Best Historical Sites in Old Town

Local Recommendations from our My Guide Edinburgh team

Edinburgh is one of the major historical centres of Europe, helping to earn it the nickname Athens of the North. The locals on the other hand still use the medieval nickname Auld Reekie, after the city's signature smell.

The city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in recognition of the unique character of the Medieval Old Town and the planned Georgian New Town. There is so much history to see in and around Edinburgh that it would take you weeks to fit it all in. From castles, palaces, stately homes and ruins, Edinburgh has it all....