Castlehill
Castlehill
4
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The area
Neighborhood: Old Town
Few Edinburghers live in the Old Town, but its labyrinth of dank alleys and steep streets suggests this was not always the case. Today, it’s mostly visitors, tartan-flavored souvenir shops, and pipers that you’ll find on its cobbled streets. This is the place to get a feel for Auld Reekie (Old Smelly), as the town was once nicknamed, and stroll the Royal Mile, the thoroughfare that links the castle with the royal palace – two of Edinburgh’s great set-piece attractions. But there’s lots more exploring to do here down dozens of little alleys, or wynds, while at night the city’s busiest clubs erupt along the Cowgate which is closed to traffic for this purpose.
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2,213 within 3 miles
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557 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
74 reviews
Excellent
27
Very good
36
Average
11
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Jo-Anne E
Morecambe, UK385 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
A definite tourist must, very historic, with the fantastic castle at the top, great views and excellent photo opportunities. There was a piper playing, it was busy, a good vibe and little alleys off, which are nice to explore. The architecture was lovely. There are places to eat and drink but these were busy, which was to be expected. s
Written April 8, 2024
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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Ocala, FL352 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Full of tourists, but vibrant street life. Little alleys to explore. Lots of souvenir shops and street performers. Lots of history around it. Don't skip it when visiting Edinburgh.
Written September 13, 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.
Julischka
Frankfurt, Germany215 contributions
Feb 2020
Well, you have to go through it if you want to reach the Castle. All shops are super touristy and stuff is expensive. It looks nice but I can imagine it is super packed in summer! I wouldn't want to be there ;-)
Written February 27, 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.
Stephen T
Preston, UK20,041 contributions
Aug 2019
This is a street on the Royal mile route and so it falls to me to report very favourably in it as I love the Royal mile with all the history that such a route evokes.
It can be an uphill assault but if you travel here via Princes street and then over North Bridge - that's the easiest way to arrive.
Lots of street entertainers frequent this are during the Fringe - and it's very busy !
It can be an uphill assault but if you travel here via Princes street and then over North Bridge - that's the easiest way to arrive.
Lots of street entertainers frequent this are during the Fringe - and it's very busy !
Written August 28, 2019
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.
Smell-Like
Edinburgh, UK44 contributions
What was once a gritty, grimy area where people lived, worked,went to school and went about their everyday business is now an overcrowded tourist hub with nothing much to offer anyone except visitors. Ok, it's the main route into the castle so it can't be avoided but the street is narrow and pedestrians have to compete with coaches, army trucks coming and going to the castle and the various service vehicles delivering to the shops and cafes. There are a lot of attractions in this area such as the Castle,Camera Obscura and the Whisky Heritage Centre. The shops and cafes here are probably the most expensive in the city and you can go a couple of blocks away and pay a more realistic price for your coffee or sandwich. Theres also a street performer dressed as William Wallace that you can get your picture taken with. It's a bit of fun and he claims to make charitable payments to a local kids charity. Castlehill is a busy and hectic part of the old town and you will no doubt be here if you visit Edinburgh , but take it for what it is, a dedicated tourist area in the heart of Edinburgh's beautiful Old Town.
Written October 15, 2009
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.
DJM1945
Montrose, UK1,852 contributions
Aug 2020
This is one of the many historic streets in Edinburgh but it is part of the Royal Mile. Although It is quite short it leads to Edinburgh Castle and has many shops and attractions.
Written August 16, 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.
Dimitris L
Sydney, Australia52,723 contributions
Sep 2018
Castlehill is a lovely old street. It is part of the Royal Mile area. It is not very big but it is old, full of old shops and not so old ones, and full of fun for those who want to have some! It also leads to Edinburgh Castle, so, I presume the name! It's a must see.
Written August 29, 2019
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.
SmileyKay
Cluj-Napoca, Romania1,414 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
Castlehill is thought to be one of the oldest parts of Edinburgh Old Town.This steep and narrow road forms the summit of Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile, where, at its end, opens into the esplanade before the Edinburgh castle.
Written August 1, 2019
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.
bsandrs
Portsmouth, UK22,611 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
On the final slope up to the Castle, the Mile passes many interesting buildings including the fascinating Camera Obscura, a must for everybody. Visiting the Hub building, we negotiated our way through the huge, but well managed, queue for the Tattoo itself. On leaving our event, performers were lining the street ready to enter the Castle Esplanade, an exciting area and time to be on Castlehill.
Written August 7, 2018
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.
bsandrs
Portsmouth, UK22,611 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
Castlehill is basically the upper part of the "Royal Mile" that runs quite steeply down from the Castle Esplanade to Lawnmarket and would have formed an impressive arrival point to visitors. Also, historically, it was the area where witches were tried before being burnt at the stake, hence the nearby Witchery. Whilst the majority of the properties these days have been given over to the tourism market, worth mentioning are The Camera Obscura close to the top and The Hub at the road junction. Interestingly, the Hub, now an arts venue was originally a church building, and is notable as the highest building in Central Edinburgh.
Written August 19, 2017
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.
I am handicap with a cane assist and will be on a bus tour next year. How long of a walk is it after bus drop off to get into the Castle. Once in are there many steps to handicap seating at the Tattoo? Thank you,
Written August 3, 2018
I guess it depends what bus(and how big) you are using. We had a smaller bus, basically a van, on our tour and it left from Lawnmarket, which is only about 200 yards or so from Castlehill. But you have to walk that 200 yards on cobblestone streets and it's little uphill walk. Once you are in Castle, there are lots of walking and climbing too. Unfortunately I can't say anything about that Tattoo
Written August 6, 2018
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