14 Best Places to Go Shopping in Edinburgh

Princes Street is the main thoroughfare in Edinburgh and primary shopping area. Along with landmarks, statues and monuments, Princes Street is home to many unique and unusual shops for gifts and treasures. You’ll find high-end brands and famous retails like Debenhams, Zara, Primark and Boots, as well as food outlets for artisan goods. Princes Street also hosts seasonal markets, such as the Traditional German Christmas Market and the Edinburgh Farmers’ Market. Waverley Mall is another highlight with diverse stores near the Edinburgh Waverley Train Station.

George Street is a stylish shopping street that’s home to luxury hotels and upscale retail stores. Setting the atmosphere with elaborate Georgian architecture and vibrant town squares, George Street boasts high-end retailers like Karen Millen, Rox Jewellers, LK Bennet, Jack Wills and AllSaints. You’ll also find stylish bars and fine restaurants like The Dome, All Bar One and TigerLily. If you want more sightseeing, George Street is home to notable landmarks like the Assembly Rooms and the historic George Hotel.

Multrees Walk is at the centre of luxury shopping in the city and home to such upmarket brands as Louis Vuitton and Harvey Nichols. You’ll find endless luxury designers on Multrees Walk, including Christopher Kane, Balenciaga, Victoria Beckham, Celine, Stella McCartney and Gucci. Multrees Walk also offers attainable luxury brands, such as Tommy Hillfiger and Michael Kors. You’ll also have big names in the fashion world like Mulberry and Burberry. Whether you choose to buy or just want to window shop, Multrees Walk is a beautiful destination to visit on your trip.

The Grassmarket is a historic marketplace in Old Town that’s home to independent shops and vintage boutiques. You’ll find a bit of everything in Grassmarket, from independent artists selling their work to fine vintage clothing to artisan foods to up-and-coming Scottish designers. The street is the place to find oddities, such as designer hats at Fabhatrix, fossils at Mr Wood’s Fossils and vintage clothing at Armstrongs. Grassmarket is close to Victoria St, another shopping street with book shops, clothing stores and a fun-filled comedy store, Aha ha ha.

Jenners is an upmarket department store that has been in the same central location on Edinburgh’s Princes Street since 1838. Nicknamed the ‘Harrods of the North,’ the high-end retailer isn’t quite the right place to snag a bargain. But for serious shoppers willing to spend a little extra on a luxurious retail experience, there’s no better place to go to in the city.

A large part of the appeal of shopping at Jenners is the building itself. Constructed in 1895, the grand landmark showcases the Renaissance architecture of the era, with a multitude of ornate balconies and atriums to admire. Of course, one must not forget its excellent selection of high-quality merchandise, with everything from apparel to tech and beauty products on sale somewhere within. Read on to learn about Scotland’s most beloved department store.

Stockbridge is a vibrant shopping destination that offers everything from charming cafes to second-hand stores to art galleries. If you’re shopping for souvenirs, you’ll find it all in Stockbridge. You could stop by on Sunday for the Stockbridge Market’s produce and artisan baked goods, or go to I J Mellis for artisan cheeses. Stockbridge has numerous independent shops and vintage shops for one-of-a-kind finds. You’ll also find independent jewellers, vintage vinyl record stores, specialty clothing, homewares and used book shops. Another highlight of Stockbridge is the Floatarium Spa, a high-end spa with massages, spa treatments and reflexology.

Bruntsfield and Morningside is an affluent neighbourhood that boasts some of the best shopping in Edinburgh. Spanning from Princes Street to Lothian Road to Tollcross, Bruntsfield and Morningside is filled with eclectic shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants. You’ll find specialty food shops to pick up ingredients for dinner, old card shops with collectibles and an array of shoes at Ooh Ruby Shoes. Plenty of excellent charity shops can be found in Bruntsfield and Morningside for a second-hand designer treasure hunt.

The Royal Mile is the centre for authentic Scottish goods like cashmere, whisky and crafts. You’ll find plenty of excellent stores for gifts, such as Ragamuffin, the Scotch Whisky Experience and Cranachan & Crowdie for Scottish produce. If you want to bring home authentic Scottish knitwear, you’ll find an array of independent stores selling sweaters, kilts, hats, handbags and gloves. The Royal Mile is home to many of Edinburgh’s must-visit attractions, such as Real Mary King’s Close, the Scottish Storytelling Centre and the St Giles’ Cathedral.

Edinburgh Farmers' Market is a weekly market that sits in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle. Found down Castle Terrace, entrance to the market is free, with a collection of local vendors showcasing their wares.

You'll find all sorts of fresh goods spread over the dozens of stalls here. Some vendors have been selling their wares for over a decade and you'll find local jams, organic vegetables, fresh fruits, and a whole array of health drinks at the various stalls. It’s the perfect place to find a taste of Scotland to take home or buy a locally made gift. Held every Saturday, it's worth a trip down just for the buzz of the place.

Fort Kinnaird is one of Edinburgh's bigger retail parks that's just off the A1 in the east of the city, close to Duddingston Golf Club. The stores here are huge, and there's enough to keep you and the family entertained for a whole day’s visit.

All of the largest high-street brand names have big stores here, from the likes of River Island, Primark and Next, and there are also plenty of restaurants and cafés like Starbucks and Five Guys. If any of your crew don't fancy shopping, they aren't left out – there's a Pure Gym here and an Odeon cinema, too.

Ocean Terminal is a state-of-the-art leisure and retail complex on the waterfront. The complex offers 45,000 square metres of shopping and 1,600 parking spots to make your visit comfortable and convenient. Inside, you’ll find over 75 stores, restaurants and bars, as well as a cinema. Some of the highlights include the Britannia Gift Shop, Debenhams, French Connection, GAP, H & M, Herbal Inn, and Mostyn McKenzie. After shopping, you’ll have no shortage of dining options to choose from, including casual, family-friendly spots and swanky restaurants.

The Gyle Shopping Centre is a massive retail space with outlets, specialty shops, supermarkets and dining. Spanning 20 hectares with 2,500 parking spaces, the Gyle Shopping Centre is home to many incredible stores like Beaverbrook, Clintons, Flying Tiger, Chisholm Hunt, Monsoon, M & S, Pandora and the Warren James Jewellery Outlet. After shopping, you can stop in one of the many casual restaurants in the centre for a quick bite or choose a fine restaurant for a nice sit-down dinner.

The Waverley Mall is a diverse mall with high-street brands and a food court. Located on Princes Street, the Waverley Mall offers a beautiful atmosphere with an atrium with a canopy of trees and a water feature. You’ll find many stores to shop for yourself or for gifts, such as Anime Republic, Born in Scotland, Gleneagles of Scotland, Nick Harrigan Artwork and Tartan House of Scotland. The mall offers an array of dining options with global cuisine in both upscale and casual restaurants. Throughout the year, Waverley Mall hosts events like book markets and street food fairs.

Edinburgh Stockbridge Market is a farmers' market that's regularly been held on Sundays since 2011, right near the city's port. It's a great place to go shopping for local produce, but you'll also find a nice range of more exotic goods here as well.

There are dozens of traders at Stockbridge, and if you're after some locally brewed beer or Scottish salmon, you're in the right place. There are other cuisines on offer too, with French cheeses and baked goods to be found right next to olives, pasta, and sweet treats galore. And of course, there are loads of award-winning curries. Indian street food is famed across Scotland, so make sure you give it a try.