Edinburgh Castle Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Edinburgh Castle. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour With Entry Ticket

• Original Harry Potter Locations Tour in Edinburgh: Guided Tour

• The Mountebank Comedy Walk of Edinburgh

• Royal Mile and Old Town Walking Tour

• Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle - Small Group Walking Tour

Tickets for Edinburgh Castle cost £21.50–£23.50 for adults (ages 16–64), £17–£19 for seniors aged 65 and over, and £13–£14 for children aged 7–15. Kids aged 6 and under go free (but must still have a ticket). There are three family ticket packages, including a 1-parent family option, priced from £42.50 to £80.

Yes, there's no question that Edinburgh Castle is worth visiting. Perched atop Castle Rock, it's towered over the city for almost 1,000 years—but it's more than just a landmark. The fortress walls conceal a palace, a 12th-century chapel, crown jewels, prison vaults, several museums, and more. Castle tours don't enter the interior—the rooms are too small for groups—but can still add invaluable context.

Per one customer who booked the Edinburgh Castle 120-Minute In-Depth Experience with Expert Guide, "This tour was absolutely amazing and worth every penny! Our guide gave local and historical insights, was friendly and happy to answer all of our questions, and gave us recommendations for both inside the castle grounds and Edinburgh in general. The castle and castle grounds are gorgeous and you really just can't top hearing the Scottish accent in any situation!"

Tours of Edinburgh Castle last between 30 minutes and three hours. The exact duration of your tour will depend upon which tour you book. Even if you choose the shortest available tour, allow yourself at least two hours to explore the castle.

Yes, a tour of Edinburgh Castle is worth it. Your tour guide can fill you in on the fascinating history of one of the oldest buildings in Edinburgh and share interesting facts and anecdotes you wouldn't get by exploring the castle alone.

The best time to visit Edinburgh Castle is during the spring and fall, avoiding the months of July and August when the castle and Edinburgh are very crowded. If that's not possible, aim to visit the castle as close to its opening time as possible.

No, parking is not free at Edinburgh Castle. There is no public parking at the castle except for a few places reserved for Blue Badge holders on the Castle Esplanade. The closest public parking is the Castle Terrace NCP parking lot, a 5-minute walk away.

Yes, you can tour inside Edinburgh Castle, including the Great Hall and St. Margaret's Chapel. You can tour the grounds and interiors on your own by purchasing an Edinburgh Castle ticket—the castle's website lists a selection of recommended itineraries—or you can book a guided tour or rent an audio guide.

Yes, you can take pictures inside Edinburgh Castle. However, there are a few areas where photography is not permitted, such as the Crown Room, which holds the Crown Jewels and Stone of Destiny. Areas where photography is forbidden are signposted.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting Edinburgh Castle. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Edinburgh:

• Royal Mile

• Stirling Castle

• Edinburgh Old Town

• St. Giles' Cathedral

• Palace of Holyroodhouse

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Edinburgh.