Old Town, New Town
Old Town, the city's first and oldest neighborhood, still preserves a lot of its original medieval architecture. But the 1700s-era neighborhood known as New Town might be less fittingly called. The layout of the New Town neighborhood was inspired by a squared-off Union Jack. Together, Old Town and New Town are classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The Royal Mile, which runs for one Scottish mile between Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, is the focal point of Edinburgh's Old Town. The majority of the still-standing structures in this area are from the 12th to the 17th centuries. You can feel as though you've traveled back in time among the crooked medieval buildings and small cobblestone alleyways, which are surrounded by Edinburgh's oldest history. There is a lot to see and do in this area, including numerous historic sights, eccentric independent stores, and old-fashioned taverns. After you've finished exploring the surface, you can even go underground, where a fascinating underworld awaits. Some claim that Edinburgh's Old Town is among the most spooky places on earth. Whatever your point of view, there are plenty of tales and traditions about the city's former inhabitants to be found here. To learn more about them, join a walking tour starting on the Royal Mile.
Between 1766 and 1820, Edinburgh's New Town was constructed. The majority of the buildings in this area are Georgian neoclassical structures, heavily influenced by Greek architecture. Everything is quite opulent and exquisite, and the streets are considerably straighter and larger. Designer stores, swanky cocktail bars and eateries, stunning art galleries, and commanding architecture rule this area. The neighborhood looks and feels considerably differently from Old Town. But there is still plenty to look into and learn about nearby. The main streets are George Street and Princes Street, with the upscale West End at one end and the breathtaking Calton Hill at the other. The Old and New Towns are divided by the lovely public park known as Princes Street Gardens.
