The 7 most Instagrammable spots in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a delight for so many reasons, it’s brimming with culture, beauty, and mystery. From the medieval streets of the old town to the elegant houses and gorgeous gardens of the new town, Edinburgh is one seriously photogenic city. Here are my 7 favourite spots in the city to get the perfect picture.

1. Calton Hill
Edinburgh’s got no shortage of hills (as your legs will tell you after a few days), but Calton Hill has some of the city’s best views – across the old town, Arthur’s Seat and out to the Firth of Forth. There’s a real mix of monuments up there too, including a mini version of the Parthenon.

Insider tip: For the classic Edinburgh skyline shot, get there for sunset and find a spot on the hill behind the Dugald Stewart Monument so it’s silhouetted as the sun dips down behind the castle.

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2. Victoria Street
Right in the heart of Edinburgh’s old town, Victoria Street is one of the city’s most colourful streets. It curves up from the Grassmarket to the Royal Mile, with a mix of pink, blue, green and white buildings adding a pop of colour in among all the classic old town grey stone. With a walkway halfway up, it’s almost like two streets stacked on top of each other, so climb up and look down on the street for a twist on the usual shots.

3. Royal Botanic Garden
Edinburgh’s spectacular Royal Botanic Garden is home to more than 13,300 plant species. There’s not really a bad time to visit – in the spring the gardens are filled with delicate blossom, in the summer they’re lush and green, in the autumn the leaves turn red and gold, and in the winter there’s a vintage glasshouse which makes a great backdrop for shots. Look out for special events throughout the year when the gardens are lit up at night.

4. Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is the city’s most iconic landmark and a must-see on any visit to the city. Just walking up the esplanade on approach, you know you’re about to step into one of Scotland’s most special historic buildings. Dating back to medieval times, it should come as no surprise that the city’s namesake castle is one of the world’s most haunted.

Insider tip: Head to the castle at 1pm to see the ‘One O’Clock Gun’ being fired from the castle’s battlements.

5. The National Museum of Scotland
One of Edinburgh’s most popular spots for visitors, the National Museum has exhibits from all eras of Scottish history. The central atrium is a beautiful, light-filled space with a glass roof and intricate Victorian metalwork details to photograph.

Insider tip: Head to the roof garden for panoramic views across the old town – take the terrace lift up to the seventh floor from the Kingdom of Scots gallery to find it.

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6. Dean Village
The Dean Village is a tranquil green oasis on the Water of Leith, only five minutes walk from Princes Street. Stand on the bridge over the water for the classic shot of its historic mill buildings, with pink stone and fairytale turrets.

7. Arthur’s Seat
If you want to get a little exercise and get out of the city then this is the one place to come and see Edinburgh in all its glory. Arthur’s Seat is an ancient volcano, and sits 251m above sea level giving an excellent view of the city. It’s also the site of a large and well-preserved fort.

We operate daily flights to Edinburgh from Dublin, Shannon and Cork and offer seamless connections from cities across North America.

Read next: The 7 most Instagrammable spots in Lisbon.

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