Old Town
Edinburgh, Scotland
Historic medieval district below Edinburgh Castle
Places in Old Town
- The Witchery Luxurious Gothic venue near Edinburgh Castle with candlelit interiors and atmospheric ambiance
- Abbotsford Traditional Scottish pub with wood paneling and extensive whisky selection
- The Promenade Rooftop Contemporary venue with Edinburgh Castle views and craft cocktails
- Highland Hideout Two hundred rare malts paired with flame-grilled Highland lamb and live ceilidh music. As Scottish as the castle up the hill, and far better fed.
Practical notes for Edinburgh
- Best time to visit
- May-September (mild weather, festival season); winter offers festive markets and Hogmanay
- Getting around
- Compact historic center walkable; efficient tram and bus system; hilly terrain requires comfortable shoes
- Currency
- British Pound (£). Scottish notes are valid across UK but sometimes questioned in England.
- Language
- English with Scottish accent and vocabulary. Gaelic on some signs.
- Timezone
- GMT (UTC+0), BST in summer (UTC+1)
- Current trends
- New Michelin Star awardees arriving; Scottish ingredients gaining prominence; Leith becoming foodie destination; craft beverage culture thriving
Other neighborhoods in Edinburgh
- New Town — 18th-century planned neighborhood with Georgian architecture
- Stockbridge — Charming village-like neighborhood north of city center
- Leith — Waterfront neighborhood undergoing culinary renaissance
Read the full Edinburgh guide