edinburgh · an area
Walks in Old Town.
5 editor-picked walks through Old Town. Each one has been walked — stops, distances, and a paragraph on what to notice.
Walks in Old Town
Grassmarket: the under-city below the rock
The square under the castle, Victoria Street's curve, the West Bow, and the Cowgate canyon.
Greyfriars: the kirkyard, the wall, and the school
Greyfriars Bobby, the Covenanters' Prison, the Flodden Wall, and George Heriot's turrets.
The Canongate: the lower Mile and the Parliament
Canongate Kirk, Miralles' Parliament, Dynamic Earth, and the green wall of Arthur's Seat.
Old Town: the closes and wynds off the Mile
The steep alleys the Royal Mile hides — Advocate's Close, Riddle's Court, the vennels to the Cowgate.
The Royal Mile: castle to palace, downhill all the way
The Esplanade, St Giles', the Mercat Cross, and the long descent to Holyroodhouse.
Nearby
Other walks close to Old Town.
Sorted by distance from the start of grassmarket: the under-city below the rock. Good for stitching together a longer day.
Princes Street Gardens: the valley under the castle rock
The garden in a drained loch, the Scott Monument, the Ross Fountain, and the galleries on the Mound.
The University: South Bridge and the Old College
Adam's great quad, the National Museum's grand gallery, and the student quarter around Bristo Square.
The first New Town: George Street and the Georgian grid
James Craig's grid, the cross-streets dropping to the Forth, and a square at each end.
The West End: Charlotte Square and the Moray curves
Adam's grand square, the Georgian House, Moray Place's twelve sides, and a cathedral to close on.