Grassmarket and Victoria Street: An Old Town Walk

Victoria Street Edinburgh: a colourful curve

Victoria Street curves between buildings with colourful shopfronts. It was built from 1829 to 1834 as part of improvements to connections through the city. Its appearance belongs to a later chapter than the medieval development often associated with the Old Town. Pause to notice the curve and the changing view along it before continuing towards the square or back towards the Royal Mile.

Shops give the street a different character from the closes that branch away from the main axis. You do not need to turn the walk into a shopping itinerary: the shape of the street and its position in the surrounding neighbourhood are reasons to include it. Allow room in your plans to stop, look around and move at a comfortable pace.

A square with a long history

Grassmarket was a historic market and a site of public executions. Today its open space is bordered by businesses and offers views towards the castle. Keeping both aspects in mind gives the square more depth than a quick photo stop. The buildings and activity around the space form part of a living neighbourhood, while the historic associations offer a starting point for learning about the city.

The Royal Mile runs between the castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Grassmarket is a separate place, so think of it as a side trip within the Old Town rather than a named section of that main route. Our Royal Mile overview introduces the street and its different areas if you want to continue beyond the square.

Literary connections and fan walks

Victoria Street is often associated with inspiration for Diagon Alley. Treat that association as part of Edinburgh's literary and fan culture rather than a precise account of how a fictional location was created. The street is enjoyable in its own right for its curve and colourful facades. For more on literary connections and organised walks, see our Edinburgh Harry Potter guide.

The guided fan walk offered here includes a guide and a walking tour. Food, drink and hotel transfers are not included. Check the itinerary supplied with your chosen departure for its particular stops, and make your own visit to Grassmarket and Victoria Street part of the wider day if they are priorities for you. A guided theme and an independent exploration can complement each other without needing to follow exactly the same route.

Plan a comfortable route

Start by deciding where the walk fits around any timed entry you have booked. Waverley station is a useful arrival point for the Old Town, but routes towards the Royal Mile involve a climb. The operator of Gladstone's Land gives a walking estimate of 5 to 10 minutes from the station with a steep ascent. Allow extra time for luggage or a relaxed pace rather than treating that estimate as a guarantee.

Choose shoes suited to walking and check the access details of any indoor attraction separately. The arrival guide covers transport and parking, and our Old Town accommodation guide explains how location can affect a day on foot.