Everything You Need To Know About Shopping In Edinburgh
From luxury brands to small gift shops, shopping in Edinburgh is a fantastic experience. Pack your bags and head to Edinburgh now with your walking shoes on so you can hit the streets. Some of the most popular shopping streets in the Scottish capital include George Street, Princes Street, Victoria Street, and High Street. First, find the nearest luggage storage location in Edinburgh to leave your luggage for safekeeping. After all, you cannot go shopping if your hands are already full!
Enjoy the galleries, local artists' stalls, and independent shops as well as other interesting shops along the Royal Mile like Ragamuffin and Ness Clothing Company. If you are looking for gifts and happen to be in Edinburgh during the holiday season, Princes Street Gardens boasts the Traditional German Christmas Market where you will also be spellbound by the Edinburgh Castle.
While the main shopping street is unquestionably Princes Street, the best shopping in the city may be at St. Andrew Square where you can find Louis Vuitton, Great Scot, and Harvey Nichols. But of course, St. Andrew Square is just off of Princes Street too.
If you would rather hit up the department stores or malls, Edinburgh has those too. Gyle Mall has Morrisons and Marks & Spencers and Waverly Mall is a splendid underground mall across from the Edinburgh Waverley Train Station and Princes Street. And since Princes Street keeps coming up on this list, we may as well mention that first.
Princes Street
Princes Street is where the locals go shopping in Edinburgh as well as to enjoy fine dining, sensational architecture, and many attractions like the Princes Street Gardens, Ross Fountain, Old Town, and the Scottish National Gallery. But shopping in Edinburgh on Princes Street is not to be missed while you are in town.
The best shopping can be found at the Jenners Department Store in its majestic building full of luxury items. You will also find other Edinburgh shopping spots like Boots, Zara, Swarovski, and Topshop. Primark and Poundland are also some fun places for shopping in Edinburgh. And you can see Edinburgh Castle from there too.
George Street
George Street running parallel to Princes Street may not have as many shops, but it has quite a few places for the best shopping in Edinburgh. Upscale retail stores and specialty shops are found among cafes and pubs with charity shops and vintage shops dotted throughout George Street.
Try Hamilton & Inches or Rox Diamonds & Thrills for luxury jewelry and watches or check out the scents at Penhaligons Perfume shop to do some Edinburgh shopping. You can also find some great clothing styles at Cruise Fashion, Whistles, and Anthropologie on George Street.
Grassmarket
For certain you've heard of Haymarket, but how about the Grassmarket area? Don't want to deal with the shopping centres? Grassmarket has some of the perfect stores for Edinburgh shopping while you are in town. Right behind Edinburgh Castle, the Grassmarket is one of the most lively and vibrant neighborhoods in the city with everything from charity shops to high street fashion.
Most of the shops are independent boutiques with everything from clothing to quirky gifts. There is even a shop where you can buy some authentic medieval Scottish weapons at the Knight's Vault. It is the only place in the world licensed to make official replicas.
Victoria Street
Victoria Street was established in 1834 in Old Town to encourage Edinburg shopping by improving access from the Lawnmarket to the Grassmarket. It is also one of the most attractive streets in Edinburgh. But the shops are what make it special.
For suits and accessories, Walker Slater is the place or you can go to Bill Baber Knitwear for more casual clothing. The Red Door Gallery is a special shop for local artists selling original artworks prints, jewelry, and crafts. For more selective Edinburgh shopping, Harry Potter fans can visit The Museum Context before getting a bite at one of the charming cafes.
The Royal Mile
The Royal Mile between Holyrood Palace and Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh Old Town may not sound like a great place for Edinburgh shopping but it is full of shops like the Kiltane, Clans of Scotland, and the House of Cashmere.
Cadenhead Whisky Shop, Cranachan & Crowdie, and Ragamuffin are fun independent shops along the Royal Mile with Scottish gifts and other cool items. You can even find a store that makes kilts and accessories so you can dress like a local. Sort of.
Multrees Walk
Multrees Walk is where you can find the only Harvey Nichols in Scotland. Nespresso and Louis Vuitton are also found along this quaint road between St. Andrew Square and Elder Street. The Swarovski Edinburgh Jewelry Store and Reiss Clothing Store are also popular spots to shop.
Many of the high line men's stores are along Multrees Walk as well including Burberry, Michael Kors, Boss, and Johnstons of Elgin. For luxury shopping, there really is no other place with such a concentration of high-end shops.
Gyle Shopping Centre
The Gyle Shopping Centre has over 50 stores from Monsoon to Yankee Candle as well as two department stores, Next and Marks & Spencer located at each end of the mall. Whether you are looking for some trinkets at Pandora or Warren James or gifts from over 1,500 unique items at Flying Tiger, you will enjoy it at this mall.
Be sure to grab something to eat while you are shopping in Edinburgh at Gyle. Choose a quick sandwich from Subway or a Mexican-Indian dish from Wrapchic: Differently Indian. Or get some noodles at Chopstix, a baguette or fruit at Kitchen, or a cup of coffee at Starbucks.
Waverley Mall
Located on Princes Street among all the other shops, Waverley Mall, also known as Waverley Market, stands out with its unusual atrium and the roof at street level. Yes, the entire shopping centre is underground. It is packed with high-end shops with some of the favorites like Damaged Society, Anime Republic, and Born in Scotland.
There is also an array of eateries in the food court including Costa for coffee and pastries, GDK for kebabs, or Greggs for a sausage roll or sandwich. Sometimes you can even see a live performance at The Waverley Sessions Live Music weekends.
Ocean Terminal
The Ocean Terminal boasts more than 75 stores along the waterfront in what used to be industrial docklands between Leith and Newhaven Ports. It is Edinburgh shopping at its finest with shops like the GAP, Mostyn McKenzie, Toy Town, and New Look.
But there is more than shopping at this mall. You can explore the Royal Yacht Britannia to see how The Queen traveled abroad or see some stunning artwork by local artists at the Leith Collective. This one even has a movie theater, hairstylists, and a gym and is the newest place to go shopping in Edinburgh.
St. James Quarter
Another fantastic shopping centre in Edinburgh, St. James Quarter boasts about 50 stores right by Multrees Walk and Waverley Mall. For electronics, head to Sky, Three, or O2. For clothing, Calvin Klein, Bershka, and Kate Spade are a few of the favorites.
If you are looking for souvenirs or gifts, you can visit Kartel for custom made watches, Miele for home goods, or Hotel Chocolat for something sweet. For fun, catch a flick at the cinema, bowl a few games at Lane 7, or get a good workout at Peloton.
The West End
The West End behind Shandwick Place is one of Edinburgh's hidden gems. In the middle of it all is William Street with a vast array of gift shops, chic boutiques, and cozy delicatessens. Just a few minutes from Princes Street, this quaint but posh neighborhood is worth a look.
Locals have been shopping the West End and William Street since 1825 when shops and boutiques started popping up. Today you will find a variety of stores, pubs, and places like Lily Luna, Frontiers, and The Next Chapter. After shopping, this is the perfect place to look for a tasty Edinburgh brunch!
Newkirkgate Shopping Centre
Newkirkgate is an open-air plaza with a diverse variety of stores and services that many people overlook. Semichem is a high street retailer for health and beauty items as well as gifts and books. For some really nice prices, go to Poundland where everything is a dollar.
Peacocks is a discount fashion shop with designer brands at a fraction of the price. Boots is a quaint little healthcare store where you can get some great value. And for groceries, they have Lidl, Greggs, and Farmfoods.
Cameron Toll Shopping Centre
Between Holyrood Park and Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill Local Nature Reserve, Cameron Toll Shopping Centre is right next to Inch Park. Get some unique souvenirs at the A to Z Gift Shop, some bling at H. Samuel Jeweller, or new kicks at Shoezone.
If you are looking for clothing, try Peacocks or Yours Clothing. If it is books you are after, Waterstones is the top book retailer in the area with 300 branches in the UK. Then grab some grub at Subway or Costa before heading out.
Harvey Nichols
For those who like to have everything they need in one place, Harvey Nichols is that place. This is a department store with high-end items from British designers, sweets and champagne in the Chocolate Lounge, and cocktail dresses made by Alexander McQueen.
Not everything is hard on the pocketbook though. You can find special sales as well as budget-buster items like clearance clothing, makeup, cologne, and skincare items. Then you can go eat at the food hall or the Forth Floor Restaurant.
John Lewis
John Lewis is the largest department store in all of Scotland so you can get anything you want and then some. Found at the east end of Princes Street, the store has five floors with everything from appliances to Zippo lighters and everything in between.
You will find famous names like Laura Mercier and Jo Malone right along with the bargain items like candles and gifts. There is also an optician, personal styling, and technical support. Or get a facial and massage to relax at the end of a busy shopping day.
Jenners
For an old-fashioned shopping experience, Jenners has been in business since 1838 and has been in their current building since 1895. Just looking at the stunning landmark building is worth the visit but why not go on inside and have a look around while you are there? You will love the nostalgic feel of the place.
It was purchased by House of Fraser in 2005 but still has that classic style that gives it a unique identity. The place is huge and you can get lost in all of the twists and turns of what is not a well-organized department store, which is what gives it so much charm.
From quirky shops to designer stores
From Edinburgh's Princes Street to the Waverley Mall, you can enjoy Edinburgh shopping all over the city. Whether you are looking for something unique from independent artists or high street brands, you will find it all and then some in Scotland's capital city.
While you are in town, don't miss out on visiting the castle, the National Gallery, or the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Shop till you drop and then take the time to explore the incredible museums in this historic city!