Things to do in Edinburgh Old Town
The Old Town is the name given to the oldest part of Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh. Full of beautiful ancient buildings, narrow alleys, cobbled streets and hidden courtyards, Edinburgh’s Old Town is steeped in the city’s history.
Declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1995, the medieval Old Town stretches from the famous Edinburgh Castle, from its position on Castle Rock (an extinct volcano) to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Edinburgh’s Old Town is packed with things to see and do, as well as being home to some of the city’s best restaurants, cafes and nightlife.
Discover the charm of the bustling streets as you take a stroll along the Royal Mile, the heart of the Old Town and enjoy the medieval architecture, the packed pubs and the beautiful gift shops. Go back in time and visit Edinburgh Castle, a historic fortress once residence to the monarchs of Scotland. Explore the National Museum of Scotland and learn more about Scottish history or why not visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse also known as Holyrood Palace, the Queen and the Royal Family’s official residence in Scotland.
Our recommendations in Edinburgh Old Town
Outlander Explorer day trip from Edinburgh
Book your Outlander Explorer day trip from Edinburgh and feel like you've stepped into the TV show as you check out some of Scotland's finest castles and villages.
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City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus tour of Edinburgh
Book your 24-hour Edinburgh bus pass with unlimited hop-on hop-off access and 360º panoramic views of the city on a flexible ticket.
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Loch Ness and The Highlands tour from Inverness
Book your tickets for this Loch Ness and The Highlands tour from Inverness and hunt Nessie, soak up the best of the Scottish countryside and relax!
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Highland day tour with Edinburgh Tattoo admission
Book your Highland day tour with Edinburgh Tattoo admission and sample a dram of whisky at a local distillery and explore the Highlands.
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Outlander Explorer day trip from Edinburgh
Book your Outlander Explorer day trip from Edinburgh and feel like you've stepped into the TV show as you check out some of Scotland's finest castles and villages.
en
City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus tour of Edinburgh
Book your 24-hour Edinburgh bus pass with unlimited hop-on hop-off access and 360º panoramic views of the city on a flexible ticket.
en, it, fr, es, de, +4 pt, ru, ja, zh
Loch Ness and The Highlands tour from Inverness
Book your tickets for this Loch Ness and The Highlands tour from Inverness and hunt Nessie, soak up the best of the Scottish countryside and relax!
en
Highland day tour with Edinburgh Tattoo admission
Book your Highland day tour with Edinburgh Tattoo admission and sample a dram of whisky at a local distillery and explore the Highlands.
en
Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands tour from Edinburgh
Buy your tickets for this day tour from Edinburgh and discover Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands with your guide.
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From Edinburgh to Rosslyn Chapel, Glenkinchie Distillery and more
Explore the Scottish Borders on a full-day tour from Edinburgh, visiting Rosslyn Chapel, Melrose Abbey, Scott's View and Glenkinchie Distillery.
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Loch Lomond, Stirling Castle and The Kelpies day trip from Edinburgh
Buy your tour tickets and explore the bonny banks of Loch Lomond, admire the beauty of the Trossachs and delve into history in Stirling.
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West Highland Lochs, mountains and castles tour from Edinburgh
Buy your West Highland Lochs, Mountains and Castles tour tickets today and be overwhelmed by the beauty of Scotland!
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St Andrews and the fishing villages of Fife tour from Edinburgh
Buy your St Andrews and the fishing villages of Fife tour and see the very best of Scotland. Explore St Andrews and the surrounding villages!
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Day Trip to Holy Island, Alnwick Castle and Northumbria from Edinburgh
Buy your Day Trip to Holy Island, Alnwick Castle and Northumbria today and explore a little bit of Scotland and England in one day.
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Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands from Glasgow
Discover the Scottish Highlands, the famous Loch Ness and the beautiful Glencoe area on a trip from Glasgow and see the very best of Scotland.
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Loch Lomond, The Trossachs National Park and Stirling Castle from Glasgow
Visit the Trossachs National Park, discover Scotland's famous Loch Lomond and visit the Stirling Castle in one day.
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How to get there
Edinburgh Old Town
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
Reviews Edinburgh Old Town
“A really excellent experience from start to finish, and great value also. The guide was amazing and the history was fabulous. Highly recommended.”
