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The Grassmarket, with Edinburgh Castle towering above it

The Grassmarket is a small area of central Edinburgh, Scotland, named after the old market square at its heart.

The Grassmarket is located directly southeast of Edinburgh Castle and comprises what was in past centuries one of Edinburgh's main markets, as well as the setting for public executions. The old market area is surrounded by pubs, clubs, local retail shops, and two large hotels. Many students live in the Grassmarket, though its openness (due to the large market space) and proximity to the centre of town tend to increase house prices.

The Grassmarket contains some of Edinburgh's tallest buildings, some having eight or nine stories (and due to the age of the housing a storey is 11 or 12 feet high - just under 4 meters). However, because the area is low-lying and the Castle Rock dominates above, these heights are not readily apparent.

Grassmarket adjoins Cowgate to the east, the Royal Mile to the north, Lothian Road to the west, Forrest Hill to the southeast, and Tollcross to the southwest. To the south, the area bounded by the Grassmarket, the Meadows, Forrest Hill and Tollcross contains a primary and secondary private school, George Heriot's, the Edinburgh College of Art, the former Edinburgh Royal Infirmary site, the Vennel, the old city wall, and a small number of residential flats.

As of 2004, the Royal Infirmary site is being redeveloped into flats and a new hotel. The site masterplan was designed by Norman Foster, and the hotel by Richard Murphy. Of the hospital buildings, only the original David Bryce buildings are being retained.

There are currently plans to renovate the Grassmarket area. These would see central focus of paving and foliage that divides the cobbled and uncobbled sections of the street turned into an open-plan area with sports courts and frequent markets.

• Sweet Grassmarket (Edinburgh Fringe Venue)
• A Guide to the Grassmarket