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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Booking a Flight: Use Skyscanner to find the best prices!
Accommodations: I love Booking.com!
Travel Insurance: SafetyWing Is the best in the industry!
Things to Do: Use Viator for amazing experiences!
Car Rental: In Europe, I recommend DiscoverCars
Famous Streets in Edinburgh: Old Town
In the heart of Edinburgh is its Old Town, which is famous for its 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 the Old Town, 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 streets in Old Town that you should visit while exploring and staying in the historic city of Edinburgh:
1. The Royal Mile: The Most Famous Street in Edinburgh
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
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. Victoria Street (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.
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!
4. The Grassmarket
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!
5. Cockburn Street
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!
Famous Streets in New Town, Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s New Town dates back to the 18th century and is a “newer,” more elegant part of the city. New Town is best known for its Georgian architecture, tree-lined avenues, and open squares, and for being home to many contemporary shops and restaurants.
Below, you will find the most famous streets in Edinburgh’s New Town, which are worth checking out on your next trip to Scotland.
6. Princes St. Gardens
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.
At Princes St. Gardens, there are stunning views of Edinburgh Castle which makes this 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 largest 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 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.
8. Rose Street
Rose Street is a narrow street that runs between the famous Princes Street and Georges Street.
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.
9. Dean Village
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
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.
11. Leith Walk (Royal Yacht Brittania)
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.
FAQ: Famous Streets in Edinburgh
Below, you will find a few commonly asked questions and answers about the most famous streets in Edinburgh.
What is the most popular street in Edinburgh?
The Royal Mile is the most famous and popular street in Edinburgh. The Royal Mile is located in Edinburgh’s Old Town and is home to a variety of historic buildings, shops, and eateries. The Royal Mile also leads to the iconic Edinburgh Castle, which is one of the most popular places to visit in the city.
What is the main street in Edinburgh?
The Royal Mile is the main street in Edinburgh and is a must-see street when visiting the Scottish city. The street is approximately one mile in length and gained its name because it connects the Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
What is the most photogenic street in Edinburgh?
Circus Lane is easily the most photogenic street in Edinburgh due to its cobblestone streets and Georgian and Victorian architecture. The street is mainly residential and has charming mews houses with colorful doors and flower boxes which make it a beautiful place to take photos.
What is the famous curved street in Edinburgh?
Victoria Street is the famous curved street in Edinburgh. The street consists of colorful, Flemish-style buildings with a unique curve. Along the street are various boutique shops and art galleries, which add to the street’s appeal.
What is the prettiest street in Edinburgh?
The Royal Mile has been named the prettiest street in Edinburgh, as well as one of the most beautiful streets in the world. The charming cobblestone streets, historic architecture, colorful shopfronts, and scenic views of Edinburgh Castle add to the beauty of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.
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!
