The best way to get to know Edinburgh is to explore its unique Old Town, the historic centre of Scotland’s capital. Wandering through its alleys and monuments, you’ll almost feel like you’re stepping back in time, and you’ll understand Scottish history and culture much better. Our free walking tour of Edinburgh’s Old Town is the perfect way to start.
Explore the Royal Mile and its closes
Start with the Royal Mile, Edinburgh’s main street for centuries. The Old Town is built on a rock formation known as a crag and tail: on the crag, an extinct volcano, stands Edinburgh Castle, and the Royal Mile runs down the ridge of the tail.
Hundreds of narrow alleys, known in Edinburgh as closes or wynds, run down both sides of the Royal Mile. Step into them: they are the most characteristic feature of the Old Town.
The Royal Mile gets its name because it links the city’s two royal residences, Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, about one old Scots mile (1,814 metres) apart. Look closely and you’ll see it is actually a series of streets: Castlehill, Lawnmarket, High Street and Canongate.
One of the best ways to discover the Old Town is to walk the Royal Mile from the Castle to the Palace. Along the way, you’ll pass some of Edinburgh’s most iconic monuments and all kinds of gift shops, cafés and restaurants.
If you’d rather explore with a professional guide, our Free Walking Tour of Edinburgh focuses on the history and main landmarks, while the Free Ghost Tour reveals the darker side of the Old Town, its closes, graveyards and legends. Harry Potter fans can discover the area’s most inspiring corners on the Free Harry Potter Tour.
The origins of the Old Town’s unusual layout
The Old Town is remarkably well preserved. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, it has been strictly protected ever since.
The first thing you’ll notice is the unusual layout of its streets and alleys. Remember that the city grew from Edinburgh Castle, built in a place that was hard to reach, with a single natural approach, down which the Royal Mile now runs.
The Old Town’s most characteristic features are its narrow alleys, known as closes, and its tall buildings, the result of the overcrowding Edinburgh suffered for centuries, which forced people to make the most of every inch of space within the city walls.
Visit Edinburgh’s most important monuments
Most of Edinburgh’s main sights are in the Old Town. As well as the Castle and the Palace, don’t miss St Giles’ Cathedral, Scotland’s most important church and key to the triumph of the Reformation in the 16th century.
Other important churches in the Old Town include Canongate Kirk, Greyfriars Kirk, the Tron Kirk and the former Highland Tolbooth Kirk, now The Hub. Canongate and Greyfriars are much more typical of a Presbyterian church, as they were built in the 17th century, after the Reformation.
You’ll also find the Scottish Parliament and the Mercat Cross, among many other things. But remember that the Old Town is a monument in itself, and many of its closes hide secrets that will surprise you.
The Old Town’s most interesting museums
Most of Edinburgh’s best museums are also in the Old Town. One is the Museum of Edinburgh, dedicated entirely to the history of the city.
Above all, the most important is the National Museum of Scotland, on Chambers Street, where you can travel through Scotland’s history in an interactive and entertaining way, great for all ages, and for free.
John Knox House and The Writers’ Museum are two other fascinating museums focused on specific figures in Edinburgh’s history.
The Museum of Childhood and The People’s Story are two more themed museums you can visit in the Old Town.
Find out more about all of them in our guide to Edinburgh’s museums.
Nightlife in the Old Town
If you fancy a beer or a drink, the Old Town is one of the liveliest areas in Edinburgh, with dozens of bars and clubs, and live music in almost every pub.
The best photo spots for the Old Town
For a panoramic photo of the Old Town, head to Calton Hill, with the best views of the Old Town, and one of the must-sees in Edinburgh.
Another great photo of the Old Town can be taken from Princes Street Gardens, where no buildings were allowed, to preserve the views. In the gardens you’ll also find the Scott Monument, which you can climb for a different perspective.
From the rooftop terrace of the National Museum of Scotland you can also take a spectacular photo of the Old Town, especially of Edinburgh Castle.
During your visit, explore the Old Town thoroughly and let yourself be surprised by its unique buildings and fascinating history. And don’t think it’s just for tourists: the Old Town is very much alive, with a special atmosphere where locals and visitors mix, making it one of the most interesting neighbourhoods in the city.
Location
The Old Town is the heart of Edinburgh. It is bounded to the north by Princes Street Gardens and to the south by the Meadows, the sites of the old North and South Lochs, to the east by Holyrood and to the west by Castle Rock.
Get directions to Edinburgh’s Old Town.