Princes Street Edinburgh Guide 2024[Shops+Activities]
Princes Street Edinburgh is probably the most popular & iconic spot in Edinburgh due to its lively atmosphere, great views and rich history. Whether you’re looking to shop on Princes Street, dine at the best restaurants, or find fun activities, this guide has you covered and will answer all your queries.
There is something for everyone to enjoy here starting from dining to attractions to shopping and much more. Princes Street is very popular with tourists and most tourists include visiting Princes Street in Edinburgh in their Scotland itineraries.
Where Is Princes Street in Edinburgh?
Princes Street is located centrally in the city center & is the heart of Edinburgh Scotland. Princes Street in Edinburgh is approximately one mile (1.6 kilometers) long and is a straight stretch of road in the heart of city center.
Depending on which end you of Princes Street you are at, you will either find the Johnny Walker Experience Store or the fmous Balmoral Hotel with the Clock Tower.
What To Do In Princes Street Edinburgh?
Princes Street has a lot of things to offer and this is the most bustling area of Edinburgh. If you are a foodie, then you have restaurants and pubs where you can sit and have a good time with a view of Edinburgh Castle.
Princes Street also has a lot of fast food restaurants like McDonald’s, Jollibee, Starbucks, etc if you want to grab a quick bite.
If you want to sit & chill, then you have the beautiful Princes Street Gardens where you can go and take a stroll or just have a good time roaming around and enjoying the green views. The garden has beautiful fountains, some food & drink shops and lovely flower beds.
If you want to explore the old town then there is a connecting passage opposite to Costa Coffee and beside the National Galleria where you can take a quick walk uphill to visit the Old town.
The table below shows a list of Things To Do in Princes Street:
| Place/Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Princes Street Gardens | Beautiful public park perfect for a leisurely stroll. |
| Scott Monument | Gothic monument offering panoramic city views. |
| National Galleries of Scotland | Home to an impressive collection of art. |
| Johnnie Walker Princes Street | An immersive whisky experience & a must try for all. |
| The Balmoral Hotel | Iconic landmark with luxury dining and accommodations & clock tower. |
| Shopping | High street brands and local boutiques. |
| Restaurants and Cafes | Variety of dining options to suit all tastes. |
| Street Performers | Live entertainment from local artists on the streets. |
What Shops Are In Princes Street Edinburgh?
Princes Street is a hub for all kinds of shops from budget shopping to luxury shopping and offers a variety of options for tourists and city dwellers. Depending on your requirements, you have multiple options to choose from & then pick the one you like the most. However, below are a few popular shops on Princes Street:
Clothing Shops on Princes Street:
There are multiple clothing shops on Princes Street from affordable options to high-end shops. The table below lists the popular clothing shops on Princes Street.
| Shop Name | Description |
|---|---|
| UniQlo | A casual brand offering trendy clothes for men & women. |
| Marks & Spencer | British retailer offering clothing and accessories. |
| Primark | Affordable clothing retailer for men, women & kids. |
| H&M | Fashion retailer for men, women, and children. |
| Urban Outfitters | Fashion retailer with contemporary and quirky styles. |
| Levi’s | Iconic denim and casual wear retailer. |
| Vans | Skatewear and casual fashion brand. |
| River Island | Fashion retailer with trendy clothing and accessories. |
| Sports Direct | Sportswear and activewear retailer. |
| Mountain Warehouse | Outdoor clothing and equipment retailer. |
I would suggest visiting Primark if you are looking for affordable options and you are tourist outside of the UK.
Primark Princes Street Photos:
For outdoor & hiking, you can check out Mountain Warehouse on Princes Street.
For trendy & reasonable pricing, do consider visiting UniQlo.Uni Qlo has a variety of options to consider & is a big store in the heart of Princes Street. Uni Qlo also has a cafe upstairs where you can enjoy coffee with an awesome view of Edinburgh Castle & Princes Street.
Some Uniqlo Princes Street, Edinburgh Photos:
Uniqlo Edinburgh Cafe Photos:
Gift Shops On Princes Street:
If you are visiting Edinburgh as a tourist, then definitely you would like to take back some souvenirs and gifts with you. Princes Street has quite a few gift shops that can offer you a ton of options for gifts and souvenirs.
The table below shows the most popular gift shops on Princes Street:
| Shop Name | Description |
|---|---|
| One World Shop | A variety of gifts available in this shop that includes Wooden gifts, Clothing, Bags, chocolates & much more. Great quality & reasonably priced & located in the heart of Princes Street. This is a highly rated store. |
| Romanes & Paterson | A wide range of gifts including souvenirs, cookies, chocolates, and Scottish clothing(Kilts, hoodies, sweaters etc). Additionally, handmade bags and shortbreads are also available. Highly rated & must visit for tourists. |
| Great Scot | Traditional Scottish Gift shop offering a wide range of gifts. Quality is good & also offers luggage storage facilities for tourists. Highly rated store. |
| Royal House Of Scotland | Gift Shop offering Key rings, magnets & clothing items. |
| Pride of Edinburgh | Great place for souvenirs & sophisticated Scottish clothing. |
| Balmoral souvenirs | Cool shop to buy souvenirs, Teddy Bears, Scottish photos, clothing and cookies. |
| Pound & Beyond | Big souvenir stores with a variety of gift options. Reasonably priced items with discounts if you buy multiple items. |
These shops offer a variety of Scottish-themed gifts, souvenirs, and traditional items, perfect for tourists and gift-givers.
Romanes & Paterson Gift Shop on Princes Street:
Pictures of some other Gift Shops on Princes Street Edinburgh:
To conclude, I suggest you visit ‘Romanes & Paterson’, Great Scot and Pound & Beyond if you are looking for the best gift shops on Princes Street. These shops are in the heart of Princes Street and right next to each other.
‘One World Shop’ is also in my Top 3 list which is near the St. John’s Scottish Episcopal Church.
I would highly recommend visiting this store if you can take a quick walk towards St. John’s Scottish Episcopal Church.
Food Joints On Princes Street:
If you are looking for food, Princes Street has a lot of options from Coffee shops to Fast Food and Restaurants with a view.
Below is the list of fast food places on Princes Street in Edinburgh. I have categorized by cuisine and included location and high-level details for your ease.
American:
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Location & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Five Guys | American, Burgers | 136 Princes Street – Famous for its customizable burgers and fries (Chips). |
| McDonald’s | Fast Food, Burgers | 137 Princes Street – Classic fast food option with a familiar menu |
| Burger King | Fast Food, Burgers | 129 Princes Street – Well-known for its flame-grilled burgers |
| Starbucks | Cafe | 120 Princes Street – Coffee, snacks, and light bites |
| KFC | Fast Food, Chicken | 20 Princes Street – Popular for fried chicken and sides |
Jolibee & McDonald on Princes Street photo:
Scottish:
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Location & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| The Abbotsford | Bar, Pub, Scottish | 3-5 Rose Street (2 mins from Princes Street) – Known for traditional Scottish pub fare & great ambiance. Highly recommended if you are in Edinburgh. Dogs are allowed here. All the food items, Beers & Whiskeys are highly rated here. Must Try: Fish & Chips, Beers |
| The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant | Scottish, Contemporary | The Mound – Located in the Scottish National Galleries, offers traditional and contemporary Scottish dishes with lovely city views. Vegetarian & gluten-free options available. Must Try-Pastries, Sandwiches, Eggs Benedict |
| Cask Smugglers | Bar, Scottish | This is on Waverley Mall Rooftop – Offers a variety of Scottish spirits and food specials with panoramic views of Edinburgh and the castle. The place offers a unique combination of beautiful ambiance & exquisite views of Edinburgh’s Old Town. Highly recommended & Dog-friendly. Must Try- Cocktails, Cheese & charcuterie Platter, Pizza |
Mexican:
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Location & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wahaca | Mexican | 16 S St Andrew St (2 mins from Princes Street) – Offers vibrant Mexican street food & one of the best in the city. |
Italian:
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Location & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Amarone | Italian | 12-13 St Andrew Square (5 mins from Princes Street) – Offers a variety of classic Italian dishes in an upscale setting. Must Try- Pizza, Lasagna, Tiramisu |
Indian & Asian:
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Location & Notes |
| Dishoom | India | 5 mins from Princes Street & is a very popular place in Edinburgh. Highly recommended if you are looking for Indian food. Book in advance. Must Try: Chilli Chicken, Dishoom House Chaat, Cocktails, Biriyani |
| Jolibee | Asian | Located on 36 Princes St, this is again a very popular place if you are looking for Burgers, Fried Chicken & Fries (Chips). Must Try: Sriracha Loaded Fries |
Best Coffee Shops On Princes Street:
There are a lot of local & global options for coffee shops on Princes Street. The Table below shows you the best coffee shops on Princes Street:
| Coffee Shop | Description |
|---|---|
| Starbucks | Popular chain offering consistent quality and variety |
| Black Sheep Coffee | Quite a popular place in the heart of Princes Street with good views. Known for its unique blended coffee & great coffee. |
| Costa Coffee | Another well-known chain with a wide selection of drinks |
| Pret A Manger | A popular chain in the UK that offers good quality coffee alongside sandwiches. |
Pictures showing Coffee Shops On Princes Street:
What’s on Princes Street Gardens Edinburgh?
If you are looking to relax enjoying nature & chilling alone or with friends, the Princes Street Gardens is the place to be. This is a beautiful public park located on Princes Street and has very soothing ambiance.
The views here are great with the Edinburgh Castle up top, serene greenery, beautiful fountain, flower gardens & cute little shops to grab some fast food.
Here’s what you can find in Princes Street Gardens:
Historical Monuments: The garden is pretty big so you need to walk end to end to enjoy all the monuments & cover the whole garden. The most popular spots are the Ross Fountain & the Scott Monument. You can view the Scott Monument from the Princes Street.
To view the fountain you need to walk towards the West Princes Street Gardens where you can find the Ross Fountain wielded with cast iron & Edinburgh castle in the backdrop. This is a must-see.
Lush Greenery: You get to see a variety of trees-old and new, beautiful flower beds & clean and green lawns in Princes Street Gardens. The trees and the shades offer a tranquil experience to feel nature & dive into your inner conscience.
This garden is definitely a great place for everyone & especially for couples, thinkers and families with and without pets to enjoy a lovely time out here.
Events and Performances: There are lot of events that happen around the year here including the famous Edinburgh Christmas Market and various other bands and artists playing all the time.
Playgrounds: Children can enjoy the swings & the slides here or just run around in the garden. Pets are allowed here so it’s definitely a great place to have some good time with your family.
A picture showing the Elephant statue in Princes Street Garden:
Stunning Views: One of the main highlights of Princes Street Gardens is its panoramic views of Edinburgh Castle and the garden as a whole.
Walking and Relaxing: The gardens are perfect for strolls, picnics, or simply relaxing on the grass and soaking up the atmosphere.
Overall, Princes Street Gardens offer a great combination of history & nature making it perfect for both locals and tourists in Edinburgh.
Conclusion
Overall, Princes Street offers a variety of things to do mixed with history making it a hotspot all around the year. Whether you are a pub crawler, window shopper or a foodie, Princes Street has something for everyone.
On the other hand, if you want to just sit back, relax and enjoy nature then you should definitely visit the Princes Street Gardens.
FAQ
How far is princes street from Edinburgh airport?
Princes Street is approximately 8 miles (13 kilometers) from Edinburgh Airport. Travel options include-Bus, Trams & Cabs.
Can you drive along princes Street Edinburgh?
Driving along Princes Street in Edinburgh is restricted. It is primarily reserved for public transport, taxis, and bicycles.
Where is Princes Street in Edinburgh?
Princes Street is located in the heart of Edinburgh, running from the Lothian Road in the west to Leith Street in the east.
What time do shops close on princes Street Edinburgh
The closing times for shops on Princes Street in Edinburgh can vary, but generally, most shops usually close between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM apart from pubs.On Sundays shops often close earlier, typically around 6:00 PM.
