The Royal Mile

The cobbled spine of the Old Town, running from the Castle down to Holyrood.

Photo: rboed* / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

The Royal Mile is really four connected streets (Castlehill, Lawnmarket, High Street and Canongate) running about a mile downhill from the castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Side lanes called closes and wynds lead into hidden courtyards, old pubs and tiny museums.

It is busy and touristy at the top, but the lower stretches are quieter. It is best explored on foot, with detours into the closes and a stop at St Giles' Cathedral.

Tickets / priceFree to walk. Museums, tours and the Castle charge separately.

Opening hoursThe street is open at all times; shops and attractions keep their own hours, mostly 10:00–18:00 or later in summer.

Time needed90–180 minutes

Best timeEarly morning, before 9:30

Getting thereWaverley station, 5 min walk; many Lothian buses stop on North Bridge or The Mound

AddressHigh Street, Edinburgh EH1

Booking advice

No booking needed. Book guided ghost or history tours online in the evening in summer.

Insider tips

Walk downhill from the Castle to Holyrood, so you are not climbing the whole way.
Look for the closes: Advocate's Close, Dunbar's Close Garden and Mary King's Close are the best.
Be cautious of "free" walking tours that push tips or paid extras, and of anyone asking you to pay for photos.

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