Grassmarket & Old Town South

A look around

What you’ll be living next to. Swipe through.

1/3

Where it sits

The circle is Grassmarket & Old Town South and roughly a 10-minute walk around it.

How far is everything?

From the middle of this area to the city's headline sights — pick your own on the city page and these become your list.

• National Museum of Scotland4 min walk306 m
• Edinburgh Castle4 min walk343 m
• The Royal Mile6 min walk498 m
• The Scott Monument & Princes Street7 min walk590 m
• Calton Hill14 min walk1.2 km
• Dean Village & the Water of Leith17 min walk1.4 km
• Palace of Holyroodhouse19 min walk1.6 km
• Arthur's Seat25 min walk2.1 km

On your doorstep

What you’re living next to if you stay here.

• 6.A whisky tasting — You're in the home of Scotch, so learn to drink it properly — a flight across the regions at an old-town whisky bar, or a tasting at the Scotch Whisky Experience by the castle. Ask for a peaty Islay and an easy Speyside, and take your time.
• 9.Victoria Street & the Grassmarket — The curving, rainbow-fronted street said to have inspired Diagon Alley, sweeping down to the pub-lined Grassmarket under the castle rock. Little shops above and below on two levels, and the liveliest square in the old town at its foot.
• 15.A traditional pub session — An Edinburgh night is a snug old pub with a fire, a pint of local ale or a dram, and live folk fiddle in the corner — the Grassmarket and the old town are full of them. No club needed; just find the music and settle in.