15 Places to Visit in Edinburgh’s Old Town - Part 1
This is a 2-part series on Edinburgh’s Old Town. Read also about 12 Places to Visit in Edinburgh’s Old Town - Part 2!
Last updated: 10 May 2023
Old Town is by far the most popular part of Edinburgh, and it’s not hard to see why. How many cities have a giant castle standing tall and proud in the middle of the city?
This blog post accompanies our YouTube video below, in which we take you to explore the Royal Mile!
Here are 15 places to visit, from the top of the Royal Mile to the bottom:
1. Edinburgh Castle
The crown jewel of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Castle sits atop Castle Rock and dominates Edinburgh’s skyline. There has been a royal castle on the volcanic rock since at least the 12th century. The castle has been through its share of wars, including the Wars of Scottish Independence in the 14th century and the Jacobite rising in 1745. Now, it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Edinburgh.
Some of our favourites of the castle include the One o’Clock Gun, St Margaret’s Chapel, Mons Meg, the Honours of Scotland and Stone of Destiny, The Great Hall, and the Scottish National War Memorial.
Edinburgh Castle is extremely big, and to properly explore the different parts, allow from a few hours up to half a day.
Address: Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NG
Hours: Daily from 09.30 - 17.00
Price: Free for Historic Scotland members and Explorer Pass holders; £18.00 per adult (16-64), £14.50 per concession (65+), £11.00 per child (5-15)
2. The Scotch Whisky Experience
The Scotch Whisky Experience is an interactive attraction that tells the story of how whisky in Scotland is made. The tours will take you on a whisky barrel ride explaining whisky production before you embark on some whisky tasting!
Address: 354 Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NE
Hours: Daily from 11.00 - 18.00
Price: From £21.00 per adult (18-59), £19.00 per concession (60+ and students with valid ID), £9.00 per child (6-17), depending on tour option
3. Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
A really fun attraction for kids and adults alike, Camera Obscura & World of Illusions offers five floors of over 100 illusions! Our favourites include The Camera Obscura Show, the Rooftop Terrace, and the Vortex Tunnel.
Address: Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2ND
Hours: Varies according to time of year
Price: Adults (16-64) from £19.95, students (with ID) and seniors (65+) from £17.95, children (5-15) from £15.95
4. Ramsay Garden
Developed between 1890 and 1893, Ramsay Garden comprises sixteen apartment buildings behind the Royal Mile. Urban planner Patrick Geddes set out to improve the conditions of the working class as the area had fallen into disrepair.
They stand out because of the red ashlar and white harled exterior, which in plain terms means the red stone and white walls.
Address: Ramsay Garden, Edinburgh EH1 2NA
5. The Writers' Museum
Tucked away behind Lady Stair’s Close is The Writers’ Museum. The museum features the lives of three famous Scottish writers: Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson. You can view personal objects, portraits, and works of the authors.
Address: Lady Stair’s Close, Edinburgh EH1 2PA
Hours: Daily from 10.00 - 17.00
Price: Free
6. Advocate's Close
There are a lot of what are called closes and wynds on the Royal Mile, and they’re basically alleyways. And because of how the Royal Mile is situated, the closes typically slope very steeply off the main street.
An Instagrammer’s favourite, Advocate’s Close frames Scott Monument on Princes Street very nicely. This close is also a great example of a very steep close in Edinburgh’s Old Town. From the Royal Mile, the close leads you down to Cockburn Street.
Address: Advocate’s Close, Edinburgh EH1 1ND
7. St Giles' Cathedral
A parish church of the Church of Scotland, St Giles’ Cathedral, also called the High Kirk of Scotland, was founded in the 12th century. St Giles’ continues to be a working church but also welcomes visitors. Guided walking tours of the cathedral are available as well.
Address: High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1RE
Hours: 10.00 - 18.00 (Monday - Friday), 09.00 - 17.00 (Saturday), 13.00 - 17.00 (Sunday)
Price: Free
8. Heart of Midlothian mosaic
Outside St Giles’ Cathedral, on the pavement, is the Heart of Midlothian mosaic. The mosaic marks where The Old Tolbooth, a prison, which was demolished in 1817, used to stand. You might see people spitting on the heart for good luck, but it was originally done as a sign of disgust at prisoners.
Address: 197 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1PW
9. Mercat Cross
Also outside St Giles’ Cathedral in Parliament Square is the Mercat Cross. Mercat Cross is the Scottish way of saying ‘Market Cross’ and is found in most Scottish towns and cities. Historically, the right to hold a market or fair was given by the monarch, bishop, or baron. As well, important announcements were made at the cross. If you look up to the very top of the cross, you can see a unicorn, which is Scotland’s national animal!
Address: High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1RF
10. The Real Mary King's Close
In our opinion, The Real Mary King’s Close is one of the best tourist attractions in Edinburgh. Now situated under the Royal Exchange building on the Royal Mile, Mary King’s Close is a historic close that is covered in myths and legends, including paranormal activity. A character guide takes you on a journey of what life was like back in the day, and you get to see the real Mary King’s Close.
Address: 2 Warriston’s Close, High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1PG
Hours: Daily from 10.00 - 17.00
Price: £19.50 per adult (16+), £12.95 per child (5-15)
11. The World's End
The World’s End is a pub on the Royal Mile that got its name from where Edinburgh residents used to feel their world ended. This is because Edinburgh used to have city walls and outside this pub were the gates to the city. Specifically, the Netherbow Port used to stand outside the pub, and the brass cobbles outside mark where it used to be.
Address: 2-8 High Street, Eidnburgh EH1 1GB
Hours: 11.00 - 00.00 (Sunday - Thursday), 11.00 - 01.00 (Friday & Saturday)
12. Cadenhead's Whisky Shop
Cadenhead’s Whisky Shop is Scotland’s oldest independent bottler, having opened in 1842 in Aberdeen. Because they don’t mass produce their whisky, every bottle that they have is quite unique, but they also sell more than just whisky, including rum, gin, and other spirits.
We have purchased from them before so can certainly vouch for their uniqueness!
Address: 172 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DF
Hours: 10.30 - 17.30 (Monday - Saturday)
13. Dunbar's Close Garden
Behind Dunbar’s Close exists a wee garden that, although has the design of a 17th-century garden, wasn’t actually created until the 1970s. Dunbar’s Close Garden is truly a hidden gem in the middle of a busy city and is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle for some peace and tranquility!
Address: 137 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8BW
Hours: Daily from 07.00, closing time varies throughout the year
Price: Free
14. Scottish Parliament Building
Opened in 2004, the Scottish Parliament Building is home to the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, which is the devolved legislature of Scotland. There was a lot of controversy surrounding the building and its location, with a three-year delay and millions of pounds (£) over budget, but the building was also welcomed by the architectural community. In normal circumstances, you would be able to take a tour of the building.
Address: Edinburgh EH99 1SP
Hours: 10.00 - 17.00 (Monday, Friday & Saturday), 09.00 - 16.30 (Tuesday - Thursday)
Price: Free
15. Palace of Holyroodhouse
Last but not least, at the other end of the Royal Mile is the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland, who is currently King Charles III. It has been the royal residence of Scotland since the 16th century. The King normally spends one week each summer at Holyrood Palace to carry out engagements.
The palace is open year-round (except for when the King is in) for visits, and highlights include the State Apartments, Holyrood Abbey, and the gardens.
Address: Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DX
Hours: 01 November to 31 March: 09.30 - 16.30 (Thursday - Monday); 01 April to 31 October: 09.30 - 18.00 (Thursday - Monday)
Price: Adults (25+) from £18.00, young persons (18-24) from £11.50, children (5-16) and disabled from £10.00
There is of course so much more to see along the Royal Mile but we hope this gave you a wee glimpse into some interesting spots to visit! What is your favourite place on the Royal Mile? Let us know in the comments!
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