Are you planning a trip to Edinburgh? Sure, you can’t miss the Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, dinner in a pub, and whisky tasting, but you also cannot miss the best views of Edinburgh. No trip to Edinburgh would be complete without a climb up Arthur’s Seat or a view from the Scott Monument.
In this guide, we’ll break down the absolute best spots to catch those postcard-perfect views, ranging from hidden rooftops at Camera Obscura to the sweeping cliffside vistas of the Salisbury Crags.
Where to Get the Best Views of Edinburgh
Arthur’s Seat
Arthur’s Seat arguably has the best views over Edinburgh. Sure, it’s a hike (literally) to get there, but that’s part of the fun. You have the option of climbing to the top of Arthur’s Seat for the best 360° views of Edinburgh or sticking to the paved path along the Salisbury Crags.
This hike to Arthur’s Seat ranges from 3.2 to 4.8 km (2 to 3 miles), depending on the route you choose. This is easy to moderate difficulty (again, based on the route you choose) and takes 1 to 2 hours. Here’s how to do it ↓
Best Way to Climb Arthur’s Seat: An Extinct Volcano in Edinburgh
Everything you need to know to hike to the top of Arthur’s Seat.Edinburgh Castle
The Edinburgh Castle is the most popular tourist attraction in all of Scotland. The castle sits atop Castle Rock, making it the centerpiece of the city and one of the best places to get an elevated view. On your visit to the castle, enjoy more sweeping 360° views over Edinburgh.
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The Scott Monument
The Scott Monument is a Gothic tower dedicated to the writer Sir Walter Scott. Located adjacent to Princes Street Gardens, this monument offers an interesting perspective of the city. It’s also a fun, and sometimes crowded, climb to the top on narrow spiral staircases. It’s 287 steps to the top and you can get updated pricing and hours here.
Camera Obscura
This spot may come as a surprise. Camera Obscura is located very close to Edinburgh Castle on the Royal Mile. It’s a multi-level building filled with illusions, fun for kids and families. At the very top you can watch the camera obscura show, with its live moving images of Edinburgh projected onto a viewing table via a periscope.
Or, step out onto the rooftop terrace for one of the best views down the Royal Mile.
Calton Hill
Calton Hill is a relatively small hill located at the end of Princes Street in Edinburgh. It’s much easier to walk up to the top of this hill compared to Arthur’s Seat. Nelson Monument, a commemorative tower in honor of Horatio Nelson, gets you a little higher for some of the best views of Edinburgh. It is 143 steps to the top for these views.
Nelson Monument
Calton Hill
View of Arthur’s Seat
View down Princes Street
Have you been to Edinburgh? What is your favorite view of the city?
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