Royal Mile, Edinburgh: Hours, Address, Royal Mile Reviews: 4.5/5
Royal Mile
Royal Mile
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Stretch of road connecting Edinburgh Castle with Holyrood Palace, the Queen's residence in Scotland.
Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
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Top ways to experience Royal Mile
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Old Town
Few Edinburghers live in the Old Town, but its labyrinth of dank alleys and steep streets suggests this was not always the case. Today, it’s mostly visitors, tartan-flavoured souvenir shops, and pipers that you’ll find on its cobbled streets. This is the place to get a feel for Auld Reekie (Old Smelly), as the town was once nicknamed, and stroll the Royal Mile, the thoroughfare that links the castle with the royal palace – two of Edinburgh’s great set-piece attractions. But there’s lots more exploring to do here down dozens of little alleys, or wynds, while at night the city’s busiest clubs erupt along the Cowgate which is closed to traffic for this purpose.
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
2,053 within 5 kms

Makars Gourmet Mash Bar
6,537
0.1 km££ - £££ • Bar • British • Healthy

Quinn's Cafe
271
0.4 km££ - £££ • Cafe • British • Scottish

@pizza Royal Mile
267
0.3 km££ - £££ • Quick Bites • Pizza • Mediterranean

The Grain Store
1,314
67 m££££ • European • British • Contemporary

Mary's Milk Bar
1,131
0.3 km£ • Dessert • Cafe

L'Etoile Salon de Tea
221
0.4 km£ • French • Cafe • European

Colonnades At The Signet Library
1,276
0.2 km££££ • British • Scottish • Vegetarian Friendly

The Piper's Rest Public House
460
0.4 km££ - £££ • Bar • British • Pub

La Locanda Italian Edinburgh
983
0.4 km££ - £££ • Italian • British • Wine Bar

Doctors
968
0.5 km££ - £££ • Bar • European • British
Attractions
455 within 10 kms

Duke of York
9
35 mPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues

78th Highlanders Memorial
7
35 mPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues

72nd Highlanders Memorial
6
35 mPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues

Scottish National War Memorial
48
35 mPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Castles

Colonel Mackenzie Statue
5
35 mPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues

Robert Bruce Statue
26
35 mPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues

William Wallace Statue
42
35 mPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues

Milne’s Court
1
46 mPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings

The Hub
63
51 mConvention Centres

Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
14,995
53 mScience Museums • Observation Decks & Towers
Contribute
Popular mentions
4.5
25,469 reviews
Excellent
15,063
Very good
7,614
Average
2,316
Poor
365
Terrible
111
R. K. V.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam1,946 contributions
May 2022 • Family
Few cities have such a clear gravitational pull. This area is so compact but holds so much at the same time. Amazing and worth the trip
Written 26 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Marti Woodward
6 contributions
May 2022 • Family
We spent two days up and down the Royal Mile. The history and witch tour was fascinating. The food was great. The shops were delightful, especially The Wyrd Shop. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. Holyrood was amazing and the castle was such a beautiful backdrop to it all.
We just loved the whole street!
We just loved the whole street!
Written 24 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Steffie
Manchester, UK534 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
Very busy and rather expensive on the mile, somethings were cheaper a few shops behind the mile area. But still nice to visit
Written 23 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
7PeasPatty
Eden Prairie, MN95 contributions
May 2022 • Friends
Lots of shops catering to products of Scotland immersed with great eateries. Throughout Old Town and the Royal Mile are spots specific to the Harry Potter Series. Fun exploring.
Written 22 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Marina S
Vancouver, Canada16 contributions
May 2022
4 streets which named Royal mile - must see in Edinburgh together with Edinburgh castle. Great place to walk, view beautiful churches and houses, shop, drink and it. It is also plenty of interesting museums.
Written 21 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
buggzee
Epsom, UK132 contributions
May 2022
A stroll through history along this road dominated by restaurants, bars and cashmere shops. Don't forget to look up at the impressive architecture.
Written 20 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Samiya7
Deerfield Beach, FL1,039 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
A nice and long street filled with Harry Potter Gothic looking buildings, historical sites, souvenir shops, restaurants and street performers. Well worth a visit.
Written 17 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
EffieMew123
Austin, TX57 contributions
Nov 2021
There's just so much to see along the royal mile. There are at least a couple of large shopping center areas, big cathedrals, restaurants, pubs, and small shops. You can also see several monuments along the path including Edinburgh castle. It's really a nice place to walk if you are trying to experience Edinburgh quickly (like within a day, as we were). Of course there are many other cool streets and areas to visit if you have the time, but if it's a short stay I would definitely prioritize taking a walk along the royal mile.
Written 16 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
LezliC
St. Neots, UK366 contributions
May 2022
The buildings that line the Royal Mile are tall and brooding but the abundance of souvenir shops , the cashmere, tweed and tartan clothes shops are too numerous. Don’t get me started on the whisky retailers. A bit tacky in my opinion.
Written 15 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
How challenging is the royal mile walk? Is it steep? is it possible to avoid the cobbles? Places to sit along the way? I ask because one of my traveling companions has suffered a stroke and walks with a brace. He does pretty well on level ground but hills both up and down can be tricky if they are steep and terrain is uneven.
Lawrence S
Edinburgh, UK151 contributions
Hi,
It's steep from Holyrood Palace to the Castle and you really have to pop in for a coffee or a drink to get a seat! Sorry but would not recommend it for your friend
Raymond F
Kells, Ireland5 contributions
How much is it for a adult
Hazel H
Dundee, UK87 contributions
The Royal Mile is free. It’s basically a long street that leads you to the castle at the top. There is an entrance fee to the castle but you can walk right up to it and take photos etc without having to pay.
Raymond F
Kells, Ireland5 contributions
How much is it for a adult
rainbowdolphin90
Edinburgh, UK484 contributions
The Royal Mile itself and the little closes opening off it is free as it is a public road. But there are charges for the museums that open onto the Royal Mile.
Jessica T
Toronto, Canada58 contributions
I'm from Canada and wanted to contact the Royal Mile Curio. Do you have an email or website details (they may not be that type of place) so I can contact them? I lost something I bought there a few years ago and figured this might be the easiest way to communicate with the shop
Steve D
Exeter, United Kingdom11 contributions
Royal Mile Curios do not seem to list web/email, UK phone number available (+44 131 2264050)
Where can I buy st Andrew s clothing in Edinburgh without going to St. Andrews gold course
Brenda D
Poultney, VT92 contributions
To get the authentic St. Andrews apparel, you'd most likely have to go to the golf course. That being said, it's a scenic ride from Edinburgh and well worth the trip!
Where can I buy st Andrew s clothing in Edinburgh without going to St. Andrews gold course
Lisa R
Warwick, UK25 contributions
Plenty of clothing shops on the Royal mile, we were surprised just how many.
suzied717
Greater London, UK
Which is the underground tour that covers the hospital and old shops.
Brenda D
Poultney, VT92 contributions
Mary's close was not the hospital tour. That was only a tour of the Real Mary Kings close. Interesting nonetheless. There are no shops along the way of this tour though.
jhwj1957
Vandalia, OH
When is the best time to visit and the crowds are not so big
Brenda D
Poultney, VT92 contributions
Definitely NOT August!! The fringe and tattoo are both around the Royal Mile and there are CROWDS of people. If you aren't interested in this type of event, which we were, I would book any month except August.
Frequently Asked Questions about Royal Mile
- Royal Mile is open:
- Sun - Sat 09:00 - 17:00
- We recommend booking Royal Mile tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 109 Royal Mile tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Royal Mile:
- City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour (From £16.57)
- Underground Walking Tour in Edinburgh (From £14.50)
- Royal Mile Guided Walking Tour in Edinburgh (From £25.20)
- Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour: Mysteries, Murder and Legends (From £16.81)
- The Mountebank Comedy Walk of Edinburgh (From £19.68)
- Hotels near Royal Mile:
- (0.04 km) Royal Mile Aparthotel
- (0.05 km) Old Town Royal Mile near Edinburgh Castle
- (0.05 km) Top Royal Mile 2 Bedroom 2 Shower Room Apartment
- (0.05 km) The Witchery by the Castle
- (0.05 km) Royal Mile 2 bedroom 2 bathroom
- Restaurants near Royal Mile:
- (0.02 km) Mackie's Of Scotland Ice Cream
- (0.02 km) Cafe Hub
- (0.03 km) THE LITTLE INN
- (0.03 km) The Ensign Ewart
- (0.04 km) The Castle Arms
- Attractions near Royal Mile:
- (0.02 km) Victoria Regalia - Shop for Freemasons
- (0.03 km) Clan Campbell Tours Scotland
- (0.03 km) The Ensign Ewart
- (0.04 km) Colonel Mackenzie Statue
- (0.04 km) 72nd Highlanders Memorial