Points of Interest & Landmarks in Old Town

THE 10 BEST Points of Interest & Landmarks in Old Town (Edinburgh)

Points of Interest & Landmarks in Old Town

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56 places sorted by traveller favourites
  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
Showing results 1-30 of 56

What travellers are saying

  • Nitasha
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Our tour guide Zelda was amazing! I went into the tour last minute and it was so worth it. Learned a lot of cool history! 100% worth it!
    Written 18 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • pakabay
    Adelaide, Australia2 141 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Yes, there are tartan, whisky and assorted souvenir shops side by side for much of the Royal Mile but they go nowhere near telling the story of this historic thoroughfare.

    The so-called Royal Mile which in face is just over a mile long, connects Edinburgh Castle at one end and the Royal Palace of Hollyrood at the other.

    Passing through the middle of historic Edinburgh, there are countless magnificent buildings along its entire length. And the further you head away from the castle, the less tacky souvenir shops there are.

    The Edinburgh Old Town is particularly hilly in places, but the Mile is an easy walk from on end to the other. Generally, it heads downhill from the castle towards the palace.

    Well worth exploring the mile itself, but also the lanes & alleys that lead off it for its entire length.
    Written 14 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • alibatty🦇
    Dundee, UK5 031 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This Victorian Gothic monument of over 200 ft is an honorary memorial to one of Scotland’s best-known writers, Sir Walter Scott , and it dominates Princes Street Gardens. It’s the largest memorial in the world to a writer, and is decorated by 68 carved figures in niches , of characters from Scott’s novels. The designer was George Meikle Kemp , whose design was selected by judges in a competition , and it opened in 1848. There are 4 platforms from the base to the top, with 287 narrow steps. It appeared to be barricaded off when we were there ( but I had no intention of climbing it again anyway, having done it as a teenager.) At the base of the monument is a statue of Walter Scott with his dog Maida, sculpted by Sir John Steele from Carrara marble. You simply couldn’t miss it as a visitor to Edinburgh.
    Written 3 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Thomas G
    Amsterdam, The Netherlands1 688 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Just outside the graveyard is the most famous statue of Edinburgh; Greyfriars Bobby. You can touch his nose for luck, but do it gentle. The pub behind the statue paid the government to move the statue around, so they are on all the pictures of the statue.
    Written 29 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Malcolm and S
    Stroud, UK1 153 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We booked tickets (free), to go to 1st Minister's Questions, and it was well worth doing so, even though the First Minister was away at Cop 28! Arriving in good time we went through 'heavy' security and had a chance to look at the small exhibition before gaining access to the chamber itself. The architecture and layout is flamboyant in style, and a high quality finish throughout. The level of debate that we saw did not, however, match the quality of the surroundings, and the following day's report in The Times was excoriating in its criticisms! It was good to see the number of visitors in the public gallery, and we noted the casual use of mobile phones by members in the chamber, not setting a great example to the school children present, even whilst one question addressed the issue of banning of phones on school premises!!
    Written 4 December 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jake B
    2 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    When I arrived, reception mentioned "this is the best Hostel..!"

    It's nice to see expectations, exceeded.!!

    Thanks for your hospitality- the best..!
    Written 29 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • sunlunlad
    Hamsterley, UK1 190 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Although the Ross Fountain sits below Edinburgh castle, it simply refuses to be overshadowed. It is magnificently camp and ostentatious in its appearance, but provides a wonderful focal point for the west end of the gardens.
    Written 20 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • KodoDrummer
    Buenos Aires, Argentina65 207 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nice modern and contemporary art exhibition. Spectacular architecture of the Greek-style building. Beautiful historical pieces.
    Written 13 May 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • alibatty🦇
    Dundee, UK5 031 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Haven’t been here for years - so obviously noticed a lot of changes. Much modernisation and streamlining has taken place in Britain’s 2nd largest station ( 25 acres) but somehow it seems to have lost a bit of its traditional character ( or maybe I’m just being nostalgic) . It can seem slightly overwhelming as it’s so big and busy - with 18 platforms in use , and apparently approximately 30,000 people passing through each day - but it’s airy, clean and efficient , with a varied section of shops and cafes .
    Written 2 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • matthew p
    Edinburgh, UK102 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    this church has a large graveyard with some very old grave stones its nice walk during the if you like that sort of thing?! in the church there is a large cross hanging from the ceiling. it must have been very hard to get the cross threw the door to get somebody to hang it from the ceiling, but interesting to see those. there is a quite room in this church where you can have some solace in the peace and tranquillity in this church. there is also shops and a café called the red cockerel café its outdoors down the steps from the church when you are walking up the Lothian road to the left of the church.
    Written 28 December 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Edith
    28 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is one of the prettiest and most impactful things to see in Edinburgh. I would recommend this for anyone visiting the area. I cannot wait to return and view this all again!
    Written 29 July 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Gaurav C
    New Delhi, India3 090 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The Great hall certainly is a marvel of the old era...The wooden roof is a splendor in itself...It is displaying weapons and armors reminiscent of its glorious military past..It is located in the crown square of the castle..a tic is needed to visualize its splendor..
    Written 11 February 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Rosalind P
    Northampton, UK31 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We had a wonderful wedding at Riddles Court. We booked the venue, unseen, in early summer 2020, and from the first enquiry the team were incredibly professional, helpful and supportive, and with a genuine warmth and enthusiasm for the success of our wedding day.

    We were organising the wedding across the pandemic and the team did a wonderful job to help and support our enquiries, being very professional while always working and communicating government restrictions clearly, but being as flexible as they could be, within those rules.

    The venue was beautiful and we were thrilled with the choice. It had a wonderful ambience. Our guests all commented on what a great location it is. It’s perfect to be in the centre of the city, and also very close to the registrars office for collecting and dropping of the relevant paperwork.

    We stayed in the Kings Chamber on site before and after the wedding, and this was great. The apartment is decorated beautifully and it a perfect location to stay in the city. It was also very useful to have a spot on site to get ready and take deliveries, etc for the day.

    We felt it was also good value for money.
    Written 28 January 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • rstockuk
    Chepstow, UK13 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We have been regular visitors to Ediburgh for The Fringe for the past 10 years. A few years ago as we walked up The Mound we saw the trial of the Automatic Lawnmower. Now every time we visit we make a point of stopping and having a look at what it is achieving. It may sound odd but we find it quite fascinating to spend a few minutes watching this robot moving around the steep lawn keeping the grass neatly trimmed.

    Worth visiting because even if you don't find the lawnmower interesting the views across Edinburgh are pretty spectacular.
    Written 5 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Wanderer
    Holbeach, UK383 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lovely passage through albeit a little steep for some members of the party - surprised at lack of handrails through this passageway, not for the clumsy!
    Written 12 April 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.