George Square, Edinburgh

Name: George Square
Address: Edinburgh, United Kingdom

#209 among attractions in Edinburgh

Square, Georgian architecture

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Map

Gallery

Facts and practical information

George Square is a city square in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is in the south of the city centre, adjacent to the Meadows. It was laid out in 1766 outside the overcrowded Old Town, and was a popular residential area for Edinburgh's better-off citizens. In the 1960s, much of the square was redeveloped by the University of Edinburgh, although the Cockburn Association and the Georgian Group of Edinburgh protested. Most but not all buildings on the square now belong to the university. Principal buildings include the Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre, Edinburgh University Library, 40 George Square and Appleton Tower. ()

Alternative names: Coordinates: 55°56'36"N, 3°11'18"W

Address

Southside (Newington)Edinburgh United Kingdom

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Day trips

George Square – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Greyfriars Kirkyard, National Museum of Scotland, Subway Cowgate, The Meadows.

~1600 ftNW
Reportedly haunted, Cemetery
Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh
8 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh's bustling Old Town lies Greyfriars Kirkyard, a historic cemetery that is as rich in history as it is in atmosphere. Established in the late 16th century, this graveyard is renowned for its connection to the city's past and its...
~1400 ftN
Natural history and industrial exhibits
National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh
7 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh's historic landscape, the National Museum of Scotland stands as a beacon of culture and knowledge. This impressive institution is a must-visit for anyone interested in the rich tapestry of Scotland's past, its contributions to the...
~1940 ftN
Dancing, Nightlife
Subway Cowgate, Edinburgh
10 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.
~920 ftSW
Park
The Meadows, Edinburgh
5 min walk • The Meadows is a large public park in Edinburgh, Scotland, to the south of the city centre. It consists largely of open grassland crossed by tree-lined paths, but also has a children's playground, a croquet club, tennis courts and recreational sport pitches.
~1210 ftNW
Nightlife
Sandy Bell's, Edinburgh
6 min walk • Sandy Bell's is a music pub in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is known locally and internationally for its live traditional music sessions, it was frequented regularly by folklorist Hamish Henderson prior to his death in 2002, indeed there is a bust of Henderson displayed above the bar.
~1510 ftNE
Museum, Science museum, History museum
Surgeons' Hall Museums, Edinburgh
8 min walk • Surgeons' Hall in Edinburgh, Scotland, is the headquarters of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. It houses the Surgeons' Hall Museum, and the library and archive of the RCSED. The present Surgeons' Hall was designed by William Henry Playfair and completed in 1832, and is a category A listed building.
~830 ftNE
Mosque, Architecture, Sacred and religious sites
Edinburgh Central Mosque, Edinburgh
5 min walk • Edinburgh Central Mosque is located on Potterrow near the University of Edinburgh central area and the National Museum of Scotland. The mosque and Islamic centre was designed by Dr. Basil Al Bayati, and took more than six years to complete at a cost of £3.5M.
~1480 ftNW
17th-century active church and arts venue
Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh
8 min walk • Greyfriars Kirk is a parish church of the Church of Scotland, located in the Old Town of Edinburgh, Scotland. It is surrounded by Greyfriars Kirkyard. Greyfriars traces its origin to the south-west parish of Edinburgh, founded in 1598. Initially, this congregation met in the western portion of St Giles'.
~1520 ftSE
Nightlife, Music and shows, Theater
The Queen's Hall, Edinburgh
8 min walk • The Queen's Hall is a 900-capacity music venue, situated on Clerk Street in Edinburgh, Scotland. Originally built in 1823 as Hope Park Chapel, it was converted to its current role in 1979 and was formally opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 6 July 1979.
~1730 ftNE
Church, Event space
Murder of Lord Darnley, Edinburgh
9 min walk • The murder of Lord Darnley, second husband of Mary, Queen of Scots, took place on 10 February 1567 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Darnley's lodgings were destroyed by gunpowder; his body and that of his servant were found nearby, apparently having been strangled rather than killed in the explosion.
~1330 ftN
Reportedly haunted, Theater, Concerts and shows
Festival Theatre, Edinburgh
7 min walk • The Edinburgh Festival Theatre is a performing arts venue located on Nicolson Street in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is used primarily for performances of opera and ballet, large-scale musical events, and touring groups.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which popular attractions are close to George Square?

Nearby attractions include George Square Theatre, Edinburgh (1 min walk), Edinburgh University Library, Edinburgh (2 min walk), St Albert's Catholic Chaplaincy, Edinburgh (3 min walk), Orthodox Chapel of St Andrew, Edinburgh (3 min walk).

How to get to George Square by public transport?

The nearest stations to George Square:

Bus

Chapel Street • Lines: 41 (4 min walk)
Bristo Square • Lines: 41, 47 (5 min walk)

Train

Edinburgh Waverley (16 min walk)

Tram

Princes Street • Lines: Edinburgh Trams Eastbound, Edinburgh Trams Westbound (18 min walk)
St Andrew Square • Lines: Edinburgh Trams Eastbound, Edinburgh Trams Westbound (21 min walk)