Finding The Best Views of Edinburgh Castle: 8 Epic Spots

An Overview of Edinburgh Castle

Before we dive into the best viewpoints let’s take a look at the history of Edinburgh Castle.

The castle was built in 1103 AD during the Middle Ages which makes it 920 years old! With its long history, it’s no surprise to learn that it’s one of the oldest fortified places in Europe.

Throughout the years Edinburgh Castle has been an ancient fortress, a royal residence, a military garrison, and a prison so it’s got quite the history. It’s also famous for being the most besieged place in the United Kingdom.

As so much has happened here it’s not really a shock that many people believe the castle to be haunted. From the black hound of Edinburgh Castle to the Grey Lady, there are tons of eerie tales to be heard.

In fact, this place is thought to be one of the most haunted castles in the United Kingdom too. Considering there’s a network of creepy tunnels under the castle with stories of their own, that’s very understandable!

Before we take a look at the viewpoints you need to visit, it’s important to note that should you explore the interior of the castle too for the best experience.

There’s no denying that Edinburgh Castle is breathtaking from the outside but you’ll get a unique perspective if you head inside on a guided tour too.

If you’d prefer not to visit this way or you don’t have the time, then this Edinburgh Castle guide is going to take you to the city’s best vantage points.

1. The Vennel

If you’re looking for the best views of Edinburgh Castle then you need to check out The Vennel. This was our favourite spot and in our opinion, it’s one of the best places in the city to appreciate the castle’s striking exterior.

This spot is found just off the Grassmarket area and can easily be seen on Google Maps if you need directions. It’s a small alleyway that’s located right next to Mary’s Milk Bar.

The Vennel is lined with old stone buildings giving you medieval city vibes. Not only is it one of the most charming spots in the city, but you’ll honestly feel like you’ve just stepped back in time!

From here, you’ll be treated to unparalleled views of Edinburgh Castle. This makes it a fantastic spot for taking photographs so you don’t want to miss out on this place.

Luckily, The Vennel is still relatively overlooked by tourists and you’ll often be the only ones there. We stayed there for a while and only saw a handful of other people!

2. Grassmarket

Grassmarket is located in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, just behind Edinburgh Castle. It’s one of the oldest parts of the city, dating back to the 14th century.

The Grassmarket is one of the most vibrant and charming neighbourhoods in Edinburgh and it’s not a place you want to miss. However, one of the best parts about visiting this area are the views you’ll get of the castle!

Not only is this neighbourhood incredibly picturesque, but you’ll get to see Edinburgh Castle looming over the townhouses and Victoria Street.

For those wishing to take photographs, you’ll want to be mindful of the lighting. The shadows can be quite tricky to work with so you’ll want to take your time with the camera settings. Not only that, but this area gets super busy during the afternoon so that’s another thing to think about.

There are plenty of fantastic views of Edinburgh Castle waiting for you in the city, but don’t miss out on this one!

3. Edinburgh Castle Esplanade

Next up we’ve got Edinburgh Castle Esplanade. This is where you’ll walk along if you’re entering the castle.

The entrance to the castle offers another fantastic view of this incredible place. For starters, you’ll get a more up-close view so you’ll be able to truly admire the impressive architecture.

If you’ve got the time, we definitely recommend heading inside to admire the castle’s interior and learn about Scottish history. However, if there are other things you want to do then you can simply admire the views from here (and other spots that we mention in this guide).

For the best experience, make sure you get here early as this spot fills up with people really quickly. This is especially the case on weekends so just keep that in mind!

Another thing to mention is that often during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, this area plays host to The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. If you visit during this time, expect to share your experience with plenty of other people.

4. Princes Street Gardens

There are plenty of awesome Edinburgh Castle viewpoints for you to choose from within the city. Whichever one you visit will offer spectacular views, but the views from Princes Street Gardens truly are something special.

The Gardens are made up of two adjacent parks which have been around since the 1820s. They sit in the shadows of Edinburgh Castle so as you can imagine, the views are very impressive!

During your time here, we’d recommend taking a seat at one of the cafes. This way you can have a drink or something to eat whilst admiring the castle! You’ll also want to spend some time simply exploring the gardens as they’re one of the city’s most beautiful spots.

These gardens are found next to Edinburgh Train Station and the Scott Monument. They’re free to enter, but just keep in mind that it does get really busy here!

If you’re visiting during the Christmas period then this is where ‘Winter Wonderland’ is usually located.

Ross Fountain

There are plenty of awesome views of Edinburgh Castle within Princes Street Gardens but Ross Fountain is by far the best spot. It’s been here since the 1870s and is the perfect example of 19th-century architecture.

Behind Ross Fountain, you’ll find Edinburgh Castle towering high upon Castle Hill. The view from here is jaw-dropping so make sure you take some time to just sit back and relax.

Aside from the views, the fountain itself is undeniably beautiful. The base of the fountain is made up of mermaids, walruses, lion heads, and cherubs so there’s a lot to look at! At the top, you’ll find four female figures who represent arts, industry, poetry, and science.

5. Calton Hill

Calton Hill offers arguably one of the best views across Edinburgh’s city centre. From here, you can see most of the city, Arthurs Seat, and of course the castle.

For the best experience, we’d recommend grabbing some food for a picnic. This way, you can sit back and enjoy the views whilst you eat.

It’s the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and you’ll be treated to awesome views of the castle in the distance.

Calton Hill sits just off Leith Street near Edinburgh’s popular commercial area. Like many of the parks in the area, it’s free to enter so you won’t need to reach into your wallet for this one.

If you’re looking for some of the best views in Edinburgh then make sure you spend some time here. There’s also an art gallery up on Calton Hill and an unfinished national monument so there’s plenty to see!

6. Johnstone Terrace

If you’re looking to take awesome Edinburgh Castle photos then head to Johnstone Terrace.

This road runs beneath the castle and alongside Castle Hill, offering a fantastic view of the landmark’s exterior and the ancient volcano it sits upon (or what’s left of it).

Once you’ve walked along Johnstone Terrace you’ll truly appreciate how impressive this historical building is. Honestly, we have no idea how they managed to build something so large on such a rugged piece of land!

Allow some time to take photographs from here, as you’ll have to wait for the cars to go by first. Just bide your time and you’ll get those incredible shots.

Not only are the views of Edinburgh Castle spectacular from here, but you’re also in a great location to visit The Vennel. From the terrace, just branch off to the left and you’ll find The Grassmarket area which is where this viewpoint is located.

7. Arthurs Seat

Arthurs Seat is one of the best Edinburgh viewpoints. It’s a place you don’t want to miss!

Situated within Holyrood Park, Arthurs Seat is an ancient extinct volcano that overlooks the city. It last erupted around 340 million years ago and was eventually eroded by a glacier, giving it the shape it has today.

Arthurs Seat is a popular walking spot with plenty of trails that will take you to the top. From here, you’ll get fantastic views of the coast, the city centre, and of course, Edinburgh Castle.

The views of the castle from here are fantastic because it gives you an entirely different perspective compared to other locations in this guide. Instead of a close-up view, you’ll see the castle in the distance.

This way, you can appreciate it whilst admiring the architectural beauty of Edinburgh itself.

Arthurs Seat is located right in the heart of the city so you’ll never have to walk too far. The best path runs from St. Margarets Well.

8. Salisbury Crags

Arthurs Seat has one of the best views of Edinburgh Castle. However, in our opinion, there’s another viewpoint that’s even better!

Salisbury Crags is one of the most impressive sights in the city. Although many people believe it to be part of Arthurs Seat, they’re actually two different formations that sit in Holyrood Park.

Like Arthurs Seat, Salisbury Crags were formed due to a glacier’s movements, eventually becoming basalt cliffs. Boasting dramatic scenery, a way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, and striking views, this isn’t a place you want to miss.

Not only that, but you’ll get to take fantastic photographs of the striking cliff face with Edinburgh Castle in the background. This is a great place to get some unique shots as you’ll get to see a whole other side of the city.

For the best experience, you’ll want to head to Queens Drive. From here, you’ll head left instead of taking the right path up to the summit of Arthurs Seat.

A Few Honorable Mentions

Along with those places, there are a couple of spots that we didn’t get a chance to visit or take photographs of. However, we don’t want to leave them out of this post as they’re definitely worth the visit.

Here are some extra places to include on your itinerary:

• St Cuthbert’s Churchyard
• The Roof Terrace at the National Museum of Scotland
• Scott Monument
• The Rooftop Terrace at Camera Obscura

All of these places are located within Edinburgh city centre so you can easily walk between them.

Visiting Edinburgh Castle by Tour

These Edinburgh Castle viewpoints don’t require you to actually enter the castle grounds. However, if you want to see what the castle has to offer, there are plenty of options.

For the best experience, we’d recommend heading on a guided castle tour. This gives you the chance to learn all about the castle from an experienced guide, and see some of the impressive sights within.

There are also some other fantastic tours that include a visit to this castle. Here are some of your options:

• Small-Group Royal Mile Walking Tour – This awesome tour will show you all the highlights of Edinburgh’s Old Town. It also includes optional fast-track entry to the castle!
• Edinburgh: Royal Attractions with Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours – You can explore the city with three different types of bus tours, and these include guaranteed entry into Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
• Harry Potter Tour – This awesome tour will take you to some of the most popular Harry Potter sights in the city including Victoria Street, Greyfriars Kirkyard, and The Elephant Cafe. Your entrance ticket to Edinburgh Castle is also included!
• Private City Kickstart Tour – The great thing about this tour is that it’s flexible so you can pick between different departure times. You’ll also get to visit some of the city’s most popular sights including Edinburgh Castle, the National Museum of Scotland, and St Giles’ Cathedral.

Where To Stay in Edinburgh (With Views of Edinburgh Castle)

Edinburgh is a popular tourist destination in Scotland so there are plenty of accommodation options to choose from. Typically, you’ll want to stay near the Old Town if possible as this is where all the city’s main attractions are located.

Even better why not find a hotel that’s located right near the city’s iconic landmark? You’ll find plenty of hotels in the city that offer views of Edinburgh Castle, and we highly recommend booking one of these!

Here are some of our recommendations when it comes to castle view hotels in Edinburgh:

Luxury: Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa

This 5* hotel is known for its gorgeous suites, fantastic location, and excellent facilities. If you’re looking for a luxurious experience then this is one of the best places to stay, especially if you opt for a castle-view room.

Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa also offers an on-site spa, an indoor swimming pool, a fitness centre, a restaurant, and a bar.

Mid-range: Apex Grassmarket Hotel

As the name suggests, this charming hotel is located in the Grassmarket area. It offers spectacular views of Edinburgh Castle and the facilities here are something to shout about!

On-site you’ll find an award-winning restaurant, swimming pool, sauna, fitness centre, and a bar.

Budget: Castle Rock Hostel

This fantastic hostel offers both dormitory beds and private rooms so there’s something for every budget. Boasting incredible views of the castle, a striking interior, and excellent facilities, this is one of the best places to stay in the city.

During your stay here, you’ll have access to a cosy lounge with a fireplace, a movie room, a shared kitchen, and an internet lounge.