either disease or sub-zero temperatures however, I prefer my living room. In all seriousness, it does have it's charms located in a quaint and old-fashioned suburb of the city, and it's surprising how many of Edinburgh's residents are either unaware or just uninterested in it's existence. Like many seaside resorts, Portobello is no longer the bustling hub of activity it once was, and it was a shame to see the (admittedly crap) funfair disappear, but as a pretty relic of a bygone age, the beach and this part of town in general aren't bad at all.

Robyn Z.

Yelp

edinburgh is a city blessed with many beautiful scenic areas from parks to extinct volcanos to beaches. portobello beach is one of those lovely scenic areas that has a mix of victorian granduer and slightly run down modern day arcade parks and play parks. the mix of these two sort of leaves me with rather mixed feelings about the whole area. i do like portobello beach. it has a lovely wide promenade that is great for cycling or running along. but there are also a number of rather run down looking chip shops and a sad looking arcade and a few play parks that have seen better days. then there is also the newer cafes that are clearly trying to reinvirgorate portobello's original grandeur. on those few rare warm and sunny days the beach is packed with families in swim suits building sandcastles and even attempting to swim in the freezing cold water! the promenade is packed with people with ice creams and cold drinks. it's a great vibe but i'm not convinced it's my sort of vibe. so portobello beach is a-ok and a place i will continue to use for cycling or runs, but maybe not somewhere i'll frequent on a sunny day.

Katie N.

Yelp

I think this is a place that Edinburgers forget about. But when it was 22 degrees and I was looking for a cheap and cheerful idea, I thought LETS HUNT RAZORCLAMS ON PORTOBELLO! So I brought some salt.. apparently it is used as a tool to catch them. Okay.... so I didn't catch any THIS TIME, but I won't give up. Even with the disappointment of not catching my dinner, I still had an enjoyable time at Portobello beach. It would benefit from a couple pubs with a sea-side view.. but oh well! The beach was pretty clean when I went, so that was nice. I even got to draw something in the sand, and instead of confessing my love to my boyfriend.. i chose my mom and dad, "Hi Mom and Dad"! I think they liked that photo. Fun day at Portobello.

Claire L.

Yelp

I love a wee trip to Porty! Yep, its got a beach and that bracing sea air, but it also has the feel of a wee seaside town but with some cute cafes and restaurants, as well as little independent shops. I come down to meet friends in Malvarosa - a cute, authentic tapas bar on the High Street. On a sunny day, just squint and imagine you are on the Costas, supping a post beach treat of some tapas and wine. I also love Findlay's the butchers. Fab for gluten free meats and goodies, normally off limits. I make regular trips here for black pudding and haggis. All Findlay's black puds are now GF and they have some fab sausages available too. There are usually samples out if you have the munchies. Banana Republic is great for fruit and veg. Its very popular with locals, with all fruit and veggies out front so you can see what is available before you buy. Like all traditional towns, there are little sweet shops, full of all the treats you used to have in a 10p mixture. On a sunny day, the beach is fab. Hit it right, then grab a spot for some sunbathing in the sand. Leave it too late and you find it hard to get a spot and the winds get up about 3ish so it can be a tad cold. It's a man made beach so its lovely sand rather than shingle. Even on a cold day, you can go for a long walk along the promenade. So if you've not done it before, what's stopping you from checking out Porty? The number 26 heads out here what seems like every 10 minutes at peak times and although parking does seem to be a mare, in reality, you usually can grab a spot.

Jennie S.

Yelp

Highlight of one beach trip... jellyfish! The beach and promenade are a bit grubby and tacky, but you are not fooled into thinking you are off to the Scottish version of Barbados. It does exactly what it says on the tin, it has sand and a lovely view out into the sea. My tip for visiting is to have pretty low expectations, have your wellies on and wrap up warm, then you'll have a whale of a time!

Emily H.

Yelp

I like Portobello Beach, and it's very popular, but I think that both of those things are primarily based on the location of the beach (ie: the proximity to town) rather than the actual quality of the beach itself. it's a relatively thin strand of sand with views of the Prestonpans (ish) power station and a windy countenance. Beaches are breezy, but even on some of the hottest days of the year I've had to get on long sleeves at Portobello. You can see echoes of the Victorian splendor it used to hold on the beachfront - with stunning houses and a few great places to visit like the swim center with Turkish bath and the pub Dalriada. The local Wimpey burger is now a S Luca, selling pretty rotten burgers and chips, and the attached arcade looks pretty sad. So for a city beach it's totally A-OK, but don't come here expecting anything to take your breath away - unless it's the icy temperature of the water.

Roberto P.

Yelp

A very depressing place. Despite being here on a sunny day, I had a very miserable experience. The sand is quite dirty and so is the water and the rest is just a collection of old buildings reminding me of Blackpool on a smaller scale. The view is not even that nice because of many industrial buildings scattered around the coast of the firth. Ther is a general feeling of run down and decadence about this place, particularly if you walk on the promenade.

Justin G.

Yelp

Great local beach . Can get super crowded and people there don't seem to know how to pick up their own trash . Thankfully the council picks up after them. Other then that when its clean its great. Be sure to watch out for doggie land-mines people don't seem to pick up after their dogs in this country either.

Elizabeth G.

Yelp

I went here today with my other half, expecting... I'm not sure exactly what. It was sunny, I had heard Portobello was a traditional seaside spot, and I do miss the sea back in the west country. Arriving at Portobello high street, we wondered whether we had stepped into the wrong neighbourhood. It just seemed like another part of suburbia. We walked towards the sea expecting beautiful views across to sea and a pretty promenade, it wasn't exactly as we'd hoped. There was a wimpy, a bankrupt amusement arcade, a sad looking children's play park, and a couple of chippies. Out to sea was pleasant on the left, with a view of the mouth of the firth of forth and an island, touched by sunlight. The view on the right was slightly less appealing, a powerpant and a few skyscrapers, which coincidentally were in the 'shadowlands'. The sea itself was nice enough, though really nothing too special, considering how many beautiful beaches there are in Scotland (think the West coast and the outer Hebrides)! Portobello is a bit on the grey side. After strolling along the beach and the promenade, feeling a zillion existential questions as we read the information board with the history of the beach, its former glory and its post-war degradation, we decided to get some chips. We got the chips from a place which promised "only vegetable oil used, we then recycle the oil as biofuel". Cool. The staff were lovely, the ethics fantastic, but unfortunately these chips weren't that great taste-wise. Given that we had a day ticket and at least 4 hours left of sunlight we decided to go to the shore, which was infinitely nicer (though admittedly not a beach). On a sunny day I'd be much more inclined to head to the meadows or Holyrood park.