Top Edinburgh Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises

If you prefer some independence to being driven around on a tour bus, you can create your own itinerary and explore Edinburgh at your own pace with a hop-on hop-off bus tour. You can board and disembark the bus anywhere you like along the route for the duration of your 48 hours ticket is valid. Your combined 2-tour ticket can be used on both routes: the Edinburgh City Tour and Edinburgh Britannia Tour.

Immerse yourself in the sights and stories of Edinburgh's atmospheric Old Town on this small-group walking tour. Unlike most tours of the Old Town, the maximum group size is just 15 people so you won't be elbow to elbow with other visitors as you explore the area, from the Royal Mile to Greyfriars Kirkyard, and Princes Street Gardens.

Explore St. Andrews and the pretty fishing villages of Fife, without the hassle of navigating, on this multi-stop day trip from Edinburgh. All in one day, discover pretty coastal villages before exploring historic St. Andrews. Enjoy free time to explore its castle and cathedral ruins, stroll along the harbor, or soak up the sunshine at your leisure. Afterward, travel through the pretty Lomond Hills en route back to Edinburgh.

Exploring Scotland beyond Edinburgh can feel daunting—with so much to see, where do you start? This full-day tour takes away the guesswork with a comprehensive itinerary and multiple stops. Leave the logistics to someone else as you visit the historic Stirling Castle (own expense), taste Scottish whisky at the Glengoyne Distillery, and travel through the picturesque Highlands to explore Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

Take a break from the city and head into the Scottish Highlands for a taste of Scotch whiskies often missed by visitors. In addition to navigating, your guide acts as designated driver so that you can fully enjoy the tastings. Between distillery visits, break up the day with a midday stop to explore Aberfeldy. Round-trip transport from Edinburgh is included for your convenience. Note that in January, Glenturret Distillery is replaced by Blair Athol Distillery. Admission fees for distillery tours are not included.

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.

Experience the legend and mystery of Rosslyn Chapel and its links to the “Da Vinci Code” and the Holy Grail on this tour from Edinburgh. In a small group, travel to the charming town of Melrose and through the Scottish borderlands. Explore Melrose Abbey and Rosslyn Chapel, and hear intriguing tales of Cistercian monks, the Knights Templar, and Robert the Bruce.

Have one day ashore in Scotland, and not sure how to make the most of your time? Zip between top sights in St Andrews and beyond on a private shore excursion, with round-trip transfer from a location of your choice by air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz. Discover highlights including the Old Course at St Andrews, the top-rated St Andrews University, Kingsbarns Distillery, and a range of other natural and historical highlights (entry to the sights own expense).

Witness dramatic landscapes and majestic castles on a full-day trip through Scotland’s West Highlands from Edinburgh. With a knowledgeable guide, soak up stunning scenery from the rugged Breadalbane Mountains to The Trossachs National Park. Visit the villages of Luss and Inveraray, and hear tales of famous Scottish heroes and rebels. Movie buffs will love the visit to Doune Castle, film site of Monty Python and The Holy Grail.

Explore Scotland's rugged countryside and sample the nation's favorite beverage on this guided Highlands and whisky tour from Edinburgh. Make photo stops in quaint villages and at natural attractions including dense forests, sparkling rivers, and tall waterfalls as you head north toward Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery for a tour and taste.

Trade the city’s bustle for a magical day in nature on this Harry Potter-themed excursion into the Scottish Highlands. In the morning, set off from Edinburgh and enjoy sightseeing stops en route, including the fishing village of Mallaig. Then, board the Jacobite Steam Train (a double for the Hogwarts Express) and travel along the Glenfinnan Viaduct, made famous in the films. Finally, see Glencoe’s dramatic scenery before your return trip.

Discover the secrets of Edinburgh as a local host accompanies you during this private, personalized experience. Learn about a more authentic side to the city that many travelers won’t see, visiting both popular attractions and hidden spots over the course of a day. The schedule is flexible, so make your own sightseeing suggestions or take advantage of your host’s insider insight and recommendations.

Experience the beauty of rural Scotland on a full-day tour of the West Highlands—with its lochs, mountains, and castles—from Edinburgh. Visit Doune Castle (all admissions own expense), admire fine views over shimmering lakes and soaring peaks, and enjoy free time and a visit to the castle in Inveraray. Then, head onward to Kilchurn Castle—one of Scotland's prettiest castles.

Experience the history and beauty of Scotland’s Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park on a full-day trip from Edinburgh. Traveling by coach, visit the Kelpies Monument and Stirling Castle, associated with Scottish historical heroes William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. Admire the Trossachs’ mountain-and-lake scenery as you meet Scotland’s famous Highland cows. Entrance fees at own expense.

Scotland’s rugged landscapes and historic castles provide a spectacular backdrop to the hit TV series "Outlander," but you’ll need a guide if you want to follow in the footsteps of your favorite characters. This full-day, small-group tour from Edinburgh includes an air-conditioned vehicle and visits memorable filming locations such as Doune Castle, Culross, and Falkland. Make the most of your trip by upgrading to include admission to all of the historic attractions.

Treat yourself to a day of whisky appreciation on a full-day tasting trip from Edinburgh. Wind through the Scottish Lowlands to a historic whisky-producing region, and visit Glengoyne Distillery and Deanston Distillery for informative tasting sessions and tours. Discover the centuries-old tradition of Scottish whisky production, view warehouses stocked with aged casks and marvel at the quiet beauty of Loch Lomond.

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.

Discover Edinburgh, Scotland in your very own black cab or minivan to help you get around town on this private tour of the city. Don’t worry about public transport, because this experience includes convenient hotel pickup. Enjoy bottled water and soft drinks while you see the sights and learn about the city’s history and culture from your guide.

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.

Take a private tour to Stirling Castle and Loch Lomond and learn more about this wild landscape than you ever could alone. Set off from your hotel in a luxury minivan, and listen as your guide points out many points of interest along your journey. See Linlithgow Palace and Stirling Castle, learn about Scotland's historic royal families, then travel on to Loch Lomond and embrace the drama of the Trossachs National Park.

This "Harry Potter" walking tour gets fans closer to spots in Edinburgh that inspired J.K. Rowling’s famous books. Walk past key sites that inspired places such as Diagon Alley, and even see the cafes and hotels where the writer wrote her book series. Your guide knows the quickest ways to get around the city on foot to fit more into your time, as well as fun facts about Harry Potter.

A city as old as Edinburgh is bound to have a few ghosts. Find out for yourself on a small-group tour that takes you to the city's most haunted sites, including a locked section of Greyfriars Kirkyard, a.k.a. Covenanter's Prison where you'll hear stories about the Mackenzie Poltergeist that will send shivers down your spine.

Discover Edinburgh's Underground City, known as the city's most haunted location, on a tour that takes you below the streets. With a guide, you'll explore tunnels known as 'Damnation Alley' and learn about their history and ghosts.

See both the highlights and hidden gems of Edinburgh on a private tour that reveals Scotland’s capital through the eyes of a local host. Designed with first-time visitors in mind, this private tour promises the undivided attention of your guide and gives you the chance to compile tailored recommendations to last the rest of your vacation.