Conquer the Double-Decker Streets

Edinburgh is a highly vertical city built on volcanic crags, meaning maps can be incredibly deceiving. Streets often stack directly on top of each other. For example, Victoria Street curves gracefully below, while George IV Bridge runs directly above it. If your navigation app says your destination is 10 feet away but you see nothing, look up or down—you likely need to find a nearby stone staircase (called a 'close') to change levels.

To save your legs from brutal uphill climbs, use the city's indoor shortcuts. You can take the escalators inside the Waverley Market or the lifts in major department stores to effortlessly transition between the low-lying Waverley Valley and the elevated Old Town or New Town ridges.