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Portobello Central Beach

(Portobello Bath Road Beach)

City of Edinburgh, Scotland


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Portobello Central Beach is a popular sandy beach located in the Edinburgh suburb of Portobello, offering a peaceful escape from city life with its scenic views, amusements, and entertainments.

Portobello Central Beach is a sandy beach situated in the Edinburgh suburb by the same name, approximately 2 miles east of the city centre. The beach offers stunning views across to the north side of the Firth of Forth and out towards Inchkeith Island. Its proximity to the city makes it a favourite destination for summer visitors who come to swim, play in the waves, and sunbathe.

The beach is a hub for various water activities, including kayaking and sailing, with The Portobello Kayaking and Sailing Club based on site. Beach volleyball games are often held next to the swimming club, adding to the beach's lively atmosphere. The beach is interspersed with wooden groynes and is directly accessed from a promenade that runs along the back of the beach. The promenade is a great place to stroll and take in the views, with a selection of cafes and bars available.

Further facilities, such as shops and restaurants, can be found a short walk away in the town of Portobello. Many of the buildings in the area are Georgian or Victorian in character and form part of a Conservation Area, including Portobello Swim Centre, a Victorian indoor swimming pool located right on the promenade.

The beach can be easily reached via a number of buses from Edinburgh city centre, and some roadside parking is available near the beach.

Sand

Weather and tides for Thursday 17 July

Today
Chance of rain 52%
Max temp. 23°C
(feels like 21°C)
Wind 9mph
Max UV Index
Tonight
Chance of rain 57%
Min temp. 16°C
(feels like 16°C)
Wind 4mph

The tide at Portobello Central Beach is currently rising. High tide will be at approximately 8:25 PM, and the next low tide will be at approximately 1:58 AM tomorrow.

Today's air pollution levels are forecast to be Low

Approximate sea surface temperature:   14°C  

Detailed weather and tides »
  • Facilities

    Food available Shops
  • Popular Activities

    Sunbathing Swimming Volleyball Walking
  • Features

    Amusements Golf Promenade
  • Dogs

    Dogs allowed.

  • Lifeguard

    No lifeguard cover at this beach

  • Water Quality

    Water quality not measured here

    Water quality not measured here

Recommended holiday cottages near Portobello Central Beach

Things to do and see in the area

Real Roman Tours (0.6 miles)
Fort Kinnaird (1.4 miles)
The Bannatyne Spa (1.5 miles)
Newhailes (1.6 miles)
Arthur's Seat (2.2 miles)
Staggs Bar (2.2 miles)
Brunton Theatre (2.2 miles)
Musselburgh Racecourse (2.6 miles)

Places to eat near Portobello Central Beach

Foresters Guild (360 yards)

All distances are approximate

Other beaches nearby

Location: Portobello, Edinburgh

Location type: Urban

OS Grid: NT308741

Country: Scotland

Local Authority: City of Edinburgh

Nearest postcode: EH15 1HE

(for sat-nav purposes only, a beach does not have a postal address!)

Important! Beach information is compiled from a variety of different sources and is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of compilation. However, information may be incorrectly supplied by our sources or go out of date after publication. BritishBeaches.uk makes no warranty as to the accuracy of any information on this page.

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Visitor information for Portobello Central Beach, City of Edinburgh, Scotland. Weather, tides, visitor comments, beach facilities, photos, nearest postcode, beach information and nearby accommodation.

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18.97.9.170 Thu, 17 Jul 2025 14:11:29 +0100