Map of the best views of Edinburgh Castle

Here’s a map for where you can find each of the locations in this list.

1. Princes Street

We’re starting off with a spot that truly shows off how majestic the Castle is – Princes Street.

Originally built as a grand boulevard lined with townhouses and gardens for Edinburgh’s elite, today it’s a bustling hub of shops and restaurants. But the real showstopper is the breathtaking view of Edinburgh Castle just across the road. It still baffles me that you can be standing out the front of Primark while looking at a 12th-century castle that feels like it’s been taken right out of a fairytale.

While there are some trees that might obstruct your view from street level, strolling along Princes Street still presents fantastic photo opportunities. To avoid traffic from photobombing, I suggest hopping over to the side closest to the castle. And for an even better perspective, take a wander up some of the side streets like Castle Street, where you can see castle rock amidst the buildings.

View of Edinburgh Castle from Princes Street

2. Princes Street Garden

After you’ve taken in the view from Princes Street, head down into the gardens nestled between the street and the castle. Once the private gardens of Edinburgh’s wealthy residents, nowadays, it’s a peaceful public space, perfect for a leisurely stroll.

For the best views of Edinburgh Castle from below, head to the west end of the gardens.

View of Edinburgh Castle from Princes Street Gardens

3. Ross Fountain

One of the iconic spots in Princes Street Gardens is the Ross Fountain. With its bold blue and gold design contrasting against the castle’s Victorian style, it’s the perfect foreground for your photos.

Fun fact: when it was first erected in 1872, the fountain was actually considered gaudy and tasteless. 

You’ll find the fountain located at the west end of the gardens.

If you happen to find yourself in Edinburgh during winter (I visited in September), you might get lucky enough to capture frozen icicles dangling from the tiers.

View of Edinburgh Castle from Ross Fountain

4. St Cuthbert’s Cemetery

Now, I know what you’re thinking – a cemetery? But trust me, St Cuthbert’s is worth a visit, not just for its history but for the stunning view of the castle.

Just a short stroll from the Ross Fountain, you’ll find this peaceful graveyard. Filled with memorials ranging from the simple and modest to the large and elaborate, this cemetery provides a unique backdrop for your photos.

View of Edinburgh Castle from St Cuthbert’s Cemetery

5. Granny’s Green Steps

Grassmarket is likely already on your Edinburgh itinerary – The once bustling marketplace known for its trade and public executions, that is now a buzzing hub filled with eateries, pubs, and shops.

But tucked away at the edge of this popular attraction is Granny’s Green Steps, a historic pedestrian pathway.

These stairs lead up to Johnson Terrace, a street running parallel to Grassmarket. Yet, it’s at the bottom of these steps, outside Cold Town House, where you’ll find a great vantage point for capturing the southern side of the castle up close.

View of Edinburgh Castle from Grassmarket

6. The Vennel

Also accessed from Grassmarket, The Vennel is known as the “secret viewpoint” – although it’s not so secret anymore thanks to social media.

Chances are, you’ve seen numerous photos of the stairs cascading down to the street, with the castle elegantly framed above. You might even recognise it as a filming location from the Netflix series “One Day”. And there’s reason why it’s famous – it’s absolutely picturesque.

Despite its popularity, when we visited on a Tuesday afternoon in September, we were pleasantly surprised to find it relatively uncrowded. It was a nice change from the bustling crowds you find on Victoria Street (also known as Rainbow Street).

View of Edinburgh Castle from The Vennel

7. Flodden Wall

We stumbled upon this lookout after leaving The Vennel. Once you’ve captured your shots on the stairs, keep heading uphill (away from the castle). You’ll be following a stone wall on your left – that’s part of the Flodden Wall, one of Edinburgh’s former fortifications. It’s pretty wild to imagine that this was the edge of the city back in 1560!

As you stroll alongside the wall, don’t forget to glance behind you; you’ll find some amazing photo opportunities.

View of Edinburgh Castle from behind The Vennel

8. National Museum of Scotland

For a view of the castle from further away, head to the National Museum of Scotland. While most building lookouts in the city are paid, this one’s free. That means you can save your money for indulging in some classic Scottish fish and chips.

The museum has some amazing exhibits so give yourself some time to explore them before making your way up to the rooftop garden. The building is quite large so you might want to grab a map or keep an eye out for signage. Head up to floor 7, which you can reach via stairs or a lift from level 5.

Once you’re on the rooftop garden, you’ll be treated to a panoramic view of the city, with the castle perched majestically on the hill. Since you’ll be a bit farther from the castle, having a digital camera with a zoom lens will ensure you capture the best shots from this vantage point.

From the garden you’ll get a view of the city with the castle nestled on the hill. Since you’ll be a bit further from the castle, having a DSLR camera instead of just your phone will help you capture the best photos from this distance.

View of Edinburgh Castle from the National Museum of Scotland

While these are some of the best spots we discovered on our trip, you’re sure to stumble upon even more photo opportunities as you explore Edinburgh’s historic streets.

Feature Image courtesy of Unsplash