Old Town Edinburgh

Edinburgh
Old Town which includes street scenes, a small town or village 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


Old Town Edinburgh Hotel Deals

Apex Grassmarket Hotel
Apex Grassmarket Hotel
4 out of 5
31-35 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is CA $170 per night from Apr. 7 to Apr. 8
CA $170
CA $204 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 7 - Apr 8
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 Mar. 26, 2024

Apex Grassmarket Hotel
Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
4 out of 5
23-27 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, Scotland
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is CA $160 per night from Apr. 14 to Apr. 15
CA $160
CA $192 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 14 - Apr 15
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! (1,012 reviews)
"Staff very helpful and attentive"

Reviewed on Mar. 25, 2024

Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
Market Street Hotel
Market Street Hotel
4 out of 5
6 Market Street, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is CA $237 per night from Apr. 7 to Apr. 8
CA $237
CA $285 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 7 - Apr 8
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! (779 reviews)
"Excellent staff. Great restaurant with view. Convenient next to train station and walking distance to most areas."

Reviewed on Mar. 25, 2024

Market Street Hotel
CoDE Pod  – The CoURT - Edinburgh
CoDE Pod – The CoURT - Edinburgh
2 out of 5
1 a Parliament Square, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is CA $127 per night from Apr. 16 to Apr. 17
CA $127
CA $153 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 16 - Apr 17
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 Mar. 24, 2024

CoDE Pod – The CoURT - Edinburgh
Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh
Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh
4 out of 5
43 Jeffrey Street, Edinburgh, Scotland
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is CA $167 per night from Apr. 14 to Apr. 15
CA $167
CA $201 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 14 - Apr 15
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! (1,259 reviews)
"Great gym facility"

Reviewed on Mar. 28, 2024

Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh
Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel
Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel
4 out of 5
61 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, Scotland
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is CA $160 per night from Apr. 14 to Apr. 15
CA $160
CA $192 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 14 - Apr 15
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! (1,017 reviews)
"Very positive experience. This hotel is well located, the rooms are spacious, and the staff is very friendly and attentive. Particularly thankful of the service received by front desk and breakfast service staff."

Reviewed on Mar. 28, 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 skyline, general coastal views and a city

Edinburgh City Centre

While you're in Edinburgh City Centre, take in top sights like Edinburgh Castle or Royal Mile, and hop on the metro to see more the city at St Andrew Square Tram Stop or Princes Street Tram Stop.

Edinburgh City Centre
National Library of Scotland which includes 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 showing street scenes and a pool

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(233 area reviews)

Travelers 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

5/5(8 area reviews)

Travelers come to Tollcross for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Usher Hall and The Meadows while you're in town.

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

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