Portobello belongs to Edimburgh area, it has a nice beach walk, very beautifull, is small with small atractions for children, fantastic just to walk and maybe seat on the banks or the rocks to watch the shores. Scottish stile.

Make sure when you visit the castle its for 1pm to hear the 1pm gun fired over the city!

Go to the Royal Scottish Museum on Chambers Street, it is a beautiful Victorian building with a huge elegant glass topped atrium as you walk in. Make sure you are in the atrium on the hour as the Millenium Clock will chime and whirr - fascinating!

Festival time is great, there's no need to make reservations for shows if you're open to anything. Prices vary from 5 pounds to god knows what, but theres something for everyone. One thing that I recommend highly is the horror walking tour through the city and into covenanter's prison - SO creepy and well worth it. This tour meets on the Royal Mile just 5 minutes walk down from the castle - you'll see the sign for it during the day when you're checking out the street performers.

Smart City Hostel. Stayed there for a few days before christmas. Clean rooms, comfy beds, nice hot showers, clean toilets (only shared with whoever you share your room with!) and lockers. Basic but for a base to explore Edinburgh its a gem and a bargain gem at that. Its 15 minutes walk from Edinburgh Castle, 20 minutes walk from Holyrood House and Dynamic Earth, and 10 to 15 minutes walk from Edinburgh Waverley train station.
And as a plus you can get a good, hearty, cooked breakfast with tea and toast for £3.50. Cheap considering a cafe around the corner wanted £7 for something similar

Edinburgh is a beautiful city, familiarise yourself by taking the guided bus tour. Don't miss: The Castle, Harvey Nicks, The Museum(its free) and The Mussle Inn . .its in Rose Street. Also the Fringe Festival throughout August is an absolute must, if you love food, drink entertainment. One of the most picturesque places you will ever have the pleasure off . . . .

One of most beautiful cities I´ve visited! Historical centre together with unique nature

edinburgh is one of my all time favorite places in the world. its the perfect mix of history and modernity. the royal mile is incredible.  with pubs standing from centuries ago, haunted buildings, traditional kilt makers and castles, the royal (also known as the old) mile is cobbled and crowded and but never to be missed. i can attest to Brodey's hostel. very international and friendly and safe. perfect for a single female should you be traveling alone like i was. its also close to the world's end pub. its one of the oldest pubs in edinburgh. amazing traditional scottish fare, friendly and warm with both locals and tourists. located at the far end of the royal mile in edinburgh it truly was the end of the world.  it was the outskirts of the city and the city itself used to be the outskirts of what was thought of as civility in scotland before you went into the so called 'barbarous' highlands. the new mile is across the river and is as modern and fast paced as the royal mile is meandering and historic. i cant sing edinburgh's praises loud enough, or the highlands either. 

If you ever have the chance to go to the annual military tattoo (pipedrum bands, celtic dancers, etc) at Edinburgh Castle, I would recommend it. One of the most memorable and amazing things I have seen.

If you're planning to see the castle, make sure you have at least 4-5 hrs to spare...its worth it though:)