How walkable is Edinburgh really? A realistic guide by neighbourhood (and hills)

Edinburgh is often described as a very walkable city, and for the most part that’s true. It’s compact, historic, and packed with major sights close together. But it’s also built on hills, volcanic ridges, and layers of old streets stacked on top of each other. If you come expecting a flat city, you’ll be surprised. If you come expecting a city where walking is rewarding but occasionally challenging, you’ll have a great time.

This guide is written for weekend visitors, first-time tourists, and international travellers who want an honest answer to how walkable Edinburgh really is, neighbourhood by neighbourhood.

The big picture: is Edinburgh walkable?

Yes, Edinburgh is walkable in terms of distance. Most of the main attractions sit within a two to three mile radius. You can walk from Edinburgh Castle at the top of the Royal Mile to Holyrood Palace at the bottom in under 30 minutes without rushing.

What catches people out isn’t distance, but elevation. The city has a clear “upper level” (Old Town) and a “lower level” (New Town), connected by steep roads, bridges, staircases, and narrow alleys known as closes. Walking is absolutely doable, but it’s rarely flat for long.

Old Town (Royal Mile, Grassmarket, Cowgate)

Walkability: Good, but physically demanding

Old Town is where most visitors spend their time, and it’s also where walking requires the most effort. Streets are narrow, often cobbled, and frequently sloped. Shortcuts tend to involve stairs. The Royal Mile itself is manageable, but once you start exploring side streets, viewpoints, and historic closes, you’ll notice how much vertical movement there is.

The Grassmarket is a good example. It looks close to everything, but walking from the Grassmarket back up to George IV Bridge or the Castle is a steep climb. Many first-time visitors underestimate how tiring this can be at the end of the day.

Old Town is very walkable if you’re reasonably fit and wearing good shoes. If you’re pushing a pram, have limited mobility, or are carrying bags, it can quickly become uncomfortable.

Book your luggage storage in Edinburgh Old Town.

New Town (Princes Street, George Street, Stockbridge)

Walkability: Excellent

New Town is the easiest part of Edinburgh to walk. Streets are wide, pavements are smooth, and gradients are gentle. It feels calmer and more predictable underfoot, especially compared to Old Town.

Stockbridge is a popular area for visitors who want cafés, independent shops, and riverside walks. It’s mostly flat within the neighbourhood itself, though walking back towards Princes Street involves a slow, steady incline rather than a sharp hill.

For many visitors, staying in New Town or Stockbridge makes Edinburgh feel significantly more walkable overall, even if you spend time exploring Old Town during the day.

West End and Haymarket

Walkability: Very good

This area is often overlooked, but it’s a strong choice for a short stay. It’s well connected, relatively flat, and within walking distance of New Town, Princes Street, and cultural venues like theatres and galleries.

From here, walking towards Old Town involves elevation changes, but you can choose gentler routes or use public transport for the steepest sections.

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Leith and the Shore

Walkability: Very good locally, moderate for city centre access

Leith is flatter than central Edinburgh and very walkable within itself. The Shore area in particular is excellent for relaxed walks, food-focused itineraries, and evenings out.

Walking from Leith into the city centre is possible but longer than many visitors expect. Most people combine walking with a tram or bus rather than doing the full distance on foot.

Holyrood Park and Arthur’s Seat

Walkability: Challenging, but rewarding

This is walking in the hiking sense rather than city strolling. Paths are uneven, wind exposure is high, and conditions can change quickly. It’s absolutely worth doing on a clear day, but it requires proper footwear and a bit of planning.

Arthur’s Seat isn’t something you casually “add on” to a long walking day unless you’re used to hills.

Hills people don’t expect

Some of the steepest parts of Edinburgh are short but sharp. These are the spots that surprise visitors most:

• The climb towards Edinburgh Castle from any direction
• The routes connecting Princes Street to Old Town
• Grassmarket back up to the Royal Mile
• Many of the closes branching off the Royal Mile

A useful trick is to think in terms of levels rather than straight lines. Staying on the same level and walking further is often easier than taking a “shortcut” that goes straight up.

When to mix walking with public transport

Walking everywhere isn’t always the smartest option, even if you’re fit. Edinburgh’s buses and trams make it easy to avoid the steepest climbs while still walking plenty.

A common approach is to use public transport to get up to Old Town, then walk downhill through the city. This keeps the experience enjoyable rather than exhausting.

Practical walking advice for visitors

Footwear matters more here than in many European cities. Cobblestones, wet weather, and slopes mean good grip is essential.

Weather plays a big role. Wind can make the city feel colder than expected, especially on exposed routes and bridges. Layers are more useful than heavy coats.

If you’re arriving early or leaving late, avoid carrying luggage through Old Town. The combination of hills, steps, and crowds makes it much harder than it looks on a map.

So, how walkable is Edinburgh?

Edinburgh is highly walkable in terms of distance, variety, and visual reward. It’s one of the best cities in the UK for exploring on foot. But it’s not flat, and it’s not effortless.

If you plan your routes with elevation in mind, choose your base carefully, and accept that occasional bus or tram rides make sense, you’ll find Edinburgh a pleasure to walk. If you expect a flat, step-free experience, you’ll find it tougher than expected.

Approach Edinburgh as a city of short, scenic walks rather than long, flat strolls, and it will reward you at every turn.