The Area
With streets steeped in history and a thriving cultural scene, Edinburgh offers the perfect balance between all things traditional and contemporary.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site at the heart of the city combines the medieval Old Town, the Georgian New Town and award winning modern architecture. You’ll see views that make for perfect picture postcards, mysterious winding streets, elegant terraces and an abundance of shops, bars and restaurants.
To help you decide what to take in on your visit, we've compiled our top City Experiences outlining the best places to go, views to take in and the must-do city experiences.
Make the most of your visit to Edinburgh by visiting some of these top city areas:
With a fascinating history that’s impossible to ignore, every one of the tightly packed buildings in the Old Town has earned its place in history. The Royal Mile makes up the main spine of the area, running from Edinburgh Castle at the top to the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Scottish Parliament at its foot, surrounded by steeply sloping streets and mysterious wynds. By the 18th Century the cramped conditions of the High Street had prompted the need for expansion, and saw plans for a New Town come together. http://www.edinburgholdtown.org.uk/
2. New Town
In 1766 a competition for the best architectural scheme for the proposed New Town was held. Six plans were considered, and James Craig's scheme was chosen. The elegant Georgian architecture this involved now provides the backdrop to a number of equally stylish shops, bars and restaurants. Although nowadays Princes Street is commonly regarded as the main street of this scheme, George Street was the backbone of the plan; it was built, at 100 feet wide, 20 feet wider than either Princes Street or Queen Street.
3. West End
Perfect for boutique shopping and plenty of eating and drinking options, the cobbled streets of the West End are only a few minutes walk from Princes Street. Two of the best for retail indulgence are William Street and Stafford Street with a number of independent stores offering everything from interiors to exclusive designer clothes, quirky jewellery and vintage eveningwear.
4. Grassmarket
Once a medieval market place and site for public executions, the area is now known for eating, drinking and independent shops all in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle. Executions ceased in the Grassmarket in 1784 but names of some of the area's pubs reflect its bloody history, such as The Last Drop and Maggie Dickson's. Now its cobbled streets, traditional buildings and quirky shops, pubs and restaurants make the Grassmarket a magnet for visitors.
5. Leith
Edinburgh’s city quarter by the sea is a great place for eating, drinking and shopping. It is also home to The Royal Yacht Britannia. Only ten minutes from Edinburgh's city centre, historical Leith is full of cultural influence and historical architecture yet calm with waterfront serenity. The area bustles with restaurants, bars, bistros and boutiques and includes the stylish Ocean Terminal shopping complex. Browse the shops, take a walking tour, search for your favourite Scotch whisky or indulge your passion for fashion.
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