Much of the beauty of Edinburgh, and the reason so many people enjoy taking weekend breaks and city-centre holidays here, is the city’s stunning and varied architecture. In fact, after London, it is the most visited tourist destination in the United Kingdom.

The rich architectural heritage of Edinburgh stems from its distant history; inhabited since the 12th century, Edinburgh’s buildings include a captivating mixture of styles, from Medieval to Victorian.

Such is the importance of the city as an architectural site, in 1995 it was named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are also in excess of four and a half thousand buildings protected with ‘listed’ status.

The ancient history of Edinburgh can be see in its ‘Old Town’, an area including the Royal Mile, which retains its Medieval street plan. Due to restricted space in the area some of the first multi-storey houses to be found anywhere appeared in the area. The Old Town is the most famous, and perhaps most picturesque area of the city.

The growth of Edinburgh and the overcrowding of the Old Town district (due to not being able to expand beyond the city’s defensive walls) led to the 18th century construction of the ‘New Town’ district. Designed by local architect James Craig, New Town is considered to be among the most magnificent examples of Georgian architecture in the world.

Although New Town has changed over the years, many of the original Georgian buildings remain, together with areas such as Charlotte Square, one of the foremost examples of Georgian squares. The official residence of Scotland’s First Minister, Bute House, is located on the north side of the square.

New Town also features examples of Greco-Roman architecture, which along with Edinburgh’s long-standing reputation as a cultural centre, is thought to have contributed to the city’s nickname “Athens of the North”.

Alba Executive are able to offer accommodation in a variety of architectural styles; from Victorian luxury apartments to 19th century coach houses and contemporary city centre holiday apartments. Even if you are just looking for a weekend break we also offer luxurious Self-catering apartments.