Location: Princes Street and Gardens
Top Things to do in Princes Street and Gardens
Top 10 Things to do in Princes Street and Gardens, Scotland
Edinburgh is Scotland’s capital city, renowned for its heritage, culture and festivals.
Take a long walk around the centre to explore the World Heritage Sites of the Old Town and New Town, as well as all the area’s museums and galleries. Then stop for a delicious meal made from fresh Scottish produce before heading out to take in one of Edinburgh’s many events — including the famous summer festivals of culture, or the Winter Festivals of music, light and ceilidhs.
Restaurants in Edinburgh
1. Scott Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,739 reviews
A 200-foot spire dedicated to Sir Walter Scott, the famous Scottish poet.
Reviewed By Andrew081 - St. Albans, United Kingdom
One cannot fail to be impressed by the 61m high Victorian Gothic monument to Scottish author Sir Walter Scot (his books included Rob Roy and Ivanhoe) Completed in 1846 the monument, on Princes Street, is blackish in colour giving it an eerie beauty. The spire is decorated with 64 figures representing various characters from the writer’s novels. In contrast to the blackened construction, the white marble statue of Sir Walter Scott, with his dog Maida, that shines. The monument is split into four levels, but there ere are 287 steps up to the top (cost £8).
2. Princes Street Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,323 reviews
Reviewed By wanderlustsurvivor
This large and beautiful park is situated perfectly in town, and large enough to stroll for hours and wander, or sit on a bench, or by the fountain, etc. Would have liked to spend more time here.
3. Scottish Open
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
The Scottish Open is a golf tournament which is played once a year since 1972 in various prestigious golf courses around Scotland. The Scottish Open has become very popular and now attracts crowds in excess of 300,000 per year with the prize fund having increased from £10,000 back in 1972 to a whopping £3 million today. It is always highly recommended to book accommodation well in advance.
4. Church of St John the Evangelist
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 78 reviews
Reviewed By jeanniedDover_Kent - Barfrestone, United Kingdom
This beautiful old church is situated on the corner of Princes Street and Lothian Road. The stained glass windows are breathtaking in their beauty. They are as awe inspiring as they are beautiful - they are the best ones I have ever seen. As you enter the main building and look up the ceiling is something not to be missed. Although the main body of the church covers a large area there is a small chapel available for private prayer. In fact there is a lovely feeling of peace throughout the building - it is just over 100 years old and yet seems timeless. Downstairs there is a little cafeteria - I was there at lunchtime and was very surprised that it wasn't busier especially as it opens on to a peaceful little garden just by the road and is open to the public. The menu was quite adequate for the snack I needed and the coffee was good - it was reasonably priced too! If you like visiting churches and have a few hours to kill in the west end of Edinburgh this would be a good place to while away the time.
5. Edinburgh VisitScotland iCentre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 136 reviews
Edinburgh VisitScotland iCentre welcomes you to Scotland. Find us on the High Street in the heart of Edinburgh, Scotland’s historic capital. This one-stop shop helps you make the most of your time, and enhance your trip. At Edinburgh and Scotland's iCentre we can help you plan tours, book day-trips, reserve accommodation and purchase transport passes for touring Scotland. You can even reserve ferries to the islands. Discover the latest information on events and festivals taking place in Edinburgh all year round. Buy tickets for Edinburgh attractions, Historic Scotland Explorer Pass, the Royal Edinburgh Ticket and popular city tours. Our gift shop has a wide variety of quality Scottish gifts, a selection of guide books and maps. Drop by to make sure your trip to Scotland is one to remember. The iCentre will be Closed from 24th - 28th December 2020 & 1st - 4th January 2021 . Opening hours 29th & 30th Dec 10am - 16.30pm and 31st 10am - 15.00pm
Reviewed By 223ingridm - Geervliet, The Netherlands
Walked in to enquire about some tours and were very skilfully helped by a lovely lady (Nadira I believe) who assisted us in sorting out some very nice trips. I can all be done on line, but it is so much nicer to interact with real people.
6. Scottish National Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,452 reviews
Situated in the heart of Edinburgh, the Scottish National Gallery is home to one of the best collections of fine art in the world. This includes masterpieces by Botticelli, Raphael, Titian, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Constable, Turner, Monet, Van Gogh and Gauguin. The most comprehensive part of the collection covers the history of Scottish painting with major names such as Ramsay, Raeburn, Wilkie and McTaggart. It is a popular but peaceful attraction in the city centre offering free admission to the permanent collection and additional ticketed exhibitions. This art gallery (or art museum) is part of the National Galleries of Scotland, which also includes the Scottish National Portrait Gallery and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. It is made up of both the National Gallery building and the Royal Scottish Academy building. Both of these buildings, designed by William Henry Playfair, stand in the heart of Edinburgh.
Reviewed By NicolaD914 - Kingston-upon-Hull, United Kingdom
We visited the Scottish National Gallery in March, just before lockdown. It is situated immediately behind the Royal Scottish Academy on Princes Street and is far more interesting and also free to enter. It is a lovely building, with bright spacious galleries and houses paintings by world famous artists such as Constable, Van Gogh, Vermeer, Titian, Monet, Turner, Rembrandt. There has to be something for everyone here. We are not experts by any means but enjoyed our visit and found some of the paintings very interesting. It is well worth a visit.
7. St Cuthbert's Parish Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 109 reviews
St Cuthbert's is a Church of Scotland Presbyterian Church. Believed to be the oldest Christian site in Edinburgh, and originally founded by St Cuthbert around 1100 years ago. The current spire is dated 1775, and is all that remains of the previous building. The current building was completed in 1894. Regular Sunday services are : 9:30am Holy Communion. 11am Morning Worship and 6pm Evening Worship, include the ministry of prayer for healing. Full service details and what's taking place in the church, can be found on the website. Find us on the corner of Lothian Road and Kings' Stables Road in Edinburgh, Scotland. St Cuthbert's core vision is to : Live out the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as God's people, at the heart of our city. Nurture hearts for God. Offer a home to friend and stranger. Provide a hub to equip the people of God for the mission of God.
Reviewed By SeaWorshipper - Denver, United States
Unfortunately, the Church was closed because we arrived at night. We wandered around the outside grounds and took some magnificent photos of the outside. You can see the Edinburgh Castle up high through the trees. Mom & I ran into a tour group that was just entering the Cemetery. The young man who was leading the group said we were brave to go by ourselves through the "kirkyard" and asked if we were visited by any spirits. I am sure it would have been great to tag along to hear his tales from long ago. It is absolutely beautiful, especially with a full moon. When I go back, I will make sure I see the inside too. I would recommend a hour to three if you are going to check out the cemetery as well.
8. Wojtek "the Soldier Bear" Statue
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 56 reviews
Statue of Wojtek "the Soldier Bear" and his keeper unveiled on the 7th November 2015 by the Wojtek Memorial Trust to commemorate remarkable story of Wojtek and as a tribute to all brave men, women and children who fought in the World War II.
Reviewed By johnhp702 - Derby, United Kingdom
What a fabulous and moving story from when the world was in great danger and the heroic sacrifices of people and of course Wojtek who fought so that we could have our freedom, I loved everything about this.
9. St John's Episcopal Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 44 reviews
Reviewed By ian_dempster - Wigan, United Kingdom
As an avid Church visitor this is a most strikingly beautiful church inside. The decor is stunning with magnificent ceiling and beautiful stained glass windows. A very serene church.
10. Ross Fountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By macedonboy - Glasgow, United Kingdom
The Ross Fountain is a fountain in Princes Street Gardens gifted to Edinburgh city by gunmaker Daniel Ross in 1862. It's last restoration was in 2018 and now the fountain is predominantly painted in turquoise, brown and gold. Around the base of the fountain, there are mermaids, walrus, lion heads and cherubs. At the top are featured four semi-nude female figures alluding to the Scottish Enlightenment, representing science, arts, poetry and industry. A wonderful statue, no matter the weather in Edinburgh. Edinburgh Castle to the south of the fountain provides a stunning backdrop for the fountain for those postcard picture perfect photos.
