Where to Find The Best Photo Spots in Edinburgh 📸

If you are looking for the best photo spots in Edinburgh, you are in exactly the right place. Edinburgh is one of those cities that seems to understand angles. Stone streets curve just enough, hills rise exactly where you want them, and the light has a habit of doing something interesting even on grey days.

I’m Hazel, a UK travel blogger, and Edinburgh is very much my second home. I travel up from London constantly, photograph it in every season, and know where the classic viewpoints shine, where the crowds thin out, and which spots quietly reward patience.

This guide pulls together the photo locations I actually return to, not just the ones everyone rushes to once.

Calton Hill ⛰️

Calton Hill is hands down one of the easiest and most rewarding viewpoints in the city.

The short climb delivers sweeping views across the Old Town, New Town, and out towards the Firth of Forth, with the added bonus of striking monuments that frame the skyline beautifully.

Sunrise is calm and spacious, while sunset brings glowing stone and dramatic silhouettes.

💡 Tip: Walk around the back of the monuments for cleaner compositions and fewer people in frame.

Dean Village 🌿

Dean Village feels like it belongs somewhere else entirely. Colourful houses, water rushing under bridges, and soft light bouncing off stone make it one of the most picturesque corners of Edinburgh.

It is also extremely popular, so timing matters here more than almost anywhere else.

💡 Tip: Visit early in the morning and keep photos quick and respectful, as this is a residential area.

Victoria Street 🌈

Victoria Street’s gentle curve and bright shopfronts make it one of the most recognisable streets in Edinburgh. From above, you get that iconic sweep of colour. From street level, it is all about details and perspective.

Rain often improves this spot, adding reflections that bring the street to life.

💡 Tip: Do not avoid wet weather here. Shiny cobbles make the colours pop.

The Vennel 🏰

Tucked just off Grassmarket, the Vennel is a narrow set of steps that lines up Edinburgh Castle perfectly. It feels cinematic and slightly hidden, especially early morning or later in the day when the crowds thin.

💡 Tip: Stand halfway up the steps rather than at the bottom for the strongest framing.

Circus Lane 🍂

Circus Lane in Stockbridge is small, quiet, and beautifully composed. Stone houses, cobbles, and seasonal details give it a timeless feel that photographs well year-round.

💡 Tip: Try both ends of the lane. Each gives a completely different look.

Princes Street Gardens and Ross Fountain 🌸

These gardens sit directly below the castle and offer one of Edinburgh’s most classic compositions. The Ross Fountain adds colour and symmetry, especially in spring and summer when the gardens are at their best.

💡 Tip: Try moving slowly around the fountain and use it as a foreground element rather than a centrepiece.

The Writers’ Museum and Lady Stair’s Close 📚

Tucked just off the Royal Mile, the Writers’ Museum sits inside Lady Stair’s Close and feels wonderfully secluded despite its central location. The stone courtyard, arched entryways, and worn steps are quietly photogenic, especially when the light dips lower in the afternoon.

Just opposite the museum is one of my favourite small details in the Old Town – a single old-fashioned lamppost set against stone walls. It is endlessly photogenic and often overlooked, making it ideal if you want something atmospheric without crowds.

💡 Tip: The lamppost would make an excellent setting for you/your model to lean against.

Calton Road by Waverley 🏙️

Just beside Waverley Station, Calton Road runs along dramatic stone arches and gothic buildings, with the Old Town rising behind it.

The combination of wide road, heavy stonework, and layered city backdrop makes it feel cinematic. It works particularly well for fashion shoots and walking shots.

💡 Tip: You could position yourself so the arches lead the eye back towards the Old Town for depth and drama.

Arthur’s Seat ⛰️

Arthur’s Seat delivers scale in a way few city viewpoints can. From here, Edinburgh stretches out in every direction, with sea, city, and hills all visible at once.

Cloudy weather often adds drama rather than spoiling the view.

💡 Tip: You do not need to reach the summit. Stopping partway up often gives cleaner compositions with less effort.

Royal Mile closes 🕯️

The Royal Mile itself is busy, but its narrow closes are where atmosphere lives. Stone walls, sudden shafts of light, and a sense of history make these perfect for moody street photography.

💡 Tip: You could wait for a single person to walk through the frame to add scale and story.

Scott Monument 🖤

The Scott Monument is pure Gothic drama. From ground level, it dominates the street, and from higher up, it offers a different perspective over Princes Street and the New Town.

💡 Tip: Shooting from below exaggerates its height and detail without needing to climb.

Map: Edinburgh Photo Spots 🗺️

For efficient shooting, group locations by area:

🗺️ Old Town – Royal Mile closes, Victoria Street, the Vennel.
🗺️ New Town – Calton Hill, Scott Monument, Princes Street Gardens.
🗺️ Stockbridge – Dean Village, Circus Lane.
🗺️ Holyrood – Arthur’s Seat and Holyrood Park.

FAQs: Best Photo Spots in Edinburgh ❓

Questions about taking the best photos in Edinburgh, Scotland.

What is the best time of day for photos in Edinburgh?

🌅 Early morning is best. You will get softer light and far fewer people.

Is Edinburgh good for solo travel photography?

📷 Yes. Tripods are common at viewpoints and solo photographers blend in easily.

Does bad weather ruin photos in Edinburgh?

☁️ Not in Edinburgh. Clouds, mist, and light rain often add atmosphere.

Do I need a tripod for photographing these places in Edinburgh?

🔧 A tripod is useful for viewpoints and early mornings, but not essential.

Final Thoughts on Photographing Edinburgh ✨

The best photo spots in Edinburgh are not just about ticking off famous viewpoints. They are about timing, light, and knowing when to step slightly away from the main flow of people. Whether you are visiting for the first time or returning again and again, Edinburgh always offers another angle worth stopping for.

Related Reading 📚

If you are planning a longer stay or want to build your photography stops into a wider itinerary, these guides will help you explore Edinburgh in more depth.

🏰 Edinburgh Travel Guide: Your Ultimate Trip Companion (Scotland).
☕ Top 8 Cosy Places for the Best Hot Chocolate in Edinburgh.
🏴 Edinburgh in One Day: The Perfect 1-Day Itinerary.
🏰 Things to Do in Edinburgh, Scotland: Castles, Crags & Coffee Breaks.

Pinterest 📌

Saving this trip for later or planning your shots in advance? This guide is packed with visual inspiration and works perfectly for Pinterest boards focused on Edinburgh photography, Scotland travel, and Instagrammable city breaks.