Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace
Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace on AllTrails

Edinburgh Castle Esplanade
Welcome to The Royal Mile! Starting at the top, by Edinburgh Castle, the trail heads down hill, passing numerous beautiful buildings and interesting sites.
The view from the Castle Esplanades are panoramic - look out across the Firth of Forth and New Town to the North and the University of Edinburgh and Pentland Hills to the South.
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St. Giles Cathedral
As you head down the Royal Mile, you will pass a number of popular attractions. Notable attractions to explore with more time are Camera Obscura, The Whisky Experience, and Mary Kings Close.
St Giles is an impressive cathedral rising from the Royal Mile. Founded in 1124, it is worth while wandering through this quiet space in the bustling city.
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Cockburn St
It's worth diving down into Cockburn St (pronounced "Co-Burn") to have a look at the eclectic jewelry craft and clothing stores. There is even an old-fashioned sweet shoppe - complete with glass jars of candies, sold by the weight.
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John Knox House Museum
John Knox House is an iconic building on the Royal Mile dating to the 15th century. It is a ramshackle building that tumbles out across the pavement. There is a plaque detailing John Knoxs' life - or head inside to the museum.

Museum of Edinburgh and The Peoples Story
These two museums sit opposite each other, on either side of the Royal Mile, just down from John Knox House and offer unique insights into the history of the people of Edinburgh. Well worth popping in for an hour or two, especially if the weather is wet and dreary.

The Closes and Wynds
The Royal Mile is flanked on either side by ancient closes and wynds - tiny alleyways that head off down the steep sides of Castle Hill. In Medieval times, these closes were home to layer upon layer of humanity - with the wealthiest merchants enjoying the daylight and relative splendour of the upper floors. The poorer classes were cramped into the lower levels and even underground in the vaults. To explore down these surviving architecture monuments to Edinburgh's history is such an adventure - the 10-15 story high buildings, packed in so close it is a wonder they don't just collapse in on one another.

Mary Queen of Scot's Bath House
You have reached the base of the Royal Mile - well done! Instead of being drawn immediately to the splendour of The Palace at Holyrood or the magnificence of Arthur's Seat - have a little look at Mary Queen of Scot's Bath House located half in the gardens of the Palace and half on the pavement of Abbey Hill. However, it is unconfirmed whether it ever contained a bath and instead served as summer house.

The Palace At Holyrood
The Palace at Holyrood - the royal residence in Edinburgh. Imposing, grand, somewhat austere - this is a true gem in Scotland's crown. Look from the outside, or pay to enter the palace.
From the palace, you are right beside the Scottish Parliament, with it's interesting and controversial facade and architecture.
Look up and you will see Arthur's Seat - Edinburgh's resident mountain. How about rounding off your Royal Mile walk with a hike up Arthur's Seat?
On a clear day, the views from the summit are incredible.

Car park with optional trails
Starting point for Holyrood Park and Arthur's Seat trails with beautiful views over the city.

Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace on AllTrails