If you ever visit Scotland, this place maybe one of the best well known spot. Right in the heart of Edinburgh just on the opposite street where the castle is located. They're known for the cobble streets and of course the painted buildings. An instagram spot that's a must. The whole street isn't that big. From top to bottom if you're just walking through will take you a couple minutes. But why would you just do that. If you're coming from the cobble streets of the castle, there's a second level that looks down to Victoria street. If you happen to come before sunset, be prepared to see an amazing sunset tucked behind the architecture of the old town. There were loads of people waiting with their cameras all ready for that special moment. The street with boutique and cafes were all pretty busy with holiday makers. There were some shops that had massive lines waiting to get in. One in particular, the Harry Potter shops. Loads of HP lovers all waiting to check out the stores. It's quite cool inside if you haven't been. If you're looking for that special time where you can have the street to yourself for pictures, I'm thinking way early in the morning as it was constantly packed. Everyone trying to get their pictures taken with the colorful buildings in the background. It's a pretty neat street that's tucked away in old town. If you ever get a chance to visit Edinburgh, make sure this is on your list. It's not a big place but it's worth checking out. Even though I've been loads of times, it's still beautiful to see. read more

See all

This was one of the places in the city that we wanted to visit madly. While researching about the city, this place, and its connection with Harry Potter, it was all amazing. Tucked away in the heart of the historic old town, between the castle and lively Grassmarket, Victoria Street in Edinburgh is one of the city's must-see places. In a city renowned for its grand architecture and unique alleyways, there's no shortage of picturesque streets in Edinburgh. There are remarkable streets across the city, from Circus Lane to Cockburn Street and Advocate's Close to the Royal Mile, Yet Victoria Street is perhaps the Scottish capital's most iconic. The unusual curve, the vibrantly painted facades amidst the old architecture, and the view from atop the terrace are combined, the reason Victoria Street in Edinburgh is so famous alongside, of course, its reputation as the true Diagon Alley in those wizarding books. There are a bunch of shops on Victoria Street- from booksellers to Harry Potter souvenir shops, and, of course, a few restaurants as well. This read more

See all

People will say it's just a street, but it truly is a unique one. You'll get an even better perspective when looking down at it from the Victoria Terrace. It's the way that the buildings kind of lean in as you're walking toward that bend in the road that makes it unusual. The buildings are tall, and the storefronts are painted with vibrant colors. It's very lively! It's said that this street was the inspiration for Harry Potter's Diagon Alley, but J.K. Rowling has denied that. It certainly does feel like it is. There's a Museum Context store where many HP fans were lined up to enter. I'm not sure what that's all about. There are souvenir stores selling HP memorabilia as well. I didn't do much shopping, but we did have fish & chips at Bertie's. I totally recommend dining in this area. It's a nice scenic area to walk through. Don't miss going up to the terrace above the shops. I thought the view up there was even nicer. read more

See all

Fun street to wander around, my wife had it bookmarked so we came and as soon as we got there she said "diagon alley"! She had it bookmarked because this street is the supposed inspiration for Diagonal Alley from Harry Potter. They have a Harry Potter museum called Museum Context but the line was too long for my wife and she is the only fan in our family and didn't want us waiting too long. There is also some bar with significance in the book and tons of gift shops selling Harry Potter memorabilia and unique items. We got our kids cut winter gloves with characters on each finger at one of these shops. For non Harry Potter fans the rows flit colorful buildings are a treat amongst the antiqued grays and browns that are typical to Edinburgh buildings. It was sunny on the day we went and it made it feel not like the normal Scotland in a good way. It's walkable to grass market that has a farmers market on the weekend so you can do 2 stops in this one location. read more

See all

The rainbow colored buildings are the first sign that you've arrived! Everyone is taking pictures and tour groups are abundant, but this is actually a usable street so beware of cars. IJ Mellis cheese shop is a great stop on the street for high quality cheese! You can also find a cafe said to be where JK Rowling wrote Harry Potter. Keep in mind the cafe says that the original burned and they moved it here, but you get the gist. Worth a walk through the street to explore the beauty of the buildings and the fun stops along the way! read more

See all

Victoria Street in Old Town Edinburgh is one of the most photographed locations in the city. With its cobble stones and colourful neo-classical buildings gently curving uphill, it's a popular spot for photo ops. Victoria Street was built between 1829-34 as part of a series of improvements to the Old Town, with the aim of improving access around the city. Vibrant shops and restaurants line the street including Whiskey shops, souvenir shops, bars, and eateries. Today, Victoria Street is known for a slightly more magical reason thanks to the world of Harry Potter. Many fans refer to this as 'Edinburgh's Harry Potter Street' and is very much like a 'real-life Diagon Alley' that inspired the famous Wizard shopping street in the books! Visit shops like Museum Context and The Enchanted Galaxy and uncover a bit more magic ;) Highly recommend visiting this charming little corner in Old Town, especially if you're a Harry Potter Fan. read more

See all

The most photographed street in Edinburgh. We stayed at the virgin hotel on Victoria st. It will definitely give you Harry Potter vibes. It has some really cool boutique shops and located very close to the Royal mile and Grassmarket. read more

Quite possibly the most beautiful street in all of Edinburgh, this elegant, curving, twin-layered goddess of a thoroughfare is perfectly placed to catch the light at the best time of the day. Its shops are a jamboree of colour and variety - book shop, pig shop, tweed shop, map shop, juice shop, dress shop, red, blue, pink, green. Up until recently it even featured a Christmas shop, and landed itself a starring role in the film adaptation of Filth. I absolutely love this street, but I must confess to never having bought anything other than comestibles from it. I walk past Walker Slater every time with an aching heart and a longing eye, but I might as well be wishing for a platinum pony. All the same, I often take a slightly longer route down Victoria Street and back up Candlemaker Row instead of straight over George IV Bridge, just for the pleasure of walking down this beautiful street. read more

Victoria Street - Sunny side of the street - Shopping Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Is it stupid to find a street beautiful? Because this street really really beautiful. Not only does it have the Harry Potter connotation, but from the curve, to the colors, to the cobblestones, it is pretty all on its own. Now back to that Harry Potter mention. That was the reason this street was on our list of things to check out in Edinburgh. It's believed Rowling was inspired by Victoria Street in her creation of Diagon Alley, and I can absolutely see that. The bright colors, the tall storefronts, the uncommonly curved nature. I immediately imagined Diagon Alley when I saw all of these things. It was built between 1829-1834, and designed by Thomas Hamilton whom was inspired by ancient Greece architecture. Nowadays, it's home to funky independent shops and boutiques; a bookstore, tweed store, juice shop, a deli, and even a joke shop. Yes, a joke shop. It's already located near the Elephant House (where we walked after checking out Victoria Street), and it's easy enough to take a walk down this street, so if you're looking for a Harry Potter-relevant jaunt, there's no reason you wouldn't check this street out. read more

Victoria Street has its own dynamic and is one of Edinburgh's most beautiful and ancient streets. Decorative historical buildings exist on a door to door basis here, small designer and handcraft retailers, second-hand bookshops and fancy foodstores populating the street. Unlike shopping on Princes Street, dawdling here is very relaxed. Apart from shops, you can choose one of the French cafes, Italian restaurants or traditional pubs and enjoy the diverse atmosphere. If you're looking for a curious or special present/trinket or just a lovely meal, switch on your shopping radar and head for Victoria Street. read more

Victoria Street - Victoria Street - Shopping Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Absolute must if you come to Edinburgh. Victoria Street is a cobbled windy street that runs up from the Grassmarket to North Bridge. I love the shops and the restaurants here - you have Demijohn, Mackenzies Leather shop, jewelers, clothes shops, 2nd hand book store and a lovely gallery. there are also a tea/coffee shop and a cheese shop (think it Ian Mellis). Restaurants - there is the Grain Store, Maison Blue, Howies and lots more. It's really worth a visit as the Grassmarket below has some lovely bars, shops and restaurants and the North Bridge at the top links up to the Royal Mile and all the attractions up there. read more

Last Sunday afternoon involved for me a trip down Victoria Street with time to have a nosey in each of the lovely boutique shops. If you're looking for a souvenier, an unusual gift or just fancy a bit of window-shopping, this is the street for you. The street itself is particularly picturesque as it meanders down to the Grassmarket. Well worth a visit. read more

Try cycling up this hill then observe how your body feels; now imagine how it would feel to cycle up Victoria Street in a rickshaw with three people in the back. Brutal. Unfortunately for me, this street shadows forth such painful memories each time I pass it by. I'm told it has lovely delicatessens and funky clothes shops, but for me there is only one word for Victoria Street: pain. read more

There is a great selection of shops here to browse, with everything from trendy fashion, to cheese! There are quite a few restaurants when you get peckish and as it's so close to the royal mile and princes street it's a great little shopping street. read more

Perhaps the prettiest and most curious street in Edinburgh. Restaurants, bars, eccentric shops and clubs huddle together on this sloping, winding street. Leading to the bustling Grassmarket area, the cobble stoned Victoria Street has something to offer everyone be it old books, Handbags, Christmas decorations, kitchen niceties, a pint of Guinness or a burst of Mexican flavour. A street to savour any day of the week. read more

Victoria street is filled with lots of small boutique type shops selling a variety of the weird and wonderful. The atmosphere is great though. Brilliant smell and everyone always seems to be happy. Just a stone through away from the royal mile, the highlight of the street must be ahahaha joke shop at the bottom which is the best place in edinburgh to go for all of your gags. Make sure you also go and see the wee cafe that sells a whole roast pig!! read more

This is my favourite street in Edinburgh! It is best visited at Christmas time when the street lights provide a festive, sparkly feel. The view from the Grassmarket up Victoria Street is definitely a sight to behold. The street houses a number of little boutiques, as well as some of my favourite restaurants, Khushi's and Howie, and there's a lovely little Mexican restaurant there too. If you're shopping for something a little bit different then Victoria Street should be your first port of call. It's a bit of a hike from the bottom to the top but it's well worth it for the amazing finds you might make on the way up! read more