Edinburgh walking tour & city guide

The Royal Mile and Old Town

The Royal Mile runs down a rocky ridge from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the King's official residence in Scotland. Along the way, narrow alleys called closes and wynds drop steeply away from the main street, some leading to hidden courtyards, others to staircases with views over the city.

Below the Old Town lie the Grassmarket, a lively square of pubs once used for markets and public executions, and Victoria Street, a curving street of colorful shopfronts said to have inspired Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter books.

New Town and viewpoints

Across Princes Street Gardens, the New Town was built in the late 18th century as an orderly grid of wide streets and squares. Princes Street faces the castle, and George Street and Rose Street are full of shops and pubs.

For the best views, climb Calton Hill, with its monuments and panoramas, or hike up Arthur's Seat, the ancient volcano in Holyrood Park that rises 251 meters above the city.

Festivals and weather

Every August, Edinburgh hosts the world's largest arts festival, the Fringe, and the city fills with performers. Hogmanay, the New Year celebration, is legendary. The weather changes quickly, so bring layers, but the moody skies make the stone city even more atmospheric.