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

The Royal Mile, Edinburgh

4.5
#5 of 5,998 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 $23 BOOK WITH VIATOR City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
4.2
Duration: 1 hour
Tours from $23 »
FROM $26 BOOK WITH VIATOR Historical Walking Tour with Optional Skip the Line Entry to Edinburgh Castle
4.6
Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
Tours from $26 »
FROM $34 BOOK WITH VIATOR Royal Mile Guided Walking Tour in Edinburgh
4.8
Duration: 3 hours
Tours from $34 »

The Royal Mile reviews

Rate this attraction
TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
25,302 reviews
Google
4.6
TripAdvisor
  • By Turtle5954
    Lots of history, culture and absolutely well worth the full walk. But if you don't fancy the old town end will give you most things, except the Palace of course, for less time.  more »
  • By Hayley F
    Everything in one place. Stunning scenery and history behind the area. Plenty to see and do. Tour guides. And food places  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
Royal Yacht Britannia ©
Specialty Museum
Royal Yacht Britannia
4.7
Duration: 2 hours
National Museum of Scotland ©
Natural History Museum
National Museum of Scotland
4.7
Duration: 3 hours
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: 1 hour
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: 1 hour

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: 2h 30 min
The Riverside Museum of Transport and Travel ©
Specialty Museum
The Riverside Museum of Transport and Travel
Glasgow
4.5
Duration: 2h 30 min
Dalhousie Castle Falconry ©
Wildlife Area
Dalhousie Castle Falconry
Bonnyrigg
4.8
Duration: 1h 30 min

Hidden gems in Edinburgh

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

Museums in Edinburgh

Scottish National Gallery
Art Museum
Scottish National Gallery
4.6
Duration: 2h 30 min
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh ©
Art Gallery
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
4.7
Duration: 2 hours
Scottish National Portrait Gallery ©
Art Museum
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
4.6
Duration: 2h 30 min
St Cecilia's Hall & Music Museum ©
Specialty Museum
St Cecilia's Hall & Music Museum
5.0
Duration: 1h 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: 2 hours
Edinburgh Old Town ©
World heritage site
Edinburgh Old Town
4.8
Duration: 1h 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: 3 hours
©
Walking tour
Walking tours
4.8
Duration: 2h 30 min
©
Ghost / Vampire Tour
Ghost & Vampire Tours
4.0
Duration: 1h 30 min

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

Trips to The Royal Mile by other users

17 days in Edinburgh, Derry & Dublin BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Edinburgh Derry Dublin 32 days in United Kingdom BY A USER FROM ISLE OF MAN Inverness Durness Lochinver 7 days in Scotland BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM Fort Augustus Isle of Skye Brodick 6 days in Bristol, Edinburgh & Newcastle upon Tyne BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM Bristol Edinburgh Newcastle upon Tyne 18 days in Scotland BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM Golspie Inverness Kyle of Lochalsh 15 days in Ireland, Northern Ireland & Scotland BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Dublin Killarney Doolin