New Town

Edinburgh

Edinburgh featuring heritage architecture and night scenes
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

Things to do


Top hotels in New Town

Apex Waterloo Place Hotel

Apex Waterloo Place Hotel

4 out of 5
23-27 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, Scotland
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P12,436 per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
P12,436
P14,923 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,794 reviews)
"Great place and convenient location!"

Reviewed on Aug 18, 2025

Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
YOTEL Edinburgh

YOTEL Edinburgh

4 out of 5
Erskine House, Queen Street, Edinburgh, Scotland
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P9,136 per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
P9,136
P10,964 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,291 reviews)
"4 day visit to the Fringe. Hotel was in an excellent central location. Neat and tidy and the room was a great size Perfect for us."

Reviewed on Aug 17, 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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P9,118 per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
P9,118
P10,942 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (264 reviews)
"Friendly staff; fantastic breakfast; comfortable beds; great location."

Reviewed on Aug 18, 2025

Mount Royal Hotel Edinburgh by The Unlimited Collection
Kimpton Charlotte Square by IHG

Kimpton Charlotte Square by IHG

5 out of 5
38 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is P20,062 per night from Aug 25 to Aug 26
P20,062
P24,075 total
Aug 25 - Aug 26
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
"Beautiful property and service"

Reviewed on Jul 27, 2025

Kimpton Charlotte Square by IHG
Courtyard by Marriott Edinburgh

Courtyard by Marriott Edinburgh

4 out of 5
1-3 Baxters Place, Edinburgh, Scotland
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P10,916 per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
P10,916
P13,100 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
"Great"

Reviewed on Aug 19, 2025

Courtyard by Marriott Edinburgh
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
Fully refundable
The price is P9,224 per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
P9,224
P11,069 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,003 reviews)
Good hotel but expensive
"Hotel.is in a wonderful location near rotal mile Rooms for 4 are big but sofa bed is not comfortable and i ended up sleeping on the floor since they did not have a roll.away bed for this reason i find the hotel expensive."

Reviewed on Aug 11, 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 showing skyline, a city and general coastal views

Edinburgh City Centre

While you're in Edinburgh City Centre, take in top sights like Royal Mile or Edinburgh Castle, and hop on the metro to see more the city at St Andrew Square Tram Stop or Princes Street Tram Stop.

Edinburgh City Centre
Default Image

Stockbridge

Historic 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
Default Image

Old Town Edinburgh

5/5(1 area review)

Old Town Edinburgh is known for its popular shops, and you can see some sights in the area like Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle.

Old Town Edinburgh
Default Image

Broughton

Travelers 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
Default Image

Bonnington

While there might not be top attractions in Bonnington, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle.

Bonnington
Default Image

Tollcross

Travelers come to Tollcross for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Usher Hall and King's Theatre while you're in town.

Tollcross

New Town