Visitors head for the old town, a bustling area of centuries-old buildings and narrow alleyways. At its centre, perched on an extinct volcano, Edinburgh Castle houses the Scottish crown jewels. The Royal Mile, a steep street full of traditional pubs, informal restaurants, souvenir shops and small museums, stretches from the castle to the Scottish Parliament and Holyroodhouse Palace, the Queen's Scottish residence.

In the elegant New Town, Georgian houses line the wide avenues and open squares. Shoppers visit chain stores on Princes Street and luxury boutiques on and around George Street, while office workers and well-heeled residents enjoy drinks in elegant hotel bars and lively cocktail lounges. Old and new paintings of famous Scots are on display at the red sandstone, neo-Gothic Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

The Royal Mile is the name given to the avenue that connects Edinburgh Castle with the palace of Holyroodhouse and is located in the heart of Edinburgh's old town.