Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh, is well known for its culture, rich history, heritage, and festivals, making it one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world. However, its popularity is not only the old architecture or rich history but also the plethora of incredible shops and boutiques that give visitors an unforgettable luxurious shopping experience.
Here are the best 10 avenues to go shopping in Edinburgh:
1. Princes Street
Princes Street is a must-visit shopping destination for fashion enthusiasts for a luxurious shopping experience. The street is home to many popular high-end fashion brands like Topman, Boots, Topshop, H&M, Swarovski, Zara, Marks & Spencer, Debenhams, Jenners department store, and more. For budget-friendly shopping, Primark, Poundland, Bargain Books, etc., are available. The streets are a place to admire, full of diverse architecture, with a collection of intriguing structures dating from Georgian times to the modern period. The Jenners department store is the most notable retail space built in a majestic Renaissance style.
What to buy: luxurious fashion goods.
2. George Street
The street is one of the biggest shopping streets in Scotland that offers one of the best shopping experiences with famous brands like Jack Wills, All Saints, LK Bennett, Karen Miller, and more. This shopping lane is parallelly linked with another famous shopping destination, Prince Street, making New Town a prime shopping destination for locals and tourists. George Street has become a popular spot for individual fashion boutiques like Mint Velvet Edinburgh, luxury shops like Penhaligons for exclusive perfumes, and Molton Brown London for luxury bath soaps and beauty products.
What to buy: Luxurious fashion and beauty products.
3. Bruntsfield And Morningside
Bruntsfield And Morningside are located close to the famous shopping avenue, Prince Street. Both Bruntsfield And Morningside form pleasant avenues with an abundance of restaurants, pubs, cafes, quirky shops, and boutiques that offer amazing clothing, gifts, and tasty food and drink options. Most of the independent shops and beautiful boutiques are owned by locals and small designers selling fashion clothes, homeware, books, quirky items, gifts, jewelry, accessories, and handmade goods. You will discover various choices for fashion wear like Andiamo, Ooh Ruby Shoes, Rosy Penguin, and more. The Edinburgh Bookshop and The Oxfam book feature a perfect collection of old and new books, and for quirky gift items, you can visit Halibut and Herring or Flamingosaurus Rex.
What to buy: Fashion goods and unique souvenirs and gifts.
4. The Royal Mile
The Royal Mile, the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town, is a famous shopping street best known for pubs, cafeterias, traditional Scottish souvenir and gift shops, and historical attractions. If you are looking for goods like kilts, handbags, Celtic jewellery, accessories, tablets, and other quirky and interesting items, then this is the place you should look at. The whole street is surrounded by admirable royal medieval architecture. The most notable are the Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyrood House, which dates back to the 12th Century.
What to buy: Accessories and whisky.
5. Victoria and Cockburn
These two close shopping avenues are the soul of Old Town, which offers some of the finest shopping experiences in the city. These iconic streets are lined with amazing fashion boutiques and antique shops like D L Cavanagh, where you will find a range of antique items such as postcards and jewelry. You can visit Walker Slater for classic menswear and Totty Rocks for womenswear. You can also stop off at Mackenzie Bags if you are looking for well-crafted leather goods. These streets also served as an inspiration for magical shopping streets in the Harry Potter book series, which is an interesting and fun fact to note about this place.
What to buy: Fashion goods and antique items.
6. Multrees Walk
Multrees Walk, located in the heart of the city, is an open-air shopping space that is home to some of the best luxurious brands in Edinburgh. You will discover numerous luxurious fashion brands like Harvey Nichols, Louis Vuitton, Tommy Hilfiger, Mulberry, Michael Kors, and Gucci, as well as high-end luxurious designers Balenciaga, Christopher Kane, Victoria Beckham, Stella McCartney, and more to give you an unforgettable shopping experience on your trip. After a tiring shopping trip, fill your tummy with tasty Italian cuisine at Valvona & Crolla Vincaffe.
Location: St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH1 3DQ, Scotland
What to buy: luxury goods and stylish accessories.
7. Grassmarket
Grassmarket, located just below Edinburgh Castle in the Old Town, is one of the most iconic marketplaces of Edinburgh. This bustling foodie and shoppers destination was once a marketplace for cattle and horses. You will discover many independent boutiques and shops selling souvenirs, gifts, antique books, and vintage fashion clothing, surrounded by well-preserved cobbled streets and medieval architecture. You can get unique handmade custom hats at Fabhatrix and a unique collection of costumes for different occasions at Aha Ha Ha Jokes.
What to buy: Souvenirs, gifts and vintage fashion clothes and unique costumes.
8. The West End
The West End located a few minutes away from Princes Street, is a lovely blend of elegant fashion boutiques like Oska, Frontiers Man, and Just G Boutique, galleries, gift, and flower shops, and organic food vendors. You can explore some amazing designer jewelry from Liam Ross Jewellery or Lily Luna. William Street and Stafford Street are the heart of this shopping destination. Among galleries, UNION Gallery and Gallery Ten offer a great exhibition of local and international work and a good viewing and buying experience.
What to buy: Gifts and fashion goods.
9. Ocean Terminal Market
Ocean Terminal Market, located on the ground floor of Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre, is an art, craft, and food market that takes place on the first weekend of every month with many talented exhibitors and traders. This market features talented artists, photographers, crafters, fashion designers, jewelers, ceramicists, food and drink producers, etc. You will get different types of handmade gift items like handmade soaps, candles, hats, bags, wallets, a variety of jewelry, crochet, clay items, and more, as well as enjoy a variety of tasty food, especially vegan-friendly cakes. This beautiful market takes place on the first weekend of every month.
Timings: First weekend of every month, Saturday:10:00 AM - 6:00 PMSunday:11:00 AM - 5:00 PM.What to buy: Handmade art and craft.
10. The Tron Kirk Market
The Tron Kirk Market, located in Royal Mile, is a famous space in Edinburgh that features more than 20 prominent designers and artists from all over Scotland, selling a wide range of handmade souvenirs and gifts like jewelry, woodwork, pottery, and other unique artworks. This iconic modern market aims to bring a perfect mix of the finest and most satisfying products for every type of customer.
Location: 122 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1SG, UKWhat to buy: Handmade souvenirs and gifts.
So, what are you waiting for? Get ready to walk through the streets of Edinburgh for a unique and luxurious shopping journey. The shopping streets of Edinburgh, with so much to offer, will always keep you from returning from your trip with an empty bag.