Edinburgh's Grassmarket Maps & Directions
Lying in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, the Grassmarket area is easy to find by foot, bus or car.
With so much to see and do, Edinburgh’s Grassmarket is perhaps best accessed by foot – that way you won’t miss anything! If you are driving, access to the easiest access and most convenient parking is from Kings Stables Road, the Cowgate or West Port.
From Edinburgh Castle
Getting to the Grassmarket from the Castle couldn’t be easier – just walk down the Castle Wynd North steps from the Castle Esplanade all the way down into the Grassmarket. Alternatively, you can take the West Bow steps from the Lawnmarket (just down from the castle) directly onto Victoria Street.
From the West (Lothian Road, the West End, Princess Street)
Kings Stables Road provides direct access into the area and is perfect for those coming to the area by car as it provides plenty of on-street parking and access to the Castle Street NCP car park. The area is also accessed from the west via Bread Street, Lochrin Terrace and West Port.
From the East (George IV Bridge, Royal Mile, Chambers Street)
Turn onto George IV Bridge from either the Royal Mile or Chambers street and you’re here! Walk down Victoria Street (just across from the National Library of Scotland) or Candlemaker Row (by the iconic, unmissable Greyfriar’s Bobby) and you’ll head down into the heart of the Grassmarket. The easiest parking from this direction is the pay and display bays on Chambers Street.
From the South (Cowgate, Holyrood Park, the Pleasance)
Walk or drive along the Cowgate which opens directly up into the Grassmarket. This is one of the oldest ways to access the Grassmarket – and judging by how easy it is – it’s easy to see why.
By Bus
There are plenty of Lothian Buses (www.lothianbuses.co.uk) that will take you to the Grassmarket Area.
Buses 23, 27, 35, 41, 45 and Night Bus 27 drop you on George IV Bridge. Turn down Victoria Street (just across from the National Library of Scotland) or Candlemaker Row (by the iconic, unmissable Greyfriar’s Bobby) and you’ll head down into the heart of the Grassmarket.
Bus 2 will take you right into the heart of the Grassmarket itself.
If you’re looking to do a bit of sightseeing from an open top double-decker bus, be sure to get the red City Sightseeing tour bus (www.edinburghtour.com) as it stops in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket.