Best Edinburgh Viewpoints & Photo Spots | My Top 5
Discover the BEST Edinburgh viewpoints for some epic photo opportunities! These are hands-down some of the most beautiful places in Edinburgh!
Edinburgh is one of my favorite cities in the world. It’s actually been on my list of top five favorite places for over a decade.
A big part of why I love Edinburgh so much is how picturesque and breathtaking it is.
Cobblestoned streets, medieval charm in Old Town, Georgian elegance in New Town, narrow stairways and hidden tunnels, cozy pubs, and an imposing hilltop castle. Add the friendly locals with their wee accents and welcoming smiles, and you’ll find yourself loving this city — even when the weather is cloudy and wet.
Though Edinburgh may be compact and smaller than other tourist cities, it's bursting with gorgeous backdrops. It's easy to arrive and quickly become overwhelmed by all the Instagrammable spots and photo opportunities.
If you haven’t been here before and only have a few days to explore, you’ll want a plan for which areas you want to photograph.
I’ve collectively spent about three months in Edinburgh, so I’ve had plenty of time to scout out the most beautiful places in Edinburgh, along with the best viewpoints and backdrops for photos.
Every spot is pinned in Google Maps, so you can easily save this list to your phone and go from place to place without having to second-guess a thing!
This map shows the best Edinburgh viewpoints and Instagram photo spots. Click the icon in the top-left corner to view a list of each pinned location. Select the top-right button to enlarge the map (it will automatically save it to YOUR Google Maps). To access this map once saved, open Google Maps (on your phone/computer/tablet), tap the "You" icon at the bottom, scroll to the bottom, and select "Maps". Your newly saved map should be listed at the top.
La Barantine
The top of Victoria Street by Howies
Second story/Upper Bow Street by Scott's Kitchen
1. Victoria Street/Bow Street
One of the best views in Edinburgh for color and depth
Victoria Street is one of the most famous streets in Edinburgh. It’s said to have inspired J.K. Rowling when creating Diagon Alley — and you’ll see why.
The curved, cobblestoned street is lined with colorful, multistoried buildings. The combination of height, depth, and color makes this one of the best views in Edinburgh and a popular Instagram spot.
There are a few different spots along the street to snap some amazing photos.
Start at the bottom near the cute little French cafe, La Barantine.
Then walk to the top and take a photo looking down the street near Howies.
Finally, head up to the second level, called Upper Bow, for a completely different perspective from above.
As always, go early! This street gets packed during the day with people walking up and down.
Bottom of Cockburn Street by The Milkman
Top of Cockburn Street by La Locanda
Warriston's Close
2. Cockburn Street
One of the best Edinburgh photo spots for medieval vibes
Cockburn Street is similar to Victoria Street in that it’s curved and lined with charming cobblestones and tall buildings.
This street feels a bit more medieval, with its uniform natural-stone buildings and darker, more muted color palette.
Walk down Warriston’s Close Stairs to get here. The stairs themselves are also a great photo opportunity.
At the bottom of the stairs, across from The Milkman (one of my favorite coffee shops in Edinburgh), you'll find a great spot to photograph the curve of the street.
You can also head to the top of the street near La Locanda for another perspective.
View from Calton Hill
3. Calton Hill
The best Edinburgh viewpoint for a skyline backdrop
Calton Hill is an icon of Edinburgh. You'll see this viewpoint featured everywhere from travel brochures to Instagram posts showcasing the city.
Head to the Old Observatory building for the best photo spot. From here, you get the perfect view of the Dugald Stewart Monument with the Edinburgh skyline in the background.
Go early in the morning to avoid the crowds and catch the best light. Since you're on a hill with very little shade, the afternoon sun can be pretty harsh.
While you're in New Town, stop by Lowdown or Wellington Coffee for a coffee and snack. Wellington Coffee has the BEST scones!
SEE ALSO:
BEST EDINBURGH COFFEE SHOPS AND CAFES | TOP 5
BEST AFTERNOON TEA IN EDINBURGH | TOP 5
ONE DAY IN EDINBURGH – MUST-VISIT EDINBURGH SIGHTS
A HARRY POTTER EDINBURGH GUIDE – 10 HARRY POTTER SITES
4. Princes Street Gardens
One of the most beautiful places in Edinburgh for castle views and lush green space
Princes Street Gardens are easily one of the best viewpoints in Edinburgh, with lush green space and Edinburgh Castle in the background.
The staircase by the Floral Clock is the perfect photo spot, as you'll be able to fit the castle and surrounding greenery into a vertical frame.
Ross Fountain is another popular Edinburgh photo spot, with the castle making a beautiful backdrop.
Be sure to spend some time walking around the gardens, too. It's peaceful in the morning and an ideal spot for an afternoon picnic when the weather is nice.
5. The Vennel
One Of The Most Photographed (Yet Hidden) Edinburgh Viewpoints
If you're looking for one of the best views in Edinburgh that isn't packed with tourists, head to The Vennel.
Well known among photographers, this Edinburgh viewpoint still seems to fly under the radar for most tourists. It's much quieter than popular spots like Victoria Street.
Here, you'll get a unique view of Edinburgh Castle. Instead of a typical shot with just the castle in the background, The Vennel frames it at the end of a narrow stairway, with historic stone buildings on either side.
Bonus: Dean Village
One Of The Most Beautiful Places In Edinburgh For A Charming Village Backdrop
About a 20-minute walk from New Town, you'll find Dean Village — one of the most beautiful places in Edinburgh. Often missed by tourists, Dean Village is peaceful, picturesque, and feels worlds away from the busy city center.
It’s well worth venturing outside the city center to explore, especially if Edinburgh is particularly busy and you want to escape the crowds.
The walk to Dean Village feels like a mini nature escape. You’ll pass through wooded areas and walk along the river, making the journey just as enjoyable as the destination. It's incredibly peaceful, and you'll forget you're in a major tourist city in no time.
In Summary
Now you know the best viewpoints and most beautiful places in Edinburgh!
Grab your camera, save the Google Maps I created for you, and hit the ground running.
It’s absolutely doable to visit these top Edinburgh viewpoints in one very hectic day or two more relaxed days. Most of these spots are in areas you'll already be sightseeing around, so other than Dean Village, you won't have to go out of your way to visit them.
Whether you're looking for the perfect Instagram shot or simply want to take in some of the best views in Edinburgh, these spots are well worth adding to your itinerary.
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Best Edinburgh Viewpoints & Photo Spots | My Top 5
