Last Updated on April 20, 2026 by Tavernier’s Travels
Edinburgh is a UNESCO World Heritage city that is famous for many things, not least its beautiful architecture. Rich in cultural heritage, the city offers much to the intrepid explorer with their camera lens ready. From Circus Lane to Dean’s Village, one area in particular that has captured the hearts (and eyes!) of visitors is Edinburgh’s Old Town. Within this area is a winding, cobblestone lane that may be instantly recognisable even to those who haven’t visited the city before – Victoria Street.
Although I had spent some time in Edinburgh many years ago, I’d somehow managed to bypass the iconic Victoria Street. On our way to Stirling for Hogmanay celebrations, we had a few hours to kill between our connecting trains. Leaving from London’s King’s Cross, you arrive at Edinburgh Waverley, the closest station to the street. As we had luggage with us (including a small suitcase we didn’t fancy bouncing on the cobblestones while walking uphill, and especially knowing we would have to do so when we eventually got there), we took the bus into the Old Town. From the bus stop, it was just a matter of crossing the road to reach the beginning of Victoria Street.
History of Victoria Street
Taking its name from Queen Victoria, the well-preserved street was built between 1829 and 1834. Thomas Hamilton was the architect behind the street; he was inspired by the classical designs of ancient Greece. His designs also drew inspiration from the Old Flemish style, although its colourful exterior, for which it has become famous, was a more recent addition. As part of the Old Town, it gained UNESCO World Heritage status in 1995, along with the city’s New Town.
Victoria Street is also one of many places speculated to have inspired Diagon Alley in Harry Potter, however, in this case, it’s easy to see why. Coupled with the fact Elephant House, one of the cafés where JK Rowling wrote Harry Potter, is located nearby, the winding street with its colourful storefronts is a must visit for fans of the Wizarding World.
Why is Victoria Street so famous?
Widely considered Edinburgh’s prettiest, Victoria Street presents much of the best of the city’s Old Town. It’s easy to venture between different parts of the Old Town from there; a short distance away is the iconic Royal Mile, bordered by Edinburgh Castle on one end and the Palace of Holyroodhouse (historically, the hub of Scottish politics) on the other.
The street offers a good diversion from the Royal Mile; Victoria Terrace, in particular, is an upper-level walkway running along the length of the street and is where you’ll find a range of cafés and restaurants with some of the best views. It’s accessed by hidden, easily-missed stairways along the winding lane and offers a selection of cafés and restaurants, as well as fantastic views of the street below.
Whether you have a spare couple of hours or a week in Scotland’s capital, visiting Victoria Street must be added to your Edinburgh itinerary!
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