Leith

Leith

Scotland

Wander through the historic Royal Yacht Britannia and experience royal maritime history like nowhere else.

💱 Currency British Pound Sterling (GBP)
🗣 Language English
🕐 Time Zone GMT (UTC+0)
☀️ Best Time to Visit Apr–Jul
🚢 Typical Duration 11-16 nights
💰 Price Range $5,302–$14,279 per person
Port Type Departure & Port of Call
🚤 Tender Port No

Gateway to Edinburgh and Scotland's historic coastline, offering access to the capital city and scenic cruises through the Scottish Hebrides and Irish Sea.

Build Your Day in Leith

Cruise calls are short. Set your ship's arrival time, pick the stops you care about, and we'll show whether they realistically fit before departure.

Ships typically depart around 5:00 PM
Usually about 9 hours ashore
🛳 Embarkation port — worth arriving early
Getting around:
Edinburgh Castle There are painting, weapons, jewelery and such to explore. Castle · ★ 4.6 · 106k 🕐 Closed · Opens 9:30 AM
Royal Mile Numerous attractions and skilled artists presenting their craft. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 23k
Palace of Holyroodhouse ... to spend a few hours and one of the few accessible things to do. Castle · ★ 4.6 · 22k 🕐 Closed · Opens 9:30 AM
The Real Mary King's Close Staff make the experience fun with their knowledge and interactive approach. Historical landmark · ★ 4.6 · 18k 🕐 Closed · Opens 9 AM
The Royal Yacht Britannia Great for all ages, with plenty to learn and explore… Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 13k 🕐 Closed · Opens 9:30 AM
Holyrood Park A great place for outdoor activities or just relaxing in a beautiful setting Park · ★ 4.8 · 13k
Ocean Terminal Entertainment: Yacht Britannia, Vue Cinema and a skating venue. Shopping mall · ★ 4 · 13k 🕐 Closed · Opens 7 AM
The Edinburgh Dungeon Great interactive experience, fun and fully immersive. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.5 · 7k 🕐 Closed · Opens 11 AM
Teuchters Landing Sat by the stove and played board games for the evening. Pub · ★ 4.6 · 4k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM
Tartan Weaving Mill and Exhibition Lots of space to try on items,and deals when you buy more than one scarf. Gift shop · ★ 4.7 · 3k 🕐 Closed · Opens 9 AM
Leith Links Kids friendly, with lots of activities around. Park · ★ 4.4 · 2k
The Kitchin An evening of unmatched food, drinks, service and atmosphere. Fine Dining · ★ 4.7 · 2k 🕐 Closed · Opens 12 PM
Roseleaf Bar Cafe Outstanding staff, FABULOUS Cocktails, DELICIOUS menu! Bar · ★ 4.8 · 2k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM
Lauriston Castle Has a Japanese garden and croquet amongst other things. Castle · ★ 4.6 · 2k 🕐 Closed · Opens 8 AM
Fishers The food was excellent, so tasty and beautifully cooked/presented. Seafood · ★ 4.6 · 2k 🕐 Closed · Opens 12 PM
Ella - Taste of Greece Food and atmosphere was unique, we truly felt special. Greek · ★ 4.9 · 2k 🕐 Closed · Opens 12 PM
Water of Leith Path I would recommend to walk towards national galleries for truly calming walk. Park · ★ 4.7 · 1k
Tapa High end tapas served artistically and tasting delightful. Tapas · ★ 4.7 · 1k 🕐 Closed · Opens 1 PM
The Lioness of Leith The cocktails are delicious and reasonably priced! Bar · ★ 4.5 · 1k 🕐 Closed · Opens 4 PM
Malt & Hops Nice music, kind and helpful barperson, nice view of the river. Pub · ★ 4.6 · 1k 🕐 Closed · Opens 12 PM
Barry Fish The food was delicious and looked amazing and the service was spot on. Restaurant · ★ 4.9 · 1k 🕐 Closed · Opens 12 PM
Port of Leith Distillery Definitely something to do if you visit the city. Distillery · ★ 4.7 · 1k 🕐 Closed · Opens 11:30 AM
Leith Market Discovered a really cool local artist, @monstersbymike, at a booth. Market · ★ 4.5 · 1k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM Sat
Asda Leith Superstore Very good experience, many options, good prices Clothing store · ★ 3.5 · 1k 🕐 Open 24 hours
Tesco Superstore Amazing selection at reasonable prices Supermarket · ★ 4 · 1k 🕐 Closed · Opens 6 AM
The Walnut ... food, service, and atmosphere for celebrating a birthday dinner. Restaurant · ★ 4.8 · 1k 🕐 Closed · Opens 12:30 PM
Tiso Edinburgh Outdoor Experience Great service and enormous selection of products. Outdoor sports store · ★ 4.3 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 9 AM
Heron Incredible service, outstanding food and drinks that compliment everything. Scottish · ★ 4.8 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 5:30 PM
The Shore Bar and Restaurant Great food, great atmosphere, good beer and nice service. Modern European · ★ 4.7 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 12 PM
Water of Leith Walkway Leads to 3 museums of modern art Hiking area · ★ 4.6 · 0k
James Pringles Shopping Village Lovely variety of items and at reasonable prices Clothing store · ★ 4.2 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 9:30 AM
Lost in Leith Clean and tidy, friendly bar staff, good drinks and dog friendly! Beer hall · ★ 4.6 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 4 PM
The False Widow Delicious drinks, brilliant staff, place is stylish yet comfy and cosy. Cocktail bar · ★ 4.7 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 5 PM
Brass Monkey Shore The pub is relaxed with good background music and excellent service. Bar · ★ 4.6 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 3 PM
Three Marys Great accessible, interesting, tasty cocktails in a really good venue Cocktail bar · ★ 4.8 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 5 PM
Bittersweet Leith Fantastic drinks, lovely service and a really great atmosphere. Cocktail bar · ★ 4.9 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 5 PM
The Lighthouse Restaurant Stunning setting with fantastic food, drinks, and service. Restaurant · ★ 4.9 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 8 AM
Shore Distillery It was an interesting and unique experience, truly worth having. Distillery · ★ 5 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 11 AM Fri
Water of Leith Weir We had a great and relaxing walk along the river! Weir · ★ 4.6 · 0k
Water of Leith What an absolute gem of a city walk. River · ★ 4.6 · 0k
Britannia Shop Really good selection of souvenirs, and friendly / helpful staff. Store · ★ 4.4 · 0k
Flux Very cozy store with a wide range of goods, friendly staff, normal prices. Gift shop · ★ 4.7 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM
Lighthouse Park You can take your loved one for a walk in nearby trail. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.5 · 0k
Logan Malloch Ltd Beautiful unique items and a friendly staff. Gift shop · ★ 5 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10:30 AM
Portal Leith friendly staff and a cool selection of otherworldly goods and gifts! Metaphysical supply store · ★ 4.9 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 11 AM
The Finch - Neighbourhood Bar Lovely touches and interior, great drink choices and really friendly owners. Bar · ★ 5 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 3 PM
Dogstar Wonderful, friendly service, Incredible food & tremendous drinks. Scottish · ★ 4.8 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 5:30 PM
Nobles by Bellfield Great range of beers, some wine and good cocktails in a beautiful setting Bar · ★ 4.6 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 5 PM
The Leith Collective Absolutely full of really imaginative stuff at prices to suit everyone. Gift shop · ★ 4.7 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM

Opening hours are indicative — always confirm before you go. Travel times are estimates from Google Maps.

Leith is an embarkation port. Many cruises start or end here — it's worth arriving a day early or extending your stay to explore beyond a single port day.

Next Departures from Leith

About Leith

Leith serves as a vibrant cruise port in Scotland's Northern Europe region, welcoming passengers aboard three distinguished cruise lines: Seabourn, Silversea, and Atlas Ocean Voyages. While primarily functioning as a port of call, Leith offers convenient access to some of the British Isles' most compelling destinations, with typical itineraries spanning 11 nights and calling at ports including Dover, Belfast, Oban, London Tower Bridge, and Greenock. The port experiences its busiest season from April through July, making spring and early summer ideal times to explore this corner of Scotland.

Stepping ashore in Leith, you'll find yourself just minutes from Edinburgh's historic heart, where centuries-old architecture and world-class museums await exploration. The port's excellent connectivity means you can easily venture beyond the immediate waterfront to discover Scotland's rugged landscapes, charming villages, and rich cultural heritage. Whether you're embarking on a multi-week voyage or enjoying a few hours during a port call, Leith provides an authentic Scottish experience with the convenience and comfort cruise travelers expect.
Explore

Reasons to Visit

1

Royal Yacht Britannia's Timeless Elegance

Tour the former royal residence of Queen Elizabeth II, permanently moored at Ocean Terminal just steps from your ship. This five-deck yacht offers an intimate glimpse into royal life, with opulent staterooms, the engine room, and the bridge all beautifully preserved. It's a uniquely Scottish experience that combines maritime history with royal heritage.

2

Fresh Seafood at the Historic Shore

Stroll along The Shore, Leith's charming waterfront lined with traditional Scottish restaurants and seafood establishments. Sample locally-caught fish and chips, creamy cullen skink soup, or fresh oysters while watching fishing boats and yachts drift past. The cobblestone promenade perfectly captures Edinburgh's maritime soul.

3

Edinburgh's Royal Mile and Castle Views

Walk uphill through historic neighborhoods to Edinburgh's iconic Royal Mile, a bustling medieval street lined with shops, galleries, and street performers leading to Edinburgh Castle. The panoramic views of the city and surrounding Pentland Hills are breathtaking, and the entire route showcases centuries of Scottish architecture and culture.

4

Leith Links Market and Local Crafts

Browse Leith's vibrant street markets and independent boutiques for authentic Scottish woolens, tartan goods, and artisan crafts. The area around Leith Walk features quirky vintage shops and contemporary galleries showcasing local artists. It's the perfect spot to find genuine souvenirs beyond typical cruise port offerings.

5

Whisky Tasting at Historic Distillery

Visit a traditional Scottish whisky bar or nearby distillery experience to sample single malts and learn about Scotland's most famous export. Knowledgeable staff guide you through tasting notes and regional differences, offering a convivial introduction to this quintessentially Scottish tradition in an authentic local setting.

Cruise Lines at Leith

Cruises Departing From Leith

Cruises Visiting Leith

Ship Schedule at Leith

Leith Location

Other Cruise Ports in Scotland

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Leith Port?

Leith is an official port in Scotland with UN/LOCODE GBLEI.

Where is Leith Port located?

Located in Leith, Scotland, near Edinburgh, at 55.95 latitude and -3.166666667 longitude.

What is the UN/LOCODE for Leith?

GBLEI.

What is the official port type of Leith?

Official port.