New Town
4.5
About
The modern face of Edinburgh, with lots of restaurants, pubs, museums and galleries.
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The area
Neighbourhood: New Town
Suits and shopping bags rule the streets of New Town, until after dark when strappy dresses come out to play. This is the city’s central business district with its smaller offices, clothes boutiques, and many of the city’s flashiest restaurants and ritziest clubs. The architecture along roads like George Street helps give it a swank and formal feel: it’s a planned Georgian development of regal townhouses, geometric squares, and self-important statues. But it’s also a very wanderable neighbourhood, with a healthy bustle at almost any time of day and fine people-watching in places like St Andrew's Square which fills with picnickers around lunch. You’ll also find a series of cheerful basement bistros on Hanover Street, while dark Rose Street has something of the feel of an undiscovered back alley and is chock-full of characterful pubs and small independent shops.
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We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
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2,194 within 3 miles
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501 within 6 miles
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4.5
494 reviews
Excellent
252
Very good
203
Average
35
Poor
1
Terrible
3
PrestonGuild
United Kingdom56,015 contributions
Aug 2020
The New Town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995.
We usually visit Edinburgh in winter. This time we managed to have a stroll in the summer and it was a novelty to see sunshine and wear a T shirt.
It was busy and bustling as we explored Princes Street, the gardens, George Street and the surrounding area.
As well as looking at heritage buildings there were also shopping to be done.
We usually visit Edinburgh in winter. This time we managed to have a stroll in the summer and it was a novelty to see sunshine and wear a T shirt.
It was busy and bustling as we explored Princes Street, the gardens, George Street and the surrounding area.
As well as looking at heritage buildings there were also shopping to be done.
Written 24 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicola D
Hessle, UK3,080 contributions
Mar 2020
We stayed in the New Town where you will find Waverley Station and lots of shops and Hotels along Princes Street opposite Princes Street Gardens with the Balmoral hotel (with it’s famous clock tower) at one end and the red sandstone Caledonian at the other. The Royal Scottish Academy and National Gallery of Scotland are also along Princes Street. Venture off the main street and discover amazing Georgian terraces and squares with lots of private communal gardens at their centre. We did a set walk and saw lots of wonderful architecture and the fantastic Scottish National Portrait Gallery.
Written 10 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
therichastill
Stevenage, UK3,237 contributions
Oct 2020
When people talk about New Towns it creates images of places like Milton Keynes, Stevenage or Crawley. The New Town of Edinburgh is much older!
This was built during the 18th Century and many of the roads are well laid out and planned. There are lots of nice buildings and statues to admire as you stroll about.
It's not to be confused with the Old Town which is the part of Edinburgh which includes the Castle, Royal Mile and the surrounding area.
This was built during the 18th Century and many of the roads are well laid out and planned. There are lots of nice buildings and statues to admire as you stroll about.
It's not to be confused with the Old Town which is the part of Edinburgh which includes the Castle, Royal Mile and the surrounding area.
Written 12 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andy B
Edinburgh, UK31 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
It is a beautiful historic place with interesting shops, wine shops ,clothes shops, bars & and restaurants. There are fantastic vista's and lovely gardens. Centred on George Street and Princess Street with Frederick Street, Hanover Street and Castle Street.
Written 8 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
🥳 🎉 🥳 Keep Life Simple 🥳🎉🥳
Pittsburgh, PA126,764 contributions
Sept 2018 • Couples
The New town is a great place to stay, I recommend the Le Monde hotel beside the Edinburgh Hard Rock Cafe. All the shopping is on Princes Street and it's by the Rail station and all the Bus routes.
Written 7 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
johnhp702
Derby, UK20,135 contributions
Jul 2020
Wandering the streets with shops, bars, restaurants and amazing architecture to enjoy, it even looks good in the rain.
Written 27 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
12davidjr
Melbourne, Australia198 contributions
Jul 2014 • Couples
When you visit any place it is interesting to reflect on what it is/has or does to you that leaves impressions. With New Town there was an abundance of positive memories - the buildings were so elegant, the parks inviting and beautifully kept, the streets spacious and clean, the shopping (if you include Jenners) abundant, the choice of eateries outstanding (together with the ability of the majority of these to deliver what they seemed to promise), the charm of both Rose and Thistle Streets and the Oxford Pub with its ability to conjure up all of the images of DI Rebus. Absorb the whole experience and you will not be sorry for the time spent.
Written 19 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DJM1945
Montrose, UK1,855 contributions
Aug 2020
The New Town in Edinburgh has the most amazing architecture which includes the Princes Street shops and hotels as well the Royal Scottish Academy and National Gallery of Scotland. Quite close by are the Georgian terraces and many squares with communal gardens at their centre.
Written 16 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IAN D
Wigan, UK25,853 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
The new town is made up of some of the most impressive Georgian terraces you will see. Shows the wealth that Edinburgh had in days gone by.
Written 27 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ronald B
The Hague, The Netherlands2,215 contributions
Oct 2019
This a more interesting walk than the old town. Don’t miss restaurant The Dome for a drink, or better a dinner.
Written 19 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are planning a visit from USA in June and are looking for a hotel that is easily walkable to shops, restaurants, places of interest. Is New Town or Old Town a better choice and where should I go to find the best hotels available for the area?
Written 18 January 2019
Always Old Town for me. Love the view of the castle at night.
Written 20 May 2019
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