Calton Hill

While visiting Edinburgh, don’t forget to check out Calton Hill, which some visitors overlook! It’s an easy climb to the top, where you can enjoy some of the best views of the city, admire its historic monuments, or simply relax outdoors for a while. It is also one of the stops on our free Dean Village and New Town tour.

The best photos of Edinburgh

The views of Edinburgh from Calton Hill won’t leave you indifferent. Whether you look towards the Old Town, the New Town or Holyrood Park, from the top of this hill next to Princes Street you can take some of the best photos of Edinburgh.

The iconic view of the Old Town, with the Castle in the background and the Dugald Stewart Monument, built in memory of the Scottish philosopher, in the foreground, is taken from here.

For an even more original panorama, you can climb the 143 steps of the Nelson Monument, at the top of the hill.

A place to relax

With plenty of grassy, open space at the top, Calton Hill is a great place to relax for a while and take a break from Edinburgh’s busy streets. Bring a picnic, a book or some music and switch off, especially on sunny summer days.

Calton Hill is also one of the best places to watch fireworks bursting over Edinburgh’s skyline, especially during the August festivals, on Bonfire Night in November and at Hogmanay. Get there early if you want a good spot!

Events on Calton Hill

Many different events take place on Calton Hill throughout the year. One of the most spectacular is the Beltane Fire Festival, held every year on 30 April. More than 12,000 people attend, and you will find yourself caught up in a riot of bonfires and torches in this ancient festival celebrating the beginning of summer in the Celtic tradition.

Some of Edinburgh’s most curious monuments

At the top, you can’t miss a monument of twelve columns that looks like a Greek temple. It is the National Monument of Scotland, built to honour those who died in the Napoleonic Wars, and it does look like something is missing: almost two hundred years later, it is still unfinished.

It was designed as a replica of the Parthenon in Athens, but the money ran out, leaving just twelve columns on a base of huge stone blocks. They are an iconic sight in Edinburgh, so make sure you get a photo on its steps!

Whatever the weather, make sure you climb Calton Hill during your visit to Edinburgh: you’ll enjoy the views, take some great photos and, if you time it right, watch a spectacular sunset over the Old Town.