Calton Hill

This was one of our all time favorite things we did during our trip to the UK! We walked from downtown Edinburgh to enjoy the views of the city and experience the sunset, and it was absolutely breathtaking! There are quite a bit of stairs to get to the top, but totally worth it! The National Monument is huge and you can jump up to walk around the entire Monument (so cool)!

To make the visit even better, there was a group of traveling Scottish Bagpipers there on their own special voyage to the beautiful hilltop. And, they played for the other revelers to make the sunset unforgettable!

I would definitely include this on your must-see list of Edinburgh!

Calton Hill was located just behind my hotel, nestled between old town and new town Edinburgh. Being a prominence that reached above the local buildings, it was a good place to stroll in the morning. It was absolutely riddled with trails and roads, so it was easy to make a new route each time.

My only complaint was that the hilltop was littered with various monuments and architectural vestiges, none of which were all that picturesque (to me). These also eliminated the panoramic views of town that I was hoping to capture; I had to settle for peek-through views. (I took one cloudy photo of the castle in flat light, but I see a dozen other yelpers have posted the exact same photo, and in much better light).

It was a popular place too. At one point I saw caterers and flower vans setting up for an event at the top. So someone is renting out space up here.

I would have preferred a more open park with trails only (and maybe a marker identifying distant landmarks), but I was still happy Calton Hill was here.

This is a cool place to visit while in Edinburgh. The walk up may not be easy but the views are spectacular! You can see the Royal Mile, Scottish Monument, Edinburgh Castle, and Arthur's seat among many other great sites! Located right in the city it is a great place for a little break from the city. The monuments are impressive and there is plenty of green space to enjoy a walk or picnic.

Overall, Calton Hill is a must-visit in Edinburgh. Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or just looking for a great view, this hill has something for everyone. I highly recommend making the climb and taking in the beauty of this incredible city.

Phenomenal views of Old Town Edinburgh, New Town, Arthur's Seat, and even the North Sea. When you get to the top there are several historic monuments - took me about an hour to see them all - yet despite quite a few people - spread out enough that I had no problems.

If you're looking for beautiful city views that is easily accessible and does not take too much time on your itinerary, Calton Hill is the place!

I originally wanted to hike up Arthur's Seat, but I didn't think my two boys would be very keen on that idea, lol. Calton Hill provided the perfect alternative.

Calton Hill is part of the Edinburgh's UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to the Collective contemporary art gallery, the unfinished National Monument (modeled after the Parthenon), the Dugald Stewart Monument, and various other buildings - many of which can be seen from various vantage points throughout the city. There's even a high-end restaurant at the top if you're feeling hungry.

It is situated beyond the east end of Princes Street with a bus stop nearby at the bottom of the hill which is perfect for those using public transportation or even Uber. It is also within walking distance if you're staying near the Royal Mile/New Town area.

The views of, and from, the hill are often used in photographs and paintings of the city and I can definitely see why. It is lovely! From the top many of Edinburgh's popular sites including Edinburgh Castle, Scott Monument, Arthur's Seat, and even Holyrood Palace located at the foot of the hill. You can see the stark difference between Old and New Town, the seaside town of Leith, and ocean views.

The wind was bustling which made for a pretty chilly morning. Be prepared and bring warm clothes just in case. We spent a good 45 minutes to an hour here just wandering about and enjoying the views. I imagine sunrise or sunset here would be beautiful!

What a beautiful spot to view old and new town Edinburgh! Make sure You visit during sunset for spectacular views of the city!

A must stop for anyone coming to Edinburgh!

Gorgeous views of the City of Edinburgh. I went around 8:00 and there were only a few locals walk their dogs at that time.

What a commanding view of Edinburgh, and it was just a quick walk from the hotel. I suppose a sunrise view would be just as spectacular but we arrived at sunset - right before dinner. Gotta work off those calories, and even better - there's no entrance fee.

The view of the Balmoral hotel, the entire city, Royal mile and the architectural structures that are actually on Calton Hill are so thought inspiring - you just need to stop all the busyness to just ponder as you look out at your surroundings. You'll see a lot of the old but you can see a lot of new building going on too.

There's a bit of an incline walking up here but it's not terribly challenging. Also, it was notably crowded pre-COVID so I would hope that they are able to maintain social distancing.

Beautiful view of the skyline. Best to go in the morning. Even better if you bring the weather with you.

Walked up the steps to Calton Hill on our visit to Scotland in October 2019. It was cold and drizzling part of the day then sunny and windy the next.

Always be prepared for surprises when in Scotland.

Love the view of Edinburgh at the top of the hill. We were certainly famished at the end of our trek.