Top Activities on the Ground in Edinburgh

The Best Way to Discover Edinburgh: Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Tour. Play, learn, and walk! Explore at your own pace with a 100% self-guided activity. Start anytime (24/7) with no guides or schedules. Pause for a dram of whisky in a historic Royal Mile pub or a photo at a scenic viewpoint and resume whenever you're ready—even the next day. This unique team-building activity is perfect for couples, families, and groups. The "Complete City" Package - Everything you need in one app: Interactive Game: Solve puzzles and discover 10+ major attractions, plus hidden gems revealed along the way. Learn the history/legends of each site. Insider Tips: Access hand-picked local restaurant and shop recommendations. What you will visit: Scott Monument, Royal Scottish Academy, Esplanade, Edinburgh Castle, The Hub, Grassmarket, Greyfriars, St Giles, Canongate Kirk, Burns Monument, and Calton Hill.

Visit a bespoke whisky lounge right in the heart of Edinburgh for a journey through Scotland's past. Savor single malt whiskies from several esteemed distilleries to uncover the secrets of Scotch whisky-making, and experience the great Scottish tradition of storytelling on this tasting tour.

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.

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.

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.

See the famous Hairy Cows in their natural environment in Edinburgh. They can be difficult to find on the hill, so choose this guided experience to make this easier. 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 hike takes us up 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. 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.

Discover Edinburgh like never before with the Secrets of Edinburgh City Game, a fun self-guided walking tour and city game packed with puzzles, riddles and hidden stories! This GPS-based exploration game lets you experience Edinburgh while exploring famous spots such as the Grassmarket, Greyfriars Kirkyard, Victoria Street, Deacon Brodie’s Tavern, the Scotch Whisky Experience, the Elephant House and the Last Drop. Play solo for a personal challenge or together with friends, family or colleagues. During the game you solve tricky questions, puzzles, riddles and creative photo tasks to score points, unlock extra clues and solve the final mystery. Pause whenever you want and continue later at your own pace. Compete for a place on the leaderboard or play competitively for team building, making this scavenger hunt and walking tour through Edinburgh perfect for every type of explorer.

Discover Edinburgh at your own pace with a flexible treasure hunt around the city. Follow cryptic clues and maps sent to your phone via a WhatsApp-style interface that requires no downloads or printing. Uncover hidden gems and interesting stories while you explore. Turn it into an exciting pub crawl if you like. By the end of this adventure, you'll have an overview of all that Edinburgh has to offer.

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.

Listen to Edinburgh’s grisliest tales on a haunted evening 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 and Canongate Kirkyard to learn about body-snatching and some of the infamous individuals interred here.

Edinburgh built a castle on a volcano and a city around it — this tour connects the old stones to the stories behind them. This app-led scavenger hunt takes you through Edinburgh on foot, using phone-based riddles to guide you from one landmark to the next. No guide, no fixed start time. • Follow clues along the Royal Mile past Edinburgh Castle and John Knox House, finishing at the Palace of Holyroodhouse — nearly a thousand years of Scottish history on one walk • Set off whenever you're ready and go at whatever speed suits the weather (it's Edinburgh, plan for variety) • Riddles, photo tasks, and a group leaderboard make this a great day out for families, couples, and groups Available in 24 languages including English, French, German, Spanish, Italian — see the full list when booking and choose yours when you start the game in the app. Around 2 hours - any group size. Spot a ghost, solve a riddle, or just blame the weather — Edinburgh always delivers.

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.

Explore Edinburgh by electric bike on a small-group guided tour combining the city's historic centre with its beautiful coastline. Ride through the historic Old Town and Grassmarket, take in Edinburgh's famous landmarks and views, then leave the city centre behind as we head towards Newhaven Harbour and Portobello Beach. Our electric bikes make Edinburgh's hills easier, allowing you to cover much more of the city than you could on foot while still enjoying the fun and freedom of cycling. With a maximum of just 8 customers per guide, our tours are personal, relaxed and friendly, with plenty of opportunities to stop for photographs and hear the stories behind Edinburgh. Whether you're visiting Edinburgh for the first time or want to discover a different side of the city, this is a great way to experience Edinburgh's history, scenery and coastline in one tour.

WHY CHOOSE US? More than an audio tour - your complete Edinburgh city guide in one app. Some audio tours cost a little less. With CityAppTour, you simply get more: 37 richly detailed stories, audio & written text, photos, spoken navigation, practical city information and carefully selected local tips. Follow our 4.8 km route through Edinburgh's dramatic historic centre and discover the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, Greyfriars Kirkyard, medieval closes and stories of kings, writers, body snatchers and Scottish intrigue. Our stories go beyond short facts, giving you the background, details and context that bring Edinburgh to life. - 37 richly detailed stories in audio & text - Spoken navigation between stops - Photos, city info & food and drink tips - Works offline - Yours to keep - the tour never expires - Explore at your own pace More stories. More information. More freedom.

Begin your exhilarating ebike tour at King's Stables Road. Glide effortlessly into the vibrant Grassmarket, a historic marketplace buzzing with cafés and street performers. Pedal along the atmospheric Cowgate, weaving through the medieval Old Town's narrow closes and towering tenements that whisper centuries of stories. Climb gently toward the striking Scottish Parliament buildings at Holyrood — a bold architectural contrast to the ancient surroundings. From there, conquer the iconic ascent to Arthur’s Seat, where sweeping 360° views over the city, Firth of Forth, and distant hills reward your effort. The ebike makes the steep paths enjoyable rather than exhausting. Descend into the leafy Meadows, a peaceful green oasis popular with locals for picnics and walks. Circle back via George Street, before before visiting Princes Street Garden and returning to King's Stables Road.

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.

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.

This hike takes you out and immerses you in nature but still within close distance of the city. You get a taste of what it's like to hike in the Highlands without having to travel so far. You'll learn a bit about plants, animals, and geology, as well as some history and culture of the area. We might even see the local Highland cows! As well as learning new things, you'll get a great workout, some fresh air, and a break from the crowds in the city. I'm a fully qualified professional hiking guide and a landscape photographer leading tours and outings across Scotland. I'm outdoor first aid certified and ensure that everyone is able to do the hike safely and comfortably. I have a background in environment and sustainability, so I can also tell you about conservation and wildlife initiatives in Scotland as well as biodiversity and land management issues. I always try to reduce our impact and we follow Leave No Trace principles.

Edinburgh becomes the crime scene in this self-guided detective game, where the clues are hidden in plain sight in the streets around you. The case is the murder of Balthasar, and the evidence is scattered across the old centre - past National Records of Scotland, Old College, the Scottish National Gallery and McEwan Hall. You decode messages, photograph what does not add up and press digital witnesses whose stories never quite line up. Every puzzle you crack removes a name from the list of suspects. Play as a couple, bring the children along, or send two or three teams out at the same time and turn the investigation into a race - which is what makes this murder mystery game work as well for a team outing as for a day out. The last answer is waiting somewhere in the centre of Edinburgh.

Turning Edinburgh Into an Adventure Playground! Get a unique perspective of New Town on this self-guided, interactive treasure hunt. It's the best way to explore the city! On your adventure, unlock a hidden trail by finding clues, solving puzzles and completing challenges, earning points along the way. During your Quest you will not only discover the city's highlights but explore hidden gems, learn some fun facts about the places you visit and see things that most people just pass by. As the activity is all self-guided through the app, you can start your Quest when you want (must be played during daylight hours), there are no set starting/ending times. No groups to follow. You can go at your own pace, stopping for longer in one location, taking a break or having a snack in one of the many cafes and pubs along the trail OR you can make it a race and try to get to the top of the city leaderboard! Instant acess with nothing to print from home. Will you conquer the Quest?

First and foremost, traveling in our spacious executive cars ensures a comfortable and luxurious journey for you and your group. Our vehicles are designed with your comfort in mind, featuring up to 8 passenger seats. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenic landscapes as you embark on your Highland adventure. You have the freedom to explore at your own pace and make impromptu stops at any breathtaking viewpoint or charming village that catches your eye. This level of flexibility is especially valuable in the Highlands, where there are countless hidden gems to discover off the beaten path. Let us take care of the logistics while you focus on immersing yourself in the beauty of this awe-inspiring region. Book Highland tour with us and embark on an extraordinary adventure that will leave you with memories to treasure for a lifetime. Option to include a whiskey tour or tasting, or gin tasting at an additional cost.

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), 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.

Set off on an exciting adventure along Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, where history and mystery come together. Solve engaging clues, answer fun questions, and uncover stories from the city’s past. Journey from the iconic Edinburgh Castle to the lively Princes Street Gardens, taking in the sights along the way. Climb a few steps, capture memorable photos, and explore hidden corners tucked throughout the city. This experience blends discovery, challenge, and fun into one unforgettable walk.