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All UNESCO SitesUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Old and New Towns of Edinburgh

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Background

World Heritage since
1995
Type of site
Cultural
Capital of Scotland
15th c.

Edinburgh has been the Scottish capital since the 15th century. UNESCO describes two distinct areas: the Old Town, dominated by a medieval fortress, and the neoclassical New Town, whose development from the 18th century onwards had a far-reaching influence on European urban planning. The harmonious juxtaposition of these two contrasting areas gives the city its unique character.

Wikivoyage explains the geology: glaciers scoured round the volcanic Castle Rock and left a tail of debris to the east, so the Old Town grew with the castle at its head, the Royal Mile down the tail and Holyrood at its foot, its buildings rising ten storeys or more even in medieval times. The University was founded in 1582, and the Fringe each August is the world's largest arts festival. The site has been managed by Edinburgh World Heritage since 1999.

More on the UNESCO listing More on Wikipedia

  1. 12th c.Edinburgh is the chief city of Scotland
  2. 15th c.Recognised as the capital
  3. 1582The University of Edinburgh is founded
  4. 18th–19th c.The Georgian New Town is laid out
  5. 1995Inscribed as World Heritage

Find Your Way Around

The main parts of the site, in the order most visitors see them

  1. 1
    Edinburgh Castle
    On the crag at the top of the Old Town, with the Honours of Scotland.
  2. 2
    The Royal Mile
    From castle to palace, with medieval closes dropping steeply either side of the High Street.
  3. 3
    Palace of Holyroodhouse
    Still a royal residence, at the foot of the Old Town.
  4. 4
    Georgian New Town
    Crescents and squares, with Princes Street's view of the castle.
  5. 5
    Calton Hill
    The miniature Arthur's Seat at the east end of Princes Street, the easiest city view.
  6. 6
    National Museum of Scotland
    Free, with a roof terrace view of the castle.

Know Before You Go

From Wikivoyage and the GoGo guides

Book the Castle
The GoGo guide and Wikivoyage agree: summer slots sell out, so book online.
Walk, but Mind the Hills
Wikivoyage: walking should be your first choice, but allow for hills, the railway and bridges that span lower streets without connecting.
Airlink 100
The airport bus runs via Haymarket and Princes Street to Waverley Bridge; there is no railway station at the airport.
August Is the Fringe
The world's biggest arts festival fills the city every August.

Old Town and New

From the GoGo Edinburgh guide · Open the Edinburgh Guide ›

  1. 09:30
    Edinburgh Castle2 hrs
    The castle on its volcanic rock.
  2. 11:45
    Walk the Royal Mile90 min
    Down the medieval spine to St Giles'.
  3. 14:00
    Palace of Holyroodhouse75 min
    The royal palace.
  4. 15:30
    Georgian New Town1 hr
    Crescents and squares.
  5. 16:45
    Calton Hill View1 hr
    The monuments and the view.
  6. 19:00
    Whisky Tasting90 min
    Single malts in an Old Town bar.

Best Time to Visit

Best months: Jun–Sep.

Typical highs

Best monthsRain: wettest Aug (100 mm), driest Apr (53 mm)

Climate: NASA POWER

Pair It With

Other World Heritage sites nearby, by distance

WORTH A NIGHTDAY TRIPSAME DAYDistance not to scale · tap a site
Do These Together
The Forth Bridge is 12 km away at South Queensferry and New Lanark 48 km, both World Heritage sites and day trips in the GoGo guide.
Sources
UNESCO World Heritage Centre, listing 728 · Wikipedia: Edinburgh · Wikivoyage: Edinburgh (CC BY-SA 4.0) · GoGo Edinburgh guide · UNESCO listing