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The Royal Mile, Edinburgh

4.5

#4 of 6,103 in Things to do in Scotland

Landmark Tourist Spot Must See

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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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The Royal Mile Reviews

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TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

24,801 reviews

Google

4.6

facebook

4.9

873 likes

• By 562barbara

  Very interesting to see al the shops and old names on the streets. Lots to look at and lots of fun too  more »

• By David L

  We enjoyed walking to the Royal Mile from our hotel, the Old Waverly but it is up hil the whole way as is most walking in Edinburgh. Just be aware that there is some difficult walking on cobblestone a...  more »

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Google

• By Daniel Koch

  This is fantastic area to visit for any traveler to Edinburgh. The shops, history, and culture here are all outstanding. You can honestly spend days wandering around the street taking in the architecture and perusing the many shops. With many great stops near by this street, it is a must visit for any visitor to this city.

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• By J Davis

  The royal mile is a total blast. This expansive cobblestone street is more of an entertainment venue than any single place. I don't even know if it's a mile in length but this is what I do know. The place is packed full of delightful little shops of every possible description. There are also uncountable numbers of eateries, pubs and sidewalk cafes! The melting pot of happy tourists from around the world happily walk from store to store while laughter fills the air. This is a shoppers heaven for the people you love at home! As Always, Enjoy!

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