Leith pulls a crowd — the Shore's bars and restaurants, Ocean Terminal, and now the tram terminus at Newhaven — and parking is busier than visitors expect. The good news: it's a weekday‑only zone, so evenings and weekends are free.
Leith parking rules
Leith and the Shore sit in controlled parking Zone N8, one of Edinburgh's northern zones. During those controlled hours you must either pay at the machine or on the RingGo app, or display a valid Zone N8 residents permit. Like all of Edinburgh's S and peripheral zones, it runs Monday to Friday only and stops at 5:30pm — there's no weekend charging at all. Streets here include the Shore, Bernard Street, Constitution Street, Baltic Street, Cadiz Street, Admiralty Street and Academy Street.
When is parking free in Leith?
- Every weekday after 5:30pm — the bays revert to free.
- All day Saturday and all day Sunday — these zones don't operate at weekends.
Zone N8 covers the historic Shore and the streets down toward the water, and the trams now run the length of Leith Walk to Newhaven. Because it's free out of hours, the popular streets fill quickly, so you may need a couple of laps. And free bays never excuse a yellow line — double yellows apply 24/7.
Free parking near Leith
Head further toward Newhaven and the more industrial streets and parking becomes uncontrolled (free), though it's a longer walk back to the Shore. Ocean Terminal also has its own car park if you want a guaranteed space. Our free parking guide and the map show exactly where the controlled zone ends.
Quick recap
- Zone N8, controlled Mon–Fri 8:30am–5:30pm (about £4.20 an hour or less).
- Free weekday evenings and all weekend.
- Residents: Zone N8 residents permit (zone-specific).
- Double yellows apply at all times — even when bays are free.
Check your exact street
Zones change street by street. Look up any address in Leith to see its zone, charges and hours — and whether you can park there right now.
Check your street →