Trip Planner:   Europe  /  UK  /  Scotland  /  Edinburgh  /  The Royal Mile

The Royal Mile, Edinburgh

4.5
#5 of 5,997 in Things to do in Scotland
Must see · Landmark · Tourist Spot
The Royal Mile is the main thoroughfare in Edinburgh's Old Town. Actually a bit longer than 1 mi (1.6 km), this succession of multiple streets spills downhill from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Stroll past stately Victorian buildings that now house restaurants, pubs, and shops, and stop to enjoy a street performance or two. The streets are steep in some places, so you can take a bus tour uphill to the castle and walk back down if you prefer. The Edinburgh Festival, a collection of smaller outdoor arts festivals, takes place throughout August with this area as its nexus. This might be the most exciting, if crowded, time to be on the thoroughfare. Plan to visit The Royal Mile during your Edinburgh vacation using our convenient Edinburgh trip planner.
Create an itinerary including The Royal Mile
© OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors

Tours to The Royal Mile

FROM $22 BOOK WITH VIATOR City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
4.2
Duration: 1 hour
Tours from $22 »
FROM $27 BOOK WITH VIATOR Small Group Royal Mile Walking Tour with Optional Entry to Edinburgh Castle
4.6
Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
Tours from $27 »
FROM $34 BOOK WITH VIATOR Royal Mile Guided Walking Tour in Edinburgh
4.8
Duration: 3 hours
Tours from $34 »
FROM $22 BOOK WITH VIATOR Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour: Mysteries, Murder and Legends
4.6
Duration: 2 hours
Tours from $22 »
FROM $26 BOOK WITH VIATOR Small Group Edinburgh Night Walking incl. Underground Vaults with Private Option
4.0
Duration: 1 hour
Tours from $26 »
FROM $70 BOOK WITH VIATOR Loch Ness, Glencoe & The Highlands Day Trip from Edinburgh
4.4
Duration: 12 hours
Tours from $70 »
FROM $20 BOOK WITH VIATOR Underground Walking Tour in Edinburgh
4.3
Duration: 1 hour
Tours from $20 »
FROM $28 BOOK WITH VIATOR Ghost Bus Tour of Edinburgh
4.5
Duration: 1 hour
Tours from $28 »
FROM $27 BOOK WITH VIATOR The Mountebank Comedy Walk of Edinburgh
4.9
Duration: 2 hours
Tours from $27 »
FROM $46 BOOK WITH VIATOR Edinburgh Private Walking Tour
5.0
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Tours from $46 »
FROM $28 BOOK WITH VIATOR The Old Edinburgh Walking Tour - Private tour.
5.0
Duration: 2 hours
Tours from $28 »
FROM $17 BOOK WITH VIATOR Edinburgh: 3-Hours Walking Tour - English Tour Guide
5.0
Duration: 3 hours
Tours from $17 »

The Royal Mile reviews

Rate this attraction
TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
25,368 reviews
Google
4.6
TripAdvisor
  • By Neil T
    A must see when visiting Edinburgh, the Royal Mile has something for everyone, food, drink, quirky shops and fantastic scenery - try going down all the hidden paths and snickets to find the hidden...  more »
  • By Richard F
    A mile long road that goes from holyrood to Edinburgh castle. Lots of interesting shops along the cobbled street, along with lots of pubs and restaurants and the obligatory drunks and beggars. Hard....  more »
See more on TripAdvisor »
Google
  • By paul brown
    Such a delight walking up and down here. Some great pubs including, the Royal Mile Tavern and the pub next to it. Both do very good food. At top of the mile is a Nicholson pub, the Deacon and the Brodie where RLStevenson gained inspiration for his horror classic. Further up is the castle.
  • By Paul Sullivan
    Great walk and loads of history. Architecture is amazing. Downside is too many tourist shops selling the same thing.
See more on Google »

Plan your trip to Edinburgh

  • Get a personalized trip
    A complete day by day itinerary
    based on your preferences
  • Customize it
    Refine your trip. We'll find the
    best routes and schedules
  • Book it
    Choose from the best hotels
    and activities. Up to 50% off
  • Manage it
    Everything in one place.
    Everyone on the same page.

Popular things to do in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Castle ©
Castle
Edinburgh Castle
4.4
Duration: 3 hours
National Museum of Scotland ©
Natural History Museum
National Museum of Scotland
4.7
Duration: 3 hours
Royal Yacht Britannia ©
Specialty Museum
Royal Yacht Britannia
4.7
Duration: 1h 30 min
Arthur's Seat ©
Geologic Formation
Arthur's Seat
4.8
Duration: 1h 30 min

Historic Sites in Edinburgh

The Real Mary King's Close ©
Historic Site
The Real Mary King's Close
4.1
Duration: 1h 30 min
Palace of Holyroodhouse ©
Castle
Palace of Holyroodhouse
4.5
Duration: 1h 30 min
St Giles' Cathedral ©
Church
St Giles' Cathedral
4.5
Duration: 1 hour
Georgian House ©
Historic Site
Georgian House
4.5
Duration: 30 minutes

Side trips from Edinburgh

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum ©
Art Museum
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Glasgow
4.7
Duration: 3 hours
Glasgow Tigers Speedway ©
Auto Race Track
Glasgow Tigers Speedway
Glasgow
4.7
Duration: 3 hours
The Riverside Museum of Transport and Travel ©
Specialty Museum
The Riverside Museum of Transport and Travel
Glasgow
4.5
Duration: 3 hours
Dalhousie Castle Falconry ©
Nature / Park
Dalhousie Castle Falconry
Bonnyrigg
4.8
Duration: 2h 30 min

Hidden gems in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Gin Distillery ©
Distillery
Edinburgh Gin Distillery
4.8
Duration: 2h 30 min
©
Photography Tour
Photography Tours
5.0
Duration: 1h 30 min
Pickering's Gin Distillery ©
Distillery
Pickering's Gin Distillery
4.9
Duration: 2h 30 min
Scott Monument ©
Monument
Scott Monument
4.5
Duration: 1 hour

Shopping in Edinburgh

Jenners ©
Department Store
Jenners
1.6
Duration: 1 hour
Etch'd ©
Gift & Specialty Shop
Etch'd
5.0
Duration: 2h 30 min
Castlehill Whisky ©
Gift & Specialty Shop
Castlehill Whisky
5.0
Duration: 2h 30 min
Celtic Craft Centre ©
Gift & Specialty Shop
Celtic Craft Centre
5.0
Duration: 2h 30 min

Nearby attractions in Edinburgh

SANDEMANs NEW Europe - Edinburgh ©
Walking tour
SANDEMANs NEW Europe - Edinburgh
4.8
Duration: 2h 30 min
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions ©
Observation Deck
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
4.5
Duration: 1h 30 min
Edinburgh Old Town ©
World heritage site
Edinburgh Old Town
4.8
Duration: 2h 30 min
Calton Hill ©
Lookout
Calton Hill
4.7
Duration: 1h 30 min

Featured attractions

ScotBeer Tours ©
Nightlife
ScotBeer Tours
5.0
Duration: 2h 30 min
The Royal Mile ©
Landmark
The Royal Mile
4.5
Duration: 1h 30 min
©
Walking tour
Walking tours
4.8
Duration: 2 hours
Scottish National Gallery
Art Museum
Scottish National Gallery
4.6
Duration: 2 hours

Don't Miss a Thing. See & Do More.

Trips to The Royal Mile by other users

26 days in Western Europe BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES London Paris Edinburgh 8 days in United Kingdom BY A USER FROM INDONESIA Edinburgh London 14 days in United Kingdom BY A USER FROM INDONESIA Edinburgh Inverness Bath 11 days in United Kingdom BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES London Bath Windermere 10 days in Scotland BY A USER FROM THE NETHERLANDS Inverness Fort William Glasgow 13 days in India & United Kingdom BY A USER FROM INDIA Jaipur Agra London