Old Town Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Old Town Edinburgh
Old Town Edinburgh
Old Town Edinburgh
Old Town Edinburgh
Old Town Edinburgh

Wander the narrow alleys of Edinburgh's historic centre to discover the hidden delights of an area that also encompasses some of the city's top attractions.

Edinburgh's Old Town features the greatest sites of the country’s capital, among them the mighty Edinburgh CastleOpens in a new window, the National Museum of ScotlandOpens in a new window and The Scotch Whisky ExperienceOpens in a new window. However, the maze of narrow closes and streets that sit on top of each other are also home to several smaller, quirkier attractions. Explore this part of the city on foot. Follow routes that lead you past medieval tenements, down hidden “wynds” (alleys) and into pedestrianized squares.

Climb to Edinburgh Castle on a hill overlooking the rest of the city, with the Old Town spreading down the slope below it. The historic core is separated from the Georgian houses of New Town by Edinburgh Waverley Station.

Walk up and down the Royal MileOpens in a new window, one of the most important thoroughfares in the Old Town. The cobbled street leads from Holyrood Abbey and Palace in the east to the top of Edinburgh Castle’s hill. Spend a long time exploring the vast castle, which houses an extensive museum.

The Royal Mile is also home to St. Giles' CathedralOpens in a new window, the ecclesiastical centre of the Church of Scotland, and the Camera Obscura. Trick your mind in the museum of optical illusions, which is built beneath a 150-year-old lens that uses natural light.

Step into one of the smaller museums occupying some of Old Town's most picturesque historic buildings. The John Knox House is dedicated to the Presbyterian reformer and the Writers’ MuseumOpens in a new window focuses on Scotland's famous authors. Get in touch with your younger self at the Museum of Childhood and discover the city's past at the Museum of Edinburgh.

Wander along George IV Bridge, which leads to the National Library of Scotland Greyfriars Kirkyard, where a loyal Skye terrier guarded his master's grave for 14 years and the National Museum of Scotland. End your day on the Grassmarket, an open square set beneath the shadow of the castle and lined with traditional pubs and modern eateries.

To get to the Old Town, ride the train to Edinburgh Waverley station. Trains serving this station run regularly and serve destinations all around the United Kingdom.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Old Town Edinburgh

Apex Grassmarket Hotel

Apex Grassmarket Hotel

4 out of 5
31-35 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, Scotland
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is €230 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
€230
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,046 reviews)
"Location was amazing, a great central location with an amazing view of the castle. Beds could use some updating and a notice that there is no AC in the rooms would have been nice when booking. The hotel has AC but in the rooms they give you a desk fan - or two if you’re nice (we travelled first week ..."

Reviewed on 9 Aug 2025

Apex Grassmarket Hotel
Apex Waterloo Place Hotel

Apex Waterloo Place Hotel

4 out of 5
23-27 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is €284 per night from 25 Aug to 26 Aug
€284
25 Aug - 26 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,787 reviews)
"Perfectly situated around the major sites of Edinburgh. Outstanding service. Excellent, complete breakfast. No complaints!"

Reviewed on 8 Aug 2025

Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
CoDE Pod  – The CoURT - Edinburgh

CoDE Pod – The CoURT - Edinburgh

2 out of 5
1 a Parliament Square, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is €150 per night from 28 Aug to 29 Aug
€150
28 Aug - 29 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hostal in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (991 reviews)
Not bad
"Great location, friendly staff, nice place to eat & get drinks, comfortable bed though room was hot, good shower. But noisy & wifi was bad"

Reviewed on 10 Aug 2025

CoDE Pod – The CoURT - Edinburgh
Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile

Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile

4 out of 5
231 Canongate, Edinburgh, Scotland
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is €226 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
€226
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,207 reviews)
"great location . comfortable accommodation"

Reviewed on 9 Aug 2025

Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile
Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel

Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel

4 out of 5
61 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is €235 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
€235
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,394 reviews)
1st floor = ground floor
"The location is excellent. My room was on 1st floor but actually is level to the road. Noisy when cars passed by."

Reviewed on 10 Aug 2025

Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh

Virgin Hotels Edinburgh

5 out of 5
1 India Buildings, Victoria Street, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is €411 per night from 25 Aug to 26 Aug
€411
25 Aug - 26 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,203 reviews)
"Everything was spot on"

Reviewed on 11 Aug 2025

Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Old Town Edinburgh

Calton Hill featuring general coastal views, skyline and a city

Edinburgh City Centre

If you're spending time in Edinburgh City Centre, check out sights like Royal Mile or Edinburgh Castle and hop on the metro to see more of the city at St Andrew Square Tram Stop or Princes Street Tram Stop.

Edinburgh City Centre
National Library of Scotland showing interior views and signage

Southside

If you're spending some time in Southside, Queen's Hall and Festival Theatre are top sights worth seeing.

Southside
Scottish Parliament which includes a pool and street scenes

Holyrood

While visiting Holyrood, you might make a stop by sights like Royal Mile and Scottish Parliament.

Holyrood
Edinburgh which includes heritage architecture and night scenes

New Town

4.5/5(1,225 area reviews)

Travellers love New Town for its popular shops, and you can see more of Edinburgh by jumping on the metro at Princes Street Tram Stop or St Andrew Square Tram Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like Assembly Rooms and George Street.

New Town
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Tollcross

4.5/5(49 area reviews)

Tollcross is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Usher Hall and King's Theatre while in the area.

Tollcross
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Marchmont

Marchmont is well liked for its bars, and you can visit sights like Edinburgh Castle and Royal Mile if you have time to explore the area.

Marchmont


Old Town Edinburgh

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