Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Name: Royal Mile
Address: Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH1 2PB, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 131 510 7555

#102 among attractions in Edinburgh

Street

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Map

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Facts and practical information

The Royal Mile is a succession of streets forming the main thoroughfare of the Old Town of the city of Edinburgh in Scotland. The term was first used descriptively in W M Gilbert's Edinburgh in the Nineteenth Century, "...with its Castle and Palace and the royal mile between", and was further popularised as the title of a guidebook by R T Skinner published in 1920, "The Royal Mile Castle to Holyrood". ()

Alternative names: Coordinates: 55°56'58"N, 3°11'32"W

Address

Royal MileOld Town (Cowgate)Edinburgh EH1 2PB United Kingdom

Contact

+44 131 510 7555

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Edinburgh

Day trips

Royal Mile – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Cockburn Street, St Giles' Cathedral, Gladstone's Land, Thistle Chapel.

~730 ftNE
Shopping, Shopping district
Cockburn Street, Edinburgh
4 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town, Cockburn Street is a vibrant and picturesque shopping district that offers a unique blend of historical charm and contemporary retail experience. This winding, cobbled street, which slopes steeply down from the Royal Mile...
~320 ftE
Iconic Presbyterian place of worship
St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh
2 min walk • St Giles' Cathedral, often referred to as the High Kirk of Edinburgh, stands as a venerable beacon of Scotland's ecclesiastical history, nestled in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town. This majestic church, with its distinctive crown steeple piercing the skyline, is not...
~310 ftW
Museum, History museum, Historical place
Gladstone's Land, Edinburgh
2 min walk • Stepping into Gladstone's Land is like traveling back in time through the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town. This historic tenement, managed by the National Trust for Scotland, offers a vivid glimpse into 17th-century city life.
~350 ftE
Church, Gothic Revival architecture
Thistle Chapel, Edinburgh
2 min walk • Nestled within the historic walls of St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh, Thistle Chapel stands as a stunning example of Gothic architecture and Scottish tradition. This intimate chapel, an addition to the cathedral completed in 1911, is the spiritual home of The Most...
~340 ftNW
Museum, Specialty museum, History museum
Museum on the Mound, Edinburgh
2 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Scotland's historic capital, the Museum on the Mound stands as a testament to Edinburgh's rich cultural tapestry. Located within the iconic headquarters of the Bank of Scotland, this unique museum takes visitors on an enlightening journey...
~730 ftW
Science museum, Observation decks and towers, Museum
Camera Obscura, Edinburgh
4 min walk • Perched high on Edinburgh's Royal Mile, the Camera Obscura and World of Illusions is a unique attraction that offers visitors an enchanting experience blending history, science, and amusement. Established in the 19th century, this fascinating venue houses a delightful...
~500 ftS
Dancing, Nightlife
Subway Cowgate, Edinburgh
3 min walk • 65 Cowgate is a multi-storey building situated on the historic Cowgate, Edinburgh, Scotland, which is used each August as a venue complex for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world's largest open access festival.
~640 ftNE
Game and entertainment center, Concerts and shows, Entertainment
Edinburgh Dungeon, Edinburgh
4 min walk • The Edinburgh Dungeon is an underground tourist attraction in Edinburgh's city centre, on East Market Street, which uses live actor shows and interactive rides to show various historical events from Scottish history in a scary fun style, with audience interaction and special effects, theatrical sets and performance.
~380 ftNE
Haunted tours through now-hidden alleys
Mary King's Close, Edinburgh
2 min walk • Mary King's Close is a historic close located under buildings on the Royal Mile, in the historic Old Town area of Edinburgh, Scotland. It took its name from one Mary King, a merchant burgess who resided on the Close in the 17th century.
~400 ftSW
Church
Quaker Meeting House, Edinburgh
2 min walk • The Quaker Meeting House, Edinburgh is a Category B listed building in Edinburgh, Scotland, situated on Victoria Terrace in the city's Old Town. It is the central meeting house for members of the Quakers in Edinburgh. There is also another Quaker meeting held in the Open Door cafe in Morningside in the south of the city.
~330 ftW
Museum, Robert Louis Stevenson, Specialty museum
Writers' Museum, Edinburgh
2 min walk • The Writers’ Museum, housed in Lady Stair's House at the Lawnmarket, on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, presents the lives of three of the foremost Scottish writers: Robert Burns, Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is Royal Mile open?

Royal Mile is open:

Monday 9 am - 5 pm
Tuesday 9 am - 5 pm
Wednesday 9 am - 5 pm
Thursday 9 am - 5 pm
Friday 9 am - 5 pm
Saturday 9 am - 5 pm
Sunday 9 am - 5 pm

Which popular attractions are close to Royal Mile?

Nearby attractions include Heart of Midlothian, Edinburgh (1 min walk), Advocates Close, Edinburgh (2 min walk), Advocates Library, Edinburgh (2 min walk), Edinburgh City Chambers, Edinburgh (2 min walk).

How to get to Royal Mile by public transport?

The nearest stations to Royal Mile:

Bus

Victoria Street • Lines: 23, 27, 41 (2 min walk)
Chambers Street • Lines: 41 (5 min walk)

Train

Edinburgh Waverley (5 min walk)
Haymarket (28 min walk)

Tram

Princes Street • Lines: Edinburgh Trams Eastbound, Edinburgh Trams Westbound (7 min walk)
St Andrew Square • Lines: Edinburgh Trams Eastbound, Edinburgh Trams Westbound (10 min walk)