A Guide to Edinburgh’s Most Photogenic Locations: Perfect for Travelers, Creators, and Instagram Lovers
Edinburgh, Scotland’s enchanting capital, is a city straight out from a storybook. Cobbled streets, Gothic architecture, sweeping city views, and cozy corners make it a dream destination for photographers and Instagram enthusiasts. Whether you’re after that perfect castle backdrop, dramatic cliffside shot, or a pastel-painted coffee shop, Edinburgh delivers. Here’s your ultimate guide to the most Instagrammable spots in Edinburgh, with exact GPS locations, visual tips, and the best times to shoot.
20 Best Instagramable Spots In Edinburgh
1. Calton Hill
📍GPS: 55.9550° N, 3.1827° W
The view from Calton Hill is iconic. Capture the Dugald Stewart Monument in the foreground with Edinburgh’s skyline stretching behind. Sunset turns the stone structures golden and the city into a dreamy canvas. If you want to take a picture like you are traveling in Greece, then snap a picture in front of the National Monument of Scotland.
Pro Penguin Tip: Arrive 30 minutes before sunset for the best light and fewer tourists.
2. Victoria Street
📍GPS: 55.9486° N, 3.1927° W
Curved, colorful, and packed with charm, Victoria Street looks like something out of a Harry Potter movie. It’s no wonder it’s rumored to have inspired Diagon Alley. It is very photogenic from both sides, up and down.
Pro Penguin Tip: Morning light enhances the colors and keeps foot traffic light.
3. The Vennel Viewpoint
📍GPS: 55.9469° N, 3.2005° W
Skip the crowded esplanade and shoot from The Vennel. The cobbled steps frame the castle perfectly above the rooftops.
Pro Penguin Tip: Blue hour creates an ethereal glow around the castle.
4. The Writers’ Museum
📍GPS: 55.9506° N, 3.1930° W
Tucked away off the Royal Mile in the cobbled Lady Stair’s Close, the Writers’ Museum feels like you’ve wandered into a secret page of a historical novel. Dedicated to Scotland’s literary legends—Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson—this charming 17th-century building and its enclosed courtyard are pure atmospheric magic.
Pro Penguin Tip: Arrive early or late in the day for the quietest atmosphere—midday tends to draw walking tours. Bring a model or wear a dramatic outfit—think cloaks, long coats, or vintage touches—to play into the literary theme.
Opposite the Writers’ Museum stands a stunning historic building, its elegant facade framed by ivy-clad stone and tall windows that catch the light just right. A charming set of stone stairs leads up to its entrance, offering the perfect spot for another Instagram-worthy photo. Whether you’re capturing the intricate architectural details or striking a pose on the steps, the location adds a timeless charm that beautifully complements the literary atmosphere of the area.
5. The Physic Garden
📍GPS: 55.9520° N, 3.1726° W
With Arthur’s Seat towering in the background and Holyrood Abbey ruins nearby, the Herb Garden offers a unique combination of botanical beauty and royal atmosphere, all in one frame. And there is an especially charming small house you can take pictures in front of.
Pro Penguin Tip: Plan your visit for the spring, and then you will have lovely flower beds around you.
6. Ramsay Lane
📍GPS: 55.94908° N, -3.19588° W
While waddling away from the Edinburgh Castle, we came across a cute street with even cuter houses, which is a perfect spot to snap a colorful picture.
Pro Penguin Tip: Wear something colorful to enhance the colors behind you.
7. Skinners
📍GPS: 55.94905° N, -3.19543° W
As you waddle from Edinburgh Castle towards the Royal Mile, we slipped into a random alley and found a moody Instagram spot.
Pro Penguin Tip: Come early in the morning or during Blue hour, to make it even moodier as you snap the pic.
8. Dean Village
📍GPS: 55.9513° N, 3.2186° W
Nestled along the Water of Leith, this hidden gem resembles a fairytale village. Stone cottages, the tranquil river, and lush greenery create endless photo opportunities.
Pro Penguin Tip: Go early in the morning for the softest light and serene vibes.
9. Circus Lane
📍GPS: 55.9566° N, 3.2042° W
Possibly the prettiest street in Edinburgh. With ivy-covered walls and pastel doors, Circus Lane is a floral-filled dream.
Pro Penguin Tip: Bring a wide-angle lens and visit during spring or summer for blooming flowers.
10. Arthur’s Seat
📍GPS: 55.9443° N, 3.1615° W
This extinct volcano offers panoramic views of the city and the sea. The hike is worth every step. Apart from the views you get on top, along the way, when you waddle from Holyrood Park, you can snap perfect pictures in a never-ending field of yellow flowers. Just watch out, they can color your attire.
Pro Penguin Tip: Waddle up before sunrise for golden hour magic and epic drone shots.
11. Royal Mile
📍GPS: 55.9493° N, 3.1903° W
Bustling and steeped in history, the Royal Mile connects Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace. Capture street performers, ancient architecture, and quirky shopfronts.
Pro Penguin Tip: Rainy days add moody drama with reflections on the cobbles.
12. John Knox House
📍GPS: 55.95061° N,, -3.18504° W
There are plenty of great photo opportunities along the Royal Mile, but one of our favourite spots is the John Knox house, where he allegedly lived. Parts of this historic building date back to 1470!
Pro Penguin Tip: Try the morning hours when there are not as many people around.
13. White Horse Close
📍GPS: 55.95277° N, -3.17557° W
White Horse Close is a gorgeous little courtyard that used to be Holyrood Palace’s stables. You can find this close at the bottom of The Royal Mile, a mere stone’s throw away from the Scottish Parliament.
Pro Penguin Tip: Come in early in the morning to have the space for you, as it can get pretty popular.
14. Cockburn Street
📍GPS: 55.9506° N, -3.18983° W
Edinburgh Old Town has so many glorious photography spots because the architecture is just fantastic. These gothic, soot-stained stones and rooftops look even more mystical in the rain and mist. Along Cockburn Street, there are quite a few different photo opportunities, which make this street a must-visit for Instagram fans.
Pro Penguin Tip: Come in early in the morning to have the space for you, as it can get pretty popular.
15. National Museum of Scotland & Rooftop View
📍GPS: 55.9469° N, 3.1905° W
Step inside one of Edinburgh’s most visited attractions and you’ll instantly understand why the National Museum of Scotland is an Instagram goldmine. The Grand Gallery is a showstopper—soaring white columns, a glass-vaulted ceiling, and intricate Victorian-era architecture create a light-filled, almost celestial space. It’s like stepping into a dream—one made of symmetry, light, and marble.
Head to the rooftop terrace (yes, there’s a rooftop!) and you’ll discover one of the city’s best-kept secrets: panoramic views over Edinburgh’s Old Town, the Castle, and Arthur’s Seat. Few tourists make it up here, so it’s perfect for serene skyline shots or outfit photos with a killer backdrop.
Pro Penguin Tip: For the Grand Gallery, go early when the museum opens for the cleanest, tourist-free wide-angle shots.Wide-angle lenses work beautifully inside to capture the full scale of the Grand Gallery.
16. Princes Street Gardens
📍GPS: 55.9518° N, 3.2008° W
Just below the castle, these gardens are especially vibrant in spring. Perfect for wide-angle shots of flowers with the castle in the background.
Pro Penguin Tip: The early evening has soft light and fewer crowds.
17. Stockbridge Market Arch
📍 GPS: 55.9583° N, 3.2071° W
This old stone archway, near the Sunday market, frames local life and cozy vibes perfectly.
Pro Penguin Tip: Visit on a Sunday for street food, color, and life.
18. Scott Monument
📍 GPS: 55.9524° N, 3.1933° W
A Gothic rocket ship in the middle of the city? This monument is as dramatic as it gets.
Pro Penguin Tip: Use a low angle from the gardens to get the full height and grandeur.
19. St. Giles’ Cathedral
📍 GPS: 55.9499° N, 3.1900° W
The heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, St. Giles’ Cathedral features stunning Gothic architecture, intricate stained-glass windows, and a crown-shaped steeple that dominates the Royal Mile skyline.
Pro Penguin Tip: Head inside for dramatic interior shots—tripods are usually not allowed, so bring a fast lens for low light.
20. Ross Fountain
📍GPS: 55.9488° N, 3.2044° W
Ross Fountain offers one of the most iconic and fairytale-like compositions in Edinburgh. The ornate, cast-iron fountain—painted in soft blues and golds—perfectly aligns with the dramatic backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, creating a dreamlike juxtaposition of art, nature, and history. It’s especially magical during sunset or golden hour.
Pro Penguin Tip: Take the shot close to the fountain with the castle in the back.
Final Tips for Photographing Edinburgh
- Best Time to Visit. Spring and early autumn offer the best combination of mild weather and fewer crowds.
- Weather. Be ready for quick weather changes. Cloudy skies add mood, but bring a waterproof cover just in case.
- Gear. A good camera phone works wonders here, but a DSLR or mirrorless with a wide-angle lens will truly shine.
- Hashtags to Use. #edinburghviews #scotlandexplored #visitedinburgh #instascotland #edinburghcastle #victoriaStreet #travelscotland #lifeguin
As you can tell, the whole of Edinburgh is quite Instagrammable as a whole city, but we hope this sport will give you more inspiration for great sport.
Pack your bag and explore more!
