Old Town Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Old Town Edinburgh showing street scenes, outdoor eating and a city
Old Town Edinburgh which includes heritage architecture
Old Town Edinburgh which includes street performance, music and street scenes
Old Town Edinburgh which includes heritage architecture, a city and a sunset
Old Town Edinburgh which includes landscape views and heritage architecture
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 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 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’ 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


Old Town Edinburgh Hotel Deals

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 NT$6,580 per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
NT$6,580
NT$7,897 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
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! (1,791 reviews)
Great location!
"Great location and very clean! Close to Waverly station too. Very helpful and friendly front desk. We would definitely stay again."

Reviewed on 2025/8/16

Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
Apex Grassmarket Hotel

Apex Grassmarket Hotel

4 out of 5
31-35 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, Scotland
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NT$5,037 per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
NT$5,037
NT$6,045 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
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! (2,062 reviews)
"The hotel was, at best, of limited accessibility. The breakfasts were mediocre."

Reviewed on 2025/8/19

Apex Grassmarket Hotel
CoDE Pod  – The CoURT - Edinburgh

CoDE Pod – The CoURT - Edinburgh

2 out of 5
1 a Parliament Square, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is NT$3,962 per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
NT$3,962
NT$4,754 total
Sep 1 - Sep 2
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! (1,009 reviews)
"Quiet and peaceful despite being in the centre of Edinburgh"

Reviewed on 2025/8/17

CoDE Pod – The CoURT - Edinburgh
ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge - Royal Mile

ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge - Royal Mile

3 out of 5
77 South Bridge, Edinburgh, Scotland
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NT$5,087 per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
NT$5,087
NT$6,105 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,598 reviews)
"Solid property and was very close to Royal mile"

Reviewed on 2025/8/19

ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge - Royal Mile
Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel

Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel

4 out of 5
61 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is NT$6,868 per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
NT$6,868
NT$8,242 total
Sep 1 - Sep 2
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,379 reviews)
"Great hotel"

Reviewed on 2025/8/14

Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh

Virgin Hotels Edinburgh

5 out of 5
1 India Buildings, Victoria Street, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is NT$12,052 per night from Aug 25 to Aug 26
NT$12,052
NT$14,463 total
Aug 25 - Aug 26
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! (1,208 reviews)
"Perfect for military tattoo and shops"

Reviewed on 2025/8/14

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 neighborhoods 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 Royal Mile or Edinburgh Castle, 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, Queen's Hall and Festival Theatre 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(898 area reviews)

Discover original neo-classical and Georgian architecture in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, housing the National Gallery of Scotland and the Royal Scottish Academy Building. Shop along Princes Street, George Street, and the newly redeveloped St James Quarter.

New Town
Default Image

Tollcross

4.5/5(34 area reviews)

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

Tollcross
Love these little houses built on a slope

Broughton

Travelers come to Broughton for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Mansfield Place Church and Edinburgh Printmakers’ Workshop & Gallery while you're in town.

Broughton

Old Town Edinburgh