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
The price is S$336 per night from 17 Jul to 18 Jul
S$336
17 Jul - 18 Jul
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! (1,978 reviews)
"The breakfast options each morning were delicious. Highly recommend enjoying the on site Metro restaurant as well. I did not like the shower set up. The large step up into the shower and subsequent large step down were very dangerous. On a minor note, the pillows were extremely uncomfortable."

Reviewed on 10 Jul, 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 S$387 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
S$387
27 Jul - 28 Jul
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! (1,743 reviews)
"Great location"

Reviewed on 9 Jul, 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 S$181 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
S$181
20 Jul - 21 Jul
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! (936 reviews)
Great location in Old Town
"Great stay, clean and close to everything. Only downside was the alleyway behind the hostel (where our windows faced) was extremely noisy with people yelling at each other until 4 am!!"

Reviewed on 10 Jul, 2025

CoDE Pod – The CoURT - Edinburgh
Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile
Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile
4 out of 5
231 Canongate, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is S$337 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
S$337
20 Jul - 21 Jul
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! (2,146 reviews)
"Adagio was amazing. The staff was very helpful and the room and area itself was extremely clean. I would highly recommend them to anyone wanting a great location in Edinburgh."

Reviewed on 11 Jul, 2025

Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile
Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh City Centre
Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh City Centre
4 out of 5
80 High Street The Royal Mile, Edinburgh, Scotland
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is S$574 per night from 30 Jul to 31 Jul
S$574
30 Jul - 31 Jul
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 helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,011 reviews)
Great location, friendly staff
"Great hotel, great staff, beautiful design. Perfect location. The only downside was the Wi-fi, very slow and many times didn’t work."

Reviewed on 11 Jul, 2025

Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh City Centre
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
5 out of 5
1 India Buildings, Victoria Street, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is S$617 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
S$617
27 Jul - 28 Jul
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! (1,176 reviews)
"Great location, friendly staff. Rooftop has so much potential, can't wait to return and see how they've developed it."

Reviewed on 4 Jul, 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 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 Princes Street 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, George Square and Festival Theatre 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 Princes Street and Assembly Rooms.

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