Where to stay in Edinburgh
The best area depends on how you plan to reach the castle and what else is on your list. Every route to the castle ends uphill, so a bed in the Old Town saves the climb at the end of the day, while other areas trade that for a different setting. This guide names areas and does not recommend hotels or quote room prices.
If the castle is the fixed point of your trip, book your Edinburgh Castle ticket and time slot first, then choose a base within reach of the entry time. Check how to get to the castle from the area you pick.
The areas compared
What each one offers for a castle visit.
| Area | Suits | Castle access | Check before booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Town, Royal Mile, Grassmarket | Short walks to the castle and the attractions | Closest, but hilly | Street noise, steps and whether there is a lift |
| New Town | A central base with tram access | Princes Street tram stop is 0.4 miles from the castle | Distance of your address to Princes Street |
| West End | A western city-centre alternative around Shandwick Place | Haymarket station is about 1 mile away | The route to the castle from your exact address |
| Leith | A historic harbour district as a separate base | Not within easy walking distance of the Royal Mile | The public transport route and journey time |
For most visitors who want to see the castle, Royal Mile and nearby sights on foot, the Old Town is the practical choice. Pick the New Town or the West End if you prefer a central base with tram access, and Leith if you want a harbour district as a separate base and accept the transfer.
Our pick: an evening by the castle
Our take: a whisky tour a few steps from the castle gate.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in British pounds (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Castle tickets and tours from central Edinburgh
Castle entry, Royal Mile walks and tours with a central meeting point, with live prices and availability.
The areas in detail
What to expect in each location.
Old Town, Royal Mile and Grassmarket
This is the historic area around the castle, with attractions and places to eat on your doorstep. The castle entrance lies at the top of the Royal Mile, and the walk from Grassmarket is uphill. The area suits short stays built around sightseeing. No street here is guaranteed quiet, step-free or with a view of the castle, so check the details of the specific address.
Things to do nearby →New Town
A central district in its own right. For the castle, look at where your address lies in relation to Princes Street, because the tram stop there is 0.4 miles from the castle. Not every hotel in the New Town is at a tram stop, so do not assume it from the area name.
Getting to the castle →West End
The area around and beyond Shandwick Place on the west side of the centre. It is an alternative if the central streets suit your plans less. Check the route to the castle from your address, since Haymarket station is about 1 mile away and the final approach is uphill.
Leith
A historic harbour district that you should treat as a separate location, not as part of the Royal Mile or within easy walking distance of the castle. There is no general price advantage over the Old Town. Plan the public transport route and journey time before you book.
The Edinburgh Visitor Levy in 2026
Since 24 July 2026 the City of Edinburgh charges a Visitor Levy of 5 percent on accommodation. It applies to the first 5 consecutive nights of a stay at most, and the percentage is the same all year.
The levy is worked out on the accommodation charge only, without VAT. Meals and drinks charged separately, parking and optional extras are not part of that charge. Standard cleaning normally counts as accommodation. A VAT-registered business may charge VAT on the levy itself. Do not simply take 5 percent of your whole hotel bill.
The levy applies to advance bookings made and at least partly paid from 1 October 2025. If you booked earlier, ask your accommodation how the levy applies to your stay. For special cases, such as bookings through an intermediary or an exemption, ask your host or the city.
Plan the rest of your trip
Pages that go with your choice of base.
Where to stay in Edinburgh: frequently asked questions
Where is the best area to stay for Edinburgh Castle?
The Old Town, around the Royal Mile and Grassmarket, is closest to the castle. The walk to the gate is uphill from every direction.
Is the New Town a good base for the castle?
It can be. The Princes Street tram stop is 0.4 miles from the castle, so check where your address lies in relation to that stop.
Can I stay in Leith and visit the castle?
Yes, but Leith is a separate harbour district and not within easy walking distance of the Royal Mile. Check the route and the journey time before you book.
What is the Edinburgh Visitor Levy?
A city charge of 5 percent on the accommodation charge, without VAT, for the first 5 consecutive nights of a stay. It has applied since 24 July 2026.
Does the 5 percent apply to my whole hotel bill?
No. It applies to the accommodation part without VAT. Meals and drinks charged separately, parking and optional extras are not included.
Is this the official Edinburgh Castle website?
No. This is an independent travel guide, not the website of Historic Environment Scotland or Edinburgh Castle, and it is not connected to any hotel or booking site.