Calton Hill
Calton Hill
4.5
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Lookouts • Geologic Formations
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12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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About
Historic neighborhood lined with monuments dating back to the Enlightenment.
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Broughton & Calton
Lying where grandiose New Town townhouses give way to malls and utilitarian housing, Broughton and Calton have long been transitional neighborhoods with a mixed identity. It’s here that Edinburgh’s gay village found a home in the 1980s. But gay culture is anything but overt along bustling epicenter Broughton Street; even if polished pubs, hip bistros, smart delis and art galleries all speak of affluent good taste. The top of Leith Walk is more ragged. This major thoroughfare boasts a famously gritty gay club, as well as a strip of good Indian restaurants. Regal Georgian and Victorian townhouses preside over largely deserted streets in Calton, where only the occasional restaurant or hotel brings much life. Even so, a steady trickle of idlers and picnickers pass by to climb Calton Hill for its wide-open lawns, wonderful city views, and curious monuments – an Athenian-style temple among them.
See what travelers are saying
  • goldeng1rl
    Edinburgh, United Kingdom211 contributions
    Outstanding panoramic views
    We visited on a cold, wet and windy day but it was well worth it. I have a blue badge so was able to be driven to the top and to park. The paths are very flat and smooth so very wheelchair friendly. The view includes all the way from the Castle, Scott Monument, the construction of the replacement of St James Centre, over to the Forth Rail Bridge, Leith and all the way round to the coast of East Lothian. We went into an exhibition about an aquarium in Casablanca which wasn’t very interesting and didn’t explain why it was there or it’s connection with Edinburgh. There is a kiosk selling high quality coffee and cakes. If you keep going you will eventually reach the Lookout restaurant although it is so popular you will have to book in advance even in winter.
    Visited January 2020
    Traveled as a couple
    Written January 16, 2020
  • Chris W
    Naseby, United Kingdom86 contributions
    Dramatic and freezing cold!
    We climbed in rain up to the top, not far really, then it rained and the rain turned to sleet, the sleet whipped up a storm then sunshine came out again. The view is wonderful and if you are new to the city it gives a good over view to get your bearings as you can see for miles in every direction. We staggered down again, weather beaten and happy to go into the first coffee shop we saw to dry out.
    Visited February 2020
    Traveled as a couple
    Written February 22, 2020
  • Sasha M
    Sydney, Australia389 contributions
    Fantastic views and fresh air
    The hill is worth climbing the stairs! At the top the parkland is extensive and there are fantastic Views of the city and coastline. The old monuments and observatory make for some interesting viewing and of course the photos from here are brilliant. We were there on a cold windy day, so take a scarf and beanie as it gets cold up there as it is very exposed.
    Visited January 2020
    Traveled as a couple
    Written January 17, 2020
  • Jacob
    Wagga Wagga, Australia74 contributions
    Can tick multiple things off at once, and a great view!
    This was well worth getting to the top of the hill for. Plenty of monuments to take photos of. The view of the city and Arthur's seat is uninterrupted as well which makes it a great spot to hang about for an extended period. Highly recommend.
    Visited January 2020
    Traveled as a couple
    Written January 31, 2020
  • SmithySy57
    Woking, United Kingdom8 contributions
    Excellent Edinburgh views
    An enjoyable walk for great views! Our family of 4, including 10 and 8 year old, loved this stroll for brilliant views. We climbed Jacob's Ladder steps to visit the Burns Monument first, then strolled by the Scottish Government Building and across the road to go up some more steps to the top of the hill. Plenty of monuments to see and learn about on Calton Hill itself (Nelson Monument, National Monument, Dugald Stewart Monument, the Observatory), as well as fantastic views of the city, the castle, Arthur's Seat, Holyrood palace, River Forth...it's well worth the stroll and it's hardly any distance at from the city centre. Highly recommended!
    Visited February 2020
    Traveled with family
    Written March 3, 2020
  • Eilidh F
    1 contribution
    Beltane fire festival
    My boyfriend and I found it very overpriced. It was £40 for us both to watch the festival but you couldn’t see what was going on half of the time due to crowds of people and no space and when you finally got a space the performers would leave and randomly move somewhere else with nothing to tell you where there going or a time schedule. It also was just very underwhelming at the rare chance you did get to see something in our opinion as the performances were quite repetitive.
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written May 3, 2023
  • Holly
    58 contributions
    Great views of Edinburgh
    We visited in the evening during golden hour and it was lovely to check out the view of the city. Really nice and chill. The steps up weren't to difficult to come up either. Lots of youths hanging around the area having fun.
    Visited July 2021
    Written July 21, 2021
  • Vensure1
    Ottawa, Canada111 contributions
    Incomparable views
    My first time to Edinburgh and I can say: nothing compares to a view from Calton Hill, except maybe a view during sunset (which I didn't quite get to do!) True to the pictures and other reviews, it is a truly remarkable vista... in all directions. Perhaps that's what makes it so unique. You can see the Mound and Edinburgh Castle plus the sprawling city beyond to the west, the borough of Leith and the Forth to the North (hey that rhymes), and of course Arthur's Seat to the south and east (also a splendid view from the top), so I recommend bringing binoculars if you want to get a zoom-in view, since I don't recall them having telescopes there. It's also renowned for having neo-classical architecture on there, like Nelson's Monument and the Waterloo Monument.
    Visited May 2022
    Written June 5, 2022
  • Sandy
    Kincardine, Canada2,046 contributions
    Go for the views, best panorama of the city.
    This is the place to walk up and get the best panoramic views of the city. Now, if you are mobility challenged, it is a difficult set of stairs on the New town side, so take your time. Also be careful on the walking tracks, as with a bit of rain, they are very slick. Otherwise, it affords tremendous views of the city. On the way back down, take in the old Calton burial ground. It’s well worth an explore. Recommend
    Visited February 2020
    Traveled as a couple
    Written February 17, 2020
  • 19CaroleK
    Montrose, United Kingdom253 contributions
    Sunny day in February
    What can I say the views are spectacular - if you don't want to climb Arthur's Seat for the views this is the easiest one to do for the all round views. Even in February there were lots of people but still managed to get some great photos. We walked up waterloo place and climbed the stairs from this part of the city this seemed quite easy but there are other routes you can take
    Visited February 2020
    Written February 4, 2020
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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Jacob
Wagga Wagga, Australia74 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
This was well worth getting to the top of the hill for. Plenty of monuments to take photos of. The view of the city and Arthur's seat is uninterrupted as well which makes it a great spot to hang about for an extended period.

Highly recommend.
Written January 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SmithySy57
Woking, UK8 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
An enjoyable walk for great views!
Our family of 4, including 10 and 8 year old, loved this stroll for brilliant views.
We climbed Jacob's Ladder steps to visit the Burns Monument first, then strolled by the Scottish Government Building and across the road to go up some more steps to the top of the hill.
Plenty of monuments to see and learn about on Calton Hill itself (Nelson Monument, National Monument, Dugald Stewart Monument, the Observatory), as well as fantastic views of the city, the castle, Arthur's Seat, Holyrood palace, River Forth...it's well worth the stroll and it's hardly any distance at from the city centre.
Highly recommended!
Written March 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Eilidh F
1 contribution
Apr 2023 • Couples
My boyfriend and I found it very overpriced. It was £40 for us both to watch the festival but you couldn’t see what was going on half of the time due to crowds of people and no space and when you finally got a space the performers would leave and randomly move somewhere else with nothing to tell you where there going or a time schedule. It also was just very underwhelming at the rare chance you did get to see something in our opinion as the performances were quite repetitive.
Written May 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Holly
58 contributions
Jul 2021
We visited in the evening during golden hour and it was lovely to check out the view of the city. Really nice and chill. The steps up weren't to difficult to come up either. Lots of youths hanging around the area having fun.
Written July 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Vensure1
Ottawa, Canada111 contributions
May 2022
My first time to Edinburgh and I can say: nothing compares to a view from Calton Hill, except maybe a view during sunset (which I didn't quite get to do!) True to the pictures and other reviews, it is a truly remarkable vista... in all directions. Perhaps that's what makes it so unique. You can see the Mound and Edinburgh Castle plus the sprawling city beyond to the west, the borough of Leith and the Forth to the North (hey that rhymes), and of course Arthur's Seat to the south and east (also a splendid view from the top), so I recommend bringing binoculars if you want to get a zoom-in view, since I don't recall them having telescopes there. It's also renowned for having neo-classical architecture on there, like Nelson's Monument and the Waterloo Monument.
Written June 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sandy
Kincardine, Canada2,046 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
This is the place to walk up and get the best panoramic views of the city. Now, if you are mobility challenged, it is a difficult set of stairs on the New town side, so take your time. Also be careful on the walking tracks, as with a bit of rain, they are very slick.
Otherwise, it affords tremendous views of the city. On the way back down, take in the old Calton burial ground. It’s well worth an explore.
Recommend
Written February 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

19CaroleK
Montrose, UK253 contributions
Feb 2020
What can I say the views are spectacular - if you don't want to climb Arthur's Seat for the views this is the easiest one to do for the all round views.

Even in February there were lots of people but still managed to get some great photos.

We walked up waterloo place and climbed the stairs from this part of the city this seemed quite easy but there are other routes you can take
Written February 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

JTJD
United Kingdom1,028 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
We headed to this area one evening specifically to take photographs of the city. You get great views of Edinburgh & if you get a good sunset it’s spectacular.
The place was busy with tourists & it felt quiet safe in the early evening when it was still light.
Written July 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ian C
London, UK23,970 contributions
Feb 2020
At the top of Carlton Hill are monuments to Nelson and Robert Burns and the unfinished National Monument with a predominant Greek architectural style reinforcing Edinburgh's title of 'Athens of the North'.

Less well-known is the City Observatory which for many years was the Royal Observatory before its move to Blackford Hill in 1896.

The origins of the observatory on Carlton Hill go back to the mid-18th century when a joint private and university observatory was created in buildings which are Gothic in style. Playfair's neoclassical temple with its four wings round a central dome came in 1822 as the Royal Observatory.

The Observatory was latterly occupied by the Edinburgh Astronomical Society, but they moved out in 2009 and the buildings had various temporary uses until a £1million refurbishment project by Edinburgh City Council in partnership with the Collective contemporary art gallery, restoring the buildings, creating a visitor centre and new art spaces plus, in a new building, a restaurant with incredible views across Edinburgh.

Today, therefore, all the buildings are open to the public in one way or another, and there are amazing views across Edinburgh.
Written February 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ItTastesLikeFeet
Edinburgh, UK498 contributions
Apr 2021 • Solo
A different vantage point of the city compared to the other hills in Edinburgh. Calton Hill is the closest to the city centre of the hills with the buildings creating a contrasting backdrop in photos. The partly finished monument atop the hill can be climbed onto with tourists and locals alike often venturing up. There are informative signs and plaques pointing out interesting points from the lookout. The Lookout by Gardeners Cottage is located within the art gallery grounds on the hill. The walk up the steps to Calton Hill can be strenuous but there are other flatter paths to get up.
Written June 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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