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 center lies the neighborhood 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


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 ₹18,749 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
₹18,749
₹22,499 total
20 Jul - 21 Jul
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! (1,756 reviews)
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Reviewed on 17 Jul 2025

Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
YOTEL Edinburgh

YOTEL Edinburgh

4 out of 5
Erskine House, Queen Street, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is ₹17,379 per night from 29 Jul to 30 Jul
₹17,379
₹20,855 total
29 Jul - 30 Jul
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! (2,276 reviews)
Accessible Room in the Heart of Edinburgh
"Great little budget hotel 15-20 minutes walk from pretty much everything! Visited as a wheelchair user, and the room was great, only things to note, the main entrance has steps, but they have a portable ramp, if you're solo you may need to get someone to grab reception to deploy it. Also, if you ..."

Reviewed on 18 Jul 2025

YOTEL Edinburgh
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
The price is ₹18,205 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
₹18,205
₹21,846 total
20 Jul - 21 Jul
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! (226 reviews)
"Staff at the front desk is very nice, Sri offered us room upgrade to king bed with Castle view after we signed up for ASR rewards. Rooms are spacious and the bathrooms are clean. Breakfast buffet is really good with a variety of options and the staff is friendly. Overall we enjoyed staying 2 nights, ..."

Reviewed on 16 Jul 2025

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

voco Edinburgh - Royal Terrace by IHG

4 out of 5
18 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is ₹18,121 per night from 29 Jul to 30 Jul
₹18,121
₹21,745 total
29 Jul - 30 Jul
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! (781 reviews)
"All of the staff we interacted with could not have been more helpful, especially the receptionists. We had a lovely stay and enjoyed breakfast in the terrace in the morning and the bar in the evening! It’s perfectly located to explore Edinburgh and has loads of easy transport links nearby. Would ..."

Reviewed on 10 Jul 2025

voco Edinburgh - Royal Terrace by IHG
Motel One Edinburgh - Royal

Motel One Edinburgh - Royal

3 out of 5
18-21 Market Street, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is ₹16,953 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
₹16,953
₹20,343 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
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! (1,007 reviews)
"Convenient."

Reviewed on 16 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
The price is ₹18,783 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
₹18,783
₹22,540 total
20 Jul - 21 Jul
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! (1,006 reviews)
"Great stay, no issues at all. Really friendly staff. We would stay again."

Reviewed on 15 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 Royal Mile or Edinburgh Castle 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
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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
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Old Town Edinburgh

4.5/5(1,168 area reviews)

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

Old Town Edinburgh
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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
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Bonnington

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

Bonnington
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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