Edinburgh, Scotland is easily one of my favorite cities to visit in the UK, if not all of Europe, which is probably why I keep coming back again and again! That’s partly due to just how photogenic the city is, chock full of Instagram spots enough to satisfy any tourist or influencer. There are so many great photo spots in Edinburgh that it was truly hard to narrow it down to just my favorites! These are all places I’ve been to on past visits though, so I can vouch for them. From cute neighborhoods like Dean Village and Circus Lane to grand vistas like Arthur’s Seats, here are a few of my picks for the most Instagrammable locations in Edinburgh!
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Dean Village
Visiting Dean Village is like taking a step back into time to old Edinburgh. In recent years, this little neighborhood has become a huge draw to photographers and tourists because of just how Instagrammable it is. For the best shot of the beautiful architecture and river, walk over the stone bridge and down besides the river.
Ross Fountain
Located inside the Princes Street Gardens, Ross Fountain is one of the best angles you’ll find of Edinburgh Castle. The fountain itself is a beautiful design made of aqua and gold, making for a fantastic foreground in any photo. Depending on the time of year, you can often find flowers around the fountain as well (this shot below was taken in early July!). If you’re looking for an Insta-worthy shot with the castle in the background, this is definitely one of the best places to get it.
Royal Botanic Gardens
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is one of the best botanical gardens in the world. While most of the gardens are free to visit, there is an entry fee for the Glasshouses, which are easily the most beautiful part of the gardens to photograph. There are 10 zones and more than 8000 plants in the Glasshouses, so you can easily spend an hour or two exploring them. In my opinion, they are definitely worth the £7.00 price of entry!
Circus Lane
Located in the Stockbridge neighborhood of Edinburgh, Circus Lane is one of the prettiest streets in all of the city. Featuring cobbled roads and beautiful houses covered in greenery and vines, it’s no wonder that Circus Lane is one of the most popular photo spots in the city. However, when visiting, please be respectful as these are people’s homes!
The Vennel Steps
For one of the best views of Edinburgh Castle, look no farther than the Vennel Steps. The easiest way to get this shot is to start up high at Lauriston Place, turn right down Heriot Place and walk down the steps, snap your shot, and continue down to Grassmarket. Don’t worry, The Vennel does come up on Google Maps! The Vennel is quite possible my favorite angle of Edinburgh Castle and Castle Rock in all of the city.
Ramsay Garden
Located just off the Royal Mile, this cute little block of houses make for a great photo both from street view or from a distance as part of Edinburgh’s skyline. They’re also the perfect example of Scottish Georgian style architecture!
Victoria Street
If you’re a fan of colorful streets, Victoria Street is the one for you! You’ll find lots of restaurants and independent shops along Victoria Street, including several Harry Potter-themed shops (likely because it is said that the street was an influence behind Diagon Alley). Since the street curves down a hill, it makes for quite the unique photograph. There’s almost always cars and people here though, so don’t expect to get a shot of an empty street here. If you take the staircase up to the second level, you can also get an aerial perspective of the street, no drone necessary!
Arthur’s Seat
Last but not least, Arthur’s Seat is the tallest point of Holyrood Park just outside of the city. You have to hike up a bit for the best views of Edinburgh, peaking at 823 feet above sea level, but it’s well worth it. You won’t get a better panoramic shot of all of Edinburgh than here! When you’re in the area, you can also visit the other royal home besides Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
New College, The University of Edinburgh
The School of Divinity at the New College of The University of Edinburgh might just be the prettiest courtyard in Edinburgh.
With its neo-gothic architecture, it’s easy to see why it’s one of the best photo spots in Edinburgh! Kind of makes you feel like you’re at Hogwarts, right?! And best of all, it’s free to visit, as long as the gate is open on weekdays.
Photography pro tip: 24mm is barely enough to fit it all in vertically, so you might want to bring a wider lens with you or shoot on 0.5x on your iPhone.
National Gallery of Scotland: Portrait
Calton Hill
Writers’ Museum
Unique Places to Stay in Edinburgh
Beyond photo spots, why not also stay somewhere equally photogenic while you’re in Edinburgh? The city has some cool hotel options to choose from, so here’s a few of the most unique places to stay in Edinburgh that you should consider.
The Witchery at The Castle
Pictured below, you’ll find the restaurant at The Witchery.
If you’re looking to stay in a gothic suite right by the castle, this is the boutique hotel for you. If it’s out of your budget, I recommend grabbing a restaurant reservation for a taste of the experience!
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
Newly opened, you’ll find Virgin Hotels Edinburgh in the trendy Cowgate neighborhood, which is great if you want to be close to the Royal Mile and also surrounded by great options for a fun night out (Three Sisters Bar down the street always had a long line when I walked by).
And best of all, they’ve got a fabulous rooftop with a view of Edinburgh Castle. Virgin knows how to do trendy hotels, so if you want somewhere hip and new, this is the place for you!
House of Gods
Another quirky gothic hotel offering. If you’re looking for a more affordable alternative to The Witchery but still a unique property with decadent decor, definitely check out House of Gods. The Times even called it “Edinbugh’s sexiest hotel”!
The Balmoral Hotel
If you want to stay in THE luxury hotel of Edinburgh, look no further than the iconic Balmoral Hotel. The architecture of The Balmoral can be seen again and again in photos of Edinburgh, so I’d be remiss not to include it in an Edinburgh photo spots guide!
It’s also a great option if you’re looking for a spot for a fancy afternoon tea service.
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