New Town, Edinburgh is an exceptional example of Georgian architecture and urban planning. Established in the 18th century, it features elegant streets and classical buildings that showcase the period's architectural style. Notable landmarks include St. Andrew Square and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. The area is also home to various shops, cafes, and cultural institutions, making it a vibrant destination for visitors. Its layout is designed to enhance public spaces, providing an inviting atmosphere for leisurely strolls and exploration.
What each source says
- Tripadvisor 4.5 492
- Google Places 4.6 428
Bar length is review volume, so you can see how much weight sits behind each score. Captured 2026-08-21.
What visitors single out
Liked
- Convenient Location Close to Waverley Station, Princes Street Gardens, and easily accessible by public transportation, the New Town serves as a practical base for exploring Edinburgh.
- Excellent Shopping and Dining Visitors can enjoy a wide array of shops, restaurants, cafes and pubs, with options ranging from high-end retailers on George Street to unique finds on Thistle Street.
- Pleasant Atmosphere With wide avenues, gardens, and pedestrian areas, the New Town provides a relaxed and enjoyable environment for strolling, people-watching, and escaping the busier tourist areas.
- Stunning Georgian Architecture The New Town boasts impressive neo-classical and Georgian buildings, offering a visually appealing experience for architecture enthusiasts and photographers alike.
- Well-Planned Layout The New Town's grid street pattern makes it easy to navigate, offering a more organized and less crowded experience compared to the winding streets of the Old Town.
Criticised
- Can be Crowded Princes Street, in particular, can get congested, especially during peak tourist seasons and events like the Fringe festival.
- Gardens Often Private Many of the beautiful gardens within the New Town are communal and only accessible to residents, limiting public access.
- Gradients and Cobblestones Some streets can be steep, and cobblestone surfaces may pose challenges for those with mobility issues or those not wearing appropriate footwear.
- Less Historical Charm than Old Town While architecturally impressive, the New Town lacks the ancient, historical atmosphere and character found in Edinburgh's Old Town.
- Ongoing Construction Construction projects can sometimes disrupt the scenery and create noise, impacting the overall experience and potentially affecting photo opportunities.
The longer read
Edinburgh's New Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its well-preserved Georgian architecture and planned layout, offering a contrasting experience to the Old Town's medieval character. Many reviewers highlight the grid-like street pattern designed in the late 18th century, which makes navigation straightforward compared to the Old Town's winding streets. This urban planning is frequently praised for its beauty and harmony. The New Town features wide avenues and spacious squares, creating a more open and less crowded feel. Princes Street and George Street are central hubs for shopping, dining, and hotels, though reviewers often point out that venturing off these main streets reveals smaller, unique shops and restaurants. The area is considered less touristy and more frequented by locals, with more reasonable prices compared to the Royal Mile. The New Town's architecture is a significant draw, with Georgian terraces and townhouses drawing comparisons to Bath, England. Reviewers recommend exploring Charlotte Square, Queen Street, and Moray Place to fully appreciate the architectural beauty. While access to the communal gardens within the squares is often restricted to residents, the overall aesthetic is widely admired. Several reviewers specifically mention the appeal of the New Town during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, providing a quieter retreat from the bustling festival venues while still offering convenient access to attractions. The area is well-connected by public transportation, including trams and buses, making it easy to reach from the airport and other parts of the city. Its location near Waverley Station is also a plus for many visitors. Restaurant The Dome is mentioned as a great place for a drink. Rose Street, a pedestrianized area, is a popular spot for its pubs and cafes with outdoor seating, creating a lively atmosphere for people-watching. Several reviewers noted that the New Town felt safer and cleaner than the Old Town. The presence of both high-end retailers and independent shops caters to a variety of shopping preferences, while the numerous restaurants and bars ensure ample dining options. Overall, reviewers suggest that a visit to Edinburgh isn't complete without exploring the New Town, praising its architecture, shopping, dining, and contrasting ambiance to the Old Town.
A synthesis of third-party reviews supplied by Mindtrip travel index. Not written by Breaks.
Getting there
- Phone
- +44 131 557 0066
- Website
- newtownfox.com
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| Sat | 8:30 - 16:00 |
| Sun | 8:30 - 16:00 |
Against the neighbourhood
Rated 4.5 against a median of 4.6 across the 173 venues we hold for Edinburgh, where the most-reviewed is Edinburgh Castle.
Still deciding?
- What sets New Town in Edinburgh apart from other historic neighborhoods?
- What are the must-see landmarks and attractions in Edinburgh's New Town?
- What is the historical background and significance of New Town in Edinburgh?
- What kinds of dining and shopping experiences are available in New Town?
- How much time should I set aside to fully explore New Town in Edinburgh?
Where this comes from
Venue records are drawn from the Mindtrip travel index, which aggregates place data and review signals from Google Places, Tripadvisor and booking providers. Ratings are reproduced per source rather than merged into a single number. Distances to nearby venues are computed here as great-circle distances between the published coordinates, not walking or driving routes. Comparison figures are medians computed across the venues we hold for the same neighbourhood or city.
Source: Mindtrip travel index, captured 2026-08-21.
What this page cannot tell you
- Descriptions and review summaries are supplied by the source index and are reproduced as published; they are not independently verified by Breaks.
- Ratings and review counts are point-in-time snapshots and drift constantly. Check the venue's own site or the rating provider for the current figure.
- Opening hours change seasonally and at short notice. Confirm with the venue before travelling.
- Category labels come from the source index and are occasionally wrong — a venue may be filed under a type that does not match how it trades.
- Straight-line distances understate real walking distance, especially where a river or railway sits between two points.