• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Wanderlust for One

The world on your own terms

  • Home
  • Destinations
  • Travel Tips
  • Perspectives
  • About

Up, Down, and Around Edinburgh’s Old Town

January 31, 2012 by Marsha S.

It’s been said that Edinburgh is the most beautiful city in Europe but until I got there, I didn’t believe it.

It’s not that I expected Edinburgh to be unimpressive. It’s just that cities like Paris and Rome are usually on the receiving end of such accolades and, well, I hadn’t even heard of Edinburgh being beautiful until I started planning my visit there. But now that I’ve seen Edinburgh, I understand why many think it should be near or at the top of the “most beautiful” lists.

I think the key ingredient in what makes Edinburgh so visually breathtaking is some of the outstanding architecture in Edinburgh’s Old Town.

At the top of the Royal Mile, Old Town’s “main drag”, are buildings like the dark, gothic Tolbooth Church, built as a parish church in the mid-19th century.

tolbooth church edinburgh

Further down the Royal Mile is St. Giles Cathedral with its statue of Sir Walter Scott. If only I’d taken the time to view those magnificent stained glass windows from the inside.

Other beautiful buildings include the Bank of Scotland headquarters on (where else?) Bank Street.

The High Court building on Lawnmarket is another example of elegant architecture in Old Town Edinburgh.

As varied as the architectural styles seem to be, they somehow manage to look perfectly natural together when taken as a whole.

But my favorite part of Old Town wasn’t along the Royal Mile. On my first night in the city, I stumbled upon my now-favorite avenue, the impossibly pretty and colorful Victoria Street, leading down away from the Royal Mile to the Grassmarket area where you can find lots of pubs and such in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle. Victoria Street is flanked by small shops and blessed with an almost small town atmosphere, mere steps away from one of Edinburgh’s busiest throughfares.

Victoria Street, Edinburgh

Victoria Street

Christmas Shop, Edinburgh

Isn’t it pretty?

And while these buildings aren’t an exhaustive catalog of what you’ll see in Edinburgh, they provide a glimpse of an elegant and eclectic city that truly is beautiful in its own right.

Related

Filed Under: Destinations, Europe, Scotland Tagged With: attractions, edinburgh

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Gray says

    February 1, 2012 at 12:52 pm

    Yes it is very pretty! Between the cobblestone streets and the amazing architecture, I know I’d love this place.

    • Marsha says

      February 1, 2012 at 5:10 pm

      Edinburgh really is quite the picturesque town. With all that delicious history, I’m sure you’d love it!

  2. Alouise says

    January 31, 2012 at 10:50 pm

    Fantastic photos. I especially love the one of Victoria Street. The colours on the buildings really pop. Edinburgh has been high on my travel list for a while. I’ve always wanted to go there for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

    • Marsha says

      February 1, 2012 at 4:40 am

      Thanks, Alouise. If I hadn’t been in Scotland for a September wedding, I’d absolutely want to visit Edinburgh in August for festival high season. Hope you get there someday, too. 🙂

  3. Jeff B says

    January 31, 2012 at 8:26 pm

    I will have to put those on my list. They sound great. I am trying to decide where to go next.

    • Marsha says

      January 31, 2012 at 8:46 pm

      So glad you found some inspiration here, Jeff. Edinburgh is a truly inspired city that deserves as much time as you can give it.

  4. Jools Stone says

    January 31, 2012 at 7:38 pm

    Ah, too bad I missed you Marsha! When were you here? Victoria St is still among my faves and I love that part of the Mile around St Giles, especially on a foggy night.

    • Marsha says

      January 31, 2012 at 7:50 pm

      I was in Edinburgh in September for all of 48 hours…I could just kick myself for not having stayed longer. Glad you agree on Victoria Street…

Primary Sidebar

Let’s Get Acquainted

I’m Marsha, the shutterbug, storyteller, and solo travel evangelist behind Wanderlust for One. My goal: to inspire and empower people to see the world on their own terms.

I’m writing about

active travel advice antwerp architecture art attractions belgium bruges brugge brussels budget travel california California Central Coast city travel day trip dining edinburgh food hiking history how-to inspiration los angeles museum national parks nature oregon pacific coast highway pacific northwest photos planning road trip san diego san francisco savannah seattle solo travel St. John thoughts transportation travel travel etiquette washington weekend wanderlust for one wildlife

More to See

A view of the Chicago cityscape as seen from the Wabash Bridge. A newly sprouting tree branch can be seen in the foreground, while the Chicago River, with the bridge spanning it, and tall skyscrapers are displayed before a blue sky.

Chicago Architecture Highlights: 5 Must-Dos

Several American cities hold a special place in my heart, but when it comes to indulging my appreciation for great architecture, Chicago stands head and shoulder above its peers. This Midwestern city, with its rich history and occasionally tumultuous past, is also home to some seriously gorgeous buildings and innovative structures. So on a recent […]

The view from the window seat of an airplane as it flies past Mount Rainier in Washington State

The Best Time to Book a Flight

What’s the best time to book a flight? Search the internet for guidance on buying an airplane ticket and you’ll get all sorts of advice. Buy early on a Tuesday. Buy two months before your planned travel dates. Buy during a full moon on days ending in “y.” Okay, I made that last one up. […]

Big City Travel Tips

Big city travel can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Educate yourself about where you’re headed, plan how and when and how you’re going to get around, and don’t forget to enjoy yourself.

Footer

About Wanderlust for One

Wanderlust for One is a blog and website that shares destination insights, practical tips, and thoughtful perspectives on solo travel. More

Recent

  • Four Days in San Diego: The Highlights
  • Chicago Architecture Highlights: 5 Must-Dos
  • The Best Time to Book a Flight
  • Big City Travel Tips
  • The Getty Villa: A Southern California Treasure

Search

Copyright © 2025 · Magazine Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in