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.
Be at Edinburgh Castle for opening time, and plan on spending two hours exploring its many attractions before heading downhill along the Royal Mile, stopping off as the fancy takes you at the Scotch Whisky Experience and the Camera Obscura before enjoying a seafood lunch at Ondine. Join a tour of the Real Mary King’s Close then spend the rest of the afternoon at the National Museum of Scotland. Get your photo taken beside the statue of Greyfriars Bobby before heading down to the Grassmarket for a drink, then dinner with a view at the Tower.
Service 300 runs along the lower part of the Royal Mile from South Bridge to the Palace of Holyroodhouse; bus 6 links Hanover St in the New Town to the Scottish Parliament Building via Market St, St Mary’s St and Holyrood Rd. Buses 23, 27, 41, 42 and 67 run along the Mound and George IV Bridge.
Top SightsEdinburgh Castle
The brooding black crags of Castle Rock, rising above the western end of Princes St, are the very reason for Edinburgh’s existence. This rocky hill was the most easily defended hilltop on the invasion route between England and central Scotland. Today it is one of Scotland’s most atmospheric and popular tourist attractions.
