Top Edinburgh Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises

Immerse yourself in Edinburgh's rich history—and hear tales of its ghosts, witches, and murderers—on this spooky walking tour. Explore the narrow streets of the Old Town Edinburgh after dark; learn about (and maybe meet) Edinburgh Castle's ghost; then head to the Old Calton Burial Ground, resting place of several notable Scots and known for its high levels of paranormal activity. The tour starts at the Loch Ness Discovery Centre or 190 High St, offering flexible meeting points.

Delve into Scotland’s rich history and heritage on this tour from Edinburgh. Head from the Royal Mile over the UNESCO–listed Forth Bridge to Dunfermline with a guide, and explore the Abbey Kirk — burial place of Robert the Bruce. See where the Battle of Bannockburn raged and learn of Scotland’s struggle for independence. Take in top local attractions including Stirling Castle. Then, visit Rosslyn Chapel before returning to Edinburgh.

Set off on a magical tour of Edinburgh with our fun Potter-head guide, and see the places that inspired JK Rowling to create her wizarding universe. Then, enter the incredible Edinburgh Castle! Starting at Tron Kirk on The Royal Mile, we first head to historic Waverley Station. Then head to Edinburgh University Old College - a famous old campus which provided lots of inspiration for JK Rowling’s creations. We continue through the atmospheric Old Town, stopping at Greyfriars Kirkyard which inspired Tom Riddle's Grave and passing by the Elephant Café where JK Rowling sat for many hours dreaming up the world of Harry Potter! Get amazing views of Edinburgh Castle on our way to Victoria Street - said to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley - and we finish near Edinburgh City Chambers where you’ll learn about JK Rowling’s impact on the city. After the tour, you'll be given your tickets to explore the beautiful Edinburgh Castle!

Get a different perspective on Edinburgh as you embark on a quick and fun ride through the city's rich literary history. This literature-themed pub crawl through Edinburgh's Old and New Towns is led by a couple of actors who bring such figures as Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson to vivid life as you journey in and out of Edinburgh's most atmospheric pubs, courtyards, and hidden alleyways.

Edinburgh’s dark and desultory past means its streets are haunted by restless souls and wandering specters. This ghost tour—perfect for those fascinated by the supernatural—takes you to two of Edinburgh’s most haunted locations. Under the cloak of darkness, descend to the Blair Street vaults to explore a shadow-shrouded underground world. Visit Canongate Kirkyard, the final resting place of famous characters, and listen to gruesome tales of torture, cannibalism, and murder.

Venture beyond Edinburgh to wind your way through the Scottish Highlands—without tackling tricky rural roads yourself—and marvel at the majesty of Cairngorms National Park and the mysterious Loch Ness. Spot the famous Urquhart Castle en route and hear about legendary warfare like the battles of William Wallace and the massacre of Glen Coe in the 17th century.

Leave the driving to the experts and journey through the majestic Scottish Lowlands on this Rosslyn Chapel and Scottish Borders tour from Edinburgh. Travel with a guide to the legendary Roslyn Chapel; take a scenic route along Scotland’s border to Melrose Abbey—believed to be the burial site of King Robert the Bruce’s heart—and learn about the art of whisky making at Glenkinchie Distillery.

Explore Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile with a professional historian or other specialist guide, and gain insight into the famous writers and inventors who have called the city home. Hear tales of Scotland's national bard—Robert Burns—and discover top landmarks such as Edinburgh Castle, St. Giles’ Cathedral, Grassmarket, and Greyfriars Kirkyard as well as hidden gems. Get the chance to ask questions in a small-group setting and find out what makes this ancient city tick.

Uncover the mysteries of Loch Ness on a day trip from Edinburgh that saves you the hassle of car hire. Set out north along Scotland's West Coast to experience one of the country's most iconic lochs. En route, pass some incredible sights as someone else takes the wheel, including the ruins of Linlithgow Palace, Ben Nevis, and dramatic Highlands landscapes. Your guide regales you with stories about the area that you won't find in the guidebook.

Discover the best of Edinburgh without the stress of public transit and massive crowds on this hop-on hop-off bus tour. With your 48-hour pass, hop aboard the double-decker, open-top bus for a panoramic sightseeing excursion. Great for kids and adults, this tour encompasses three route options with dozens of strategically placed stops. Have the added bonus of free entry to royal sights including Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Yacht Britannia.

Experience Edinburgh’s vibrant nightlife on a large-scale pub crawl through Old Town’s hidden pubs and lively bars. Visit seven bars with six shots and one bomb included, enjoy drink discounts, and skip cover charges with VIP entry. Led by local guides, this tour offers an authentic Scottish night out where you can meet new people and discover the city’s best-kept secrets.

Swap the bustle of Edinburgh for the serenity of surrounding coastal routes around Edinburgh and the ancient kingdom of Northumbria on this tour to Holy Island, Alnwick Castle, and Northumberland. Navigating this rural part of the UK can be tough without a car, but this tour takes care of transportation, allowing you to focus on sightseeing at attractions such as Lindisfarne Castle and the Priory.

Visiting an unfamiliar city without knowing anyone there usually means relying on dated and often inaccurate travel guides. Enjoy a more personal experience in Edinburgh by spending time with a local Edinburgher who customizes your private, bespoke tour to your own interests, whether you want to check off the highlights or go off the beaten path to discover locals' favorite spots.

Ah, Edinburgh! They don't call it "The Jekyll & Hyde City" for nothing. During the day, a respectable figure, with its astonishing architecture and wondrous history. But when the sun sets, it tells an entirely different story... Hear all about the darker history of Edinburgh: murderers, thieves, cannibals, hangings and decapitations, witches, the Plague and streams of human waste. Learn about the most notorious citizens of Edinburgh and how ghost stories are born. This is not a ghost tour: we don't need costumes or people jumping from behind the corners, Edinburgh's Dark History itself is enough to make your skin crawl. And oh, how we love to share it with our visitors...

Save hours of research time with this comprehensive day tour of the Scottish Highlands, Glencoe, and Loch Ness. A full itinerary is planned out for you, and someone else takes care of the driving, so you can focus on the incredible views. During the tour, hear about the legend of Loch Ness, hike to see beautiful waterfalls in Tay Forest Park, and stop to admire views of the Glencoe mountains.

Not for the faint of heart, this ghost tour of Edinburgh promises to deliver plenty of paranormal frights. Edinburgh’s bloody past has resulted in a heavily haunted present, and this tour takes you to some of the city’s most haunted locations. Under the cloak of darkness, visit a graveyard and descend to underground vaults that snake beneath the city. As you explore, your guide shares vivid tales of murder, body-snatching, and unexplained happenings.

Even if your time in Scotland is limited, you can still get out of the capital and into some of the country's best landscapes by booking this guided tour from Edinburgh. Visit historic sites such as Stirling Castle, modern wonders including the Kelpies, and one of Scotland's most beautiful places: Loch Lomond National Park. You also get a taste of Scotland's national drink at a whisky distillery.

Explore the Scottish Highlands without the hassle of navigating unfamiliar roads on a 3-day tour from Edinburgh. Travel comfortably in an air-conditioned coach with a local guide to the Isle of Skye, Loch Ness, Culloden, Glencoe, and more. Enjoy scenic views and stories of Scotland’s history, plus optional activities such as a Loch Ness cruise (prices updated). This tour offers an immersive experience into one of Scotland’s most scenic regions.

Check off Stirling Castle, the Kelpies monument, and Loch Lomond on this day trip from Edinburgh. Have a photo stop at one of the largest equine sculptures in the world—The Kelpies, then travel through Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Finally, visit Stirling Castle, one of Scotland's most important landmarks (upgrade to include admission).

Experience supernatural chills on this adults-only terror walking tour in Edinburgh. Take a journey along the cobbled streets of Edinburgh’s historic Old Town with a guide and delve deep into the city’s dark past. When darkness has descended on the city, explore hidden underground vaults, and hear stories you’d miss out on otherwise about paranormal experiences.

Make exploring beyond Edinburgh city limits easy—and see the best of the Scottish Highlands, all in one day—on this comprehensive day tour. Begin with a scenic drive from Edinburgh to the fabled Loch Ness; upgrade to cruise the lake and look out for Nessie. Then, continue to other highlights including Glen Coe and Fort Augustus, admiring additional attractions from Stirling Castle to Ben Nevis along the route.

Even if you have only a short time to explore Scotland, you can discover the best of the Scottish Highlands on this day trip from Edinburgh. Head north for the haunting valley of Glencoe. See the enigmatic Glenfinnan Viaduct, known from the Harry Potter movies, explore Fort William, and spend time in the charming village of Pitlochry.

No trip to Edinburgh is complete without a stop at the Edinburgh Vaults—aka South Bridge Vaults—the 18th-century underground chambers that lie far below the city. But independent visits aren't allowed. On this underground walking tour, hear tales of this dark and almost-forgotten place below one of Edinburgh’s busiest thoroughfares. See evidence of excavated storage spaces, human habitation, taverns with wine vaults and more.

Journey to the frontier of ancient Rome on this full-day tour of Hadrian’s Wall and the Scottish borders from Edinburgh. First up is a tour of the 15th-century Rosslyn Chapel, famously featured in ‘The Da Vinci Code’ and renowned for its mysterious stone carvings and unique architecture. After lunch (not included), stop at Melrose Abbey, the burial site of King Robert the Bruce’s heart, and look out over the English border from Cheviot Hills, before walking along the UNESCO-listed Hadrian’s Wall.