Princes Street is the main shopping street and thoroughfare for the tram and bus in Edinburgh's city centre. It runs East West for 1.2 km (three quarters of a mile) from Lothian Road to Leith Street.
The famous street is flanked by extensive green space of Princes Street Gardens, the former Nor'Loch to the South, and the Georgian New Town to the North.
The West End of Princes Street runs directly under Edinburgh Castle, making it the most popular place to view the festival fireworks concert the finale to the Edinburgh Festival and Midnight Fireworks display Hogmanay.
Mid-way along Princes Street, at the foot of the Mound, is the National Galleries, with their distinctive corinthian columns.
Most of the stores on Princes Street are department and chain stores, which has led for calls for the street to be enhanced.
There are good views along Princes Street from Calton Hill.