11 Most Famous Streets in Edinburgh: Best Streets to See

Wondering About some of the most beautiful and most famous streets in Edinburgh?

As someone who has traveled to Edinburgh several times and explored the city in-depth, I’ve walked on so many of Edinburgh’s most beautiful streets. In this post, I’ve reviewed all the famous streets in Edinburgh that you should visit on your next trip!

These include some of the most popular streets like the Royal Mile to photogenic streets like Circus Lane. This list also includes the streets that served as the inspiration for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter, and so much more!

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Map of Edinburgh’s Most Famous Streets

If you’re planning your route check out this map! I’ve pinned every street in this guide on the interactive map below so you can see how close they are to one another. Most streets are within easy walking distance, and you can see them all in a day really easily if you don’t mind a few hills.

Walking Tour of Edinburgh’s Famous Streets

Start first thing in the morning on the Royal Mile before going down to Mary King’s Close. From there, wander down Victoria Street into Grassmarket for one of the best castle views in the city.

Continue along Cockburn Street towards Princes Street Gardens before crossing into the New Town to see George Street and Rose Street.

Finish your day with a really nice walk through Dean Village and Circus Lane, or hop on the tram to Leith if you have extra time.

🔥 Hot Tip I know it looks long, but the walk from the Royal Mile to Rose Street only takes about 20 minutes, and Dean Village is another 15–20 minutes beyond that. Edinburgh is really compact, so you’ll spend most of your time stopping for photos instead of walking!

Historic Streets in Edinburgh

In the heart of Edinburgh, you’ll find many of the city’s oldest streets famous for their historic buildings, narrow streets, traditional pubs (so yummy!), and views of Edinburgh Castle.

To be honest, I feel like I often spend most of my time in Edinburgh in this part of the city, and often stay there as well, simply because walking around here is so beautiful! Some of the best streets in Edinburgh can be found in the Old Town, including the iconic Royal Mile, or my personal favorite, Cockburn Street. 

Below are some of the most famous historic streets in Edinburgh that you should visit while exploring and staying in Edinburgh:

1. The Royal Mile: The Most Famous Street in Edinburgh

If you only have time for one street in Edinburgh, make it the Royal Mile.
Are you surprised? The Royal Mile is the most famous street in Edinburgh. You’ve likely heard of it about a thousand times. It runs through the heart of the city, spanning just over a mile.

The street gained its name as it connects the royal residence of the Palace of Holyroodhouse on one end to the Edinburgh Castle on the other.

The architecture found along the Royal Mile is a mix of Tudor, Georgian, and Victorian buildings, which give it an amazingly charming historic atmosphere.

The bustling street is very lively and is filled with many diverse restaurants, old pubs, Scottish souvenir shops, and even historic landmarks such as the St. Giles Cathedral.

2. Mary King’s Close

Want to see the Edinburgh most people never get to see? Head underground. Mary King’s Close is a unique street to visit because it isn’t really a street at all, and is instead an underground close. This is also considered to be one of the most haunted streets in Edinburgh.

 A “close” refers to narrow pedestrian passageways that often connect buildings or main streets. They are a unique feature of Scottish urban planning, and they’re actually incredibly interesting- if a little creepy! 

Mary King’s Close is a series of closes that were sealed off in the 18th century, making it completely underground. 

Today, many guided tours explore Mary’s Underground Close and will take you back in time with tales of Edinburgh’s past and the history of Mary King’s Close. I recently took a tour here, and it was so unsettling to be beneath the city, hearing the stories of those who lived there before!

3. The Grassmarket

This is where Edinburgh’s darkest history somehow turned into one of its best places for a pint. The Grassmarket is located at the foot of Edinburgh Castle and consists of a historic street and unique market square. 

The historic street has a long history (and a morbid one- it used to be used for hangings!) and has been one of the main marketplaces in Edinburgh since 1477. 

Today, the market consists of buildings from the 17th to the 21st centuries and is surrounded by pubs, shops, and accommodations. The area also has a lively nightlife scene, with many hostels and nightclubs nearby.

Outside of the historical aspect, one of the best parts about the Grassmarket is its iconic view of Edinburgh Castle, making it one of Edinburgh’s most beautiful streets.

⭐If you’re in Grassmarket, stop into The Last Drop, an old pub that shares the history of the Grassmarket on its walls! It’s named as such because of the hangings that used to occur here (and the haunts that still do!). The food is delicious!

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Harry Potter Streets

4. Victoria Street (Diagon Alley)

Come for the colourful buildings, stay because you’ll suddenly feel like you’ve wandered into Diagon Alley. Victoria Street is the famous curved street in Edinburgh and is so neat to visit in person. This beautiful cobblestone street is filled with colorful boutique shops, a lovely, quaint bookstore, Harry Potter stores, and restaurants. 

The distinctive curve of the street makes it unique, while all the vibrant colors make it one of the prettiest streets in Edinburgh.

If you are a Harry Potter fan, then visiting Victoria Street is a must as it is said to be J.K. Rowling’s inspiration for Diagon Alley. There are several Potter Trail tours really worth your time!

Some of the shops along here are incredibly cool, and Victoria Street leads right into the Grassmarket area of Old Town Edinburgh.

⭐ I’ve written a full guide to the shops on Victoria Street, which you can read here!

5. Cockburn Street

Blink and you’ll miss it, but Cockburn Street is one of Edinburgh’s prettiest little surprises. Cockburn Street is a winding, narrow street that connects the Royal Mile to the New Town area with Edinburgh Waverley, which is the main train station connecting Edinburgh to places like Inverness.

The street was named after the Scottish Lord Cockburn and is technically pronounced as “Co-Burn” street.

This is a relatively small street that is scattered with Victorian buildings. In the past few years, some unique independent shops have popped up here, and I spent an hour or so meandering in and out during my last trip to Edinburgh!

Cockburn Street is also thought to be another inspiration point for Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley.

⭐ A popular place to grab a coffee and pastry in Edinburgh, the Milkman, is located on Cockburn Street. There’s usually a line, but it is worth it to wait and try their drinks!

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Best Streets for Shopping

If you’re into shopping you’ll want to visit Edinburgh’s New Town. It’s a “newer,” more elegant part of the city and is known for the excellent shopping, Georgian architecture, tree-lined avenues, and open squares. It’s also the most contemporary part of the city with more modern and designer shops and restaurants.

Below, you will find the best shopping streets in Edinburgh worth checking out on your next trip to Scotland.

6. Princes Street & Princes Street Gardens

The shops are nice, but the castle views are the real reason you’re here. Princes St. Gardens is a street (Princes St.) that is surrounded by beautiful gardens and is located in the heart of the city, just across from Edinburgh Waverley Train Station.

I never did get over the views of the castle at Princes St. Gardens! The incredible views of Edinburgh Castle makes it a must-visit place.

In the spring and summer, the gardens are lush and green, making it a beautiful spot to relax in the city. However, another great time to visit Princes St. Gardens is during December, when you will find the big part of the Edinburgh Christmas markets here.

The Edinburgh Christmas market is one of the things Scotland has become known for, and it takes up a large portion of the gardens. You can even walk through a portion lit up with dazzling Christmas lights!

⭐Psst: Read my full guide to the Edinburgh Christmas Market here!

7. George Street

If Edinburgh decided to dress up for a night out, it would probably look like George Street. If you love shopping and fashion, George Street is the perfect place to visit in Edinburgh. Located in Edinburgh’s New Town, this half-mile street is considered one of the best shopping streets in the city.

George Street is famous for its luxury stores, high-end boutique shops, and trendy bars. The architecture of the street is elegant, which adds to the upscale atmosphere.

11. Leith Walk (Royal Yacht Brittania)

If you want to see where locals actually eat, drink and hang out, this is where to come. Leith Walk is a lively street that connects the center of Edinburgh with the waterfront district of Leith. The Leith neighborhood as a whole is a more artsy, hipster neighborhood, so along this street are several diverse eateries, art galleries, and shops.

In Leith, the Royal Yacht Britannia is permanently docked in the ocean terminal. This unique attraction in Edinburgh is well worth a visit, as the British Royal Family used the famous yacht for over 40 years. 

Today, you can explore the yacht including its Royal Tea Room, State Apartments, and the Royal Bedrooms.

8. Rose Street

This tiny lane packs more great pubs into a few hundred metres than should really be possible. Rose Street is a narrow street that runs between the famous Princes Street and Georges Street. It’s actually more about clubbing than shopping, but it’s not to be missed.

If you are looking for a fun night out, Rose Street is a great place to visit to experience Edinburgh’s pub culture. The street is lined with several traditional Scottish pubs, public houses, and lively bars.

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Most Beautiful Streets

9. Dean Village

Five minutes after you arrive, you’ll forget you’re still in the middle of Edinburgh. Dean Village is located just a short distance from the center of Edinburgh, but will make you feel like you have stepped into a charming village with old stone buildings. 

The historic street dates back to the 12th century and was the site of the watermills. Later on, it was an industrial hub for milling grain.

Not only is Dean Village historic, but it is a scenic, peaceful neighborhood to visit. It has recently gained significant notoriety on Tiktok and other social media channels for its dreamy scenes and aesthetic photos.

You can also find the start of the Water of Leith Walkway here, which is a walking path that follows along the river.

10. Circus Lane

This is the street that makes everyone suddenly stop walking and start taking photos. Located in Edinburgh’s Stockbridge neighborhood, Circus Lane is a charming cobblestone street. The street is lined with several Georgian and Victorian-style mews houses, many of which feature colorful doors and flower boxes.

The area of Circus Lane is mostly residential and could once be considered a hidden gem. However, in recent years Circus Lane has gained popularity with photographers and Instagrammers as it is a perfect place for photos that capture the historic charm of Edinburgh.

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Old Town vs New Town: Which Should You Visit?

If it’s your first time in Edinburgh, don’t choose between the Old Town and the New Town. Visit both. They’re completely different, and together they make Edinburgh one of Europe’s most incredible cities.

The Old Town is where you’ll find medieval closes, the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, and all the history the city is famous for. The New Town dates back to the 1700s and is filled with elegant Georgian streets, boutique shops, stylish cafés, and some of the city’s best restaurants.

If you only have one day, I’d spend most of it exploring the Old Town before wandering across to Princes Street and George Street in the afternoon. And the best part is that they’re only about a five-minute walk apart, so you can easily do both in the same day.

Old Town	New Town
Medieval streets and historic landmarks	Elegant Georgian architecture
Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle	George Street and Princes Street
Harry Potter inspiration	Shopping, cafés and restaurants
Narrow closes and hidden courtyards	Wide avenues and garden squares
Best for history lovers	Best for shopping and dining

FAQ: Famous Streets in Edinburgh

Below, you will find a few commonly asked questions and answers about the most famous streets in Edinburgh.

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Wrapping Up:

Edinburgh is a city filled with historic charm, and many beautiful and famous streets in Edinburgh are some of the things most worth visiting in Scotland.

There are so many streets to visit in Edinburgh, whether you are looking for some of the best streets for shopping or photography or even to visit the streets that inspired Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley.

I sometimes feel like I could spend hours walking and wandering along Edinburgh’s city streets, and I would bet you’ll feel the same way, too!