Full of Medieval charm, Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, is easily one of the most picturesque cities. In this Edinburgh guide, you will discover beautiful alleys, castles, and stunning architecture that makeup 20+ most Instagrammable places in Edinburgh!

This Edinburgh photo-worthy list also includes addresses and photo tips to help you snap the perfect photos! We spent 2 days in Edinburgh and were able to visit just about all of these spots!

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Best Instagram Spots in Edinburgh Scotland

1. The Vennel Viewpoint

Easily one of the most Instagrammable places in Edinburgh is the Vennel Viewpoint. The view includes a beautiful staircase and views of the Edinburgh Castle. Located near Grassmarket, walk up the stairs to the top for the best view.

Photo Tip: Come here early, as this photo spot is very popular. We visited at 8 AM with little to no crowds.

Address: 11, 1 Vennel, Edinburgh EH1 2HU, United Kingdom

2. Victoria Street

Are any Harry Potter fans here? Not only is Victoria Street one of the most Instagrammable streets in Edinburgh, but it was also a street that inspired Diagon Alley in Harry Potter. This curved street has colorful buildings and even a Harry Potter-inspired store.

Photo Tip: Get here early for photos with little to no people. We went around 7 AM- 8 AM and it is near the Vennel Viewpoint.

3. Dean Village

Dean Village feels like it is out of a fairytale, seriously. Make sure you have room in your camera roll, because the whole area is Instagrammable. If I were to pick a few favorite spots however, Water of Leith Walkway and Bell’s Brae Bridge offer some of the best photos of these charming timber homes.

Address: Bell’s Brae Bridge is on Dean Path and the Water of Leith Walkway Bridge is by the Scottish Vein Centre. You can see it from Bell’s Brae Bridge!

4. Advocates Close

Located off of the Royal Mile, Advocates Close is probably one of the most picturesque closes to visit. The lighting can be a little difficult to get a good photo, so if you are using a professional camera, I would recommend bracketing. Cellphone photos do a pretty good job with the light. Just be patient, as a lot of people walk up and down this alley.

Edinburgh Fun Fact: A close is the Scotts term for an alleyway, so when you see close, it means alley.

Address: Edinburgh EH1 1ND, United Kingdom

5. Upper Bow ( Victoria Terrace)

Located just above Victoria Street, you should definitely add this terrace to your list of Instagrammable places in Edinburgh. You can get here by walking up the hill of Victoria Street. Halfway up, you will find an alley for Upper Bow on the left.

Take the staircase up and enjoy lovely views looking over this whimsical street. It is right next to the Swish Edinburgh store.

Address: 22-24 Victoria St, Edinburgh EH1 2JW, United Kingdom

6. Makars’ Court

Located right off the Royal Mile, Makar’s Court is a perfect picture spot. This charming courtyard has a light post at the center and the Writers Museum, which is free to visit. This Court is more than just an Instagrammable place in Edinburgh.

If you’re interested in history, you can find stones around the court dedicated to famous poets and writers.

Address: 457/1 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2NT, United Kingdom

7. Lady Stair’s Close

This Close actually leads into Makars’ Court, but I feel this picture-worthy spot deserves a line all its own! From Lawnmarket Street, the alley looks to the Writers Museum, so make sure to get the angle from this close that frames it out!

8. Tolbooth Tavern

Believe it or not, back in the day, you would have to pay a toll to cross. Therefore, you can get an idea of how this 16th-century pub got its name. This pub is actually considered haunted, yet it also makes for a perfect Instagram spot in Edinburgh.

For photos, it is best to come before 12 PM because the pub will be closed, making it easier to get photos. I have heard the food is pretty good here if you also want to give it a try.

Address: 167 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8BN, United Kingdom

9. Bakehouse Close

As a huge Outlander fan, there is no way I was going to miss out on filming spots, and Bakehouse Close is one of them! This is where Alexander Malcolm’s (AKA Jamie) print shop was located. Is this the most Instagrammable alley? Probably not, but it is still super cool to see, knowing the show filmed down this alley a ton.

If you are an Outlander fan, make sure to add this to your list of Instagrammable places to visit while in Edinburgh.

Address: Located right off of Canongate Street next to the Museum of Edinburgh

10. Ross Fountain

Ross Fountain is definitely the most Instagrammable fountain in Edinburgh. This cast iron fountain was a gift to the city and installed in 1872. For the best photos with this fountain, make sure to have a wide-angle lens to capture both the fountain and the Edinburgh Castle in the background. Getting closer to the ground with the camera can also make for a unique photo!

Since the fountain is located in Princes Street Gardens, you will want to get here early, especially if it is a nice day.

Address: Princes St, Edinburgh EH1 2EU, United Kingdom

11. Edinburgh Castle from Grassmarket

Edinburgh Castle is one of the main highlights of this capital city, so it only makes sense to get photos with the castle as a main photo goal. Especially because this stunning castle sits atop what was once a volcano, and it looks like it is out of one of the Harry Potter movies.

A great spot to do this is from Grassmarket. I specifically like capturing the castle from the hill next to the Cold Town House. It is also a popular area for locals to relax during a nice day, as Grassmarket is one of the best places to visit in Edinburgh. The key is to angle the lens up.

12. Calton Hill

Not only is Calton Hill a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but it also provides some of the best views looking down at the city, making it super Instagrammable. On top of that, it also has its own “little Acropolis” atop the hill, which makes for unique photos in Scotland.

The National Monument was inspired by the Parthenon in Athens, and you can certainly see the resemblance. This is also a great spot to get sunset photos, making this an all-around great spot to visit while in Edinburgh.

Address: The steps to climb up Calton Hill are right off of Regent Road

13. Craigmillar Castle

Easily one of the most underrated and picture-worthy places in Edinburgh is the Caigmillar Castle. Because it is located just outside the city center, it does not see as many visitors, and this castle is a gem!

Aside from the fact this is another Outlander filming location, the courtyards and views from the castle are beautiful. This Instagrammable spot is not free to visit, however, but I think the castle is worth it! You can get your ticket ahead of time if you’re visiting during the busy season.

14. Circus Lane

For a quintessential street in Edinburgh, look no further than Circus Lane. It is located a little outside of the city center but is still an Instagram hotspot. Therefore, arriving early is still your best way to avoid people. The cobblestone street offers beautiful floral displays – which are incredible in the Spring and Summer. It may even be the prettiest street in all of Edinburgh!

Address: 29 Circus Ln, Edinburgh EH3 6SU, United Kingdom

15. Scott Monument

I am surprised I haven’t seen the Scott Monument on more lists because it is, in my humble opinion, one of the most Instagrammable places in Edinburgh. This unique monument was actually named in honor of Sir Walter Scott.

The monument is tall, so a wide-angle lens is needed, and since this is a really busy area in Edinburgh (just outside of the Princes Street Gardens), it is best to get here early. Get creative and even try photos inside the gardens off to the side and look up at the monument or from the nearby staircase.

Address: The Mall, New York, NY 10019

16. National Museum of Scotland

If you love aesthetically pleasing buildings, the National Museum of Scotland should be on your list. It is completely free to visit, and in general, it is a great museum to visit while in Edinburgh. The room in particular that needs to be on your Instagram radar is the Grand Gallery.

This museum is very popular, so getting the room without people would be difficult. However, if you’re patient, there are generally breaks in the crowds.

Address: Chambers St, Edinburgh EH1 1JF, United Kingdom

17. Arthur’s Seat

If you enjoy Calton Hill, you’re also going to love Arthur’s Seat. It is a bit of a hike to get up here, but on a clear day, the views are lovely. The hill is actually a part of an ancient volcano in Holyrood Park.

There are several hiking trails to Arthur’s Seat at different difficulty levels. If it has been raining a lot, be careful, as the trails often get slippery.

18. White Horse Close

This cute close is actually a courtyard with adorable homes you will wish you lived in. The close originally got its name from an Inn that closed in the 18th century. This picturesque courtyard is located right off of Canongate near the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

19. Princes Street Gardens

You can’t visit Edinburgh without taking a stroll in Princes Street Gardens. These lush gardens also offer ample photo opportunities, many of which include the Edinburgh Castle in the background!

Address: Several entrances through Princes Street (Near the Royal Scottish Academy

20. Royal Mile

Edinburgh is famous for its Royal Mile, so snapping photos down it will surely make some Instagrammable moments, like in front of the St Giles’ Cathedral and Tolbooth Kirk. The Royal Mile starts at the Edinburgh Castle and ends at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

21. Telephone Booth at Grassmarket

For Scotts, this is just a telephone booth and maybe even an unpleasant reminder of the English, but for you, this is yet another great photo-op with the famous red telephone booth. Grassmarket has a great telephone booth to photograph in the center of the market!

You can grab a pretty good photo here at any time of the day. Use portrait mode or a low aperture to blow out the background.

Instagrammable Places in Edinburgh Scotland Wrap-up

This concludes some of the best places to take Instagrammable photos in Edinburgh! I hope you have the best time exploring this Scottish Capital!

Do you have any questions about these Instagrammable places in Edinburgh or feel like I missed a great photo spot? Let me know in the comments below!

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