Edinburgh, capital city of Scotland, is a labyrinth of mysterious streets and tunnels of the old town, creating a unique architectural heritage of the city. It has two distinct areas: the Old Town, dominated by a Middle Ages fortress; and the New Town, whose development had a profound impact on European urban planning since 18th century.
There are many ways to get around Edinburgh’s Old Town and New Town, such as buses, trams or bikes. But the best way to feel the beauty and mystery of the city is to explore the city by foot.
Royal Mile
This is the original spine of the city, whose shops, historic landmarks and lively street performances ensure it remains a vibrant and valuable part of the city. It is also a route between a castle and a palace.
Edinburgh Castle is one of the oldest fortifications in Europe. The city has a long and rich history as a royal residence, military garrison, prison and fortress, full of exciting stories. As you climb Castle Hill, you’ll follow in the footsteps of soldiers, kings and queens, and even a pirate or two.
Calton Hill
Calton Hill is a volcanic situated in central Edinburgh. Being marked as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it offers fantastic panoramic views of the city and, if you get up early, the best sunrises. On the summit of Calton Hill, stands a Gothic-style Observatory House, founded in 1776 by Thomas Short.
On the night of 30th of April, thousands of people gather on Calton Hill to celebrate one of the most important festivals of the city, the Beltane Fire Festival. Around a huge bonfire, everyone celebrates the arrival of summer, driven by the beating of drums.
Dean Village
Dean Village is a lovely residential area of Edinburgh, situated in the Water of Leith valley. It is one of those non-obvious attractions that is often overlooked by tourists, at the same time creating perfect place for a short walk with beautiful views of old houses built right next to the river with a stone bridge that dominates the whole area.
At the heart of the village is Dean Bridge, built in 1831 by Thomas Telford. Unfortunately, it soon became a place where people committed suicides by jumping into the water, the height of over 30 m above the river. They tried to solve the problem by building a bridge wall next to the road.
Funny thing is that there are no shops, toilets or restaurants, but fortunately the shopping area of Princes Streets is just a 10 minutes’ walk away.
