Where to stay in Edinburgh Old Town
Where to stay in Edinburgh Old Town is a question of location as much as accommodation type. The Royal Mile links the upper part of the Old Town with Canongate and Holyroodhouse. Waverley station offers another useful reference point when you are arriving by train. Before choosing a room or apartment, find its precise entrance on a map and consider how you will approach it with your luggage.
The upper street, the lower end and the station area suit different plans. A place near Lawnmarket puts you close to the upper Royal Mile, while Canongate is the direction to consider for Holyroodhouse. Waverley or Princes Street can be convenient for rail connections. The right choice depends on the journeys you expect to make, not just the neighbourhood name in a listing.
Start with the Royal Mile overview, then compare arrival routes and Old Town sights. Check the address against the places you want to visit before booking.
Our pick: explore the neighbourhood
A guided history walk starts in the Royal Mile neighbourhood.
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.
Discover your Old Town neighbourhood
A local history walk starts at West Parliament Square and introduces the area on foot.
Lawnmarket and the upper Royal Mile
Lawnmarket is a useful reference for a stay near the upper stretch. From here you can arrange your day around the historic street and its closes. Gladstone's Land is on Lawnmarket, providing one example of the area's historic housing. A central address can make it easy to return between activities, but the exact approach and access depend on the property.
Ask whether the entrance has steps and whether there is a lift if that matters to you. A room advertised as being on the Royal Mile may still require a climb inside the building. Check the details of the actual room as well as those of the property, and ask how luggage can be handled on arrival and departure.
Canongate and Holyroodhouse
Canongate lies along the lower part of the Royal Mile towards Holyroodhouse. It is a practical area to consider when the palace is central to your plans. Follow the street's sequence on the map and allow time for the journey to other parts of the Old Town. Read our Holyrood Palace guide for the separate conditions that apply to a palace visit.
Compare an address against both your planned activities and your arrival point. A short looking line on a map does not explain the gradient, the entrance or the route with bags. If step free access matters, ask the accommodation for a specific route and room arrangement rather than relying on a general description of the district.
Waverley, slopes and luggage
Edinburgh Waverley is the central railway station. Its platforms have step free access by lifts or ramps, and rail assistance is available. The onward route to a particular accommodation needs its own check. The walk from Waverley to Gladstone's Land is described by the house's operator as five to ten minutes with a steep ascent; this is a guide, not a promise for every traveller or route.
Waverley has luggage storage. Check its conditions and opening times for your date, particularly if you plan to explore before check in. Individual attractions have their own bag rules, so a central base does not remove the need to plan where larger bags will go. Our arrival guide covers the station and ways into the city.
Choosing a room or apartment
Compare the space you need, the cancellation terms and the facilities included in each listing. A room may suit a shorter stay, while an apartment can offer a different arrangement for a longer visit. Confirm the number of sleeping spaces, the check in procedure and any requirements for stairs. If you are travelling with others, establish who needs accessible facilities before reserving.
Location also shapes your daily routine. Someone planning early train departures may value the station area, while a visitor concentrating on the lower Royal Mile may choose Canongate. For a mix of walks and indoor visits, leave room in the itinerary to return to your accommodation without having to fit every sight into one continuous route. Browse local tours when planning your days.
Edinburgh visitor levy
For stays from 24 July 2026, Edinburgh's visitor levy is 5% of accommodation charges before VAT, applying to the first 5 consecutive nights. Extras such as breakfast, parking and transport are excluded from that calculation. A transitional exception applies to stays booked before 1 October 2025 and at least partly paid before that date. Check your booking details and the conditions that apply to your stay when comparing the final amount.
Questions about staying in the Old Town
Which area is close to Holyroodhouse?
Canongate is the lower Royal Mile area to consider. Check the exact property address and route.
Is Waverley useful for a train arrival?
Yes. It is the central station, with lifts or ramps to all platforms. Check the onward route to your accommodation separately.
Does the visitor levy apply to the entire bill?
It applies to accommodation charges before VAT for the first 5 consecutive nights; extras such as breakfast are excluded. Check any applicable exception.