Best Hotels with a View of Edinburgh Castle

Staying in a hotel that has views of Edinburgh Castle means you can enjoy the sight during your entire stay in Edinburgh.

On my second visit to Edinburgh, I stayed for a week in a 1-bedroom flat in Grassmarket in Old Town with views of Edinburgh Castle out the window.

It was, in short, incredible to drink my tea each morning, looking out at that view of Edinburgh Castle.

I now live in Edinburgh and am lucky enough to glimpse the castle on a walk around town. It’s a gorgeous view I still can’t get enough of.

For your visit to Edinburgh, one of the best places to stay is in a hotel with a view of Edinburgh Castle. I’m telling you now, splurge on the view because it’s worth it.

Note that not all rooms in the following hotels will have views! Be sure yours does when booking. However, staying at one of these hotels means you’ll be treated to castle views whenever you walk outside, and isn’t that just as lovely?

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1. Hotels on Princes Street with Castle Views

I have to start with Princes Street as it has the most obvious view of Edinburgh Castle.

I know I’ve written elsewhere to avoid staying on Princes Street because it’s so crowded, but its views of the castle are truly amazing.

But which part of this very long and busy street has the best viewpoint?

I’d say the western section of the street has better, less obstructed views of the castle.

By day, kilted bagpipers play music near the Princes Street Garden. And by night, lights shine on the castle, making it glow like a beacon.

When staying on Princes Street, you’ll see the night view of Edinburgh Castle daily (an extra bonus).

Whether you’re returning from a day trip, a dinner, or trying to flag down a bus, you’re sure to enjoy the view of Edinburgh Castle at night, lit up and beautiful.

Recommended hotels on Princes Street with castle views:

a kilted bagpiper standing on Princes Street with a view of Edinburgh Castle behind him — Princes Street / The Mound (by the Floral Clock)

Princes St at night with a bus zooming by and Edinburgh Castle glowing red above — Princes Street at night

Staying on Princes Street means you are right next door to cafes with equally impressive views of the castle.

Which cafes have the best view? the biggest windows?

Waterstones Cafe on Princes Street
Starbucks on Princes Street
Willow Tea Room (advised to book in advance)
Black Sheep Coffee on Princes Street

I wandered into three of the cafes above, and I found that while they all have great views, some have more window spaces than others.

Starbucks has the most window space, then Willow Tea Room, then Waterstones.

Everyone wants a prime spot by a window, so try to get there early — which will be easy if you’re staying so close!

view of Edinburgh Castle from the windows of Waterstones Cafe on Princes Street — Waterstones, Princes Street

a large window with a view of Edinburgh Castle inside Starbucks on Princes St — Starbucks, Princes Street

a table in Willow Tea Room with a window looking out to Edinburgh Castle — Willow Tea Room, Princes Street

2. Hotels in Grassmarket with Castle Views

Grassmarket Square may be my favorite spot to view Edinburgh Castle.

Why? Because you can grab a cup of gelato from Mary’s Milk Bar, then sit on a bench and eat it as you stare up at one of the most beautiful castles in Scotland. What could be better than that?

You can also come to Grassmarket during New Year’s Eve and watch the fireworks from this close vantage point. I did this in 2024, and it will always be a fond memory.

Recommended hotels in Grassmarket (Old Town) with castle views:

Apex Grassmarket Hotel ($$) — near where I stayed
Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel ($$) — near where I stayed
Kick Ass Grassmarket Hostel ($)

I stayed in Grassmarket on my second visit to Edinburgh and loved drinking my tea and looking out at the castle.

One of the best views of Edinburgh Castle is in the Vennel, a staircase in Grassmarket.

Head to the top of the staircase to see Edinburgh Castle on a hill framed by historic buildings and lampposts. What a shot!

If the crowds at the Vennel are too much, try your luck just “behind the Vennel.”

How to get there? Ascend the stairs of the Vennel, and when you get to the top, pass the Flodden Wall and keep walking. At the very next little street, you’ll see another view of Edinburgh Castle — one with significantly less people.

A hand holds a cup of ice cream labeled Marys Milk Bar with a blue spoon, in front of historic stone buildings and a castle on a cloudy day. — Gelato in Grassmarket

view of edinburgh castle from a window of a flat — View from my flat in Grassmarket, Old Town

the Vennel in Edinburgh with views of the castle, one of the things to see on a 3 day Edinburgh itinerary — The Vennel

a young woman standing in the street behind the vennel — “Behind the Vennel”

3. Hotels on Castle Terrace with Castle Views

Castle Terrace is close to Grassmarket, offering some beautiful castle views. On my second visit to Edinburgh, I walked through here with my suitcase in complete awe.

If you’re ever in Edinburgh on a Saturday morning, I highly suggest meandering over to Castle Terrace. Every week a phenomenal farmers market takes place with incredible views of the castle.

You can try pastries, get a falafel wrap (they’re homemade and amazing), or some other treats and enjoy it at one of the tables while admiring Edinburgh Castle.

The farmers market takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday. And if you’re staying in Castle Terrace, it will be right at your doorstep.

Recommended hotel on Castle Terrace with castle views:

33 Castle Terrace ($$)

people walking by stalls at the Edinburgh Farmers Market in Castle Terrace — Edinburgh Farmers Market, Castle Terrace

a hand holding up a flower-shaped pastry at Castle Terrace — Edinburgh Farmers Market, Castle Terrace

4. Hotels in the West End (Lothian Road) with Castle Views

Along Lothian Road, you’ll find St Cuthbert’s Kirkyard, which is right below the castle.

From this angle, you have some stunning views. I especially love the vintage lampposts scattered around the bare trees in winter.

Lothian Road is also convenient for bus links and restaurants and Ghillie Dhu, famous for hosting Scottish ceilidhs. The Johnnie Walker Experience is also just down the road.

Recommended hotels on Lothian Road (West End) with castle views:

author in st cuthbert's kirkyard with view of edinburgh castle behind her — St Cuthbert’s Kirkyard

view of edinburgh castle from st cuthbert's kirkyard — St Cuthbert’s Kirkyard

Overview of Best Hotels with Views of Edinburgh Castle

Princes Street:

Grassmarket (Old Town):

Kick Ass Grassmarket Hostel ($) — near where I stayed
Apex Grassmarket Hotel ($$) — near where I stayed
Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel ($$) — near where I stayed

Castle Terrace:

33 Castle Terrace ($$)

Lothian Road (West End):

Sheraton Grand Hotel ($$)
The Caledonian Hotel ($$$)

When to Stay: How Does Edinburgh Castle Look in Different Seasons?

Edinburgh Castle is surrounded by lovely trees that are green in summer, red and yellow in autumn, and pink during cherry blossom season. Even the bare winter trees are gorgeous (very gothic vibes).

You really can’t go wrong in which season you visit!

To catch the cherry blossoms, visit in April.
For greenery, visit from May to September.
For fall foliage, visit from October to early November.
For Christmas and winter vibes, visit from mid-November to January. (The Christmas decorations stay up in Edinburgh well into the new year.)

Edinburgh Castle sits atop a rocky hill, surrounded by trees, with a decorative turquoise fountain in the foreground under a partly cloudy sky. — Princes Street Gardens in summer

A stone castle sits atop a hill, surrounded by stone walls, with vibrant pink cherry blossoms and green trees in the foreground under a cloudy sky. — Princes Street Gardens in spring

Edinburgh Castle sits atop a hill in the background, surrounded by colorful autumn trees, with a small stone building, wrought iron fence, and a leaf-covered path in the foreground. — Edinburgh Castle in fall

A historic stone castle sits atop a rocky hill, partially obscured by leafless trees. A black, vintage-style street lamp stands in the foreground against a cloudy sky. — Edinburgh Castle in winter

When Can You See Fireworks above Edinburgh Castle?

Make your visit extra special by timing it with one of the events where fireworks are lit off above the castle. It’s amazing!

During the Military Tattoo in August, fireworks are lit off nightly above Edinburgh Castle (usually at the end of the show, around 7:30 p.m. and/or 10:45 p.m. when there are two shows).
At midnight on New Year’s Eve, a fireworks show lasting at least five minutes is lit off. This is something the whole town comes out to watch, so key spots such as Calton Hill, Princes Street Gardens, and Grassmarket Square will be crowded. How nice would it be to have your own view from your hotel room? As an introvert, I can attest that it’s very nice indeed to be inside with a cuppa rather than out in the cold with the crowds.

I’ve experienced two firework shows at New Year’s Eve in Edinburgh, and both were incredible. Hogmanay is such a festive and beautiful time to be in Edinburgh. It’s a bucket list experience for sure.

crowds in Grassmarket Square during New Year's Eve watching the midnight fireworks — Grassmarket Square, New Year’s Eve 2023

Golden fireworks burst over a dark city skyline at night, with some illuminated buildings below and scattered clouds in the sky. — Holyrood Park, New Year’s Eve 2025

Want to Know Even More Spots to View Edinburgh Castle?

I was on a mission to find all the best viewpoints of Edinburgh Castle. And I wrote down all my findings in my post:

19 Best Views of Edinburgh Castle: From the Vennel to Cafe Windows

What to Pack to Visit Edinburgh

Warm, waterproof wear

If you’re visiting Edinburgh during its cold and rainy season (almost every month of the year besides a few weeks in summer), you should definitely bring a warm waterproof jacket and waterproof walking boots.

This waterproof jacket and these waterproof boots I took with me to Scotland helped us explore no matter the weather. We walked around Edinburgh in the rain and snow, during foggy mornings and chilly evenings, and enjoyed it all. Be prepared for rainy weather, and dress for it, so you don’t miss out.
Also consider bringing fleece-lined leggings — I loved this pair I packed!

Favorite travel essentials

I really recommend these compression packing cubes. They’re very thick and durable and allow you to pack more than you expect.
I also love this travel backpack that opens like a suitcase, fits almost as much as a carry-on, and has tons of pockets as well as a strap to attach to your luggage handle. It makes traveling so much easier and more organized. It also fits nicely under the airplane seats.
I bring this AirFly receiver for AirPods with me on long-haul flights, so I can connect to the plane’s video screen with my own AirPods.
I no longer hop on a flight without wearing my Sockwell compression socks because they really do help relieve/prevent leg cramps from sitting so long in one place. I have the lotus pattern, but there are other patterns to choose from, such as this cat pattern or this flower pattern. See all sock patterns in the Sockwell storefront.