Princes Street & Gardens
Princes Street
Princes Street is Edinburgh's most famous shopping street — but its real highlight isn't in the shop windows, it's on the other side: the view of Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town. The street has shops only on the north side, the south side opens to the Princes Street Gardens and Castle Rock. There is hardly a shopping street in the world with this panorama.
Princes Street Gardens
The Princes Street Gardens lie in the valley between Old Town and New Town — once a stinking lake (Nor' Loch), now a well-kept Victorian park. Two highlights:
- Scott Monument: A 61-meter-high neo-Gothic tower in honor of the writer Sir Walter Scott — the largest monument to a writer in the world. 287 steps lead to the viewing platforms. The climb is narrow and steep, but the view is worth it. Admission: £8.
- Floral Clock: A functioning clock made of living plants — replanted every year since 1903, the oldest floral clock in the world.
In summer: picnic on the lawn with a view of the Castle. In winter: Edinburgh's Christmas with a Christmas market, Ferris wheel, and ice rink. All year round: the perfect place to take a breath and let Edinburgh sink in.
