Old Town Edinburgh

Edinburgh
Old Town showing a small town or village, street scenes and a sunset
Wander the narrow alleys of Edinburgh's historic center 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 Castle, the National Museum of Scotland and The Scotch Whisky Experience. 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 Mile, 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' Cathedral, the ecclesiastical center 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’ Museum 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

CoDE Pod  – The CoURT - Edinburgh
CoDE Pod – The CoURT - Edinburgh
2 out of 5
1 a Parliament Square, Edinburgh, Scotland
Fully refundable
The price is HK$638 per night from 16 Apr to 17 Apr
HK$638
per night
16 Apr - 17 Apr
Stay at this hostal in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (424 reviews)
"Enjoyed being close to everything I was interested in."

Reviewed on 24 Mar 2024

CoDE Pod – The CoURT - Edinburgh
Apex Grassmarket Hotel
Apex Grassmarket Hotel
4 out of 5
31-35 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is HK$979 per night from 7 Apr to 8 Apr
HK$979
per night
7 Apr - 8 Apr
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,016 reviews)
"Nice room with a view of the castle. Location was great and made the city very walkable. Enjoyed our stay and will definitely be back."

Reviewed on 26 Mar 2024

Apex Grassmarket Hotel
Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
4 out of 5
23-27 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is HK$919 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
HK$919
per night
14 Apr - 15 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,014 reviews)
"Staff very helpful and attentive"

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
Market Street Hotel
Market Street Hotel
4 out of 5
6 Market Street, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is HK$1,365 per night from 7 Apr to 8 Apr
HK$1,365
per night
7 Apr - 8 Apr
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (778 reviews)
"Excellent staff. Great restaurant with view. Convenient next to train station and walking distance to most areas."

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

Market Street Hotel
Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh
Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh
4 out of 5
43 Jeffrey Street, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is HK$1,069 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
HK$1,069
per night
14 Apr - 15 Apr
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,258 reviews)
Definitely Recommend
"Wonderful stay! Beautiful view, perfect location, easy access to all of Old Town and the train station nearly across the street. Clean, comfortable, and beautify decorated. A little small but that’s typical for all of the UK hotels we stayed in."

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh
Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel
Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel
4 out of 5
61 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is HK$919 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
HK$919
per night
14 Apr - 15 Apr
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,013 reviews)
"Amazing stay, staff were so helpful couldn't ask for better!"

Reviewed on 24 Mar 2024

Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel
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 which includes general coastal views, a city and skyline

Edinburgh City Centre

If you're spending time in Edinburgh City Centre, check out sights like Edinburgh Castle or Royal Mile 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 featuring signage and interior views

Southside

If you're spending some time in Southside, Festival Theatre and The Meadows are top sights worth seeing.

Southside
Scottish Parliament featuring 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 night scenes and heritage architecture

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 The Meadows while in the area.

Tollcross
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Abbeyhill

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

Abbeyhill

Old Town Edinburgh