Neighbourhood guide

New Town

Georgian streets and Princes Street

The New Town is the Georgian grid north of Princes Street Gardens, with Princes Street, George Street and Rose Street running through it. It is mostly shops, pubs, galleries and the monuments along the gardens.

The Scott Monument on Princes Street is open 10:00 to 17:00, with guided tours every 30 minutes and an adult ticket at £9. The Scottish National Gallery, the Portrait Gallery and the Royal Scottish Academy are all on or near the Mound. The two national galleries' own sites refused automated reading, so check their hours directly.

Rose Street is a pedestrian street of pubs, and the Guildford Arms and the Abbotsford both have their own sites. The Guildford Arms has been owned by the Stewart family since 1896. The Voodoo Rooms and The Stand Comedy Club cover music and comedy.

Princes Street Gardens, which the Council manages, runs along the south side of Princes Street.

Getting there

Waverley and Haymarket stations both serve the New Town, and the tram runs along Princes Street.

19 places

Tap to open the interactive map

See New Town on the interactive map

Nearby neighbourhoods

Old Town Castle, Royal Mile and the closes 32 places · under 1 km away

Calton Hill Monuments and the view 6 places · under 1 km away

Stockbridge Market, river and Sunday walks 6 places · under 1 km away

West End Theatres, cathedrals and Lothian Road 7 places · 1.1 km away

The best of New Town

Best view from a climb Scott Monument Open 10:00 to 17:00, adult ticket £9.

Best green space Princes Street Gardens Free, between the Old and New Towns.

Best Victorian pub The Guildford Arms Owned by one family since 1896.

Best gallery visit Royal Scottish Academy On the Mound, founded in 1826.

Things to do in New Town

The Ross Fountain in Princes Street Gardens with Edinburgh Castle on its rock behind

Park · Free Princes Street Gardens The gardens in the valley between the Old Town and Princes Street, managed by the City of Edinburgh Council.

The Scott Monument on Princes Street lit red at night

Landmark · £ Scott Monument The Gothic monument to Sir Walter Scott on Princes Street, which you can climb. It is open 7 days a week 10:00 to 17:00, with guided tours every 30 minutes and adult tickets at £9.

The long stone facade of The Georgian House on Charlotte Square

Museum The Georgian House A National Trust for Scotland house museum in Charlotte Square. The trust's page refused automated reading, so hours are not listed here.

Shopping Princes Street The main shopping street of the New Town, facing the gardens and the Old Town skyline. The official guide covers New Town shopping.

George Street at blue hour with the spire of a church and Christmas lights

Shopping George Street The central street of the First New Town, lined with shops, bars and restaurants. The Council has a redesign project for it.

Pub frontage with hanging flower baskets on Rose Street

Nightlife Rose Street A pedestrian street one block north of Princes Street with a long run of pubs and restaurants.

The Scottish National Gallery building on the Mound seen from the gardens

Museum Scottish National Gallery The national collection of European art on the Mound. The National Galleries site refused automated reading, so hours are not listed here.

Red sandstone front of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery

Museum Scottish National Portrait Gallery The national gallery of portraits on Queen Street. The National Galleries site refused automated reading, so hours are not listed here.

The columned Royal Scottish Academy building on the Mound

Museum Royal Scottish Academy The Royal Scottish Academy of Art and Architecture on the Mound, run by artists and founded in 1826. Its address is printed as The Mound, Edinburgh EH2 2EL.

Church St Mary's Catholic Cathedral The Catholic cathedral of the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh. Its site lists the building open 8:30 to 18:30 Monday to Friday.

Landmark The Assembly Rooms A historic venue on George Street for concerts, festivals, exhibitions and conferences, managed by Culture Edinburgh.

Nightlife The Stand Comedy Club A comedy club on York Place running stand-up shows.

Park · Free Redbraes Park A small park known for its roses, with a central cycle track and a play area.

Pub The Guildford Arms A Victorian bar and restaurant owned by the Stewart family since 1896.

Pub The Abbotsford A bar and restaurant at 3-5 Rose Street.

Nightlife The Voodoo Rooms A gothic bar, restaurant and grassroots music venue at 19a West Register Street.

Park · Free Gayfield Square A community park among New Town buildings at the top of Leith Walk, with seating and outdoor gym equipment.

Park · Free Bellevue Crescent Gardens Half-moon gardens lined with mature deciduous trees between Bellevue Crescent and Bellevue.

Shopping Westfield St James Quarter A shopping centre by Princes Street and Waverley with shops, restaurants and entertainment. Its address is printed as EH1 3AD.

What's on in New Town

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

Bona Fide Performance
Thu 12 Nov · The Stand Edinburgh
Performance at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 20:00 to 21:40 · Map · Source: The Stand
Mountebank Comedy Whisky Tasting Activities
Thu 12 Nov · The Stand Edinburgh
Event at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 15:00 to 16:30 · Map · Source: The Stand
An Evening with David Byrne: Sleeping Beauties Performance
Fri 13 Nov · Assembly Rooms
Performance at Assembly Rooms, New Town.
Map · Source: Culture Edinburgh
Mountebank Comedy Whisky Tasting Activities
Fri 13 Nov · The Stand Edinburgh
Event at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 15:00 to 16:30 · Map · Source: The Stand
The Friday Show Performance
Fri 13 Nov · The Stand Edinburgh
Performance at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 20:00 to 22:15 · Map · Source: The Stand
The Saturday Show Performance
Sat 14 Nov · The Stand Edinburgh
Performance at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 20:00 to 22:15 · Map · Source: The Stand
Alfie Brown: The Entertainer Performance
Sun 15 Nov · The Stand Edinburgh
Performance at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 20:00 to 21:40 · Map · Source: The Stand
Edinburgh Diwali Activities
Sun 15 Nov · Various routes along Edinburgh’s New Town
Event at Various routes along Edinburgh’s New Town.
Free to attend · Map · Source: Forever Edinburgh
Michael Lewis on Musk, Trump, DOGE, and the Deep State Concert
Mon 16 Nov · Assembly Rooms
Concert at Assembly Rooms, New Town.
Map · Source: Culture Edinburgh
Red Raw Performance
Mon 16 Nov · The Stand Edinburgh
Performance at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 20:00 to 22:10 · Map · Source: The Stand

Show all 73 events

The Stand Comedy Club Pub Quiz Performance
Tue 17 Nov · The Stand Edinburgh
Performance at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 19:00 to 20:00 · Map · Source: The Stand
Bright Club Edinburgh Performance
Wed 18 Nov · The Stand Edinburgh
Performance at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 20:00 to 22:00 · Map · Source: The Stand
Behind the scenes: exploring Edinburgh’s favourite stories Exhibition
On now, until 15 Dec · Museum Collections Centre
Exhibition at Museum Collections Centre, Hawthornvale.
Free · Map · Source: Culture Edinburgh
Modern Medicine Talks Activities
On now, until 16 Jun 2027 · Physicians' Gallery
Event at Physicians' Gallery.
£3.00 · Map · Source: Forever Edinburgh
Mountebank Comedy Whisky Tasting Activities
Thu 19 Nov · The Stand Edinburgh
Event at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 15:00 to 16:30 · Map · Source: The Stand
The Thursday Show Performance
Thu 19 Nov · The Stand Edinburgh
Performance at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 20:00 to 21:30 · Map · Source: The Stand
Mountebank Comedy Whisky Tasting Activities
Fri 20 Nov · The Stand Edinburgh
Event at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 15:00 to 16:30 · Map · Source: The Stand
Scottish Christmas Book Fair Market
20 to 21 Nov · The New Town Church
Market at The New Town Church.
Free entry · Map · Source: Forever Edinburgh
The Friday Show Performance
Fri 20 Nov · The Stand Edinburgh
Performance at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 20:00 to 22:15 · Map · Source: The Stand
Christmas Cheese Masterclass Food
21 Nov to 20 Dec · Edinburgh Food & Drink Academy
Food and drink event at Edinburgh Food & Drink Academy.
£145.00 · Map · Source: Forever Edinburgh
Community Christmas Concert
Sat 21 Nov · Ross Bandstand
Concert at Ross Bandstand, Princes Street Gardens.
Map · Source: Culture Edinburgh
Country by Candlelight Concert
Sat 21 Nov · Assembly Rooms
Concert at Assembly Rooms, New Town.
£4.50 · Map · Source: Culture Edinburgh
Ian Stone is “Looking for the Wow” Performance
Sat 21 Nov · The Stand Edinburgh
Performance at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 16:00 to 18:00 · Map · Source: The Stand
The Saturday Show Performance
Sat 21 Nov · The Stand Edinburgh
Performance at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 20:00 to 22:15 · Map · Source: The Stand
Legends Of The 60s Show Performance
Sun 22 Nov · Assembly Rooms
Performance at Assembly Rooms, New Town.
Map · Source: Culture Edinburgh
The Sunday Night Laugh-In Performance
Sun 22 Nov · The Stand Edinburgh
Performance at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 19:30 to 21:00 · Map · Source: The Stand
Red Raw Performance
Mon 23 Nov · The Stand Edinburgh
Performance at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 20:00 to 22:10 · Map · Source: The Stand
Extra Virgin Olive Oil Tutored Tasting Food
Tue 24 Nov · Contini George Street
Food and drink event at Contini George Street.
£55.00 · Map · Source: Forever Edinburgh
Gareth Mutch's Mixtape Performance
Wed 25 Nov · The Stand Edinburgh
Performance at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 20:00 to 21:40 · Map · Source: The Stand
Physicians’ Gallery Spotlight Talks Activities
25 Nov 2026 to 26 May 2027 · The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
Event at The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.
Free admission · Map · Source: Forever Edinburgh
Exploring the future of cancer prevention Activities
Thu 26 Nov · Royal Society of Edinburgh
Event at Royal Society of Edinburgh, New Town.
18:00 to 19:30 · Map · Source: Royal Society of Edinburgh
John Robertson's The Dark Room Performance
Thu 26 Nov · The Stand Edinburgh
Performance at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 20:00 to 21:40 · Map · Source: The Stand
Mountebank Comedy Whisky Tasting Activities
Thu 26 Nov · The Stand Edinburgh
Event at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 15:00 to 16:30 · Map · Source: The Stand
Mountebank Comedy Whisky Tasting Activities
Fri 27 Nov · The Stand Edinburgh
Event at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 15:00 to 16:30 · Map · Source: The Stand
The Friday Show Performance
Fri 27 Nov · The Stand Edinburgh
Performance at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 20:00 to 22:15 · Map · Source: The Stand
Voices of Valjiean Concert
Fri 27 Nov · Assembly Rooms
Concert at Assembly Rooms, New Town.
£4.50 · Map · Source: Culture Edinburgh
A Taste of Scotland Concert
Sat 28 Nov · Ross Bandstand
Concert at Ross Bandstand, Princes Street Gardens.
Map · Source: Culture Edinburgh
Gary Delaney: Gary On Laughing Performance
Sat 28 Nov · Assembly Rooms
Performance at Assembly Rooms, New Town.
Map · Source: Culture Edinburgh
The Early Saturday Show Performance
Sat 28 Nov · The Stand Edinburgh
Performance at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 16:30 to 18:00 · Map · Source: The Stand
The Saturday Show Performance
Sat 28 Nov · The Stand Edinburgh
Performance at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 20:00 to 22:15 · Map · Source: The Stand
Susan Morrison is Historically Funny Performance
Sun 29 Nov · The Stand Edinburgh
Performance at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 17:00 to 18:00 · Map · Source: The Stand
The Sunday Night Laugh-In Performance
Sun 29 Nov · The Stand Edinburgh
Performance at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 19:30 to 21:00 · Map · Source: The Stand
Red Raw Performance
Mon 30 Nov · The Stand Edinburgh
Performance at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 20:00 to 22:10 · Map · Source: The Stand
Edinburgh - Mountains on Stage Winter Edition 2026 Concert
Tue 1 Dec · Assembly Rooms
Concert at Assembly Rooms, New Town.
Map · Source: Culture Edinburgh
Stu & Garry’s Improv Show Performance
Tue 1 Dec · The Stand Edinburgh
Performance at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 20:00 to 22:00 · Map · Source: The Stand
Christmas by Candlelight Concert
Wed 2 Dec · Assembly Rooms
Concert at Assembly Rooms, New Town.
£4.50 · Map · Source: Culture Edinburgh
Ignacio Lopez: Nada Performance
Wed 2 Dec · The Stand Edinburgh
Performance at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 20:00 to 21:40 · Map · Source: The Stand
ABBA Christmas by Candlelight Concert
Thu 3 Dec · Assembly Rooms
Concert at Assembly Rooms, New Town.
£4.50 · Map · Source: Culture Edinburgh
Bona Fide Performance
Thu 3 Dec · The Stand Edinburgh
Performance at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 20:00 to 21:40 · Map · Source: The Stand
Christmas Lecture 2026: Hari Budha Magar Activities
Thu 3 Dec · Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
Event at Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.
£12.00 · Map · Source: Forever Edinburgh
Mountebank Comedy Whisky Tasting Activities
Thu 3 Dec · The Stand Edinburgh
Event at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 15:00 to 16:30 · Map · Source: The Stand
Mountebank Comedy Whisky Tasting Activities
Fri 4 Dec · The Stand Edinburgh
Event at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 15:00 to 16:30 · Map · Source: The Stand
The Friday Show Performance
Fri 4 Dec · The Stand Edinburgh
Performance at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 20:00 to 22:15 · Map · Source: The Stand
3D2D Christmas Fair 2026 Market
5 to 6 Dec · Assembly Rooms
Market at Assembly Rooms, New Town.
Map · Source: Culture Edinburgh
Edinburgh Sings! Concert
Sat 5 Dec · Ross Bandstand
Concert at Ross Bandstand, Princes Street Gardens.
Map · Source: Culture Edinburgh
The Early Saturday Show Performance
Sat 5 Dec · The Stand Edinburgh
Performance at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 16:30 to 18:00 · Map · Source: The Stand
The Saturday Show Performance
Sat 5 Dec · The Stand Edinburgh
Performance at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 20:00 to 22:15 · Map · Source: The Stand
Santa Fun Run & Santa Paws Concert
Sun 6 Dec · Ross Bandstand
Concert at Ross Bandstand, Princes Street Gardens.
Map · Source: Culture Edinburgh
The Sunday Night Laugh-In Performance
Sun 6 Dec · The Stand Edinburgh
Performance at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 19:30 to 21:00 · Map · Source: The Stand
Red Raw Performance
Mon 7 Dec · The Stand Edinburgh
Performance at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 20:00 to 22:10 · Map · Source: The Stand
Bublé Christmas by Candlelight Concert
Tue 8 Dec · Assembly Rooms
Concert at Assembly Rooms, New Town.
£4.50 · Map · Source: Culture Edinburgh
W.I.P.lash Performance
Tue 8 Dec · The Stand Edinburgh
Performance at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 20:00 to 22:00 · Map · Source: The Stand
A Yuletide Evening of Ghost Stories Activities
Wed 9 Dec · Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
Event at Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.
£14.00 · Map · Source: Forever Edinburgh
Christmas by Candlelight Concert
Wed 9 Dec · Assembly Rooms
Concert at Assembly Rooms, New Town.
£4.50 · Map · Source: Culture Edinburgh
The problem with forgiveness Activities
Wed 9 Dec · Royal Society of Edinburgh
Event at Royal Society of Edinburgh, New Town.
18:00 to 19:30 · Map · Source: Royal Society of Edinburgh
The Stand Comedy Club Pub Quiz Performance
Wed 9 Dec · The Stand Edinburgh
Performance at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 19:00 to 20:00 · Map · Source: The Stand
Mountebank Comedy Whisky Tasting Activities
Thu 10 Dec · The Stand Edinburgh
Event at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 15:00 to 16:30 · Map · Source: The Stand
The Thursday Show Performance
Thu 10 Dec · The Stand Edinburgh
Performance at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 20:00 to 21:30 · Map · Source: The Stand
The Friday Show Performance
Fri 11 Dec · The Stand Edinburgh
Performance at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 20:00 to 22:15 · Map · Source: The Stand
The Stand's Office Christmas Party Performance
Fri 11 Dec · The Stand Edinburgh
Performance at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 16:00 to 17:30 · Map · Source: The Stand
Silent Disco Christmas Cracker Concert
Sat 12 Dec · Ross Bandstand
Concert at Ross Bandstand, Princes Street Gardens.
Map · Source: Culture Edinburgh
The Early Saturday Show Performance
Sat 12 Dec · The Stand Edinburgh
Performance at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 16:30 to 18:00 · Map · Source: The Stand
The Saturday Show Performance
Sat 12 Dec · The Stand Edinburgh
Performance at The Stand Edinburgh.
£1 · 20:00 to 22:15 · Map · Source: The Stand

Show 1 event nearby, outside New Town

200 Years Exhibition
On now, until 15 Nov · Royal Scottish Academy, New Town
Exhibition marking the Academy's 200th anniversary, 17 October to 15 November 2026.
Map · Source: Royal Scottish Academy

All 73 local events in New Town

Live music in New Town

The Voodoo Rooms 56 upcoming gigs
Assembly Rooms 17 upcoming gigs

What's on in New Town this week

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 New Town

Browse live availability and compare prices around the neighbourhood.

See hotels near New Town 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.