Whether you’re looking for designer brands, high street fashion, Scottish souvenirs, unique gifts or vintage finds, you’ll be able to find it in Edinburgh, if you know where to look!
High street fashion on Princes Street
Princes Street is the city’s main shopping street. It was built on only one side, leaving uninterrupted views of the Old Town and the Castle on the other.
Here you’ll find all the popular high street brands, including Marks & Spencer, Zara, H&M and Primark. Take a look along Hanover Street, Frederick Street and Castle Street for even more familiar names.
As well as clothing, there are shops of all kinds, such as the Apple Store, Waterstones, Lush and The Body Shop.
St James Quarter shopping centre
St James Quarter is a modern shopping centre in one of Edinburgh’s most striking buildings, and a great stop if you are looking for current brands, restaurants and a comfortable place to shop, even on rainy days.
It is at the east end of Princes Street, next to St Andrew Square and very close to Edinburgh Waverley station. It is a large, modern centre on several floors, with fashion, beauty, technology and homeware brands, as well as restaurants, cafés and leisure options.
It’s a good alternative to Princes Street if you want a more modern shopping experience, all in one place. Being so central, it’s easy to combine with a visit to the New Town or Calton Hill.
Designer brands on George Street and Multrees Walk
Running parallel to Princes Street is George Street, home to some of the more upmarket brands, such as Hollister, Jack Wills, Karen Millen and Anthropologie.
For luxury brands, head to Multrees Walk, a small street next to St Andrew Square, at the end of George Street. Here you’ll find names such as Louis Vuitton, Swarovski and Michael Kors, as well as Scotland’s only Harvey Nichols store, home to even more designer labels.
Souvenirs in the Old Town
For the most typical gifts, head up to the Royal Mile, where souvenir shops are everywhere. You’ll find woollens, postcards, kilts and a huge range of keepsakes, as well as several tartan and cashmere shops of varying price and quality.
Whisky can also be found in abundance, including at the Scotch Whisky Experience on Castlehill and Royal Mile Whiskies on the High Street. Another fun place is Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe, on Canongate, which celebrates Christmas all year round!
Edinburgh’s most unusual shops
For something less typical, wander down Victoria Street, with some very interesting independent shops selling everything from jokes and gifts to books and clothes.
If you are a Harry Potter fan, you should know that Victoria Street is said to have inspired J.K. Rowling’s Diagon Alley, and it’s no coincidence that you’ll find a shop dedicated entirely to the saga here. Don’t miss our Free Harry Potter Tour either. For more ideas, see our list of unique shops in Edinburgh.
A little further down, in the Grassmarket, you’ll find one of our favourite shops, Armstrong’s Vintage Emporium, where you can lose yourself among clothes from every era, some of them real treasures.
Arts and crafts in Stockbridge
Stockbridge is the place to go if you’re looking for anything arty or crafty. This part of Edinburgh is full of jewellers, art galleries, antique shops, vintage clothing and record stores, and second-hand shops where you can find almost anything.
Don’t miss the Stockbridge Market, held every Sunday, a great place to try fresh, local and artisan food and drink.
Other shopping centres in Edinburgh
If you prefer the convenience of a shopping centre, there are several more around Edinburgh with a wide range of shops, especially fashion. Some of the biggest are The Gyle, to the west of the city; Fort Kinnaird, an outdoor retail park in the south-east; and Waverley Market, on Princes Street next to Waverley station. If you are in Leith, Ocean Terminal is a good option.
Edinburgh has shops of every kind, and if you go to the right places and look around a little, you’ll find everything you need.