Things to See on Victoria Street
Victoria Street is a sloping street in Edinburgh’s Old Town, lined with colorful shopfronts in curved stone buildings. With passageways and staircases on two levels, it offers a three-dimensional streetscape where streets descending toward Grassmarket overlap with rooftops and chimneys.
The townscape looks different from the lower street and the upper terrace. Buildings with façades of varying widths line both the inner and outer sides of the curved street, while staircases along the way connect the upper and lower passageways. As you walk downhill, the open space of Grassmarket comes into view, and the scenery changes from a street enclosed by stone buildings to a square.
Victoria Street is a popular, photogenic spot known for its colorful scenery.
The north side has a multi-level layout, and you can go up to floor 2, where there is terrace seating.
Basic information about Victoria Street
The information below was checked against official sources on October 11, 2026. Please also check the latest information on the official website when planning your trip.
- 🔗 Official website
- Edinburgh’s official tourism website, “Forever Edinburgh,” introduces the highlights of Victoria Street and the surrounding Grassmarket district.
Things to do in Edinburgh’s GrassmarketLined with buzzing bars, restaurants with worldwide flavours, delicious coffee shops and electric shops, the area’s...edinburgh.org - 📍 Location
- Victoria Street, Grassmarket, Edinburgh
- 🕒 Opening hours
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- Street: The outdoor street is accessible all day.
- Shops: Opening hours vary by shop. Check the information for the shop you plan to visit.
- 💶 Admission
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- Street walk: Free.
- ⏱️ Recommended time
- Allow approximately 30 minutes to 1 hours. ⚠️ The time required varies depending on crowds, events and the area visited, so allow plenty of time.
Getting to Victoria Street
Victoria Street is a cobbled street you can visit while walking around the Grassmarket area (Grassmarket). Entering from the George IV Bridge side, you descend a curving slope toward Grassmarket.
The street is divided into an upper terrace and a lower street, with stairs connecting them along the way. As there are slopes and stairs, check at the entrance which level to walk along if you want to avoid steps.
A Stroll Along Victoria Street
“litter bin” means “garbage bin” and is a common expression in the United Kingdom. In the United States, “trash can” is often used. There are also various other expressions in both the United Kingdom and the United States.
For attractions, transport and suggested itineraries, see “Edinburgh: A Guide to Attractions, Food, Transport and Suggested Itineraries”.
