The Grassmarket is a compact central area in Edinburgh's Old Town under the shadow of Edinburgh Castle. It is adjacent to the Cowgate, Victoria Street, King's Stables Road and the West Port.

Its close proximity to the entrance of the old fortified city and the fact that it is situated in a low-lying valley, that would have been accessible by livestock and carts, meant that it has probably had a market here since the 1300s.

The Grassmarket was also the location for public executions. Hangings no longer take place here (James Andrews was the last person hanged here on 4 February 1784, for a robbery in Hope Park), but a farmers' market continues to meet regularly albeit on a smaller scale.

Today, the area retains many of its distinctive tall tenement buildings, some going back to 1500s. It is a bustling centre characterised by its pubs and restaurants, which spill out onto the pavement and the market square in Summer. There are also a number of small retailers in the area.

The Grassmarket's cobbled area is currently undergoing major renovations that are due to completed in December 2008. The Grassmarket is the scene of the Edinburgh Jazz Festival mardi gras in July.

Look out for the Bow Well which was the first piped outlet of running water in 1681.