The Edinburgh Student Guide: Marchmont

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About the author: Hello! My name is Madelaine Lee but I usually go by Maddie. I'm the UniHomes Edinburgh Content Ambassador, and I'm also currently a 2nd year Fine Art student at the University of Edinburgh. I love doing things that are hands on – whether it's art and crafts, gardening, painting, pottery, you name it! I am also very much a nature girl and love going on walks and hikes. My art studio is where I spend most of my time, but if not you will probably see me dancing or ice skating too. I can't wait to share the ins and outs of university life with all of you!

If you’d ask me or any other Edinburgh student where they’d like to live, there's a good chance they will say Marchmont. It's a neighbourhood that perfectly balances student life with a quieter, local community feel, and anyone who stays here can understand why it is so popular.

In fact, the 2026/27 letting season saw Marchmont receive the most searches of any student area in Edinburgh on UniHomes, making it the city’s most in-demand place for student housing (which you can read more about in our blog post on the UK's most sought-after student streets).

With an average rent of £212 per person per week, and student homes averaging three bedrooms, Marchmont is ideal for sharing student accommodation with your closest friends.

Here's why Marchmont is ideal for Edinburgh students

Location: the biggest selling point

The best thing about Marchmont is how easy it makes everyday life. From Marchmont, it’s only a 15-minute walk to the University of Edinburgh’s Central Campus.

The walk there also takes you straight through the Meadows, a lovely place that I talk more about in my blog post on the most Instagrammable places in Edinburgh; during spring, the cherry blossoms bloom across the paths, and this makes early-morning lectures 10 times more exciting.

The city centre's New Town and Old Town are also within walking distance, so you don’t always need to use the bus. That said, if the weather isn’t cooperating, the Lothian buses 5, 9 and 24 all run through or near Marchmont and can take you basically anywhere across Edinburgh with ease.

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Cafés you’ll end up going to every week

Marchmont is full of independent cafés that quickly become your regular study spot. My personal favourite is Machina Coffee for a good hot chocolate whilst studying, while Toast is perfect for brunch with friends. I especially love their toasties especially!

If you're more of a tea person, T42 Tea Room is a cozy place to escape the rain and catch up on coursework. I know friends who spent almost their entire exam season studying there instead of at the university’s library.

Late night food is never a problem

After long days at uni, my flatmates and I almost always end up grabbing something to eat in Marchmont. There are plenty of classic takeaway options, especially if you are craving fish and chips; #Fish and Salvatore’s are both popular choices for an easy, affordable dinner when no one wants to cook. Check out my blog post on the best cheap eats in Edinburgh, where I talk more about Salvatore's.

Whether it's a quick lunch or a late night snack after the library, you’ll never struggle to find somewhere nearby.

Grocery shopping made easy

One of the nice things about Marchmont is how convenient a last-minute grocery shop is here. Whenever I unexpectedly run out of food, I know I’m only a couple of minutes away from a shop.

Although there aren’t any big shops nearby, there are many local grocery shops including a Sainsbury's Local, a Nisa Local, a Co-Op and a Little Waitrose. So picking up everyday essentials is incredibly easy.

If you're trying to shop more sustainably, the New Lead Co-op is a hidden gem. It’s my favourite place to go for organic fruit and vegetables, and I love using their refill stations for oats, nuts, spices and even washing liquid. It makes sustainable shopping feel much more affordable as a student.

Fresh seafood and everyday essentials

Something quite unique about Marchmont is the number of independent food shops nearby. I usually buy fresh fish and seafood from Eddie’s Seafood Market or Sheila’s Quality Fresh Seafood, and the quality is genuinely excellent.

There are also loads of hairdressers along the main streets, which sounds like a small thing, but it’s surprisingly handy when you suddenly decide you need a trim or perm before graduation photos or a society ball.

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Student friendly without feeling noisy

Although Marchmont is packed with students, it doesn't feel like a giant, silent bubble. Lots of families and long-term locals live here too, which gives the area a much calmer atmosphere than you might expect.

Most students are pretty respectful of their neighbours, so it is not usually the place for loud parties or music blasting until 3am. Instead, it feels like a community where everyone happily coexists.

The housing itself is also very social. Since most student accommodation here averages three bedrooms, Marchmont homes are a great size for living with friends without feeling overcrowded.

Pubs, gyms and night out

For casual drinks, the Earl of Marchmont, The Argyle and Cellar Bar are all within easy walking distance. They are perfect for pub quizzes, catching up with flatmates or celebrating the end of exams.

If you're heading out clubbing, Cowgate is only around 20 minutes away on foot, so you can enjoy Edinburgh’s nightlife without needing a taxi home.

Fitness is easy here, too, with a PureGym roughly only a 15-minute walk away near the Meadows, and with Edinburgh Leisure facilities nearby too.

Is Marchmont worth it?

For me, I would absolutely say yes. It is walkable, well connected, full of brilliant cafés and independent shops, and it genuinely feels like home.

The biggest bonus is that so many students choose Marchmont that, if your friendship group is large, there is a good chance everyone can find different flats just a few streets away from each other.

It is no surprise that Marchmont is Edinburgh’s most searched student neighborhood – it offers the perfect mix of convenience, community and classic student living.

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Search for student accommodation in Marchmont

Like the sound of living in Marchmont? At UniHomes, we work with our partner letting agents to bring you a wide variety of student accommodation options in Edinburgh's Marchmont area, all with bills included. Find student housing in Marchmont today.

This post is part of the UniHomes Content Ambassador programme, where current students across the UK share tips about student life in their city to help you make the most of your time at uni. Like these guides? Add UniHomes as a preferred source in Google with just one click by checking the box to see more expert content from our student writers!

Whilst you’re out having fun in your new uni city, remember that UniHomes promotes responsible drinking, and any alcohol products featured within this article are for ages 18+.

The views and opinions expressed in these blogs are those of the UniHomes Content Ambassadors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of UniHomes. UniHomes accepts no liability for the content of these Student Blogs.