Edinburgh's New Town — an 18th-century masterpiece of Georgian urban planning — spreads north of Princes Street Gardens with the kind of architectural consistency and grandeur that few European cities can match. The grid of wide streets, elegant crescents, and garden squares was built as Edinburgh's response to the overcrowded Old Town, and it remains the city's most prestigious address. Hotels here are primarily upscale, occupying converted Georgian townhouses or purpose-built properties on or near Princes Street.
George Street, the New Town's central axis, has evolved into Edinburgh's premier dining and drinking thoroughfare, with cocktail bars, fine dining restaurants, and boutique shops lining both sides. Thistle Street and Rose Street, the narrower lanes running parallel, host some of Edinburgh's best independent restaurants and hidden pubs. Hotels on or near George Street balance access to both the Old Town (a 10-minute walk downhill across Princes Street Gardens) and the New Town's own considerable attractions.
Princes Street itself is Edinburgh's commercial high street, with the unique advantage of having buildings only on its north side — the south side opens onto Princes Street Gardens and the Old Town skyline beyond. Hotels on Princes Street offer some of the city's most dramatic views: Edinburgh Castle floodlit at night, seen across the gardens from your room window. The New Town is a more refined, quieter base than the Old Town, particularly outside Festival season, and appeals to travellers who prefer Georgian elegance to medieval atmosphere.
Compare prices for New Town hotels.
How to find hidden deals, loyalty hacks, and the best time to book — all in one guide.
Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.