Princes Street is the prime shopping hub of Edinburgh, Scotland, located in the southernmost area of New Town. Princes Street serves as the city’s ultimate retail attraction as well as a preserved cultural district restricting construction on one side to maintain unprecedented views of Old Town and Edinburgh Castle. In addition to shopping, there are many historic landmarks situated along the major thoroughfare.
Princes Street boasts a conglomeration of high-end retail, highlighted by Boots, BHS, H&M, Debenhams, and House of Fraser. The Princes Street Gardens is a frequented tourist interest serving as a public park at the base of Edinburgh Castle. Other popular places include the Scott Monument and Scottish National Gallery. Visitors enjoy bus tours, entertainment, and live music throughout the region.
The majority of the length of Princes Street is restricted to traffic except for trams, buses, cyclists, and taxis. The Lothian buses serve the area out of the Edinburgh Bus Station, and Edinburgh Waverley is the closest railway station, situated on the eastern end of the street.
Princes Street was originally developed within the designated “New Town” in the late 1800s. Two churches persist along the retail-dominated roadway including St. Cuthbert’s and St. John’s.