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Princes Street Edinburgh

4.6
·2k reviews·, United Kingdom

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

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, better shopping

CrowdLow
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Вид на улицу с высотки

Princes Street Edinburgh

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, better shopping

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

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

4.6
(2k reviews)

"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."

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 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.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Rating

4.7 · 1,983 reviews

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Scott Monument

Scott Monument

Princes Street

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

Princes Street Gardens

Princes Street Gardens

Adjacent to Princes Street

A beautiful green oasis offering a peaceful escape with stunning views of Edinburgh Castle.

Shopping Boulevard

Shopping Boulevard

Princes Street

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

Castle Views

Castle Views

Various points along Princes Street

Enjoy breathtaking, iconic views of Edinburgh Castle, especially from cafes and hotels on the street.

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Planning Your Visit

Embrace the Views, Plan Your Route

Princes Street offers stunning views of Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town skyline. Plan your walk to take advantage of these vistas, especially from the cafes along the street. Be prepared for hills and stairs when moving between Princes Street and the Old Town.

Shop Smart, Visit Off-Peak

While Princes Street is a shopper's paradise, it can get very busy, especially during events like the Fringe and Military Tattoo. Consider visiting during weekdays or outside of major event seasons for a more relaxed experience and better access to shops and cafes.

Best Times

When
Weekday mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, better shopping
Crowd
Low
When
Evenings (off-season)
Why
Magical castle views
Crowd
Low
When
During festivals
Why
Electric atmosphere
Crowd
High

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

The perfect Edinburgh Scotland Itinerary! It’s like Hogwarts in real life and is even better than I imagined!! Here are some of my favorite things to do during a weekend in Edinburgh! P.s. While we do mentiom Harry Potter a few times, we do not support JK and she makes no money off of this!! #e#edinburghs#Scotlands#scotlandtravele#edinburghscotlandh#harrypotterh#hogwartsd#diagonalleyw#weekendg...
@followmeaway
240.9K likes • 4.4M views

🎯 Castle Views from Cafes

Grab a coffee at a Princes Street cafe for unbeatable Edinburgh Castle views. TikTok

🚶‍♀️ 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. TikTok

Advice for Tourists #fy #fyp #fypシ #foryou #travel #traveltok #travelbucketlist #traveltips #PlacesToVisit #thingstodo #edinburgh #edfringe #edinburghfringe #visitscotland #hiddengems #travelinspiration #familydayout #edinburghzoo #edinburghhiddengems #explore #viral #traveltiktok #TikTokTaughtMe #hiddengem #hiddenscotland #thingstodoinedinburgh
@auldedinburgh
202.7K likes • 1.8M views
This and no deadlines ♥️ Taking full advantage of the slow mornings and Edinburgh being a little quieter.. for now! Skirt: @anthropologieeu Blouse: @anthropologieeu Shoes: @boden
mylittleedinburgh
2.8K likes • 37K views

🛍️ Shop 'til you drop!

Princes Street is a shopper's paradise with a wide range of stores. Reddit

🌳 Relax in Princes Street Gardens

Enjoy a peaceful break in the beautiful gardens, offering a green escape and castle vistas. TikTok

How to spend a solo day in Edinburgh - save for later 📍 1. Head to Greenwood’s for a massive breakfast/brunch (portion sizes are huge and don’t forget to order the peanut butter salted caramel latte it’s incredible) 2. Enjoy all the gorgeous architecture whilst walking to Stockbridge and enjoy time in this trendy neighbourhood 3. Visit Circus Lane in Stockbridge, the picture perfect cobbled stre...
scraninstyle
243 likes • 0 views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Castle Views from Cafes

Grab a coffee at a Princes Street cafe for unbeatable Edinburgh Castle views. TikTok

🚶‍♀️ 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. TikTok

🛍️ Shop 'til you drop!

Princes Street is a shopper's paradise with a wide range of stores. Reddit

🌳 Relax in Princes Street Gardens

Enjoy a peaceful break in the beautiful gardens, offering a green escape and castle vistas. TikTok

👟 Wear comfortable shoes

You'll be doing a lot of walking, and some areas have inclines and stairs. TikTok

📅 Check for Events

Princes Street gets very busy during festivals like the Fringe and Military Tattoo. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.6
(2k reviews)

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

Stunning castle views
Wide range of shops
Central location

What People Dislike

Lack of public bins
Can be very crowded

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. TikTok

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. Reddit

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. Reddit

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. TikTok

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. Reddit

🎫 🎫 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. TikTok

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. Reddit

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. TikTok

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. TikTok

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. Reddit

🍽️ 🛍️ 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. Reddit

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. TikTok+1

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. TikTok+1

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. Reddit

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. Reddit

📸 📸 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. Instagram

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. TikTok

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. Instagram

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. Reddit

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. TikTok

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