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Capturing the Magic of Edinburgh – Epic Photo Spots in the City

ericaadelaidejohnson, June 23, 2024June 30, 2024

It is no secret that Edinburgh is a stunning city. Capturing the beauty of this historic city is a must during your visit. Keep reading for some of our favorite photo spots in Edinburgh that absolutely took our breath away. As we’ve said before, one visit simply isn’t enough, and Edinburgh is one of those special places we intend to revisit. So, we’ve included a few photo spots that we hope to visit next time too.

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Breathtaking Photo Spots in Edinburgh to Include in Your Itinerary

1. Arthur’s Seat at Sunset

Capture a striking sunset photo from Arthur's Seat in Holyrood Park
Sunset view from Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park

A hike up to Arthur’s Seat was a perfect way to end our time in the city, and the views at sunset far exceeded our expectations. The photos truly don’t do it justice. You’ll want to allot 2 hours for the hike to Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park which will give you time to stop and admire the view along the way. It is quite windy, so we’d suggest bringing along a jacket even in the summer.

2. The Vennel Steps

An iconic photo of Edinburgh Castle from the Vennel Steps
View from The Vennel Steps

The Vennel Steps offer one of the most iconic views of Edinburgh Castle. It is easy to include a stop here on your way to visiting the castle. We went early in the morning to avoid the crowds. Making your way to this little alley way may feel a bit obscure, but once you get there you’ll see why this spot is so famous.

3. Victoria Street

Capture a photo of the colorful Victoria Street in Edinburgh
View from the colorful Victoria Street

The colorful shops of Victoria Street offer a lovely photo that captures the special feeling of exploring a city with so much history. As you make your way up the street the lighting changes, and you’ll find yourself snapping more than a few pictures. It is an active street though, so don’t forget to watch out for traffic!

4. Princes Street Gardens (Our Personal Favorite Photo Spot in Edinburgh)

Princes Street Gardens are a great area to capture an iconic photo of Edinburgh Castle.
View of Edinburgh Castle from Princes Street

It is no surprise the Princes Street Gardens are a popular photo spot. The entire park offers lovely views of the castle. You really can’t go wrong with any spot in the park, so we suggest you stroll along until you find a view you love. Even from the street level, like the photo above, the shop of Edinburgh Castle is striking. Don’t forget to visit the Scott Monument while exploring the park. It is an iconic photo spot in its own right!

5. St. Giles Cathedral

St Giles' Cathedral on the Royal Mile
St Giles’ Cathedral on the Royal Mile

A stroll along the Royal Mile is an essential part of any Edinburgh itinerary. You’ll pass by the stunning St Giles’ Cathedral on the way. The entire stretch of the Royal Mile will have you snapping pictures the whole way. Exploring Old Town Edinburgh really is a surreal experience. Traveling along the Royal Mile also brings you very close to some of the other photo spots on our list, so you can make a morning of capturing the magic of Edinburgh.

6. Edinburgh Castle

View of the city below from Edinburgh Castle
View of the city below from Edinburgh Castle

The views of the city from Edinburgh Castle are not to be understated. You really get an appreciation for the imposing vantage of the castle on the rock, and see why it is among our favorites that we visited in Scotland. A visit to Edinburgh Castle is a must, and while it can be an overwhelming amount of history to take in, this is your sign not to forget to take in the view of the city itself while you’re there! You may even consider a guided tour to make the most of your visit.

Looking for More Photo Spots in Edinburgh?

With our packed itinerary, we didn’t have time to check out these spots ourselves, but they are on our list for next time!

  • Dean Village
  • Circus Lane
  • Calton Hill

Planning a Trip to Edinburgh?

Edinburgh is one of our favorite cities we’ve ever visited. If you’re wondering what you should see your first time in the city, check out our 2 day itinerary for Edinburgh. Traveling beyond the city? This country is home to some insanely stunning castles, and exploring some of them is one of the best things to do in Scotland! We had the opportunity to see 14 castles and castle ruins on our road trip. These are some of our favorites.

If you’ve been to Edinburgh, what are some of your favorite photo spots in the city? Are there any we missed?

We’re always looking for things to add to our itinerary for next time. Let us know in the comments below!

Europe Scotland EdinburghScotlandTravel Photography

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