Looking for a digital nomad’s guide to Edinburgh? Our city is a hub for digital freelancers, remote workers and start-ups alike thanks to its thriving cafe culture, exciting nightlife, beauty surroundings and so much more.
But guess what, you digital nomads and remote workers out there have even more to like about the city now we’ve created Edinburgh’s first coliving space at CODE The Loft
The Loft combines the freedom of rented accommodation with the benefits of a boutique hotel. Perks and facilities include affordable, flexible stays; a shared workspace on-site; 24-hour access kitchen facilities and daily room cleaning. Not to mention that we give you that sweet, sweet high-speed wifi for free!
Now that you know where to stay, pack your laptop and check out our guide to making the most of your time in the Scottish capital.
Where to work from
Looking for sociable office spaces without the gruelling commute? There are tonnes of spots around the city to head within walking distance but hey, for days when even that’s too much, The Loft has you covered with a co-working space on site. Many of our members are digital nomads themselves, so you will be surrounded by like-minded colleagues with exciting stories to share.
When you’re looking for a change of scenery, Nexus often tops lists for Edinburgh’s co-working spaces for its central location. The fact that Nexus members get discounts for local businesses might have something to do with this, too.
For tech professionals looking to develop (both figuratively and possibly literally…), CodeBase is an excellent choice. The venue dubs itself ‘the UK’s largest technology incubator’, offering services like flexible office spaces, mentorship opportunities and networking events.
Fans of an all-inclusive setup will find Kingsford Office right up their street. With desirable features like stationery, printing and refreshments included along an open bar on Fridays, you will actually want to stay in the office for as long as possible – and let’s face it, you deserve it…
How to meet like-minded people
Edinburgh has so much to offer in terms of business networking and meetups. For an informal networking experience, you can try No Ties. This event is held on the last Thursday of every month – it’s usually held at the Breadstreet Brasserie, but they are currently running events online.
Most of our guests at The Loft are here to take advantage of both the accommodation and the co-working space so who knows? The person you get chatting to in the communal kitchen or while sharing one of our pod rooms might just end up becoming a new mentor, client, collaborator or business partner!
Tip: Be sure to look out for networking events held at some of the coworking spots we mentioned, too.
Where to go for your caffeine fix
There are plenty of places to get your caffeine fix in Edinburgh.
If you want a home away from home feel whilst staying at The Loft then be sure to check out our sister site, The Court, which is located just off the Royal Mile in the city’s Old Town. Our café-bar, John’s Coffee House & Tavern, serves delicious hot drinks, food, waffles, pastries and cakes, speedy wifi, and a friendly clientele! All our CODE guests also get 15% off!
You can also take your laptop on a coffee date to Black Medicine Coffee Co. which boasts a cosy atmosphere and friendly staff. They do great food options which you can eat in or take out if you’re on the go.
Getting around the city
Environmentalists and health junkies rejoice! Edinburgh is a pedestrian-friendly city that’s easy to navigate by foot or by bike along one of the many cycle paths.
But if you need to make a long journey or get from A to B that bit quicker, you can take advantage of the public transport options or taxis.
Buses start at around £2.20 for a single and you can make savings with day tickets or a Ridacard (lasting 1 week- 1 year).
Going to and from Edinburgh Airport and the city centre is also easy – you have the option to travel via bus using the 24-hour 100 bus route with an express journey time of around 35 minutes. Other services you can use are the 200, 300 and 400 routes. Tram journeys between the airport and the city also take approximately 35 minutes.
For travelling by train, Edinburgh Waverley Station carries an extensive range of rail services to the rest of Scotland and England. It is conveniently situated in between Edinburgh’s Old Town and New Town, less than a 10-minute walk from both The Loft and The Court.
Balancing work and play
The beauty of working for yourself is the ability to work anywhere, but everyone knows it’s no fun to be all work and no play.
Those looking to completely unplug outside of working hours can do so by making the most of Edinburgh’s beautiful outdoors. Princes Street Gardens provide the perfect space to unplug and get back to nature right in the heart of the city. A hike up Arthur’s Seat is more of a physical challenge but it’s well worth the effort for the unbeatable views across Edinburgh and beyond.
Is art more your thing to unwind? No problem. There’s bound to be at least one public gallery to suit your tastes. Traditional art fans will enjoy heading to the National Galleries of Scotland whilst contemporary art buffs need to pay a visit to the Gallery of Modern Art. For more culture, you can also say hello to the resident tyrannosaurus rex at The National Museum of Scotland or dive into the city’s literary history at The Writers Museum.
