Based in the Old Town and within a World Heritage site, the Royal Mile is culturally and historically important to the city and jam packed with things to see and do. A ‘Scots mile’ long, and connecting two royal residences (the Castle and the palace of Holyrood House), it is also home to parliaments old and new, law courts, a cathedral and churches, and a vast range of visitor attractions, walking tours, shops, restaurants, cafes and pubs.
Top Reasons to visit the Royal Mile
From the seat of Royalty to the seat of Parliament – discover an area alive with history.
Experience award-winning attractions, stunning panoramic views and specialty Scottish shops.
Ancient buildings, cobbled closes, hidden gardens and secret underground streets offer an unforgettable visit into Edinburgh’s past.
Explore The Royal Mile
Getting to The Royal Mile
North Bridge is well served by Lothian Buses. Buses 1, 8, 19, 35 and 37 are just some of the buses that stop there. Alternatively, buses 23, 27, 41, 42, 45, 67 all stop on George Forth Bridge. All stops are within easy walking distance of the Royal Mile.
One way to get a great view of the castle is on a City Sighseeing Tour. Their Hop-on Hop-off tickets start from £16.00 per person and have 24hr unlimited use. Taking in numerous stops around the city, including all main sights and attractions, and with audio commentaries in 9 languages plus ‘Horrible Histories’ Kid’s Commentary, they’re a great way of exploring the city on 4 wheels.
In 2019 Edinburgh made history when it became the first city in the UK to join the Open Streets movement, which has seen cities around the world temporarily opening streets to people by closing them to cars, vans and other motorised vehicles on a regular basis. On the first Sunday of every month a number of streets in the Old Town, including the Canongate, Cockburn Street and Victoria Street, are closed to motorised traffic, letting the public enjoy the historic area on foot or by bike.
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