"The architecture captivates the history of this beautiful city. It looks as if time has not passed at the same pace with the world."
"From the impressive Edinburgh Castle to the remarkable Holyrood Palace, every step along this well-preserved street reveals a new piece of the city's heritage."
"You can start your journey at Edinburgh Castle and make your way downhill, exploring landmarks like St. Giles' Cathedral and the Real Mary King's Close."
"Royal Mile is a beautiful and old street in Edinburgh that one can see various historic architectures include castles, palaces and historical buildings."
Cons:
"Very cool experience. However, it is obvious that everything on the street is very catered to tourists."
"The real truth.. The royal mile, like most busy tourist areas, is a tourist trap."
Shopping and Souvenirs
Pros:
"There are enough and more eateries of all nature and plenty of single malt to consume."
"The variety of shops offers everything from tartan souvenirs to unique Scottish crafts, making it an ideal spot for shopping enthusiasts."
"Beautiful “Scottish” mile of interesting shops, including one or two dedicated to the wizarding world of Harry Potter and other classics, such as Lord of the Rings."
"Nicholson Pub just off on a side street is worth the slight detour. Nice beer and appetizers, good soup."
Cons:
"4 stars only because all the shops are very much 'tourist priced' however 5 stars for simply having a great place to sit, enjoy a coffee, talk with friends etc..."
"For a more authentic shopping experience or to pick up souvenirs that aren’t a mass produced, this isn’t a good choice."
"Most of the clothing stores sell absolute rubbish copies of traditional tartan goods. Usually, the ones owned by none Scott's."
"If you're shopping along the Royal Mile keep in mind the prices are going to be higher and a lot of it is touristy junk."
Atmosphere and Experience
Pros:
"The beating heart of the old town, the main street is a captivating spectacle, a vibrant tapestry of sights and sounds."
"A great place to walk around.. Lots of shops and cafes, people from all over the world, interesting characters, museums, a castle at one end and a palace at the other."
"The Royal Mile during the Fringe is a magical experience. So many talented performers either doing street shows, or flyering for their Fringe shows in venues, highly recommended."
"There’s so many little alleyways to explore and shops to mooch around it was a relaxing hour."
Cons:
"It's quite crowded, so keep an eye on your wallet. It's worth checking out. Just remember when you're walking, what goes down must come up."
"Royal Mile is definitely a must do while in Edinburgh. It’s crowded as most tourist attractions so try early a.m. if you’re an introvert."
"A lot going on here on the royal mile. There’s tons of shops and places to eat. There’s bagpipers and locals reenacting skits. Be smart and diligent though because there’s also pickpockets."
"The Royal Mile stretches from Edinburgh Castle all the way down to Holyrood palace. Edinburgh Castle is built on an ancient extinct volcano. No picture a glacier travelling down and around the volcanic plug."