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The Royal Mile, Edinburgh

4.5
#5 of 5,995 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.
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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 $24 BOOK WITH VIATOR Small Group Royal Mile Walking Tour with Optional Entry to Edinburgh Castle
4.6
Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
Tours from $24 »
FROM $34 BOOK WITH VIATOR Royal Mile Guided Walking Tour in Edinburgh
4.8
Duration: 3 hours
Tours from $34 »
FROM $24 BOOK WITH VIATOR Small Group Edinburgh Night Walking incl. Underground Vaults with Private Option
4.0
Duration: 1 hour
Tours from $24 »
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 Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour: Mysteries, Murder and Legends
4.5
Duration: 2 hours
Tours from $20 »
FROM $28 BOOK WITH VIATOR Ghost Bus Tour of Edinburgh
4.5
Duration: 1 hour
Tours from $28 »
FROM $20 BOOK WITH VIATOR Underground Walking Tour in Edinburgh
4.1
Duration: 1 hour
Tours from $20 »
FROM $45 BOOK WITH VIATOR Edinburgh Private Walking Tour
5.0
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Tours from $45 »
FROM $27 BOOK WITH VIATOR The Mountebank Comedy Walk of Edinburgh
4.8
Duration: 2 hours
Tours from $27 »
FROM $28 BOOK WITH VIATOR The Old Edinburgh Walking Tour - Private tour.
5.0
Duration: 2 hours
Tours from $28 »
FROM $425 BOOK WITH VIATOR Private Half Day Edinburgh City Tour in a VIP Minibus
5.0
Duration: 4 hours
Tours from $425 »

The Royal Mile reviews

Rate this attraction
TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
25,331 reviews
Google
4.6
TripAdvisor
  • By 490amits
    Must visit this place when you are in Edinburgh . Great location . Many good restra . Very famous pubs. Great sight seeing . Many good shops for whisky and wine  more »
  • By Mohassal
    You can’t visit Edinburgh without walking by the Royal Mile. We took a free tour (not actually free of course) the first day we visited. The tour will let you know a lot about the history and places.....  more »
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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.
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