Charlotte Square with the Statue of Prince Albert
Photography: Enric, Wikimedia Commons (BY-SA)
New Town Walk
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Map
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Informations
- How to go there
- Opening hours
- Visiting with kids?
- Need a break during the tour?
- When to go
- Length of the tour and transport
- Shopping
The New Town Walk begins in Charlotte Square in the city centre. You can easily reach there from most parts of Edinburgh by bus, tram or taxi. A very large number of Lothian Council buses stop at the West end of Princes Street, about 100 metres from Charlotte Square (bus Nos. 1, 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 19, 22, 24, 25, 26, 30, 31, 33, 34, 41, 44, 104, 113, 124)
The Georgian House
- 7 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh EH2 4DR
- “Admire the architectural grandeur of Edinburgh’s New Town. Discover paintings by Scottish artists, including Sir Henry Raeburn, Allan Ramsay and Alexander Nasmyth. Explore the drawing room and dining room, designed to entertain and impress guests.”
- Opening hours (N.B. Last admission 45 mins before closing time)2 Jan - 28 Feb, closed1 Mar - 22 Mar, daily, 11.00 - 16. 23 Mar - 31 Oct, daily, 10.00 - 17.001 Nov - 30 Nov, daily, 11.00 - 16.001 Dec - 16 Dec, Thu - Sun, 11.00 - 16.0017 Dec - 31 Mar 2019, closed
- Entry price: £6 to £8 depending on age
National Portrait Gallery of Scotland
- 1 Queen Street, (+44-131-624-6200)
- “Come face to face with the people who shaped Scotland’s past, present and future at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.”Opening hours daily 10 am - 5pm.
- Admission free
Nelson Monument
- 32 Calton Hill, Edinburgh EH7 5AA
- Climb this monument for stunning views over the city!
- Opening hours: 10 am to 7 pm daily with ticket price of £5.
The Royal Scottish Academy of Art and Architecture
- The Mound, Edinburgh, EH2 2EL (+44-131-225-6671)
- “The RSA runs a year-round programme of exhibitions, artist opportunities and related educational talks and events which support artists at all stages of their careers. The Academy’s distinguished history is reflected in its extensive collections and archives and has been awarded Recognised Collection status by Museums Galleries Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government for being a collection of National Significance to Scotland.”Opening Hours: Mon to Sat 10 – 5pm, Sun 12 – 5pm.
- Entry price £4 to £6 depending on age.
National Gallery of Scotland
- The Mound, Edinburgh EH2 2EL (+44- 131-624-6200)
- “The Scottish National Gallery displays some of the greatest art in the world, including masterpieces by Botticelli, Raphael, Titian, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Constable, Turner, Monet, Van Gogh and Gauguin, amongst many others. The most comprehensive part of the collection covers the history of Scottish painting – all the major names, including Ramsay, Raeburn, Wilkie and McTaggart, are represented.”
- Opening hours: daily 10 am to 5 pm, except Thursday open until 7 pm.
- Free admission except for some temporary exhibitions
This walk is not ideally suitable for children.
Four George Street restaurants for a fine lunch or dinner:
Contini
- 103 George St, Edinburgh EH2 3ES (+44- 131-225-1550)
- Sunday10 am – 9 pm, Monday through Friday 8 am – 10 pm, Saturday10 am – 10:30 pm with market menu of 2 courses for £16, Sunday - Friday 12 - 6pm.
- A la carte main courses from £15 to £32.
- “Grand, columned, Georgian hall housing bustling Italian restaurant and coffee house.”
Chaophraya Thai Restaurant
- 4th Floor, 33 Castle Street, Edinburgh EH2 3DN (+44-131-226-7614)
- Sunday through Wednesday from 8 am to 10 pm, Thursday through Saturday from 8 am to 10.30 pm for set menu of £35 or extensive a la carte menu.
- “Creative Thai cuisine in a rooftop eatery with sleek modern looks and glass walls for castle views.”
Cadiz
77b George St, Edinburgh EH2 3EE (+44- 131-226-3000).Sunday through Thursday 12 pm – 10 pm, Friday12 pm – 10:30 pm, Saturday12 pm –10:30 pm with lunch of 2 courses for £16.95 or 3 courses for £20.95. Dinner main courses from £15 to £24. “Cadiz offers the feel of an upmarket seafood bar, serving indulgent food and cocktails in a relaxed atmosphere.”
The Dome
14 George St, Edinburgh EH2 2PF (+44- 131-624-8624)Daily from 10 am to 12 am with main courses from £15 to £32.50. It is also a great place to have just a coffee or drink and admire its grand décor. “An Edinburgh institution since opening its doors in 1996, The Dome sits resplendent with its Graeco-Roman façade and Corinthian Portico in central George Street. Our food is a celebration of simple and traditional Scottish favourites, embracing local produce from our rolling Scottish landscapes and bounteous shores.”
It is preferable to visit in spring or summer as Scotland can be cold and wet the rest of the year. That said, it can be cold and wet in spring and summer as well! However, some would say such weather can add to the mystique of Edinburgh.
From June to July, the city is very busy with tourists and those wishing to avoid crowds might consider May or September instead. For most of August, the Edinburgh Festival is an added attraction for the visitor who likes the arts.
The entire Old Town Walk will take 2.5 to 4 hours depending on how long you stop at the indicated sites of interest. It will take only 2 hours if you do not visit museums on the way.
Not enough time to visit? See the main attractions…
Shorten the walk by restricting the walk to the section from Step 1 to Step 6, from Charlotte Square to St. Andrews Square
21st Century Kilts
- 48 Thistle Street, New Town, Edinburgh EH2 1EN (+44-7774-757-222)
- “Howie Nicholsby's 21st Century Kilts offer a unique take, and are a fitting homage, to a traditional Scottish style. The use of original textiles, ranging from leather, gold and purple denim, camouflage, to pinstripe offer something different to those fond of this age-old item.”
- Opening times: Tuesday - Saturday 10 am - 6pm (Appointments recommended)
Cath Kidston
- 98-99 Princes St, Edinburgh EH2 3AA (+44-131-225- 1727)
- “Quirky chain retailer offering bright, vintage-style homewares, bags, clothing and more.”
- Opening times: Sunday10 am – 6 pm, Monday through Friday, 10 am – 7, Saturday 9 am –9pm
Quarters Barbershop
- 39b Queen St, Edinburgh EH2 3NH (+44- 131-629-1303)
- Select men’s clothes and quality grooming products. You might have time for a quick haircut as well! Unusually excellent service.
- Opening times: Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm, Sunday 11 am to 5 pm.4)
Penhaligon’s
- 33 George St, Edinburgh EH2 2HN, (+44-131-220-3210)
- Luxury British perfume house, offering a wide range of luxury fragrances online for women and men, as well as gifts, scented candles and grooming products.
- Opening times: 10 am to 6 pm except Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm
Harvey Nichols
- 30 - 34 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH2 2AD (+44-131-524-8388)
- “Renowned, upscale department store with 5 floors of designer label fashions, plus a chic restaurant.”
- Opening times: Monday – Wednesday, 10 am – 6 pm, Thursday 10 am – 8 pm, Friday – Saturday, 10 am – 7 pm, Sunday: 11 am – 6 pm
Map
Informations
- How to go there
- Opening hours
- Visiting with kids?
- Need a break during the tour?
- When to go
- Length of the tour and transport
- Shopping
- How to go there
- Opening hours
- Visiting with kids?
- Need a break during the tour?
- When to go
- Length of the tour and transport
- Shopping
The New Town Walk begins in Charlotte Square in the city centre. You can easily reach there from most parts of Edinburgh by bus, tram or taxi. A very large number of Lothian Council buses stop at the West end of Princes Street, about 100 metres from Charlotte Square (bus Nos. 1, 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 19, 22, 24, 25, 26, 30, 31, 33, 34, 41, 44, 104, 113, 124)
The Georgian House
- 7 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh EH2 4DR
- “Admire the architectural grandeur of Edinburgh’s New Town. Discover paintings by Scottish artists, including Sir Henry Raeburn, Allan Ramsay and Alexander Nasmyth. Explore the drawing room and dining room, designed to entertain and impress guests.”
- Opening hours (N.B. Last admission 45 mins before closing time)2 Jan - 28 Feb, closed1 Mar - 22 Mar, daily, 11.00 - 16. 23 Mar - 31 Oct, daily, 10.00 - 17.001 Nov - 30 Nov, daily, 11.00 - 16.001 Dec - 16 Dec, Thu - Sun, 11.00 - 16.0017 Dec - 31 Mar 2019, closed
- Entry price: £6 to £8 depending on age
National Portrait Gallery of Scotland
- 1 Queen Street, (+44-131-624-6200)
- “Come face to face with the people who shaped Scotland’s past, present and future at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.”Opening hours daily 10 am - 5pm.
- Admission free
Nelson Monument
- 32 Calton Hill, Edinburgh EH7 5AA
- Climb this monument for stunning views over the city!
- Opening hours: 10 am to 7 pm daily with ticket price of £5.
The Royal Scottish Academy of Art and Architecture
- The Mound, Edinburgh, EH2 2EL (+44-131-225-6671)
- “The RSA runs a year-round programme of exhibitions, artist opportunities and related educational talks and events which support artists at all stages of their careers. The Academy’s distinguished history is reflected in its extensive collections and archives and has been awarded Recognised Collection status by Museums Galleries Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government for being a collection of National Significance to Scotland.”Opening Hours: Mon to Sat 10 – 5pm, Sun 12 – 5pm.
- Entry price £4 to £6 depending on age.
National Gallery of Scotland
- The Mound, Edinburgh EH2 2EL (+44- 131-624-6200)
- “The Scottish National Gallery displays some of the greatest art in the world, including masterpieces by Botticelli, Raphael, Titian, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Constable, Turner, Monet, Van Gogh and Gauguin, amongst many others. The most comprehensive part of the collection covers the history of Scottish painting – all the major names, including Ramsay, Raeburn, Wilkie and McTaggart, are represented.”
- Opening hours: daily 10 am to 5 pm, except Thursday open until 7 pm.
- Free admission except for some temporary exhibitions
This walk is not ideally suitable for children.
Four George Street restaurants for a fine lunch or dinner:
Contini
- 103 George St, Edinburgh EH2 3ES (+44- 131-225-1550)
- Sunday10 am – 9 pm, Monday through Friday 8 am – 10 pm, Saturday10 am – 10:30 pm with market menu of 2 courses for £16, Sunday - Friday 12 - 6pm.
- A la carte main courses from £15 to £32.
- “Grand, columned, Georgian hall housing bustling Italian restaurant and coffee house.”
Chaophraya Thai Restaurant
- 4th Floor, 33 Castle Street, Edinburgh EH2 3DN (+44-131-226-7614)
- Sunday through Wednesday from 8 am to 10 pm, Thursday through Saturday from 8 am to 10.30 pm for set menu of £35 or extensive a la carte menu.
- “Creative Thai cuisine in a rooftop eatery with sleek modern looks and glass walls for castle views.”
Cadiz
77b George St, Edinburgh EH2 3EE (+44- 131-226-3000).Sunday through Thursday 12 pm – 10 pm, Friday12 pm – 10:30 pm, Saturday12 pm –10:30 pm with lunch of 2 courses for £16.95 or 3 courses for £20.95. Dinner main courses from £15 to £24. “Cadiz offers the feel of an upmarket seafood bar, serving indulgent food and cocktails in a relaxed atmosphere.”
The Dome
14 George St, Edinburgh EH2 2PF (+44- 131-624-8624)Daily from 10 am to 12 am with main courses from £15 to £32.50. It is also a great place to have just a coffee or drink and admire its grand décor. “An Edinburgh institution since opening its doors in 1996, The Dome sits resplendent with its Graeco-Roman façade and Corinthian Portico in central George Street. Our food is a celebration of simple and traditional Scottish favourites, embracing local produce from our rolling Scottish landscapes and bounteous shores.”
It is preferable to visit in spring or summer as Scotland can be cold and wet the rest of the year. That said, it can be cold and wet in spring and summer as well! However, some would say such weather can add to the mystique of Edinburgh.
From June to July, the city is very busy with tourists and those wishing to avoid crowds might consider May or September instead. For most of August, the Edinburgh Festival is an added attraction for the visitor who likes the arts.
The entire Old Town Walk will take 2.5 to 4 hours depending on how long you stop at the indicated sites of interest. It will take only 2 hours if you do not visit museums on the way.
Not enough time to visit? See the main attractions…
Shorten the walk by restricting the walk to the section from Step 1 to Step 6, from Charlotte Square to St. Andrews Square
21st Century Kilts
- 48 Thistle Street, New Town, Edinburgh EH2 1EN (+44-7774-757-222)
- “Howie Nicholsby's 21st Century Kilts offer a unique take, and are a fitting homage, to a traditional Scottish style. The use of original textiles, ranging from leather, gold and purple denim, camouflage, to pinstripe offer something different to those fond of this age-old item.”
- Opening times: Tuesday - Saturday 10 am - 6pm (Appointments recommended)
Cath Kidston
- 98-99 Princes St, Edinburgh EH2 3AA (+44-131-225- 1727)
- “Quirky chain retailer offering bright, vintage-style homewares, bags, clothing and more.”
- Opening times: Sunday10 am – 6 pm, Monday through Friday, 10 am – 7, Saturday 9 am –9pm
Quarters Barbershop
- 39b Queen St, Edinburgh EH2 3NH (+44- 131-629-1303)
- Select men’s clothes and quality grooming products. You might have time for a quick haircut as well! Unusually excellent service.
- Opening times: Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm, Sunday 11 am to 5 pm.4)
Penhaligon’s
- 33 George St, Edinburgh EH2 2HN, (+44-131-220-3210)
- Luxury British perfume house, offering a wide range of luxury fragrances online for women and men, as well as gifts, scented candles and grooming products.
- Opening times: 10 am to 6 pm except Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm
Harvey Nichols
- 30 - 34 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH2 2AD (+44-131-524-8388)
- “Renowned, upscale department store with 5 floors of designer label fashions, plus a chic restaurant.”
- Opening times: Monday – Wednesday, 10 am – 6 pm, Thursday 10 am – 8 pm, Friday – Saturday, 10 am – 7 pm, Sunday: 11 am – 6 pm
