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Gardens
Princes Street Gardens
Public gardens below the Castle rock, between the Old Town and Princes Street.
A mini guide to
New Town
Georgian squares, grand galleries and Princes Street Gardens
Photos
1 / 9Welcome to the area
Georgian squares, grand galleries and Princes Street Gardens
The New Town was laid out from the late 18th century as a planned Georgian extension to the cramped medieval city. Its broad streets, squares and crescents are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site shared with the Old Town.
Princes Street Gardens separate the two, with the National Gallery and the Scott Monument on the New Town side. George Street, Charlotte Square and St Andrew Square hold shops, restaurants, hotels and the Georgian House.
Highlights
Start here
If you only have a few hours, these are good places to begin.
Monument
Scott Monument
Victorian Gothic monument to Sir Walter Scott, with a spiral staircase to viewing platforms.
Gallery
Scottish National Gallery
The national collection of European art from the Renaissance to the late 19th century, on the Mound.
Directions Website Report a problem with Scottish National Gallery
Gallery
Royal Scottish Academy
Gallery on the Mound staging major exhibitions, run by the Royal Scottish Academy of Art and Architecture.
Directions Website Report a problem with Royal Scottish Academy
Fountain
Ross Fountain
Ornate cast-iron fountain in West Princes Street Gardens, first shown at the 1862 International Exhibition in London.
Street
Princes Street
Edinburgh's main shopping street, facing the Castle across Princes Street Gardens.
Find your way
On the map
The map shows New Town and the streets around it. The Getting there page lists nearby stops and stations.
Insider tips
Before you go
1
Walk the grid
The New Town streets run in straight lines. George Street, Queen Street and Princes Street are parallel, which makes it hard to get lost.
2
Use the gardens
Princes Street Gardens are a quieter way to cross the city center, with benches and views of the Castle.
3
Combine the galleries
The National Gallery and the Royal Scottish Academy stand side by side on the Mound, so you can see both in one visit.
4
Look up
Many New Town buildings have fine Georgian detail above the shopfronts. Look up as you walk.
Tips from the Britlens editors
Edinburgh
More areas to explore
16 sights · 23 places to eat
Holyrood, Arthur's Seat & Calton Hill
A royal palace, a Parliament and two hills with city views
Open the mini guide →
14 sights · 23 places to eat
Stockbridge & Dean Village
A riverside village, a botanic garden and Edinburgh's best-loved suburb
Open the mini guide →
13 sights · 29 places to eat
Leith & the Waterfront
A historic port with a royal yacht, a lively waterfront and some of the city's best food
Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- New Town (area photo): Chris Morgan, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Princes Street Gardens: Mike McBey, CC BY 2.0, source
- Scott Monument: Carlos Delgado, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Scottish National Gallery: 瑞丽江的河水, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Royal Scottish Academy: Stinglehammer, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Ross Fountain: James F., CC BY 1.0, source
- Princes Street: 瑞丽江的河水, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- The Georgian House: Hchc2009, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Charlotte Square: Stephencdickson, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- St Andrew Square: GodeNehler, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Melville Monument: Gareth Davies, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Scottish National Portrait Gallery: Dziggy, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- General Register House: Carlos Delgado, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- George Street: SylviaStanley, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- The Assembly Rooms: kim traynor, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- St Mary's Cathedral: Michael D Beckwith, CC0, source
- Holyrood, Arthur's Seat & Calton Hill: Peulle, CC BY 4.0, source
- Stockbridge & Dean Village: Mike Shaw, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Leith & the Waterfront: Alan Murray-Rust, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Grassmarket & Southside: rboed*, CC BY 2.0, source
- Haymarket & Murrayfield: Kim Traynor, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Bruntsfield & Morningside: Macumba, Public domain, source
- Portobello & the Coast: M J Richardson, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Old Town & Royal Mile: Anthony O'Neil, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
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