Edinburgh City Centre, Neighbourhood in Edinburgh, Great Britain
Edinburgh city centre is a neighbourhood in the Scottish capital of Great Britain, covering both the Old Town with its narrow closes and the Georgian New Town. The area sits on a series of hills, so streets often slope up or down, and the roofline shifts constantly as you move through it.
The heart of Edinburgh grew in the Middle Ages around the volcanic rock where the castle stands, with the main street running down from it toward the royal palace. In the 18th century a planned New Town was built on the other side of a valley, giving the city its two contrasting halves.
The centre is best explored on foot, though the hilly terrain means comfortable shoes are a good idea before heading out. Most of the main points of interest are close to each other, so you can cover a lot in a single day without needing transport.
Beneath the streets of the Old Town lies a network of old vaulted spaces that were once used as homes and workshops by people who could not afford street-level housing. These underground rooms can be visited on guided tours that take you under the surface of the city.
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