Edinburgh city guide
Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, is a dynamic city blending the ancient and modern. At its heart are the Old Town and New Town, both designated World Heritage Sites, which have very different characters.
The Old Town largely preserves the medieval street plan, with the buildings tall and tightly-packed, and is centred on the Royal Mile which runs down from the famous Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
By contrast the New Town, laid out in the 18th and 19th centuries on a regular and structured plan, is home to some of the finest neo-classical architecture in Europe.
Edinburgh’s skyline is dominated by the great hill of Arthur’s Seat within Holyrood Park, one of many green spaces within the city centre. It is also one of several hills, including Calton Hill, Blackford Hill, Corstorphine Hill and the Castle Rock itself, from which there are great views over the city.
A year round destination, Edinburgh is particularly famous for its Hogmanay street party on New Year’s Eve, and also for the world’s largest arts festival, the celebrated Edinburgh Festival.
