Princes Street Edinburgh
Edinburgh's iconic shopping boulevard, offering stunning castle views, diverse retail, and access to beautiful gardens.

Highlights
Must-see attractions

Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, better shopping
Princes Street Edinburgh
Best Time
Fewer crowds, better shopping

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Edinburgh's iconic shopping boulevard, offering stunning castle views, diverse retail, and access to beautiful gardens.
"Princes Street brings all of the action of Edinburgh together - offering a way to access up to the Old Town, towards the National Monument, the beautiful adjacent Princes Street Gardens and many many museums that are nearby."
🎯 Castle Views from Cafes
Grab a coffee at a Princes Street cafe for unbeatable Edinburgh Castle views.
🚶♀️ Easy Access to Old Town
Skip the steep steps! Turn left from Waverley Station and walk up Cockburn Street for an easier route to the Royal Mile.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Scott Monument
Princes Street
A magnificent Gothic monument dedicated to Sir Walter Scott, offering incredible architecture and city views.

Princes Street Gardens
Adjacent to Princes Street
A beautiful green oasis offering a peaceful escape with stunning views of Edinburgh Castle.

Shopping Boulevard
Princes Street
Explore a vibrant mix of high-street brands, department stores, and unique boutiques for a true retail experience.

Castle Views
Various points along Princes Street
Enjoy breathtaking, iconic views of Edinburgh Castle, especially from cafes and hotels on the street.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Embrace the Views, Plan Your Route
Shop Smart, Visit Off-Peak
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Castle Views from Cafes
Grab a coffee at a Princes Street cafe for unbeatable Edinburgh Castle views.
🚶♀️ Easy Access to Old Town
Skip the steep steps! Turn left from Waverley Station and walk up Cockburn Street for an easier route to the Royal Mile.
🛍️ Shop 'til you drop!
Princes Street is a shopper's paradise with a wide range of stores.
🌳 Relax in Princes Street Gardens
Enjoy a peaceful break in the beautiful gardens, offering a green escape and castle vistas.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Castle Views from Cafes
Grab a coffee at a Princes Street cafe for unbeatable Edinburgh Castle views.
🚶♀️ Easy Access to Old Town
Skip the steep steps! Turn left from Waverley Station and walk up Cockburn Street for an easier route to the Royal Mile.
🛍️ Shop 'til you drop!
Princes Street is a shopper's paradise with a wide range of stores.
🌳 Relax in Princes Street Gardens
Enjoy a peaceful break in the beautiful gardens, offering a green escape and castle vistas.
👟 Wear comfortable shoes
You'll be doing a lot of walking, and some areas have inclines and stairs.
📅 Check for Events
Princes Street gets very busy during festivals like the Fringe and Military Tattoo.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Princes Street is celebrated as Edinburgh's vibrant shopping and sightseeing hub, offering a fantastic blend of retail, dining, and breathtaking views of Edinburgh Castle. Visitors appreciate the convenience, the lively atmosphere, and the accessibility to key attractions. However, some find the street can lack public bins and can become overwhelmingly crowded during major events.
"You have a decent range of shops, cafes, park, museums & good views of the castle all accessible from this one street. Great vibe."
Fiona Fairchild
"Great place, lots of shops. Just lack of public outdoor bins - had to take my rubbish on the bus as I wouldn't have been able to get to a bin and back on time"
Carrie
"Princes Street brings all of the action of Edinburgh together - offering a way to access up to the Old Town, towards the National Monument, the beautiful adjacent Princes Street Gardens and many many museums that are nearby. The view from this street is utterly jaw dropping at times, with landmarks scattered all around you in all directions."
Sam Neil Paul
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
From Waverley Station, you can easily walk to Princes Street. For a less strenuous route, especially with luggage, turn left out of the station and head up Cockburn Street, which leads directly to the Royal Mile and connects to Princes Street.
Yes, Princes Street is very well-served by public transport. Numerous bus routes stop along the street, and it's a short walk from Waverley Train Station, making it easily accessible for visitors.
Driving directly onto Princes Street is restricted for most vehicles. There are several car parks nearby, such as the St James Quarter car park or the Holyrood Road car park, from which you can walk or take a short bus ride to Princes Street.
Walking is the best way to explore Princes Street and its surroundings. You can easily stroll along the street, pop into shops, and then descend into Princes Street Gardens. For access to the Old Town, be prepared for some uphill walks or use the connecting streets.
Yes, Edinburgh has park and ride facilities on the outskirts of the city. You can park your car and take a bus or tram into the city centre, which will drop you off within walking distance of Princes Street.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, Princes Street itself is a public thoroughfare and does not require tickets to access. You can walk along it freely. However, specific attractions on or near Princes Street, like the Scott Monument or Camera Obscura, may have admission fees.
Princes Street is a public street, so it's accessible 24/7. However, individual shops and cafes will have their own operating hours, typically from around 9 or 10 AM to 5:30 or 6 PM, with some staying open later.
Yes, walking along Princes Street, enjoying the views of Edinburgh Castle, and exploring Princes Street Gardens are all free activities. The National Museum of Scotland is also nearby and free to enter.
Princes Street Gardens are free to enter and explore. It's a public park offering a beautiful green space in the heart of the city.
Tickets for attractions like the Scott Monument or Camera Obscura can usually be purchased on-site. For popular attractions like Edinburgh Castle (which is visible from Princes Street but not directly on it), it's advisable to book tickets online in advance, especially during peak season.
🍽️ 🛍️ Shopping & Dining
Princes Street offers a wide variety of shops, including major high-street fashion brands, department stores, and some technology retailers. You'll find everything from clothing and accessories to souvenirs and gifts.
Yes, Princes Street has numerous cafes, restaurants, and pubs. You can find options ranging from quick bites and coffee shops to more formal dining experiences. Some cafes offer great views of the castle.
Several cafes and hotels along Princes Street boast excellent views of Edinburgh Castle. TikTok creators often highlight spots like the Starbucks on Princes Street for its views.
While Princes Street is known for its high-street chains, you can also find some local shops and souvenir stores. For more unique boutiques, exploring the nearby Old Town or Stockbridge is recommended.
Most shops on Princes Street open around 9 or 10 AM and close between 5:30 PM and 7 PM. Some larger stores or those in shopping centres might have slightly extended hours.
📸 📸 Photography & Views
The entire length of Princes Street offers fantastic views of Edinburgh Castle. For the most iconic shots, position yourself with the castle framed by the Scott Monument or from the Princes Street Gardens.
Absolutely! Princes Street Gardens provides a beautiful foreground for castle photos, with the Ross Fountain and floral displays adding to the scenery. It's also a great spot for capturing the grandeur of the Scott Monument.
Golden hour, just after sunrise or before sunset, offers beautiful lighting for photographing Edinburgh Castle and the streetscape. Evenings can be magical with the castle illuminated.
Generally, you can take photos inside shops for personal use, but it's always polite to ask staff if you're unsure, especially if you're taking many pictures or using a professional camera.
For panoramic views that include Princes Street and the surrounding cityscape, consider heading up Calton Hill or Arthur's Seat. From within Princes Street itself, the top of the Scott Monument offers excellent elevated views.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
💰 Budget Travelers
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Navigating Edinburgh's Terrain: Hills and Stairs
Princes Street Gardens, situated below Princes Street, offers a more level walking experience. However, to get from the gardens up to the Royal Mile, you'll encounter more stairs. This unique topography contributes to Edinburgh's dramatic skyline and offers rewarding views, but it's a key factor to consider when planning your daily itinerary and energy levels.
Shopping and Dining Delights on Princes Street
For those seeking a memorable dining experience, several cafes and hotels along Princes Street are renowned for their spectacular views of Edinburgh Castle. These spots are perfect for enjoying a meal or a coffee while taking in the iconic Scottish landmark. While Princes Street is dominated by chain stores, exploring the side streets and nearby areas can reveal more independent boutiques and unique eateries.
The Iconic Views of Edinburgh Castle
To capture the best photographs, consider visiting during the golden hour for soft, warm light, or in the evening when the castle is beautifully illuminated. The Scott Monument, a striking Gothic structure on Princes Street, also offers a fantastic vantage point for capturing both the castle and the cityscape. The juxtaposition of the bustling modern street with the ancient fortress provides a unique visual experience that defines Edinburgh's charm.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit