Grassmarket and Victoria Street
Grassmarket edinburgh
The Grassmarket was Edinburgh's market square in times past, as well as the scene of hangings. These days it has a continental air, with plenty of pubs and restaurants spilling onto the cobbled fringes, while the neck-craning views of the Castle give it a dramatic setting. There's an eclectic range of shops at its western end and lining attractive Victoria Street, which curls up towards the Royal Mile. Cheek by jowl on both sides of the street you'll find small independent food shops, book shops, craft shops, clothes shops – and even the city's best joke shop.