Things to do in Old Town, Edinburgh

Fortified birthplace of the city on Castle Rock, a royal residence and fort since the 11th century. The one o'clock gun is fired daily, and admission includes a guided tour past the Great Hall, Mary Queen of Scots' apartments, the crown jewels and the Mons Meg cannon.

"Fortified birthplace of the city on Castle Rock, a royal residence and fort since the 11th century. "

Edinburgh's medieval core, a dense tangle of historic buildings. It was once famed for its ten-storey 'skyscrapers' and narrow closes branching off the High Street.

"Edinburgh's medieval core, a dense tangle of historic buildings. It was once famed for its ten-store"

The Old Town's main drag, running downhill from the castle to Holyrood Palace and described as one of Europe's great walks. It is lined with tall historic tenements and narrow closes.

"The Old Town's main drag, running downhill from the castle to Holyrood Palace and described as one o"

Scotland's most important church, with a crown-shaped spire, where John Knox preached during the Reformation. Guides are stationed inside to answer questions, and Knox is buried out back.

"Scotland's most important church, with a crown-shaped spire, where John Knox preached during the Ref"

A historic graveyard that is a common stop for visitors. Harry Potter fans visit it to see the grave of Thomas Riddell, said to be the inspiration for Tom Riddle.

"A historic graveyard that is a common stop for visitors. Harry Potter fans visit it to see the grave"

Museum detailing the lives of Scotland's three greatest literary figures: Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson.

"Museum detailing the lives of Scotland's three greatest literary figures: Robert Burns, Sir Walter S"

A ticketed tour through Edinburgh's only preserved 17th-century street, which endured overcrowding and plague. It's recommended early in a trip to better appreciate the city's history.

"A ticketed tour through Edinburgh's only preserved 17th-century street, which endured overcrowding a"

Memorial inside Edinburgh Castle to Scottish soldiers lost in World War I and later British wars. Each bay is dedicated to a regiment, and its books of remembrance list the fallen.

"Memorial inside Edinburgh Castle to Scottish soldiers lost in World War I and later British wars. Ea"

Museum within the castle walls covering four centuries of Scottish military history. It covers the kilted Highland soldier, bagpipes and two centuries of recruiting posters.

"Museum within the castle walls covering four centuries of Scottish military history. It covers the k"

Rick Steves calls it the best walk through Scottish history anywhere. It holds a huge artifact collection, from the Kingdom of the Scots exhibit and Bonnie Prince Charlie relics to the Industrial Revolution and early golf balls.

"Rick Steves calls it the best walk through Scottish history anywhere. It holds a huge artifact colle"

Visitor centre (formerly the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre) introducing the world of whisky. Its tour includes a wee dram to taste.

"Visitor centre (formerly the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre) introducing the world of whisky. Its tou"

A very pretty courtyard off the Royal Mile next to the Writers' Museum. The vlogger found it a great spot for photos.

"A very pretty courtyard off the Royal Mile next to the Writers' Museum. The vlogger found it a great"

A popular, tiny coffee shop where the vlogger had breakfast. It was so busy she had to sit outside, and she noted there are two Milkman locations nearby.

"A popular, tiny coffee shop where the vlogger had breakfast. It was so busy she had to sit outside, "

Street built between 1829 and 1834, said to have inspired Diagon Alley. It has colourful shopfronts and even a wizard shop.

"Street built between 1829 and 1834, said to have inspired Diagon Alley. It has colourful shopfronts "

Bronze statue of the terrier said to have guarded his owner's grave for 14 years. Rubbing its nose is said to bring good luck.

"Bronze statue of the terrier said to have guarded his owner's grave for 14 years. Rubbing its nose i"

A ceremonial gun fired at the castle at exactly 1pm since 1861, except Sundays, Good Friday and Christmas Day. Arrive about 30 minutes early for a good spot.

"A ceremonial gun fired at the castle at exactly 1pm since 1861, except Sundays, Good Friday and Chri"

Walking pub tour led by two actors with witty dialogue. They debate whether Scotland's great literature was high art or the work of whisky-fuelled louts.

"Walking pub tour led by two actors with witty dialogue. They debate whether Scotland's great literat"

Victorian neo-Gothic private chapel of the Knights of the Thistle inside St Giles'. It is used about once a year for knighthood ceremonies presided over by the monarch.

"Victorian neo-Gothic private chapel of the Knights of the Thistle inside St Giles'. It is used about"

Whisky shop founded in 1842 that bottles whisky straight from the cask at top distilleries, avoiding mass-production compromises. Staff guide tastings and explain why to add water.

"Whisky shop founded in 1842 that bottles whisky straight from the cask at top distilleries, avoiding"

A casual dining spot next to the Royal Mile with live music, good vibes and tasty burgers.

"A casual dining spot next to the Royal Mile with live music, good vibes and tasty burgers."

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Boutique craft market on the Royal Mile, set inside a former church. It sells all sorts of artisanal goods.

"Boutique craft market on the Royal Mile, set inside a former church. It sells all sorts of artisanal"

Tiny taproom of Scotland's largest sour beer producer, serving unusual flavours like raspberry roulade and apricot birthday cake. It has under a dozen seats, so book ahead, especially at weekends.

"Tiny taproom of Scotland's largest sour beer producer, serving unusual flavours like raspberry roula"

Edinburgh's oldest building, dating from around 1130, inside the castle. This tiny chapel still hosts baptisms and weddings.

"Edinburgh's oldest building, dating from around 1130, inside the castle. This tiny chapel still host"

An award-winning spot where you pick a meat, a mash and a sauce, including haggis. The food is simple, fast and very good.

"An award-winning spot where you pick a meat, a mash and a sauce, including haggis. The food is simpl"

A 17th-century church on the Royal Mile that closed in 1952. It now houses a small market that preserves its architecture.

"A 17th-century church on the Royal Mile that closed in 1952. It now houses a small market that prese"

The world's first museum dedicated to childhood, opened in 1955, with over 60,000 toys, dolls, games and vintage bicycles. It is free and full of nostalgia for adults.

"The world's first museum dedicated to childhood, opened in 1955, with over 60,000 toys, dolls, games"

One of the Royal Mile's oldest buildings, dating to around 1470, with exhibits on John Knox and his era. Its highlight is the painted 17th-century Oak Room ceiling.

"One of the Royal Mile's oldest buildings, dating to around 1470, with exhibits on John Knox and his "

A coffee shop serving some of the best cortados of the trip. It is known for the quirky blue man climbing its wall.

"A coffee shop serving some of the best cortados of the trip. It is known for the quirky blue man cli"

A pub named after the loyal dog, just outside Greyfriars Kirkyard.

"A pub named after the loyal dog, just outside Greyfriars Kirkyard."

A pulled-pork sandwich shop that began as a farmers' market stall. You can add haggis or a sweet chilli jelly.

"A pulled-pork sandwich shop that began as a farmers' market stall. You can add haggis or a sweet chi"

The cafe where J.K. Rowling started writing Harry Potter, closed after a fire. A Victoria Street outpost is open for drinks and butterscotch beer.

"The cafe where J.K. Rowling started writing Harry Potter, closed after a fire. A Victoria Street out"

Jewellery shop about five minutes' walk from the Royal Mile. It sells swirly, gemstone-set rings, and the vlogger highly recommends it for its beautiful designs and ethically sourced stones.

"Jewellery shop about five minutes' walk from the Royal Mile. It sells swirly, gemstone-set rings, an"

Witchy shop in the Old Town that the vlogger wanted to revisit because she hadn't spent enough time there.

"Witchy shop in the Old Town that the vlogger wanted to revisit because she hadn't spent enough time "

Small monument honouring the women burned at the stake as witches on that spot. It is easy to miss, and the vlogger found its tiny, overlooked corner sadly underwhelming.

"Small monument honouring the women burned at the stake as witches on that spot. It is easy to miss, "

A shop at the top of the Royal Mile where you can have Scottish tartan woven for you.

"A shop at the top of the Royal Mile where you can have Scottish tartan woven for you."

A fun optical-illusion attraction near the castle. Its rooftop gives views over the entire city.

"A fun optical-illusion attraction near the castle. Its rooftop gives views over the entire city."

A scare attraction where live actors frighten and entertain visitors. It is great fun in a group.

"A scare attraction where live actors frighten and entertain visitors. It is great fun in a group."

Recommended ghost tours through the haunted streets and the underground city, ending in a famous graveyard.

"Recommended ghost tours through the haunted streets and the underground city, ending in a famous gra"

One of Edinburgh's two most famous graveyards, very creepy at night on a ghost tour.

"One of Edinburgh's two most famous graveyards, very creepy at night on a ghost tour."