13 Best Views in Edinburgh That You Can’t Miss

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Wondering about the best views in Edinburgh?

A capital city with history and personality to spare, Edinburgh is among the most photogenic destinations in the United Kingdom.

In fact, I took a one-week trip to explore Scotland by car and found the views in Edinburgh to be some of the best.

From gardens to gables, there’s an incredible view around virtually every corner in the city center and even beyond. Here’s a collection of some of the best views in Edinburgh!

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Map of Edinburgh’s Best Views

In case you’re in a hurry, here’s a glimpse at all of the best views throughout Edinburgh.

Best Views in Edinburgh

Arthur’s Seat

Edinburgh native Robert Louis Stevenson perfectly described Arthur’s Seat as “a hill for magnitude, a mountain in virtue of its bold design.”

Bold indeed–this dormant volcano tops out at 822 feet (about 250 meters), which allows for a good bracing hike and incredible sweeping views of the city and surrounding countryside.

If you go at sunrise or sunset, you’ll be treated to breathtaking color displays as well as relative peace and quiet.

Be sure to wear sturdy waterproof shoes and a jacket, and bring a good light with you–the paths can be dark and slippery early or late in the day, and the wind is surprisingly strong at the peak.

However, the views are one hundred percent worth the effort!

Calton Hill

Another dormant volcano–Edinburgh’s famously craggy foundations were shaped by volcanic activity millennia ago–Calton Hill stands known as “Edinburgh’s Acropolis.”

Here, large monuments from Nelson’s Column to Scotland’s National Monument dot the landscape, but the real feature here is the panoramic views!

Situated just about smack in the city center, Calton Hill’s peak yields the most incredible 360-degree view of Edinburgh. 

It is best to visit Calton Hill during good broad daylight on a clear afternoon for the very best in epic photographic opportunities.

Scott Monument

If you’re flying into Edinburgh Airport, make it a point to take the tram from the airport and hop off at Princes Street near Marks & Spencer–this will drop you almost at the foot of the breathtaking Victorian Gothic Scott Monument.

A memorial to Scottish author Sir Walter Scott, this ornate spire is an amazing location, not only beautiful to look at but rewarding to look from as well.

If you’re up to the challenge of climbing the nearly 300 steep, narrow steps to the highest point, your prize is a birds-eye outlook of Edinburgh proper, with views of Edinburgh Castle, Arthur’s Seat, and even the Firth of Forth–said to be some of the most beautiful views in Scotland.

The least crowded times to visit will be during the off-season of November to February, but keep in mind that high winds may cause the monument to close at times for safety reasons.

The Vennel

The great thing about Edinburgh is that you don’t have to be at high altitudes to experience amazing views. One superb ground-level Edinburgh viewpoint is The Vennel, an alleyway with terraced steps near the Grassmarket.

Walking the full length of The Vennel yields a full treasure chest of postcard-perfect photo opportunities, with the peak offering being in the center: Edinburgh Castle, rising high on her craggy seat, flanked and framed by the buildings surrounding you to create an iconic picture moment.

Sunrise is a wonderful time to get to the center of The Vennel to photograph one of the best views of Edinburgh Castle.

The crowds usually haven’t gathered yet, and the warm light of the rising sun bathes the castle in molten gold, making for an enchanting photograph.

Read More: Best Instagram Spots in Edinburgh Scotland 📸

Blackford Hill

The very definition of “rolling hills” is found when you hike your way up Blackford Hill. It will be a lovely, rambling hike, and your reward at the top is a sprawling view of Edinburgh on three sides and the Pentland Hills to the south.

Hiking down a bit, you’ll also be able to visit the Royal Observatory for a different angle on the wonderful green views. 

As with all hill hikes, wear good shoes and a light jacket, and go during daylight hours for the best light.

Dean Village

One of the most beautiful places in Edinburgh is the thoroughly charming Dean Village.

Once a major grain milling area for centuries, Dean Village is located quite near the city center, yet it makes you feel like you’ve stepped even further back in time.

There are lovely old stone buildings, festoons of lovely greenery, cobbled alleyways, and even beautifully weathered bridges for perfect waterside photo moments.

Late spring and the summertime will be excellent times to visit Dean Village when the greenery is in full force. You’ll get sunlight reflecting on the water and pops of fresh green color against ancient stone… very fairy tale dreams come to life!

National Museum of Scotland’s Roof

Worth a visit in and of itself, the National Museum of Scotland is of course an iconic institution. But after you’ve had a good ramble through it, don’t leave right away–take the lift up to the rooftop terrace.

It’s beautifully designed, and by virtue of the museum’s location in the middle of Old Town Edinburgh, you get an unparalleled view of the city’s rooftops and monuments, ideal for the urban landscape enthusiast.

Now, a really good rooftop view is best on an overcast, even slightly drizzly day.

But in terms of crowds, the National Museum is best visited near the start or the end of their business day, during the week–avoid weekends and public holidays if you want a quieter experience.

Cockburn Street

Sinuous, serpentine Cockburn Street connects Waverly and the High Street areas of Edinburgh, but it’s certainly more than just a convenient transit route.

Lined by largely four-story 19th-century buildings, Cockburn lends one a feel of walking through a particularly ornate cavern when you make your way down the street.

And make sure you look up! Many of the buildings feature quirky, weathered old carved sculptures, including one of the Lord Cockburn for whom the street is named.

This is a popular thoroughfare and photography spot. Early in the day is probably better if you want a chance at a good view of the streets being clear, but this may actually be a spot where it’s better to see it alive and bustling with people.

Give both a shot!

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle is a stunner of a viewpoint in Edinburgh, whether you’re up top or down below. Make the trek up the Royal Mile to the top, and there’s the Castle itself, of course.

Parts of it, like St. Margaret’s Chapel, date back to the 12th century and cannot be missed. The old, weathered stone and jagged crags of the rock the castle stands on make for moody, picturesque views on a cloudy afternoon.

And the city spreading out below the castle rock will take your breath away.

Down below in the Princes Street Gardens, walking the winding, terraced paths with your favorite low-key playlist in your ears conjures the feeling of being in a fuzzy, nostalgic 80’s UK music video (think Life In A Northern Town, In A Big Country, those guys).

But wander around further, and you’ll also get to enjoy the ornate 19th-century Ross Fountain, the charming Gardener’s Cottage, and the memorial to Wojtek the Soldier Bear.

This is another immensely popular tourist destination, and unlike most, first thing in the morning is not the optimum time to come if you’re hoping to avoid crowds. Try later in the afternoon, after lunch, and the Castle grounds may be somewhat quieter.

The Royal Mile

At one end, a castle on a crag that’s more ancient than ancient. At the other, the Scotland residence of the current monarch of the United Kingdom. In between? More monuments, histories, museums and curiosities than you can imagine.

At just over one English mile long (the Scots mile that applies here is a now-obsolete unit of measurement that was slightly longer than the English mile), the Royal Mile is the answer to the question, “How could you experience the essence of Edinburgh’s history if you only had one afternoon?”

Each of the six designated areas of the Mile offers a different experience in architecture, history, and things to do or see. 

The Mile being the main thoroughfare of Old Town Edinburgh, it’s naturally quite busy most of the time. If your goal is to experience and explore the full walk of it, plan to start at Holyroodhouse at the beginning of your day and try to aim to reach Edinburgh Castle just after lunchtime.

If you’re simply walking the mile with no intent to explore, it should only take you half an hour… but you’ll definitely be exploring. Wear comfy shoes and take your time.

Victoria Street

Victoria Street is the icon when it comes to Edinburgh’s viewpoints. This candy-colorful shopping street is generally very crowded thanks to its pop-cultured history, yet it remains one of the best photo spots in Edinburgh.

You’ll find it on postcards, at the top of Edinburgh image searches, and all over Edinburgh tags on Instagram.

You can get the Insta-perfect curving rainbow view at the bottom of Victoria Street, standing near the Isle of Skye Candle Company shop.

But if you approach from up top, on Victoria Terrace near the St. Columba Free Church, you’ll get to see Victoria Street from another perspective that makes for a slightly more unusual photo opportunity.

St Giles Cathedral

Imposing St. Giles Cathedral is the medieval anchor of the Royal Mile, situated at the halfway point between Edinburgh Castle and Holyroodhouse. And it is an awe-inspiring edifice.

Absolutely stunning stonework, exquisite stained glass, and beautiful arches are just some of what makes the cathedral’s interior one of the most beautiful places in Edinburgh.

Since the current cathedral dates back in part to at least the 14th century, you can imagine that countless eras in design and architecture are represented within its walls.

St. Giles Cathedral is still an active church, with services held on Sundays. If your goal is quiet contemplation and exploration with smaller crowds, go in the mornings during the week.

Camera Obscura

The Camera Obscura+World of Illusions is an attraction with a long and slightly convoluted history as Edinburgh’s oldest purpose-built attraction.

Originally established in 1835, the Camera Obscura has undergone changes but remains a fascinating experience in terms of its five floors of interactive, educational exhibits and in its unusual view of Edinburgh–the sixth, topmost floor is a large, dark chamber that’s actually part of a real working Camera Obscura, projecting live images from the city below onto a viewing table via nothing more than daylight and strategically placed mirrors. 

There’s also a rooftop terrace where you can see that live view directly, and much like the views from the Scott Monument, it’s a birds-eye stunner of an overlook.

Camera Obscure+World of Illusions is open seven days a week, but the tower Camera Obscura can only work properly on a clear, sunny day–so keep weather conditions in mind when you plan your visit.

Final Thoughts: Most Beautiful Views in Edinburgh

Whether you’re up high in a tower or firmly planted on the ground below, Edinburgh is a gem of a city with stunning views around every corner.

You’ll have an unforgettable visual experience on your next visit–just keep this list of the best views in Edinburgh on hand to help ensure it!

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