Old Town

Edinburgh's Old Town is a jagged, jumbled maze of historic masonry riddled with closes, stairs, vaults and wynds (narrow alleys) leading off the cobbled ravine of the Royal Mile, which links Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The restored 16th- and 17th-century Old Town tenements support a thriving city-centre community, crammed at street level with museums, restaurants, bars and shops.

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Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Looking up the hill at Edinburgh Castle. Edinburgh Castle

    Edinburgh Castle

    Old Town

    Edinburgh Castle has played a pivotal role in Scottish history, both as a royal residence – King Malcolm Canmore (r 1058–93) and Queen Margaret first made…

  • Real Mary King's Close

    Real Mary King's Close

    Old Town

    Edinburgh's 18th-century City Chambers were built over the sealed-off remains of Mary King's Close, and the lower levels of this medieval Old Town alley…

  • National Museum of Scotland

    National Museum of Scotland

    Old Town

    Elegant Chambers St is dominated by the long facade of the National Museum of Scotland. Its extensive collections are spread between two buildings: one…

  • St Gile's Cathedral on the Royal Mile.

    St Giles Cathedral

    Old Town

    The great grey bulk of St Giles Cathedral dates largely from the 15th century, but much of it was restored in the 19th century. One of the most…

  • EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - MARCH 19: Members of the public view the Diageo Claive Vidiz Collection, the world's largest collection of Scottish Whisky on display at The Scotch Whisky Experience on March 19, 2014 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne announced today in his final budget before the Scottish independence referendum, that duty on Scotch whisky is to be frozen. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

    Scotch Whisky Experience

    Old Town

    A former school houses this multimedia centre that takes you through the making of whisky, from barley to bottle, in a series of exhibits, demonstrations…

  • The Tron Kirk on the Royal Mile.

    Tron Kirk

    Old Town

    Built in 1637 and taking its name from the tron (public weighbridge) that once stood on the site, this church is famous for its magnificent oak hammer…

  • The shop and gallery at Dovecot Studios

    Dovecot Studios

    Old Town

    A world-class tapestry studio and contemporary arts-and-crafts centre housed in what was once Edinburgh’s oldest public baths, Dovecot has a remarkable…

  • Grassmarket

    Grassmarket

    Old Town

    The site of a cattle market from the 15th century until the start of the 20th century, the Grassmarket has always been a focal point of the Old Town. It…

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Articles

Latest stories from Old Town

Edinburgh Castle and Princes St Gardens © German Vidal / Getty Images

Food

Edinburgh for first-timers

Jan 24, 2019 • 5 min read

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Guidebooks

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