Edinburgh's Royal Mile Travel Guide
Edinburgh's Royal Mile Travel Guide
Plan Your Trip
Wondering what to do in Edinburgh on your first day in the city? Start on the Royal Mile. It runs from the Palace of Holyroodhouse up to Edinburgh Castle and packs more history into one mile than almost anywhere else in Scotland.
You won't need tickets in advance for the walk itself, but if you want to go inside the Real Mary King's Close or the Scotch Whisky Experience, book ahead since both can sell out on busy days.
Park outside the Old Town if you're driving (the Royal Mile itself is pedestrian-heavy and parking is limited), and wear comfortable shoes, since the street is cobbled and runs uphill the entire way.
One thing most visitors don't realize until they're there: several of the "must-see" closes and museums along the route are completely free to enter, so budget your time, not just your money, for stops like the Museum of Edinburgh and the People's Story Museum.
Top Things to Do
1. Walk the Royal Mile from Holyrood to the Castle
2. Visit Edinburgh Castle and see the Honours of Scotland
3. Tour the Palace of Holyroodhouse
4. Explore St Giles' Cathedral
5. Go underground at the Real Mary King's Close
6. Browse Gladstone's Land, a restored 1600s merchant's house
7. Taste whisky at the Scotch Whisky Experience
8. Wander the hidden closes off the main street, like Dunbar's Close and Advocate's Close
Download the Complete Travel Guide
Includes:
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✓ Complete travel guide
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✓ Printable map
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✓ One-day itinerary
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✓ Hidden gems
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✓ Travel tips
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✓ Offline access
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✓ Bonus recommendations not included on this page
Our Self Guided Tour
If you want all of this woven into one story instead of a checklist, take Edinburgh's Royal Mile Walking Tour.
It's a self-guided, location-aware audio tour that plays automatically as you walk, telling you the history of each stop the moment you arrive, so you can keep your head up and your phone in your pocket.
Check out the Edinburgh's Royal Mile Walking Tour here.
Free Things to Do
1. Museum of Edinburgh—Centuries of city history, including Greyfriars Bobby's actual collar and bowl.
2. People's Story Museum—Working-class Edinburgh life told from inside the old Canongate Tolbooth.
3. Museum of Childhood—The world's first museum devoted entirely to the history of childhood.
4. Dunbar's Close Garden—A peaceful, formal-style garden tucked just off busy Canongate.
5. St Giles' Cathedral—Free to step inside and see Jenny Geddes's riot site for yourself.
THINGS WITH ADMISSION FEES
1. The King's Gallery—Rotating exhibitions from the Royal Collection inside a former church.
2. The Real Mary King's Close—An underground tour of a street sealed beneath the City Chambers.
3. Gladstone's Land—A National Trust for Scotland property showing 1600s merchant life.
4. The Scotch Whisky Experience—A guided tasting and tour through how Scotch gets made.
5. Edinburgh Castle—The Honours of Scotland, the Stone of Destiny, and St Margaret's Chapel.
Food!
Deacon Brodie's Tavern, right on Lawnmarket, serves classic pub food in a building named after the real Edinburgh councillor who inspired Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
Wedgwood the Restaurant on Canongate, near Cranston Street, is a local favorite for a proper sit-down meal built around seasonal Scottish produce.
For something special to close out the walk, The Witchery by the Castle at the top of Castlehill serves Gothic, candlelit fine dining just steps from the Esplanade.
Where to Stay
Budget
Premier Inn Edinburgh City Centre Royal Mile—Reliable, well-located chain hotel a short walk from Waverley Station.
ibis Edinburgh Centre Royal Mile, Hunter Square—Clean, simple rooms right in the Old Town.
Moderate
The Inn on the Mile—A sensitively converted former bank, right on the Royal Mile itself.
Motel One Edinburgh-Royal—Design-conscious rooms near Market Street, at the foot of the Mile.
Luxury
The Witchery by the Castle—Theatrical, Gothic-themed suites steps from the castle gates.
Radisson Collection Hotel Royal Mile Edinburgh—Five-star service in a 19th-century building directly on the Mile.
1 Day Itinerary
1-DAY ITINERARY:
Morning: Start at the Palace of Holyroodhouse and walk the Royal Mile Walking Tour up through Canongate.
Afternoon: Continue through High Street and Lawnmarket, stopping at St Giles' Cathedral and Gladstone's Land.
Evening: Finish at Edinburgh Castle Esplanade for sunset views back down the ridge, then dinner at The Witchery by the Castle.
2-DAY ITINERARY:
Day 2: Go inside Edinburgh Castle properly, then explore the New Town and Princes Street Gardens across the valley.
Extra Time: Book the Real Mary King's Close or the Scotch Whisky Experience, both easy to miss on a first pass through.
FAQ's
1. What is the Royal Mile?
It's the nickname for the street running from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to Edinburgh Castle, made up of several streets stitched together, including Canongate, High Street, and Lawnmarket.
2. How long does it take to walk the whole Royal Mile?
About 45 minutes without stopping, but plan for 2 to 4 hours if you want to go inside some of the stops along the way.
3. Is Edinburgh Castle included in a Royal Mile walk?
The castle sits at the top of the Royal Mile and is visible throughout the walk, but entry inside the castle itself is a separate ticket.
4. What's the best time of year to visit the Royal Mile?
Late spring through early autumn has the best weather, though the street gets very crowded during the Edinburgh Festival in August.
5. Are there free things to do on the Royal Mile?
Yes. The Museum of Edinburgh, the People's Story Museum, the Museum of Childhood, and St Giles' Cathedral are all free to enter.
6. Do I need to book Edinburgh Castle tickets in advance?
Yes, booking ahead online is strongly recommended, since tickets can sell out, especially in summer.
7. Is the Royal Mile walkable with kids?
Yes, it's a paved, gently sloping street, though some of the side closes are narrow and cobbled.
8. Where does the Royal Mile actually start and end?
It runs from the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the bottom to Edinburgh Castle Esplanade at the top.
9. What should I wear to walk the Royal Mile?
Comfortable, flat shoes. The cobblestones and steady uphill climb are harder on your feet than they look.
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