Sightseeing

Sightseeing Overview

When it comes to sightseeing in Edinburgh, of greatest interest to visitors are the medieval Old Town, the Georgian New Town and the Port of Leith.

Human settlement in Edinburgh began 3,000 years ago on the volcanic crag on which Edinburgh Castle now stands. In the 11th century, the town started to expand down the tail of the extinct volcano; this later became known as the Royal Mile, because it is a Scots mile long from the castle to the royal palace of Holyroodhouse. The Royal Mile itself – which Daniel Defoe once declared the most beautiful street he had ever seen – is full of interesting architecture, small museums and high-quality souvenir shops.

The New Town developed in the late 18th century, when a visionary Lord Provost (mayor) announced a competition to design a new residential suburb, on virtually vacant land on the other side of what is now Princes Street Gardens. It was laid out in a grid pattern, with garden squares, in line with the latest fashion in mainland Europe, and its streets were given names symbolising the Union of Scotland and England: St Andrew Square, linked by George St (named after the reigning king, George III) to Charlotte Square (after his Queen); Rose and Thistle Streets, named after the floral emblems of England and Scotland; and Princes St, named for the young Hanoverian princes.

To the north of the New Town, along the Firth of Forth, Leith has been transformed since its rough-and-ready days as Edinburgh's port. The siting here of the headquarters of the Scottish Government has given Leith excellent transport links and Michelin-starred restaurants; the luxury flats around the waterfront have encouraged the opening of quirky shops and bistros, as well as the shopping and entertainment mall Ocean Terminal. To the west and east along the Forth lie charming coastal towns such as North Berwick and South Queensferry.

Tourist Information

Edinburgh and Scotland Information Centre
3 Princes Street
Tel: 0845 225 5121.
Website: www.edinburgh.org 
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1700, Sun 1000-1700 (Nov-Mar); open later in summer.

Tourist and Airport Information Centre
Edinburgh International Airport
Tel: 0870 040 0007
Website: www.edinburgh.org
Opening hours: Daily 0630-2230 (Apr-Oct), daily 0700-2100 (Nov-Mar).

In July and August, roaming tourist officers offer advice and assistance around the Royal Mile, Princes Street and Waverley station.

Passes

The excellent-value Edinburgh Pass offers free access to over 30 tourist attractions, a guidebook on the city, free transfers to and from the airport and unlimited use of Lothian Buses as well as shopping discounts. The pass is valid for one two or three days. It is available from the Tourist Information Centres on Princes Street and at the airport, or can be purchased in advance (tel: (0131) 473 3630; www.edinburgh.org/pass).

The Royal Edinburgh Ticket gives admission to Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Royal Yacht Britannia (excluded from the Edinburgh Pass) as well as unlimited travel over two days on the city's sightseeing buses. This ticket can be bought from Lothian Buses Travelshops, the Edinburgh Bus Tour ticket-sellers on Waverley Bridge, and from the Tourist Information Centre on Princes St. It can also be bought in advance (tel: 0131 220 0770; www.edinburghtour.com).