The Royal Mile

Visit the heart of Edinburgh.

The Royal Mile is the main artery of the Edinburgh Old Town, which stretches from Edinburgh Castle to the bottom of the hill where the Palace of Holyroodhouse stands. With many closes (alleyways) and cobbled streets winding themselves in and out of the Mile, it is a maze of tall and narrow medieval buildings, peppered with souvenir shops, lively dining and drinking spots and many landmarks such as the Scottish Parliament and the ornate 12^th-century St Giles' Cathedral.

There are also many medieval dwellings that still remain underneath the Royal Mile, particularly Mary Kings Close. If you don’t mind getting goose bumps, a guided “ghost tour” is a fantastic way to explore this hidden side of the Old Town and hear its fascinating stories.