What’s the best way to experience Edinburgh Old Town?

There are plenty of ways to experience Edinburgh Old Town. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:<ul><li><a href="/tours/Edinburgh/Famous-Underground-Ghost-Tour/d739-36194P8" class="markdown_inline_link" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour</a></li><li><a href="/tours/Edinburgh/Underground-Walking-Tour-in-Edinburgh/d739-8752P1" class="markdown_inline_link" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Underground Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh Old Town</a></li><li><a href="/tours/Edinburgh/Edinburgh-Darkside-Haunted-Walking-Tour-Mysteries-Murder-and-Legends/d739-6785EDGHOST" class="markdown_inline_link" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour: Mysteries, Murder, and Legends</a></li><li><a href="/tours/Edinburgh/Free-Walking-Tour/d739-69714P7" class="markdown_inline_link" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Old Town Walking Tour History and Tales in Edinburgh</a></li><li><a href="/tours/Edinburgh/Ghostly-Underground-Vaults-History-Tour-in-Edinburgh/d739-2934P17" class="markdown_inline_link" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Multi-Sensory Haunted Underground Vaults Tour in Edinburgh</a></li></ul>

How much does it cost to visit Edinburgh Old Town in 2025?

While it's free to visit Edinburgh on your own, there are plenty of affordable tours that can help you learn more about the neighborhoods in the company of an expert guide—and have some fun along the way. Walking tours start at $22; and hop-on hop-off bus tours start at $36.

What is the duration of a typical tour in Edinburgh Old Town?

The duration of a tour of Edinburgh Old Town depends upon which tour you choose. Typically tours are between one and two hours long, though some might take longer. More specialized tours, such as those focused on food and drink, or private tours, can last from three to four hours.

Do I need to book tickets in advance for Edinburgh Old Town tours?

You don’t necessarily need to book tickets in advance for Edinburgh Old Town tours. However, for your own peace of mind, it is advisable to book your tickets as far in advance as possible, especially during the busy summer season when some of Edinburgh’s most popular tours are likely to fill up.

What are the must-see attractions in Edinburgh Old Town?

A list of the must-see attractions in Edinburgh Old Town would include the historic Royal Mile, which runs through the Old Town from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse; St. Giles’ Cathedral, which is known for its stunning Gothic architecture; and the modern Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood.

Are there any themed tours available, such as ghost tours or historical tours?

Yes, many themed tours of Edinburgh Old Town are available, including ghost tours and historical tours. This is a place with a long—and often grisly—history, so ghost tours are very popular, especially those that take you underground into the vaults. History-focused tours reveal the events and people who shaped the Old Town.

Edinburgh Old Town Tours and Tickets

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Old Town Walking Tour History and Tales in Edinburgh

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.

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Old Town Walking Tour History and Tales in Edinburgh

2 hoursFree Cancellation

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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.

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Underground Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh Old Town

1 hourFree Cancellation

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Discover the historical and cultural wonders of Scotland that lie hidden within Old Town Edinburgh on this 2-hour journey. Your personable guide will lead you through time as they share stories about illustrious citizens and infamous residents while taking in iconic landmarks such as The Royal Mile, Mercat Cross, St Giles Cathedral (outside), Greyfriar's Kirkyard, and Calton Hill—all sure to provide a captivating insight into the history of this beloved city. This is an unmissable introduction to understanding more about Scotland.

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Edinburgh - Old Town Stories

2 hoursFree Cancellation

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Edinburgh: History Lovers Old Town Walking Tour

2 hoursFree Cancellation

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Delve into Edinburgh’s horrific history on this evening ghost bus tour. With your spooky local guide, visit the city’s most terrifying locations, haunted by infamy and restless spirits! From your seat in a double-decker vintage bus, gaze at eerie sites such as Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh Castle, Grassmarket, and the Royal Mile. Throughout the trip, hear anecdotes and facts about Edinburgh’s chilling past, replete with bloody executions, unspeakable tortures, and murder.

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Ghost Bus Tour of Edinburgh

1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutesFree Cancellation

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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.

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Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle - Small Group Walking Tour

2 hours 15 minutesFree Cancellation

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They will be driven by the dark past of Edinburgh and its surroundings including the most enchanted cemetery in the world. The tour will end with a visit in our underground vaults. Your guide will delight you with horrifying stories of ghosts, torture, witchcraft, executions with a little humor from time to time. Enjoy our underground vaults, where you can see strangers walking upstairs. This is possible thanks to our specially equipped window. This tour is suitable for families, children over five years old and brave adults under 100 years old.

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Edinburgh and Underground Spanish Ghost Tour

1 hour 15 minutesFree Cancellation

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The Original Edinburgh Pub Crawl: 7 Bars!

4 to 6 hoursFree Cancellation

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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.

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The Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour

2 hoursFree Cancellation

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Edinburgh Premium Food and Drink Tour with EatWalk Tours

3 hoursFree Cancellation

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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.

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Edinburgh Darkside Ghost Tour of Mysteries and Murder and Legends

2 hoursFree Cancellation

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Edinburgh boasts a unique brewing heritage that’s often overshadowed by Scotland’s whiskies. This small-group tour throws the spotlight on the capital’s now-resurgent beer scene, with visits to several top pubs and beer bars. Stroll the Royal Mile and discover Old Town highlights as you learn how Edinburgh was once the world’s leading bottled beer exporter. As you go, stop for a range of tastings, and learn the stories behind each brew.

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Edinburgh: Pubs & History Walking Tour with Beer Tasting

2 hoursFree Cancellation

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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!

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Harry Potter Tour and Edinburgh Castle Visit

4 hoursFree Cancellation

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The Edinburgh's Harry Potter Walking Tour

2 hoursFree Cancellation

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Terror Walking Tour in Edinburgh

1 hour 15 minutesFree Cancellation

Special Offer

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.

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Big Bus Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off City and Britannia Bus Tour

1 hour 10 minutesFree Cancellation

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Pub Crawl in Edinburgh

6 hoursFree Cancellation

Special Offer

Romantic Photoshoot Experience for Couples in Edinburgh

15 minutesFree Cancellation

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The Blair Street Vaults shouldn’t be missed when visiting Edinburgh—especially for fans of the spooky and macabre. But independent visits aren’t allowed, so you’ll need to a guide to gain access to this restricted underground area. On this ghoulish walking tour, descend into the darkened depths of the vaults and hear vivid retellings of torture, murder, and body snatching from your guide.

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Multi-Sensory Haunted Underground Vaults Tour in Edinburgh

1 hour 15 minutesFree Cancellation

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Scotch Tour Edinburgh with a Local Expert: Private & 100% Personalized

3 hoursFree Cancellation

Price varies by group size

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Multi-Sensory Small Group Historic Old Town Walking Tour

Edinburgh’s Master Storytellers, Mercat Tours, are redefining the walking tour, promising to enrich and deepen your connection with Edinburgh’s people and its past far beyond your visit. Take the Story Home: evoke the memories: - Listen to the tour playlist Step into Edinburgh’s secrets and discover the heart of Scotland’s capital, beyond the reach of tour buses and guidebooks. A beautiful city steeped in awe-inspiring history that has been perfectly preserved to this day, in the wynds, closes, courtyards and homes of Edinburgh’s Old Town. Take a journey through time, as you explore the lives of Edinburgh residents from generations past and gone – from historical figures like Mary Queen of Scots, to the everyday folk who never left the city’s walls their entire lives. With every step along the Royal Mile, echoes of the past surround you — stories of royalty, rebellion and culture brought vividly to life by our masterful Storytellers, and historic evidence that still stands today.

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Multi-Sensory Small Group Historic Old Town Walking Tour

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

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Edinburgh Private Full Day Guided Tour

5 to 8 hoursFree Cancellation

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Journey through the remarkable stories of Edinburgh on this 1.5-hour private walking tour with an expert local guide. Uncover tales both well-known and obscure, spanning volcanoes to executions. Your dedicated guide brings alive characters ranging from warriors to kings that have shaped the present of this vibrant metropolis, undeniably steeped in its unique heritage. Discover more about these colorful individuals who have called Edinburgh home throughout time on this fascinating adventure into Scotland's capital city.

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Edinburgh: The People's Story - Private Walking Tour

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

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Delve into the city's storied past as you navigate its labyrinthine streets, guided by a fountain of historical knowledge. Along The Royal Mile, pass by landmarks like Mercat Cross and St Giles Cathedral, delving into the city's origins and the reverberations of the Reformation. Explore the Writers' Museum, housed within a venerable edifice, to unravel the tales of Scotland's literary luminaries. Behold the majestic Edinburgh Castle, steeped in centuries of history, and traverse the once macabre grounds of Grassmarket, now a testament to the Covenanters' fight for religious freedom. Journey to Greyfriars Kirkyard, where the gates of Covenanters Prison stand witness to the city's dark past of body snatching, before being uplifted by the heartwarming saga of Greyfriars Bobby. Conclude your odyssey at Calton Hill, basking in panoramic vistas that crown your immersion into the cultural tapestry of Old Town Edinburgh.

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Edinburgh Must-See Attractions Walking Tour With A Guide

3 hoursFree Cancellation

Price varies by group size

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What are people saying about Edinburgh Old Town

Old Town Walking Tour History and Tales in Edinburgh

Cora_K, Oct 2026

Sonia was amazing

Sonia gave an amazing tour. She was hilarious and gave great historical insight. Couldn’t have asked for a better tour to start our Edinburgh trip!

Edinburgh: History Lovers Old Town Walking Tour

Vedran_M, Oct 2026

Great tour guide to a great city

Out tour guide Wag is very knowledgeable and well spoken. He was a joy to listen to. I highly recommend this tour!

Edinburgh: History Lovers Old Town Walking Tour

Lesley_P, Oct 2026

Stuart was an extremely...

Stuart was an extremely personable guy and made our tour really interesting and fun. Gained so much information about buildings we’ve passed so many times and not looked at. A great couple of hours well spent.

Old Town Walking Tour History and Tales in Edinburgh

Nick_p, Oct 2026

Edinburgh overview

Spectacular. Koffe was incredibly knowledgeable, engaged and funny. We would do the tour again- we asked him if he was going to do our Royal Mike tour- unfortunately not.