If you have been searching for apartments near Ocean Terminal in Edinburgh, there is a good chance you already know the appeal of this part of the city. Ocean Terminal sits on the Leith waterfront with the Royal Yacht Britannia moored alongside, shops and restaurants under one roof and the Firth of Forth stretching out beyond. Staying nearby puts all of that within a short walk. This guide explains what to expect from apartments in the area, why the location suits so many kinds of trip, and how Ocean Serviced Apartments fits into it.
Why stay near Ocean Terminal?
Ocean Terminal is one of the most practical bases in Edinburgh, and it is often overlooked by visitors who default to the city centre without realising what the waterfront offers. The area is popular for waterfront living as well as short stays, and staying here gives you three things that are hard to find together anywhere else in the city.
First, local amenities and everyday convenience. A shopping centre, a supermarket, a cinema, cafés and restaurants are all within a short walk, giving you easy access to shopping, dining, and entertainment so you are never far from what you need. Second, a genuine attraction on your doorstep in the Royal Yacht Britannia, which is consistently rated one of the best things to do in Scotland. Third, space and calm. The waterfront is quieter than the centre, with sea air and views across the Forth, which makes coming back at the end of a busy day a pleasure rather than a battle through crowds.
For families, longer stays, business trips and anyone who values a bit of breathing room, that combination is hard to beat. Our location page shows exactly how the area sits together.
What ocean serviced apartments near Ocean Terminal are like
Accommodation on the waterfront ranges from studios to larger apartments, and the area around Ocean Terminal offers various apartment options, with many focused on contemporary living spaces and convenience. But the format that tends to work best for a trip of any length is a proper self-catering apartment with separate bedrooms, a full kitchen, multiple rooms and a living room. That is what we offer at Ocean Serviced Apartments in Western Harbour, with the property a short walk from Ocean Terminal itself.
Our apartments have two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen and an open-plan lounge and dining area, with the kind of in-apartment facilities that make day-to-day stays easy. Apartments also offer multiple bedrooms and separate living areas, and serviced apartments are especially useful because they provide spacious living areas for comfort. That gives you room to spread out, cook your own meals and relax properly, which matters whether you are here for a weekend or a month. A spacious apartment layout also makes longer stays more comfortable, and super fast WiFi is included in all serviced apartments. You can see the layouts on our two-bedroom and executive apartment pages. Many apartments also enjoy views across the harbour and the Firth of Forth, which is one of the quiet joys of staying on this stretch of coast.
Everything within a short walk
The real selling point of an apartment near Ocean Terminal is how much you can reach on foot.
• Ocean Terminal itself, for shops, the cinema, cafés and restaurants. Our full guide to Ocean Terminal and Western Harbour covers what is there.
• The Royal Yacht Britannia, berthed at the terminal and open to visitors, and one of the area’s standout attractions. Our visitor guide to Britannia explains what to see and how long to allow.
• A large Asda, right next to the apartments, for a proper grocery shop when you are self-catering, alongside other local amenities including grocery stores and recreational areas.
• The Shore and wider Leith, a short distance away, home to some of Edinburgh’s best restaurants. See our roundup of the best restaurants and cafés near Ocean.
• The waterfront promenade, ideal for a morning walk or run with the sea on one side.
Being able to walk to these places, while also having public transport for easy access to city attractions, is especially helpful, and it is one of the main reasons guests come back to this part of Leith.
Getting into the city centre
The one worry people have about staying near Ocean Terminal is distance from the centre. In practice, access to public transport in the Ocean Terminal area is convenient and the journey is straightforward. The number 11 bus runs from a bus stop about a two-minute walk away, near the front door of the building area, and reaches Edinburgh city centre in around 20 minutes. The tram extension also serves the area, and trams are accessible within a short walk, with both options giving quick access to the Castle, the Royal Mile, Princes Street and everything else the city centre offers. Our transport page sets out the routes in detail.
There is also complimentary onsite parking at Ocean Serviced Apartments, with a secure underground car park for guests’ vehicles and direct lift access to all floors, which is unusual for Edinburgh and very welcome if you are arriving by car or planning day trips further afield. Street parking nearby can be limited, so you can keep the car for excursions without paying city-centre rates to park it.
Who staying near Ocean Terminal suits
Families love the space, the cinema and Britannia within walking distance, plus the supermarket for easy meals and the parking for the car; Ocean Serviced Apartments are popular among families, with cots and high chairs available on request, making them the perfect choice for an easier stay.
Couples and city-breakers get a calm waterfront base with good food nearby and a quick run into town when they want the buzz.
Business and longer-stay guests appreciate the quiet, the room to work and the everyday convenience, while the spacious apartments also keep families and groups comfortable, all of which make a stay of a week or more far more comfortable than a city-centre hotel room.
Visitors who have seen the centre before often choose the waterfront deliberately, wanting to experience the Leith side of Edinburgh that so many first-timers miss.
A waterfront base with free wi fi, done properly
Apartments near Ocean Terminal give you a side of Edinburgh that is easy to love: convenient, characterful and calm, with the sea close at hand and the city a short journey away. At Ocean Serviced Apartments we have been offering exactly that since 2009, in spacious two-bedroom apartments a short walk from the terminal.
Beyond Ocean Terminal: exploring the wider area
Staying near Ocean Terminal gives you an easy springboard into the rest of Leith and the coast, not just the shopping centre. A short walk or a couple of stops on the bus opens up a genuinely varied stretch of the city.
The Shore, the historic heart of old Leith, is one of the prettiest corners of Edinburgh, where the Water of Leith meets the sea and the cobbled quayside is lined with restaurants, bars and old warehouses turned to new uses. It is a lovely place for an evening stroll before dinner. Leith Walk, the long artery connecting Leith to the city centre, is full of independent shops, cafés and delis worth a browse.
For the outdoors, the waterfront promenade runs along Western Harbour and is ideal for a morning walk or run with the Forth beside you. A little further along the coast, Portobello beach offers a proper sandy seafront with a Victorian promenade, a favourite with locals on a sunny day and only a short journey away. And for green space, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is within easy reach for a peaceful afternoon among the plants and glasshouses.
The point is that an apartment near Ocean Terminal is not just convenient for the shops and Britannia. It is a base for discovering the side of Edinburgh that rewards repeat visits, the neighbourhoods and coastline that first-time tourists on a tight Old Town itinerary rarely reach.
Frequently asked questions
How close is Ocean Serviced Apartments to Ocean Terminal? A short walk. The terminal, its shops and the Royal Yacht Britannia are all within easy walking distance of our apartments in Western Harbour.
Is there parking? Yes. Complimentary underground parking is included on site, and secure underground parking is a useful facility for guests’ vehicles, which is rare in Edinburgh and ideal if you are driving or planning day trips.
What about check in and check out? We confirm current check in and check out times and options when you book, so you have the latest details before you arrive and leave.
Can I reach the city centre easily? Yes. The number 11 bus and the tram both reach central Edinburgh in around 20 to 30 minutes.
Are the apartments suitable for families? Yes. Our apartments have two bedrooms and two bathrooms with a full kitchen, and family apartments are available. Fully equipped kitchens make self-catering easier for families, and cots and high chairs can be requested.
Is the area good for a longer stay? Very much so. The everyday convenience of a supermarket, shops and a cinema within a short walk, combined with free parking and a calm waterfront setting, makes the area near Ocean Terminal well suited to stays of a week, a month or more. Guest reviews often mention the quiet waterfront setting and convenience. Longer bookings also benefit from our discounts of up to 25% off.
What do reviews say, and how do prices work? Recent reviews are a useful way to gauge what to expect, and prices can vary by dates. Direct booking gives the best available rate, with flexible cancellation and payment options available.
Book an apartment near Ocean Terminal
If the waterfront sounds like your kind of base, we would be glad to host you. Have a look at our two-bedroom apartments, then request a quote with your dates and party size and we will confirm availability and the best rate we can offer. You can also call the team on 0131 553 7394 with any questions about the apartments or the area.
