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Things to Do in Old Town, Edinburgh

The Royal Mile runs through Old Town, connecting Castle Crag to Holyrood Palace, and the area is known for its medieval architecture and historic districts like Grassmarket and Southside.

  • St Giles' CathedralCathedral
  • National Galleries of Scotland: NationalArt Gallery
  • Edinburgh CastleCastle Museum

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Old Town in Edinburgh

Top things to do in Old Town

  • St Giles' Cathedral

    St Giles' Cathedral

    ★ 4.6 · 13.1k
    Cathedral★

    Grand, Gothic medieval building & Presbyterian place of worship where John Knox used to preach.

    Mon–Fri
    10 AM – 6 PM
    Sat
    9 AM – 5 PM
    Sun
    1 PM – 5 PM
    Website ↗Map ↗
  • National Galleries of Scotland: National

    National Galleries of Scotland: National

    ★ 4.6 · 16.8k
    Art Gallery★

    National collection including European masterpieces & Scottish works, with seasonal exhibitions.

    Every day
    10 AM – 5 PM
    Website ↗Map ↗
  • Edinburgh Castle

    Edinburgh Castle

    ★ 4.6 · 107.6k
    Castle Museum★

    An 11th-century castle and barracks housing the Crown Jewels and National War Museum of Scotland.

    Every day
    9:30 AM – 6 PM
    Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
  • Camera Obscura & World of Illusions

    Camera Obscura & World of Illusions

    ★ 4.6 · 15.9k
    Science Museum★

    Long-standing tower with 5 floors showcasing hands-on exhibits of whimsical optical illusions.

    Every day
    8 AM – 10 PM
    Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
  • Royal Mile

    Royal Mile

    ★ 4.7 · 24.1k
    World Heritage Site★

    Buzzing street linking Edinburgh Castle with Holyrood Palace, lined with quaint eateries & shops.

    Website ↗Map ↗
  • Grassmarket

    Grassmarket

    ★ 4.7 · 774
    Plaza★

    Sloping Old Town street & former 15th-century livestock market with pubs, boutiques & restaurants.

    Website ↗Map ↗
  • Scott Monument

    Scott Monument

    ★ 4.7 · 7.4k
    Monument★

    Spirelike Victorian memorial in honour of the writer Sir Walter Scott, with 287 steps to the top.

    Every day
    10 AM – 12:30 PM, 1:45 PM – 3:30 PM
    Website ↗Map ↗
  • National Museum of Scotland

    National Museum of Scotland

    ★ 4.8 · 58.4k
    History Museum★

    Bright, modern museum housing Scottish industrial history relics, natural history displays & a cafe.

    Every day
    10 AM – 5 PM
    Website ↗Map ↗
  • Greyfriars Kirk

    Greyfriars Kirk

    ★ 4.6 · 113
    Historic Church★

    church in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

    Mon–Fri
    11 AM – 4 PM
    Sat
    11 AM – 4 PM
    Sun
    10:30 AM – 1:30 PM
    Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
  • Princes Street Gardens

    Princes Street Gardens

    ★ 4.7 · 27.1k
    Botanical Garden★

    Green Flag park of geological/botanical interest, home to several public monuments and memorials.

    Every day
    7 AM – 9:35 PM
    Website ↗Map ↗
  • Royal Mile Whiskies

    Royal Mile Whiskies

    ★ 4.8 · 678
    Wine Shop

    Compact store specialising in single malt whiskies, plus bourbon, blends and Irish whiskey.

    Every day
    10 AM – 8 PM
    Website ↗Map ↗
  • The Witches' Well

    The Witches' Well

    ★ 4.5 · 239
    Fountain

    The fountain marks the area where hundreds of accused witches were burned at the stake.

    Map ↗
  • Festival Theatre

    Festival Theatre

    ★ 4.7 · 4.1k
    Theater

    National opera and ballet shows plus touring productions and comedy on Scotland's largest stage.

    Website ↗Map ↗
  • Forever Vintage

    Forever Vintage

    ★ 4.7 · 1.1k
    Flea Market
    Every day
    9 AM – 10 PM
    Map ↗

Where to eat & drink in Old Town

  • Hula

    Hula

    ★ 4.6 · 4.1k
    Brunch· £10–20

    Bright cafe for breakfast, detox drinks and shakes, plus light lunches of soups, bagels and wraps.

    Mon–Thu
    7 AM – 3 PM
    Fri
    7 AM – 4 PM
    Sat
    7 AM – 5 PM
    Sun
    7 AM – 5 PM
    Website ↗Map ↗
  • Stramash

    Stramash

    ★ 4.5 · 4.9k
    Live Music

    Bi-level venue offering a variety of live music & sports events in a restored church.

    Website ↗Map ↗

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Old Town map

Ranked using weather, setting, ratings, and review volume.

Map of Old Town with pinned top attractions (1 through 10)
  1. 1St Giles' Cathedral
  2. 2National Galleries of Scotland: National
  3. 3Edinburgh Castle
  4. 4Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
  5. 5Royal Mile
  6. 6Grassmarket
  7. 7Scott Monument
  8. 8National Museum of Scotland
  9. 9Greyfriars Kirk
  10. 10Princes Street Gardens

Other areas in Edinburgh

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