New Town Walking Tour (Self Guided), Edinburgh

Rightly regarded as the historic masterpiece of city planning, the New Town of Edinburgh has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. The area forms a significant part of the Scottish capital and is known for its elegant Georgian architecture, abundant shopping opportunities, and many other delights firmly associated with this city.

One of the prominent landmarks in the New Town is Charlotte Square, a beautiful garden square lined with impressive Georgian townhouses. Nearby, you can find the Georgian House, a museum that provides a glimpse into the luxurious lifestyle of the upper class during the 18th century.

George Street, another iconic location, is a bustling thoroughfare filled with shops, restaurants, and boutiques. The Dome, a grand building on George Street, houses a bar and restaurant known for its stunning interior decor.

The Parish Church of Saint Andrew's and Saint George's, with its neoclassical facade, stands as a testament to the area's rich history of religious heritage. Meanwhile, the Scottish National Portrait Gallery showcases an extensive collection of portraits that tell the story of Scotland's past.

Saint Andrew Square is a lively hub surrounded by upscale dining and shopping options. The Dugald Stewart Monument, a striking structure on the southern side, pays tribute to a renowned Scottish philosopher.

For breathtaking views of the city, Calton Hill Observatory is a must-visit. It offers panoramic vistas of Edinburgh and is home to the Nelson Monument and the National Monument, both of historical significance and resembling ancient Greek architecture.

The New Town is a treasure trove of options for a meaningful time out. Whether you're interested in exploring museums, enjoying fine dining, or simply taking in the stunning cityscape, this part of Edinburgh has it all. So, plan your visit today and discover the New Town's unique blend of past and present that makes it a jewel in the heart of the Scottish capital.

Image Courtesy of Carlos Delgado.

How it works: Download the app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store to your mobile phone or tablet. The app turns your mobile device into a personal tour guide and its built-in GPS navigation functions guide you from one tour stop to next. The app works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walks in Edinburgh

Map Instructions: (1) Click the "Nearby Sights" button to view the nearby attractions; (2) click a map pin to see sight information.

Guide Name: New Town Walking Tour
Guide Location: Scotland » Edinburgh (See other walking tours in Edinburgh)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles

Sights Featured in This Walk

WalkBuilder (customize this walk)

Use the WalkBuilder tool below to customize this walk to suit your interests. Instructions: click

at the upper right corner in the map above to view other sights in the city. To learn more about a sight, click a map pin. Click the “+” or “–” to add or remove a sight from the walk. To reorder the selected sights, simply drag and move them up or down the list in the left column.

Click here to view route map

Enter a name for your custom walk, along with your email address, in the fields below. You will receive the instructions for retrieving your custom walk in the GPSmyCity app by email. The GPSmyCity app offers turn-by-turn travel directions to guide you from one attraction to the next.
Walk Name*:
Email*:

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I access my walking tour in Edinburgh?
Save your walking tour on the website. Then download the GPSmyCity app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and sign in to your GPSmyCity account. Next, download “Edinburgh Map and Walking Tours” within the app. Your walk will appear on the Walks screen.

2. How do I view other attractions in Edinburgh?
At the upper-right corner of the map above, click the “Nearby Sights” button to show or hide other sights in the city. Click a map pin to view details about a sight. To add a sight to your walk, find it in the right column of the WalkBuilder tool above and click the “+” button next to it.

3. How do I re-arrange the sight order?
In the left column of the WalkBuilder tool, drag a sight to move it up or down the list. Then click “Click here to view route map”. Repeat this process until the route meets your needs.

4. Can I add my hotel to a walking tour?
Yes. You can add your hotel as the starting point, the ending point, or both (creating a loop route). This feature is currently available only in the GPSmyCity app.

5. Can I add my own sights to a walking tour?
Yes. You can add sightss that are not in our database and include them in your walk. To do so, sign in to your GPSmyCity account on the website or use the GPSmyCity app.

6. How many sights can be included in a walking tour?
For technical reasons, the number of sights in a walking tour is currently capped at 20. This limit may be increased over time.

Walking Tours in Edinburgh, Scotland

Create Your Own Walk in Edinburgh

Creating your own self-guided walk in Edinburgh is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Edinburgh Introduction Walking Tour

If you like cities with a split personality, Edinburgh is definitely one such, featuring a striking mix of medieval and Georgian architecture. Indeed, here medieval grit meets Enlightenment wit, and every cobbled incline has a story to tell-whether your legs are ready for it or not. Perched (or more like wedged) across volcanic hills, the city has been Scotland’s capital since the 15th century... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles

Famous Squares and Streets Walking Tour

Being in Edinburgh, it is only natural to be curious about the avenues, boulevards, and streets leading to (or stemming from) the city's picturesque squares. There, you can find a copious amount of historic and religious sites, fashion stores, classy restaurants, and marketplaces, not to mention some hidden gems, exploring which is well worth the time spent.

One of Edinburgh's most... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles

Edinburgh Pub Crawl

Edinburgh is rich in pubs, both old and new, spoiling their patrons with the best in town drinks and food. Although most traditional pubs in the city are laid back, with a quiet and relaxing atmosphere, some have dance floors and double as nightclubs. This self-guided adventure takes you to several such spots, each with its own story to tell.

Our journey begins at the World's End Pub, a... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles

Literary Landmarks Tour

For centuries, Edinburgh has been home to numerous writers. The likes of Robert Burns, Robert Louis Stevenson, and JK Rowling, just to name a few, have given pride to this city. Fortunately, the tradition doesn't seem to die out any time soon, as Edinburgh keeps producing more and more authors and literary heroes in whose footsteps people still wish to tread.

Naturally, there is a wealth... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles

Harry Potter Trail

Years after the last Harry Potter book hit the shelves and the last movie rolled its credits, the cultural phenomenon of Harry Potter doesn't seem to fade away, and the fandom continues strong as ever. Although by now Harry Potter has become a household name across the globe, his literary roots are right here in Edinburgh.

Indeed, J.K. Rowling wrote much of the saga in Scotland’s... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles

Old Town Walking Tour

Edinburgh’s Old Town isn’t just old-it’s ancient, smoky, and proud of itself. This is the city’s historic core, where centuries of drama, diplomacy, and architectural ambition come layered in stone, soot, and scandal. From its Celtic roots to Roman incursions and royal power plays, this part of town has seen more plot twists than a binge-worthy period drama.

At the heart of it all lies... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles

View all walking tours in Edinburgh, Scotland

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