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What people are saying

“Great Building and so much more.”

July 2023

Most beautiful Building in Edinburgh.

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Tours & experiences

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Top ways to experience McEwan Hall and nearby attractions

Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Edinburgh with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems
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Scottish Highland Bike Tour by Manual or E-bike
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The area

Address

Neighbourhood: Southside & Holyrood

Many of Edinburgh’s student hangouts gather around university buildings in Southside, the sort of neighbourhood that supports a long string of second-hand shops and eateries serving ethnic food for just a few pounds. In August the student population is replaced by vast numbers of boisterous visitors here for the Fringe, Edinburgh’s world-class comedy and arts festival which headquarters itself here. Flanking Southside are two great parks. The Meadows is a vast flat and sporty space where football, rugby, tennis, cricket, croquet, and golf often all take place side by side. Kids in its big playgrounds add to the joyful noise. Far bigger and much wilder, Holyrood Park extends to the east and provides a real hike up Arthur’s Seat, but the district is best known as the site of Scotland’s Parliament and its premier Royal Palace—and their steady stream of sightseers.

Best nearby

We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.

Restaurants

2,239 within 5 kms

Doctors

1,888

95 m$$ - $$$ • Bar • European • British

Solti

373

0.3 km$$ - $$$ • Indian • Asian • Nepalese

Tupiniquim Brasil crepes

294

0.1 km$ • Quick Bites • Brazilian • Street Food

SEN Vietnamese Dining

200

0.3 km$$ - $$$ • Asian • Vietnamese • Healthy

Pizza Posto

877

0.3 km$ • Italian • Pizza • Neapolitan

Kims Mini Meals

346

0.3 km$$ - $$$ • Asian • Korean • Healthy

Paolozzi Restaurant & Bar

341

0.1 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Neapolitan

Union Of Genius

298

0.1 km$ • Quick Bites • International • Healthy

Let Me Eat Too

254

0.4 km$ • Healthy • Vegetarian friendly • Vegan options

Colonnades At The Signet Library

1,332

0.4 km$$$$ • Dessert • British • Scottish

See all

Attractions

577 within 10 kms

Reid Concert Hall

5

40 mTheatres

The Anatomical Museum

23

44 mSpeciality Museums

National Museum of Scotland

22,480

0.2 kmSpeciality Museums • Natural History Museums

Greyfriars

891

0.2 kmCemeteries

University of Edinburgh

113

95 mEducational sites

Greyfriars Bobby

3,026

0.2 kmMonuments & Statues • Fountains

Greyfriars Kirk

1,418

0.2 kmHistoric Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks

Edinburgh Old Town

16,337

0.4 kmNeighbourhoods • Historic Walking Areas

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.5

23 reviews

Excellent

17

Very good

6

Average

0

Poor

0

Terrible

0

Janina L

Trondheim, Norway141 contributions

Beautiful building that you can easily get lost in

Nov 2018 • Business

It is like entering a Harry Potter school of magic. The building is beautiful and mystical, and you can easily get lost in it.
The architecture is sublime. Love the brick and stone materials, combined with glass and modern touches.
Highly recommended to visit and explore.

Written 2 November 2018

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LothiansJack

Edinburgh, UK1,171 contributions

Ronnie Scott's hogmanay concert

Dec 2019 • Solo

Attended the performance of Ronnie Scott's jazz orchestra at Hogmanay which was excellent and showcased the interior of the hall.

Previously I had attended graduations here so knew it was a lovely building but have to say it was a stunning concert venue.

Written 4 January 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

CWEFreeScotland

Edinburgh, UK5 contributions

Fantastic place

Sept 2018 • Solo

Last temporary job was with the University of Edinburgh. We were taken on a tour of the McEwan Hall and it was truly magical. If you ever have a chance to visit it is a must see.

Written 4 October 2018

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bob T

San Francisco, CA55 contributions

Beautiful building

July 2018

Great venue to graduation. Seating is amazing, the building is a unique architectural experience, the decoration is beautiful. The pipe organ has tremendous sound.

Written 12 July 2018

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jan-Marthie

Olifantsfontein, South Africa100 contributions

Majestic

July 2018 • Friends

We attended a graduation function in this majestic hall.

The architecture and finishings in the hall is spectacular and after the renovations the sound and the lighting is top class.

Most definitely worth a visit.

Written 15 July 2018

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jellybellydancer

Burscough, UK1,444 contributions

Glorious

June 2018 • Family

We were lucky enough to visit MacEwan Hall during the recent university open day. It sits proudly in the newly developed Bristo Square and whilst impressive from the outside, the concert hall inside is glorious. I can only begin to imagine how impressive it must be to attend a concert or witness a graduation here.

Written 21 June 2018

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

JeffEdin

Edinburgh12 contributions

Brilliant

June 2018 • Couples

An absolutely stunning interior. My wife and I went to a performance of Verdi's Requiem last night and it was just magnificent. This was the first time I have been inside this building and the building plus the music just made for a fantastic evening. I was a little concerned about acoustics before the performance started but I needn't have been -tremendous.

Written 3 June 2018

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jeandark

Glenrothes, UK11 contributions

Great Building and so much more.

July 2023 • Couples

Most beautiful Building in Edinburgh. Daughter's Graduation there was amazing. Great architecture and inside just beautiful.

Written 8 August 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Daniel&Amy

Rotorua, New Zealand309 contributions

Absolutely stunning!

Sept 2019 • Couples

What an absolutely beautiful building! It is an absolute honour to be a part of the University of Edinburgh alumni as an exchange student, it’s just a shame I won’t have the privilege of graduating in the amazing McEwan Hall! The art is fantastic and the fine details are brilliant. I could’ve sat and stared at the ceiling for hours! If it’s open and free to enter I would highly recommend you check it out!

Written 10 September 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Martin H

Stockport, UK637 contributions

Impressive

Aug 2019

Vast circular building covered internally in friezes. Part of the University but widely used for shows, concerts etc.

Written 6 September 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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