Top Edinburgh Outdoor Activities

Get both unrivaled views of Edinburgh and insight into local life on this hiking tour of Arthur’s Seat. A small group ensures you can walk at a relaxed pace, while trekking to the top of the capital’s highest hill with a guide ensures you don’t get lost and go off the path.

This walking tour of Edinburgh is a great choice for first-time visitors who want to get their bearings of the city and learn more about its history. By exploring the city with a guide, you’ll be able to stop looking at a map and focus on enjoying the sites around you. Your guide will teach you about secret places locals love, as well as the Old Town’s most famous sites. Highlights include St. Giles’ Cathedral, the Mercat Cross, Edinburgh Castle, and much more.

Swap the crowds of the Royal Mile for a more intimate view of Edinburgh. This small-group tour takes you to some of the city's most atmospheric (and less-visited) neighborhoods, including the picturesque Dean Village. You'll discover hidden alleyways, quirky cafes, and historic buildings and take a wander along the city's only river.

Escape the city and see some of Edinburgh’s lesser-known sights on a boat cruise that takes you to Inchcolm Island, home to both a medieval abbey and a colony of sea lions and seals. As well as escaping the crowds on land, you’ll bag the best views of the famous Three Bridges.

See the famous Hairy Cows in their natural environment in Edinburgh Join an Edinburgh-based Mountain Guide on a hike in the hills on the outskirts of the city Experience the rugged beauty of some of Scotland's mountains as we hike through some of the country's most amazing landscapes. This short hike takes us far into the hills, where we often see rare wildlife, spectacular cityscapes, and incredible mountain views. We meet at Hillend, which is about 30 minites from the city centre. Our hike then takes us up to a high viewpoint, where we can see over the city and to the sea. Getting up high allows us to find the cows more easily. We descend down the hillside where we can look for the local herd of Highland Cows grazing in their natural mountain environment. The cows live out on the hill 365 days a year and are kept as conservation grazers, helping to restore the natural ecology. We finish at Swanston Farm (lunch can bee booked) where a few more cows can be seen in a field.

Beat the crowds of Edinburgh's city center and discover off-the-beaten-path locations and secret spots on small-group cycling tour. Traveling on two wheels (either on a traditional or e-bike), you'll be able to access places buses cannot reach. Cycle out of the city, around Arthur's Seat, and to the (sometimes) sunny seaside all while your guide fills you in on fascinating facts about the city.

While there are lots of historic sights to explore in Edinburgh, there’s so much more to experience outside of the city. On this full-day tour, choose to explore a traditional whisky distillery to learn how one of Scotland’s most popular beverages gets made, or head to Blackness Castle to hear the role the stronghold played in local history.

With our Edinburgh E-Bike Tour, you’ll be able to see more than any other tour of the city, in less time! The tour is designed to show you all the most iconic spots of the city. We will take you off the beaten path to explore the most picturesque and charming corners. The tour is conducted by professional mountain bike guides that have a particular and local knowledge of the hidden gems of Edinburgh. The tours can also be conducted in Italian and Spanish. The Ebikes that we use are brand new gravel category with mountain bike tyres, suspension and are very easy and comfortable to ride.

Explore further afield without having to worry about hiring a car or navigating unfamiliar roads on a tour that reveals attractions that lie outside of Edinburgh’s city center. This private tour comes with the flexibility to tweak your route and itinerary to include historic castles and chapel, scenic natural landscapes, or art galleries and antique stores.

Escape the Old Town crowds on a guided walking tour of Edinburgh’s most photogenic neighbourhoods, featuring the Georgian-era New Town, historic Dean Village, and the world famous Royal Botanic Garden. This immersive, picture-perfect experience takes visitors along the scenic Water of Leith to hidden spots like Circus Lane, ensuring you see sides of the city most tourists completely miss. Led by a passionate local expert, this tour is perfectly crafted for individuals, families, and groups of all ages looking for an authentic Scottish experience. Walking at a gentle, unhurried pace with plenty of stunning photo stops, you can fully immerse yourself in Edinburgh’s picturesque sites and captivating history without feeling rushed. With a strict limit of just 10 travellers per tour, book your spot today to see the fairytale side of Edinburgh and create lasting memories!

Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Scottish Highlights, without the stress of driving country roads. This small-group tour from Edinburgh takes you to Trossachs National Park, Glencoe, and Loch Ness. Soak up the scenery as you journey through dramatic landscapes, make plenty of photo stops, and enjoy the freedom to explore Fort Augustus, set on the banks of Loch Ness, at your own pace.

With a centuries-long history, the Scottish capital of Edinburgh has lots of different historic, cultural, and architectural hotspots for tourists to discover. Meet your guide at a central location near the Royal Mile and set out on a walk of the city’s storied streets on this half-day small-group walking tour.

Get out of the city and soak up the natural beauty of Loch Ness and the Scottish Highlands on this day tour from Edinburgh. See wooded lochs and tucked-away villages as you journey through spectacular scenery en route to Glencoe and Fort Augustus. Enjoy a boat tour in search of the Loch Ness Monster and traverse the picturesque Cairngorms National Park. Travel in a top-of-the-range, 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach with a small group.

Discover Edinburgh’s volcanoes and iconic landmarks on this small-group guided hike of Arthur’s Seat and Calton Hill. This expert-led experience blends stunning landscapes with centuries of Scottish history. This is the optimum chance to learn a wide range of engaging facts, whilst moving at a gentle, relaxed pace to Edinburgh’s finest viewpoints. • Escape the crowds of Edinburgh’s Old Town • Capture panoramic views from both Calton Hill and Arthur’s Seat • Stop for regular breaks as part of the small group • Ascend the summit via the most gradual and picturesque paths

Discover many of Scotland’s top attractions in one day—and enjoy a flexible, budget-friendly way to travel—on this full-day, small-group tour from Edinburgh. Set off via coach and head to the Kelpies: the largest equine sculpture in the world. Next, see scenic Loch Lomond with the chance to enjoy a cruise on its waters before a stop at Trossachs National Park. Finish the day with a visit to Stirling Castle. Note: all entrance tickets, boat ride, and lunch are at your own expense.

Explore the Royal Mile and its secret alleys on a journey where history comes to life. From the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle, enter the old closets, narrow passages full of history, until you reach the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Visit iconic landmarks such as Bakehouse Close, Dunbar’s Close or James Court, as we discover the lives of key figures such as Allan Ramsay, David Hume or Patrick Geddes. You will also explore gardens hidden among the stone, small oases in the heart of historic center. An ideal experience for those looking to discover the most authentic and surprising side of Edinburgh.

Edinburgh is known for its dark past, and this evening walking tour is the original one to showcase the city's historically sinister and spooky side. Discover the hidden ‘wynds’ (alleys) and closes of the Old Town as you learn their mysteries and horrors; visit the ghost-ridden Greyfriars Kirkyard; and explore the city’s underground vaults to uncover their spirits and secrets. Your tour is led by a creepily costumed guide to get everyone into the spooky spirit of things.

Discover Edinburgh at your own pace with a flexible treasure hunt around the city. Follow cryptic clues and maps to uncover hidden gems, discovering interesting facts and stories while you go. Use the convenience of WhatsApp-style navigation for a fun, on-demand journey. Turn it into an exciting pub crawl if so inclined. By then end of this adventure have achieved an overview of all that Edinburgh has offer.

Even if you’ve only got limited time in Edinburgh, it's still possible to see the breadth of the city’s natural landscapes. Cover more sights in less time during a bike ride which takes you from Arthur’s Seat to the beaches of Portobello and the Port of Leith. Plus, you’ll be able to choose between an electric or manual bike, depending on your fitness level.

See the best of Scotland in one action-packed day on this tour from Edinburgh. Rather than focusing on the road and missing out on the scenery the Highlands' is so famous for, you can admire Stirling Castle, Rannoch Moor, and the soaring peaks of Glen Coe while someone else drives. Head along the banks of Loch Linnhe to Fort William and enjoy free time to explore Loch Ness.

Take in Scotland’s dramatic landscapes in just one day from the comfort of your luxury private minivan. Departing from central Edinburgh, enjoy entry to Doune Castle and views over the Cairngorm National Park, Ben Nevis and Fort William—all while relaxing with complimentary refreshments and an expert guide. The tour also includes stops at Loch Ness and Glencoe to explore some of the Highlands’ most stunning scenery.

See the best of medieval Edinburgh—without the hassle of putting together your own sightseeing itinerary—on this walking tour, which includes skip-the-line access to Edinburgh Castle. As you walk, listen as your guide shares the history of this formidable city with ancient Roman roots and UNESCO-listed historical attractions. Explore atmospheric cobbled walkways along the Royal Mile, then breeze into Edinburgh Castle to witness royal opulence.

Soak up Scotland’s majestic countryside on a small-group day tour of the Highlands from Edinburgh. Cover several of the region's highlights on one tour without the need to plan an itinerary. See Loch Lomond, Trossachs National Park, and Stirling Castle, the coronation place of Mary, Queen of Scots. You have the flexibility to explore the grounds or purchase an optional tour of the castle’s interiors.