Edinburgh Old Town
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About
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Why go
- The Royal Mile descends from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace and the ruined Holyrood Abbey.
- Much of the medieval street plan and many Reformation-era buildings survive.
- Underground vaults and hidden passages survive around Cowgate.
- Old Town and New Town together became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.
Opening hours
Today00:00 – 23:59Show all
Walking route
Don't miss
- Victoria StreetIts curved street is lined with colourful shop and restaurant fronts.At Grassmarket’s northeast corner.
- Milne’s CourtA former medieval market square, with a passage leading toward Princes Street.From Lawnmarket toward Princes Street.
Tips for your visit
- During the Edinburgh International Festival, High Street and Hunter Square host Fringe performers and street acts.
- Cowgate lies in the lower Old Town, beneath South Bridge and George IV Bridge.
- Cockburn Street connects the Royal Mile with Waverley Station.
Best time to visit
- The Old Town is open 24 hours every day.
Legends and hidden details
- Travelling fish seller Maggie Dickinson reportedly revived after being hanged in Grassmarket in 1724, earning the nickname “Half-Hangit’ Maggie.”
Interesting facts3
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Royal Mile is a 20th-century name for five streets, west to east: Castlehill, Lawnmarket, High Street, Canongate and Abbey Strand.
Old Town, Edinburgh - Wikipedia -
Glacial erosion during the last ice age shaped the crag-and-tail landform.
Old Town, Edinburgh - Wikipedia -
1856
Canongate was an independent burgh until 1856.
Old Town (Édimbourg) - Wikipedia
Shorts
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Walking Tour of Old Town EdinburghEdinburgh
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Old Town Edinburgh in the UKExplorer Aye
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The Old Town,Edinburgh,Scotland The Non-Scottish Explorer
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Edinburgh Old Town, Scotland.Visit Scotland Tours
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Old Town Edinburgh!Travel Whilst You Can!
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Nothing complements Edinburgh's Old Town better than the sound of bag…Yao Hui
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Misty night walks in Old Town, EdinburghRhona The Unicorn
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Old Town Edinburgh 4K VideoRoyal mile
History
Marshland once lay south of the ridge, with the Nor Loch to the north. Gates known as ports controlled passage through the town walls, of which only fragments survive. The Great Fire and bridge construction changed the spaces beneath the streets. Bridge works created underground spaces, including the Edinburgh Vaults below South Bridge.
- 7th centuryA fortress built by Edwin later became the castle at the top of the ridge.
- 1477–1911Grassmarket hosted Edinburgh’s weekly market.
- 1680sAbout 100 Covenanters were hanged in Grassmarket for their religious beliefs.
- 1824The Great Fire destroyed most buildings on High Street’s south side between St. Giles’ Cathedral and Tron Kirk. Rebuilding on original foundations and changes in street levels helped create passages and vaults.
- 1950sExtensive clearance and rebuilding transformed eastern Canongate, largely into council housing.
Show all
- 1990–2010New housing schemes across Canongate substantially increased its population.
Sources: Old Town, Edinburgh - Wikipedia · Edinburgh/Old Town - Wikivoyage (sleep) · Old Town (Édimbourg) - Wikipedia · checked 6 Oct 2026
Questions and answers
When can I visit Edinburgh Old Town?
The Old Town district is open 24 hours a day, every day.
How long is the Royal Mile walk?
The walk from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace is about 1.6 km.
What landmarks are in Edinburgh Old Town?
Landmarks include St. Giles’ Cathedral, the General Assembly Hall, the National Museum of Scotland and the Old College.
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