Princes Street, Edinburgh
Stretching from Leith Street to Lothian Road like Edinburgh鈥檚 own stylish catwalk, Princes Street is an over-a-mile-long stretch of shopping temptation鈥攖he city鈥檚 main artery, buzzing with caf茅s, pubs, department stores, and selfie opportunities galore.
The street was named after two of King George III鈥檚 sons鈥擯rince George (who later became King George IV) and Prince Frederick. While the early 18th-century buildings once stood prim and proper, the 19th century and later the 1960s had other plans. Cue the 鈥淧rinces Street Plan,鈥� a bold makeover that saw some old fa莽ades pulled down in favor of boxy modern storefronts, all in the name of progress and window-shopping efficiency.
The resulting new layout appears as follows: shops and commercial buzz line the north side, while the south side takes the scenic route, offering unbeatable views of the Old Town and the ever-dramatic Edinburgh Castle. Between them lies what was once a murky loch鈥攐r Nor Loch to be exact鈥攄rained in 1820 and transformed into the much more appealing Princes Street Gardens.
The gardens span 38 acres of greenery, split neatly by the Mound and sprinkled with statues like an outdoor sculpture gallery. One especially moving highlight is the War Memorial to Scottish-American soldiers, a spot for reflection amid the buskers and picnic blankets.
In the summer, the Ross Bandstand kicks into gear with concerts and open-air theatre. And don鈥檛 miss the city鈥檚 prettiest timekeeper鈥攁 floral clock that blooms right on cue.
The street was named after two of King George III鈥檚 sons鈥擯rince George (who later became King George IV) and Prince Frederick. While the early 18th-century buildings once stood prim and proper, the 19th century and later the 1960s had other plans. Cue the 鈥淧rinces Street Plan,鈥� a bold makeover that saw some old fa莽ades pulled down in favor of boxy modern storefronts, all in the name of progress and window-shopping efficiency.
The resulting new layout appears as follows: shops and commercial buzz line the north side, while the south side takes the scenic route, offering unbeatable views of the Old Town and the ever-dramatic Edinburgh Castle. Between them lies what was once a murky loch鈥攐r Nor Loch to be exact鈥攄rained in 1820 and transformed into the much more appealing Princes Street Gardens.
The gardens span 38 acres of greenery, split neatly by the Mound and sprinkled with statues like an outdoor sculpture gallery. One especially moving highlight is the War Memorial to Scottish-American soldiers, a spot for reflection amid the buskers and picnic blankets.
In the summer, the Ross Bandstand kicks into gear with concerts and open-air theatre. And don鈥檛 miss the city鈥檚 prettiest timekeeper鈥攁 floral clock that blooms right on cue.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Edinburgh. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Princes Street on Map
Sight Name: Princes Street
Sight Location: Edinburgh, Scotland (See walking tours in Edinburgh)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Edinburgh, Scotland (See walking tours in Edinburgh)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Edinburgh, Scotland
Create Your Own Walk in Edinburgh
Creating your own self-guided walk in Edinburgh is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Harry Potter Trail
Years after the release of the last Harry Potter book and movie, the cultural phenomenon of Harry Potter doesn't seem to fade away and the fandom continues strong as ever. Although by now Harry Potter has become a household name across the globe, the fact that J.K. Rowling penned some of the world's favorite wizarding stories in Scotland's capital, where she still lives now, makes... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Royal Mile Walking Tour
The Royal Mile, a steep thoroughfare in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town, is one of the city's busiest tourist destinations. It runs down a slope, from the famed Edinburgh Castle to Holyroodhouse Palace and the ruined Holyrood Abbey, for almost exactly a mile and thus got its name, coined in 1920. The succession of streets forming the Royal Mile is lined with numerous shops, pubs,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Edinburgh Pub Crawl
Edinburgh is rich in pubs, both old and new, spoiling their patrons with the best in town drinks and food. Although most traditional pubs in the city are laid back, with a quiet and relaxing atmosphere, some have dance floors and double as nightclubs. This self-guided adventure takes you to several such spots, each with its own story to tell.
Our journey begins at the World's End Pub, a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Our journey begins at the World's End Pub, a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Famous Squares and Streets Walking Tour
Being in Edinburgh, it is only natural to be curious about the avenues, boulevards, and streets leading to (or stemming from) the city's picturesque squares. There, you can find a copious amount of historic and religious sites, fashion stores, classy restaurants, and marketplaces, not to mention some hidden gems, exploring which is well worth the time spent.
One of Edinburgh's most... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
One of Edinburgh's most... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
New Town Walking Tour
Rightly regarded as the historic masterpiece of city planning, the New Town of Edinburgh has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. The area forms a significant part of the Scottish capital and is known for its elegant Georgian architecture, abundant shopping opportunities, and many other delights firmly associated with this city.
One of the prominent landmarks in the New Town is... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
One of the prominent landmarks in the New Town is... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Old Town Walking Tour
The historical center of Edinburgh, popularly known as the Old Town, is indeed the oldest part of the Scottish capital. Most of the buildings here, made of stone and characterized by numerous tall windows, have been around since the Middle Ages and are covered with soot, left over from the days long gone, when houses were heated with hard-coal and wood. Hence the prevailing gray color in the area.... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
19 Best Pubs in New Town, Edinburgh
A guide to the pubs that make up the area that is called Edinburgh's New Town. A description about what you can expect from each of the locations in the directory. A fantastic directory if you are a tourist or even a...
Scottish Souvenirs: 15 Authentic Scottish Things to Buy in Edinburgh
The popularity of Scotland stretches far beyond its geographical borders, fueled, in large part, by Hollywood's interest in the Scottish theme - Sean Connery (as James Bond), "Braveheart", etc. Indeed, the cultural spectrum of this part of Britain is enormous and comprises great...
Top 12 Pubs On and Around Royal Mile in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is a vibrant city with abundant nightlife and no shortage of places to go after dusk. The Royal Mile alone, in the very heart of Edinburgh, is laden with character spots craving to be discovered by the first time visitors to the city. This is the highlight of some of the most notable bars...