Calton Hill, Edinburgh
Photo: Drew de F Fawkes / Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Neighbourhood guide

Calton Hill

Monuments and the view

Calton Hill rises at the east end of Princes Street. It has a cluster of monuments, a free contemporary art centre and one of the best views of the city.

The Nelson Monument is open 10:00 to 15:30 seven days a week, with tickets at £7.50. The National Monument of Scotland, the unfinished Parthenon-style structure, stands nearby, and you can walk around it freely.

Collective Gallery uses the City Observatory and is free. London Road Gardens and Hillside Crescent Gardens run along the hill's edge.

Getting there

Calton Hill is a short climb up from Waverley station and the east end of Princes Street.

6 places
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Nearby neighbourhoods

New Town, Edinburgh New Town Georgian streets and Princes Street 19 places · under 1 km away Old Town, Edinburgh Old Town Castle, Royal Mile and the closes 32 places · under 1 km away Holyrood, Edinburgh Holyrood Palace, Parliament and the park 9 places · 1.1 km away Southside, Edinburgh Southside Museums, theatres and student streets 10 places · 1.2 km away

The best of Calton Hill

Calton Hill
Best view Calton Hill Free, with city and sea views.
Nelson Monument
Best climb Nelson Monument Open daily 10:00 to 15:30.
Collective Gallery and City Observatory
Best free art Collective Gallery and City Observatory Free contemporary art on the hill.

Things to do in Calton Hill

The Dugald Stewart Monument on Calton Hill with the city behind
Viewpoint · Free Calton Hill A hill at the east end of Princes Street with a group of monuments and a wide view over the city. The Council lists it among its parks.
The Nelson Monument tower on Calton Hill against blue sky
Landmark · £ Nelson Monument A tower on Calton Hill you can climb for views of the city. It is open 7 days a week from 10:00 to 15:30, with tickets at £7.50.
The columns of the National Monument of Scotland on Calton Hill
Landmark · Free National Monument of Scotland The unfinished Parthenon-style monument on Calton Hill, built as a memorial to the Scottish dead of the Napoleonic Wars.
The domed City Observatory building on Calton Hill
Museum · Free Collective Gallery and City Observatory A free contemporary art centre on Calton Hill that uses the City Observatory. Its address is printed as Edinburgh EH7 5AA.
Park · Free London Road Gardens A designed open space within the World Heritage Site, with mature trees, spring flower displays and interpretation panels.
Park · Free Hillside Crescent Gardens Gardens laid out by William Playfair that continue the greenery of Calton Hill across London Road.

What's on in Calton Hill

Local events in the next 30 days, read from the ward, park and organiser pages each one links to.

More local events around Edinburgh

From the blog

The Dugald Stewart Monument on Calton Hill with the Old Town skyline and Edinburgh Castle beyond autumn trees Things to Do in Edinburgh: What the Guides Agree On for a First Visit Read

Stay in Calton Hill

Browse live availability and compare prices around the neighbourhood.

See hotels near Calton Hill on Booking.comPrices are for the night of Saturday 14 November. You can change the dates on Booking.com. If you book, Roam Edinburgh earns a small commission from Stay22 at no extra cost to you.