And, as with all tourist hotspots, it has been analysed by plenty of companies, and one has ranked it as the third most Instagrammable in Europe.  

Instagrammable, sure, but affordable?

I went along earlier this week with £15 to see just how affordable it would be for a family of four.

COMING in via the train to Waverly, I was struck by just how big and invasive the market looked from the tracks. The whole length of Princes Street Gardens is lit up and although a grand spectacle, it gives the city an incredibly commercial look straight away.

Walking up to the Scott Monument, of course you can’t help but feel the Christmas spirit, with tourists and locals enjoying the stalls. I personally start feeling Christmassy only when work begins to wrap up on Christmas Eve, but even I felt the mood shift and a desire for mulled wine.

£7.50. £7.50 for a SMALL paper cup of mulled wine. I would say it was no more than 200ml, and upon checking, an average 750ml bottle of mulled wine will cost you about £3.50.

READ MORE: I went to this year’s St Enoch’s Christmas market. Here’s what I thought

Hot chocolates were £5.20 each, and any meal would be costing you around £10/12, chips a little less at £5 at some stalls. The budget of £15 was not looking likely at any rate.

Looking at the rides, it would cost a family of four £38.40 to ride the big wheel, the cost of a family ticket. Adults cost £12 so there was no chance I could go on with only £7.50.

I was really hungry this evening, and looking at the prices, the only thing within the budget was chips and that was not going to fill me. So, I tried a portion of the mac and cheese at £9.50. Budget gone.

Bearing in mind all I bought here was one meal and one drink, a family of four could spend around £100 within a few hours just on a meal and drink each and one ride. No souvenirs with dozens of the stalls selling handcrafted items.

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I couldn’t imagine putting children in this atmosphere and then telling them “No, you can’t have” as they see pancakes, extra hot chocolate toppings, or the dozens of rides.

I also struggled myself, looking round at folk enjoying beer and Bratwurst, but knowing it was simply astronomically priced. In times when the majority are struggling month to month, people do not need to be pressured into the “Instagrammable moments” and spending far beyond their means.

Of course, we all have agency to say no, but when a massive market takes up the centre of Edinburgh and everyone wants to have a moment of escape – we’re human and go.

The focus of the market prioritises profit over accessibility, undermining the idea of the market as a welcoming public space that everyone can enjoy.

Edinburgh’s Christmas market will run from November 15 to January 4, 2026.