Old Town Attractions in Edinburgh
Things to do in Edinburgh's historic Old Town.
No trip to Scotland would be complete without a stop at the magnificent Edinburgh Castle on Castle Rock. First erected in the 12th century, the fortress sits on top of an extinct volcano and is the most breathtaking part of the city's skyline.
The Royal Mile, which runs from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Abbey, is by far Edinburgh's most popular tourist street. It is composed of a series of windy cobblestone roads which include Castle Esplanade, Castlehill, the Lawnmarket, High Street, Canongate and Abbey Strand. Stroll along the picturesque Royal Mile to peruse the dozens of tourist shops and niche museums. Other highlights include the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre, situated near the foot of the castle. The centre boasts a motorized barrel ride that takes you through its replica distillery. After sampling some whisky, continue on to High Street - the home of many of the Old Town's main sights. High Street also becomes a haven for wacky street performers during the annual Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
St. Giles' Cathedral is the mother church of the Presbyterianism Church of Scotland and is located at the midpoint of the Royal Mile. The interior central pillars date as far back as 1124, and the church boasts some of the most exquisite stained glass windows in the United Kingdom. On the exterior, it is distinct for its traditional Scottish crown steeple.
The Real Mary King's Close is an incredible tour of the long-forgotten underground streets of Edinburgh dating from the 16th and 17th centuries, which were paved over as the city grew. Guides dressed in period costumes walk you through these hidden closes, homes and streets while describing what life may have been like for the residents, particularly during the plague. The closes are thought to be haunted as well, and tourists can take either a normal walking tour or a supernatural history tour.
No trip to Scotland would be complete without a stop at the magnificent Edinburgh Castle on Castle Rock. First erected in the 12th century, the fortress sits on top of an extinct volcano and is the most breathtaking part of the city's skyline.
The Royal Mile, which runs from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Abbey, is by far Edinburgh's most popular tourist street. It is composed of a series of windy cobblestone roads which include Castle Esplanade, Castlehill, the Lawnmarket, High Street, Canongate and Abbey Strand. Stroll along the picturesque Royal Mile to peruse the dozens of tourist shops and niche museums. Other highlights include the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre, situated near the foot of the castle. The centre boasts a motorized barrel ride that takes you through its replica distillery. After sampling some whisky, continue on to High Street - the home of many of the Old Town's main sights. High Street also becomes a haven for wacky street performers during the annual Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
St. Giles' Cathedral is the mother church of the Presbyterianism Church of Scotland and is located at the midpoint of the Royal Mile. The interior central pillars date as far back as 1124, and the church boasts some of the most exquisite stained glass windows in the United Kingdom. On the exterior, it is distinct for its traditional Scottish crown steeple.
The Real Mary King's Close is an incredible tour of the long-forgotten underground streets of Edinburgh dating from the 16th and 17th centuries, which were paved over as the city grew. Guides dressed in period costumes walk you through these hidden closes, homes and streets while describing what life may have been like for the residents, particularly during the plague. The closes are thought to be haunted as well, and tourists can take either a normal walking tour or a supernatural history tour.
Edinburgh Castle
Castlehill
Castlehill
Historic fortress with breathtaking views and opulent riches inside...
The Real Mary King's Close
2 Warriston's Close
High St
An incredible tour of the long-forgotten underground streets of Edinburgh dating from the 16th and 17th centuries...
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
180 High Street
The world's largest and most popular performance/art festival, which runs from August 6-30th...
National Museum of Scotland
Chambers Street
The history of the Scots from the Stone Age to modern times...
Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre
354 Castlehill
The Royal Mile
Celebrate the history and distillation of whisky...
St. Giles' Cathedral
High Street
High St
The mother church of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland...
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