THE Fringe Festival sees thousands of people from around the globe descend on the Scottish capital to witness some of the best up-and-coming performances.

However, with this, many of Edinburgh's iconic streets become crowded and nearly impossible to navigate.

This can be frustrating for those who live in and around the city looking to go about their daily lives.

If you're fed up with trying to make your way through crowded streets, here is everything you need to know.

The busiest streets to avoid during the Festival Fringe

These are the busiest streets crowded with tourists to avoid during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe:

  • Cockburn Street 
  • Victoria Street 
  • Grassmarket 
  • The Mound 
  • Cowgate 
  • North Bridge 
  • George Square 
  • Meadow walk 
  • High Street (Royal Mile)

Other busy streets and areas to avoid in Edinburgh

These are the other areas popular with tourists to avoid if you're wanting peace and quiet:

  • Circus Lane ( St Stephen Street) 
  • Dean Village 
  • Princes Street 
  • Arthur’s Seat 
  • Calton Hill 
  • Holyrood Park 

Recommended Reading: 

Fringe 'veterans' share top tips for those going to the festival this year

Everything you need to know about the Fringe Festival as it returns for 2024

The stars who got their big break at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Top tips for enjoying the Fringe Festival for free or on a tight budget


Quieter streets and areas to travel through in Edinburgh

These are some of the quieter streets and areas you can traverse through in Edinburgh:

  • Portobello 
  • Leith Walk 
  • Bruntsfield 
  • Union Canal 
  • Inverleith Park 
  • Ocean Terminal 
  • Fort Kinnaird 
  • Newhaven 
  • Granton beach 
  • Crammond beach 
  • Straiton 
  • Dalkeith 
  • Haymarket/West end 

Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024 takes place between Thursday, August 2 and Monday, August 26.