The Grassmarket is the wide cobbled square that sits directly below the castle in the Old Town, and it is where a lot of first-timers end up in the evening. The castle rears up on the rock at one end, and the north side is a run of pubs, several claiming centuries of history and a colourful past – this was once the city’s execution and market ground, and a couple of the bars still trade on the story.
By day it is a good spot to sit with a coffee and one of the best free castle views in the city; by night it is one of the liveliest corners of the Old Town. On Saturdays a farmers’ and makers’ market fills the square with food stalls, and the surrounding lanes – Victoria Street and the Cowgate – are among the most photogenic in Edinburgh.
Location & Setting
The Grassmarket lies at the bottom of the Old Town, a short downhill walk from the Royal Mile via the curving, colourful shopfronts of Victoria Street. Edinburgh Castle looms over the west end, and Greyfriars Kirkyard – of Greyfriars Bobby and Harry Potter-name fame – is a two-minute walk up the hill. That makes the square a natural hub: you can string together the castle, the Royal Mile and a pub stop without ever getting in a taxi.
Pubs & History
The pub crawl is the classic Grassmarket evening. The strip includes some of the oldest-established bars in the city, and their signs lean hard into the square’s grim history as the old public-execution site – the White Hart Inn claims to be Edinburgh’s oldest pub, with Burns and Wordsworth among past guests. It is a compact, walkable circuit, which is why it is a favourite for stag and hen groups as well as visitors. For a wider sweep of the Old Town’s drinking history, our guide to Old Town pubs maps out the best of them.
Who It Suits
It suits anyone after atmosphere, history and a drink with a view – couples, groups and photographers all get something out of it. Families are fine by day for the market and the castle view, though the square gets rowdy late on weekend nights. If you want the history without the beer, the daytime market and a wander up Victoria Street deliver plenty on their own.
Practical Tips
- Come on a Saturday for the farmers’ and makers’ market (roughly 10am-5pm).
- Walk down via Victoria Street from the Royal Mile – it is one of the city’s most photographed streets.
- The best free castle view is from the west end of the square, near the memorial garden.
- Weekend nights get busy and loud; go earlier if you want a quieter pint.
- Greyfriars Kirkyard and the Grassmarket pair well for a short Old Town loop.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Grassmarket known for?
Historic pubs, a big open view of Edinburgh Castle and a dark past as the city’s old market and execution ground. Today it is a lively Old Town square with a Saturday farmers’ market and the photogenic Victoria Street running off it.
Is the Grassmarket good for a pub crawl?
Yes – the north side is a compact strip of long-established bars, including the White Hart Inn, which claims to be the city’s oldest. It is walkable and central, though it gets busy on weekend nights.
