New Town Travel Guide

Edinburgh

Edinburgh which includes night scenes and heritage architecture
New Town
New Town
New Town
New Town

Stroll around the refined Georgian quarter of Edinburgh to encounter iconic monuments, stunning art galleries and an array of stores.

Edinburgh’s charming New Town is full of surprises. Explore independent stores, off-beat cafés and high-street fashion chains, all set on elegant Regency-era streets. This stylish corner of the city also hides tranquil, riverside walks and Georgian town houses that are open to explore.

Enjoy an immaculately designed part of Scotland’s capital that was created after an architectural competition. The so-called “New Town” was actually built in the mid-18th century as a response to overcrowding in the Old Town. James Craig, a then 26-year-old architect, submitted the winning design in 1766, pitching a symmetrical plan that required the draining of the swamp next to it.

The busy, parallel streets of Princes Street and George Street form the core of New Town. Come here for high-street shopping, stylish bars and a range of restaurants. Climb up the steps of the Gothic Scott MonumentOpens in a new window for aerial views of the symmetrical district, then come back down to relax in the adjacent Princes Street GardensOpens in a new window.

Nearby, the Scottish National Portrait Gallery features a vast collection of works following the story of portraiture up to the present day. Enjoy modern portraits of Scottish celebrities or paintings from the era of Jacobite rebellions and religious revolt.

Experience 18th-century life in Charlotte Square. Here, the Georgian HouseOpens in a new window features rooms with furniture and decorations from this opulent era of Edinburgh’s history.

Behind New Town’s centre lies the neighbourhood of Stockbridge. Stroll around here to find thrift shops, handicraft stores and independent cafés.

Head west of Stockbridge along the Water of Leith, a sheltered river that runs through the heart of the city. This will lead to scenic Dean Village, a picturesque old milling community with half-timbered buildings lining the edge of the river.

Start your exploration of New Town from the moment you arrive in Edinburgh. The area can be easily explored on foot and is located directly next to Edinburgh Waverley, the city’s main train station. Come during August to take part in Edinburgh’s famous International Festival, when the area’s venues host music, drama and comedy performances.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in New Town

Apex Waterloo Place Hotel

Apex Waterloo Place Hotel

4 out of 5
23-27 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is £246 per night from 25 Aug to 26 Aug
£246
25 Aug - 26 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,778 reviews)
"Good hotel overall in an excellent location but the room was not serviced once and due to the rain some leakage from the ceiling occurred. Would recommend staying in it though."

Reviewed on 26 Jul 2025

Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
YOTEL Edinburgh

YOTEL Edinburgh

4 out of 5
Erskine House, Queen Street, Edinburgh, Scotland
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £147 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
£147
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,306 reviews)
"Good location for restaurants and activities. Rooms are small and they don’t offer much seating"

Reviewed on 28 Jul 2025

YOTEL Edinburgh
voco Edinburgh - Royal Terrace by IHG

voco Edinburgh - Royal Terrace by IHG

4 out of 5
18 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh, Scotland
Fully refundable
The price is £176 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
£176
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (791 reviews)
"Pros: The staff are friendly, helpful, attentive and knowledgeable. The location is very good, quiet, near many dining options. Cons: It would be better if the room has a mini fridge or microwave. The mattress of the sofa bed is too soft and does not support 2 people well. I hope the sofa bed mattress ..."

Reviewed on 28 Jul 2025

voco Edinburgh - Royal Terrace by IHG
Mount Royal Hotel Edinburgh by The Unlimited Collection

Mount Royal Hotel Edinburgh by The Unlimited Collection

4 out of 5
53 Princes Street, Edinburgh, Scotland
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £172 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
£172
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (240 reviews)
"Easy access to most places"

Reviewed on 27 Jul 2025

Mount Royal Hotel Edinburgh by The Unlimited Collection
Motel One Edinburgh - Royal

Motel One Edinburgh - Royal

3 out of 5
18-21 Market Street, Edinburgh, Scotland
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £188 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
£188
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,024 reviews)
Great location
"Great location with very friendly staff , I was in a lower floor room facing steps so it was fairly loud at times"

Reviewed on 28 Jul 2025

Motel One Edinburgh - Royal
Holiday Inn Express - Edinburgh City Centre by IHG

Holiday Inn Express - Edinburgh City Centre by IHG

3 out of 5
Picardy Place Top Of Leith Street, Edinburgh, Scotland
Fully refundable
The price is £183 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
£183
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
"The hotel was in walking distance to the royal mile, the tram, and the train. You can take the tram to and from the airport and a stop is outside the hotel. Free breakfast, but it was the same thing everyday."

Reviewed on 29 Jul 2025

Holiday Inn Express - Edinburgh City Centre by IHG
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around New Town

Calton Hill which includes general coastal views, a city and skyline

Edinburgh City Centre

If you're spending time in Edinburgh City Centre, check out sights like Edinburgh Castle or Scott Monument and hop on the metro to see more of the city at St Andrew Square Tram Stop or Princes Street Tram Stop.

Edinburgh City Centre
Default Image

Stockbridge

4.5/5(17 area reviews)

Historical sites, museums and art galleries highlight some of the notable features of Stockbridge. Make a stop by St Bernard's Well while you're exploring.

Stockbridge
Default Image

Old Town Edinburgh

4.5/5(1,168 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Edinburgh Castle to St. Giles' Cathedral – discover Old Town Edinburgh, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Old Town Edinburgh
Default Image

Broughton

Travellers come to Broughton for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Mansfield Place Church and Edinburgh Printmakers’ Workshop & Gallery while you're in town.

Broughton
Default Image

Bonnington

Though Bonnington may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Edinburgh Castle and Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre.

Bonnington
Default Image

Tollcross

4.5/5(49 area reviews)

Tollcross is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Usher Hall and King's Theatre while in the area.

Tollcross


New Town Travel Guide

Choose two or more items and save on your trip: