Old Town
Location: City centre, area around the Royal Mile
As the name suggests, Edinburgh’s Old Town is the oldest part of the city. It dates back to medieval times, with some buildings surviving from the 1100s. Notable areas of the Old Town include the Royal Mile, Grassmarket, Cowgate and Holyrood. This is a must-see part of town for visitors to Edinburgh, with some of its most famous attractions and landmarks, including Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyrood House, The Real Mary King’s Close and St Giles’ Cathedral.
Edinburgh’s Old Town was the central hub of the city, where its people lived and worked. As the population grew, its buildings got higher and more cramped. A dense network of narrow streets and alleyways formed within the city walls. The overcrowded and unsanitary conditions eventually led to the development of the New Town in the 1800s, but due to restoration efforts, the Old Town remains remarkably well preserved. It is now a popular area for tourism, with a wealth of historic attractions and places to stay, shop, eat and drink. It’s part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its rich architecture and cultural significance, and it also plays a central role in festivals like the Edinburgh Fringe and Hogmanay.
5 things to do in the Old Town
- Walk down the Royal Mile, a cobbled street which stretches one Scots mile between Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
- See historic landmarks, such as the Mercat Cross, Greyfriar’s Bobby and remnants of the Floddan Wall.
- Visit attractions in the Old Town, including Edinburgh Castle, St Giles’ Cathedral, John Knox House, Scotch Whisky Experience, Camera Obscura and World of Illusions and The Real Mary King’s Close.
- Pop into quirky shops and pubs along the way for refreshments, gifts and souvenirs.
- Enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town with a guided tour company like Mercat Tours or City of Edinburgh Tours.
