Top Edinburgh Walking Tours

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.

(1,516)

from $72

Old Town Walking Tour History and Tales in 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.

(2,248)

from $24

The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour

1 hour 15 minutesFree Cancellation

4.7

(9,937)

from $26

Original Harry Potter Locations Tour in Edinburgh : Guided Tour

Best of Edinburgh: Small Group Walking Tour (Max 10, 3 Hours)

(4,438)

from $19

3 hoursFree Cancellation

Edinburgh Full Day Walking Tour with Castle Included -Small Group

(95)

from $67

5 hoursFree Cancellation

Edinburgh: History Lovers Old Town Walking Tour

(758)

from $130

Step off the tourist trail and explore the Scottish capital’s hidden secrets on this underground walking tour in Edinburgh. Follow a guide from the South Bridge in Edinburgh Old Town down below street level, where a series of ancient vaults lie. As you explore the dark passageways, learn why the vaults were built, hear of the poor souls who sought refuge in the depths and discover a hidden witchcraft temple. Gain insight into city life during the 18th century, and learn of the deadly diseases which threatened Edinburgh’s inhabitants.

(239)

from $24

Underground Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh Old Town

Underground Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh Old Town

1 hourFree Cancellation

4.7

(8,956)

from $33

Edinburgh: Old Town's Highlights Walking Tour

Edinburgh: Dean Village Circus Lane Walking Tour with a Local

(141)

from $5

The Water of Leith, seen from the Old Bridge in Dean Village

Edinburgh Castle Guided Walking Tour - Entry Tickets included

(94)

from $24

Edinburgh Private Tour with a Local - Highlights & Hidden Gems

(5,428)

from $53

2 to 6 hoursFree Cancellation

4.7

(92)

from $69

Price varies by group size

Mercat Tours History Walk of the Royal Mile inc Edinburgh Castle

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.

Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle - Small Group Walking Tour

2 hours 15 minutesFree Cancellation

Get an in-depth perspective on Edinburgh on this guided tour that goes deeper than most. Usually led by a guide with a PhD in Scottish history, this tour offers a journey through Edinburgh’s medieval Old Town from the main thoroughfares to the hidden closes (alleyways) and courtyards. Your guide shares tales of dramatic events in the neighborhood's history, as well as those of the writers, philosophers, and inventors who called the area home.

(1,675)

from $72

Old Town Historical and Underground Tour

Listen to Edinburgh’s grisliest tales on a haunted evening or night-time walking tour. Experience the ghastly histories of monsters, madness, and murder that cast a dark shadow on Scotland’s capital. See where witch trials, pagan rituals, and executions took place, then visit the chilling Old Calton Burial Ground or Canongate Kirkyard cemetery to learn about body-snatching and some of the infamous individuals interred here.

(1,736)

from $27

Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour: Mysteries, Murder and Legends

Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour: Mysteries, Murder and Legends

The Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour

(3,902)

from $33

Tourists enjoying the show during the tour

Ideal for kids, this walking tour of some of the most important places in Edinburg to do with the writing of Harry Potter takes in the history of Edinburgh and the lore behind one of the most famous wizarding worlds ever created. Learn where inspiration was taken to build the Harry Potter franchise, and see where the original books were written—in local cafes dotted around the city. As well as Harry Potter sites, visit Edinburgh Castle, Greyfriars graveyard, and local churches and monuments.

4.6

(492)

from $34

Edinburgh's Amazing Harry Potter Walking Tour - Kids Free!

Edinburgh's Amazing Harry Potter Walking Tour - Kids Free!

Edinburgh: Witches & Haunted History Walking Tour

(268)

from $20

1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutesFree Cancellation

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!

(664)

from $24

Walk Dean Village, New Town & Royal Botanics

Walk Dean Village, New Town & Royal Botanics

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Step into Scotland's most iconic fortress with a true Scotsman dressed in a traditional kilt. With so many tour options at Edinburgh Castle, it's difficult to know which offer the most authentic insight. This experience delivers genuine Scottish storytelling from a local who shares centuries of royal drama, bloody battles, and castle secrets while exploring the Crown Jewels, St. Margaret's Chapel, and more.

(20)

from $31

Edinburgh Castle Tickets & Tour - Local Expert Guide In a Kilt

Edinburgh Castle Tickets & Tour - Local Expert Guide In a Kilt

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 St. Giles’ Cathedral, Grassmarket, and Greyfriars Kirkyard. Get the chance to ask questions in a small-group setting and find out what makes this ancient city tick.

5.0

(442)

from $57

Royal Mile and Old Town Walking Tour

3 hoursFree Cancellation

Conquer Edinburgh’s most iconic peaks on an intimate, small-group walking tour away from the crowds. Led by an expert local guide packed with fascinating folklore, this journey ensures a deeply personal experience. Your adventure begins at Calton Hill to marvel at famous national monuments and snap picture-perfect photos of the skyline. Next, pass the majestic Holyrood Palace before entering the wild expanse of Holyrood Park. Escape standard paths for our peaceful, scenic trail up the 251-metre summit of Arthur’s Seat. At the peak, enjoy breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views across the city and countryside. Your leisurely descent winds through hidden historic sites and vibrant local wildlife habitats, ensuring you see sides of the city most tourists completely miss. Perfect for individuals, families, and groups of all ages, this gentle-paced walk features plenty of rest stops. Book today to explore Edinburgh like a true insider!

(1,619)

from $48

Hike Arthur's Seat and Calton Hill

3 hoursFree Cancellation

5.0

(17)

from $35

Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket

A trip to the capital of Scotland isn't complete without a tour of Edinburgh Castle. Follow your guide through the grounds and hear tales of the castle's royal residents—including Mary Queen of Scots—and learn more about the rich history of the building. After your tour ends, there's plenty of free time explore the castle's interior and the rest of the grounds, which includes three museums, two prisons, a canine cemetery, the Chapel of Saint Margaret, the National Monument to the fallen of Scotland, the Great Hall, and a Royal Palace.

Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket

Skip the guesswork of exploring Edinburgh on your own with a private walking tour led by a local guide. Discover the city’s past and present through its royal history and memorable characters—some of whom inspired well-known books and stories—while visiting highlights on and off the Royal Mile, including the area around Greyfriars Kirk. Along the way, get personalized recommendations on where to eat and drink, and enjoy a relaxed pace with one-on-one attention tailored to couples, families, and small groups.

(6,148)

from $53

Edinburgh Private Walking Tour

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

5.0

(92)

from $102

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Top Attractions in Edinburgh

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Attractions

What are people saying about Edinburgh

Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle - Small Group Walking Tour

Diane_H, Jun 2026

Excellent tour of both the Royal Mile AND Castle!

A spectacular tour! The one tour you must do!! Perfect history lesson of Edinburgh and Scotland, not overwhelming, easy to follow and Calam tells it with a good mix of humor and passion. We spent most of the time on the Royal Mile and a perfect small amount on/ inside the castle! Perfect stops to rest. Gave good instructions where to watch your step and how to follow him so we didn’t lose him in the crowd. Headphones to hear his narration was fabulous!!

Edinburgh Castle & Royal Mile Walking Tour - Ticket Included

kwilsonnj, Jun 2026

The sites we saw on the...

The sites we saw on the tour were fabulous! The amount of time allocated for the tour worked out very well. The castle was exceptional. Our tour guide, Mark C. had an encyclopedic knowledge about the area and the castle. He was very friendly and had an engaging personality.

City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Kids Go Free

Christopher_M, Jun 2026

A Must Try!

We enjoy taking a sightseeing bus in just about every city we visit. We get on and do a full loop then stay on to return to the places we want to explore. The Edinburgh Bus Tour hits all of the most popular/must see and you decide when and where to hop on/hop off. There were three routes to choose from. We took the red and blue headset line and passed on the green route with live guide. It can be a few hour or all day. The drivers were exceptional, navigating us around safely even in the tightest quarters. Enjoy!

Edinburgh Castle Guided Walking Tour - Entry Tickets included

Natalie_K, Jun 2026

Wonderful tour.

Excellent tour and just long enough to learn of everything before you go exploring. Our guide was fantastic and funny! Interesting fun fact, the castle produces its own whiskey and you get to sample some. I’m not a whiskey drinker - I left with 3 bottles! Only manufactured and sold at the castle. The tour is about an hour and a half which is ideal. It’s definitely worth going for the afternoon to explore.

Edinburgh: History Lovers Old Town Walking Tour

Anca_O, Jun 2026

A Fantastic Way to Discover Edinburgh!

We did the two-hour walking tour in the afternoon, and honestly, we could have kept going for another couple of hours! We love history and discovering the hidden stories and legends behind a city, and Kieran was the perfect guide for that. He shared lots of fascinating stories about Edinburgh and pointed out things we would never have noticed on our own. His sense of humor made the tour both entertaining and engaging, so we learned a lot while having some laughs along the way. As Outlander and Harry Potter fans, we also enjoyed hearing about Edinburgh's connections to both worlds, as well as learning about other movies and TV series that were inspired by the city. It made the tour even more interesting for us. We had a short time in Edinburgh, and this tour was the perfect way to get to know the city beyond simply walking around its beautiful streets. Edinburgh is such a beautiful and magical place, and you can really feel that atmosphere as you explore it. We had a fantastic time and would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting the city. Don't hesitate to book it—you won't regret it!

Original Harry Potter Locations Tour in Edinburgh : Guided Tour

StaceyR_W, Jun 2026

Inspirations for JKR’s wizarding world

Kevlin was a Great guide (unemployed actor) who knew his HP stuff and knew his way around the city. We started with sorting hat which put us into house teams. We earned points along the way for trivia answers. Of course we walked through the typical spots (Greyfriars Kirkyard-headstones were JKR inspirations, Diagon Alley—where he pointed out several store fronts and cafes where JKR wrote, George Heriot School aka Hogwarts, etc) and finished with JKR handprints. A lot of fun andpaced just right. Kevlin gave us several pointers along the way so we could enjoy even more of Edinburgh later that day. At his suggestion we finished the night at Dept Of Magic where we mixed our own magical cocktail brews.

Old Town Walking Tour History and Tales in Edinburgh

Allen_E, May 2026

Koffe was amazing! Definitely worth requesting.

This was a great tour! Super informative with hidden fun facts about Edinburgh… but the highlight by far was out tour guide Koffe! He was amazing, energetic and passionate. Highly recommend and if you can request him for any tour in Edinburgh, it will be well worth it!

Haunted Vaults and Graveyard Walking Tour in Edinburgh

breighz, May 2026

Book this for a great tour of Greyfriar’s cemetery and the vaults!

Darren was a fantastic tour guide!! Great historian and storyteller. The time flew by, and this is a historical tour that tells you a lot of Scotland’s history. But, it also weaves in stories of those who have had different encounters with spirits and such. So fun!! The vaults should not be missed!

The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour

Dennis_O, May 2026

Our underground ghost...

Our underground ghost tour in Edinburgh was easily one of the highlights of our trip.Walking through the subterranean vaults beneath South Bridge felt like stepping back in time. The atmosphere down there is incredibly intense—it is pitch-black, chilly, damp, and genuinely unsettling even before the stories start.Our guide Cassandra was fantastic. They were the perfect mix of theatrical storyteller and historian, blending dark humor with grim facts about Edinburgh’s history of plague, body-snatchers, and extreme poverty. It felt much more authentic than a cheap "jump scare" house; the fear comes from the history and the oppressive silence of the stone rooms. Cassandra was great!

Edinburgh's Amazing Harry Potter Walking Tour - Kids Free!

Gina_S, May 2026

Wonderful tour for Harry Potter fans

This tour covered many interesting facts about the development of the Harry Potter series. Though there is no actual filming site in Edinburgh, it’s very interesting to see the areas that may have been used as inspiration for the books. Kirsty was an excellent guide for our Harry Potter walking tour. She not only knew the tour information , she was also a Harry Potter fan! This made the tour so much more fun. I would recommend to all but we warned it is quite a walk!

Best of Edinburgh: Small Group Walking Tour (Max 10, 3 Hours)

Nance_G, May 2026

Edinburgh Walking Tour

James is an excellent tour guide with extensive knowledge of Edinburgh history. Once he learned of my physical limitations, he was able to curate a tour that would accommodate me. We visited several spots that were off the beaten path and thoroughly enjoyed hearing about the everyday life of Edinburgh’s citizens throughout the ages. I would highly recommend this tour with James.