Top Edinburgh Half-day Tours

Explore further afield without having to worry about hiring a car or navigating unfamiliar roads on a tour that reveals attractions that lie outside of Edinburgh’s city center. This private tour comes with the flexibility to tweak your route and itinerary to include historic castles and chapel, scenic natural landscapes, or art galleries and antique stores.

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.

With a centuries-long history, the Scottish capital of Edinburgh has lots of different historic, cultural, and architectural hotspots for tourists to discover. Meet your guide at a central location near the Royal Mile and set out on a walk of the city’s storied streets on this half-day small-group walking tour.

Take a unique half day Outlander tour and visit the two most popular film locations - Lallybroch and Hopetoun House , used extensively for Outlander filming . Enter the world of Outlander with a visit to Lallybroch , the ancestral home of Jamie Fraser . Visitors can now go inside Lallybroch for the first time ever. Soon fans will be able to stay in Lallybroch . It’s a fantastic way to walk in the footsteps of Jamie all a short drive from your hotel. Shore excursions available from Edinburgh ports. Hopetoun House and its grounds provided a stunning backdrop for filming locations for Outlander , including the Red Room . The back of the house was used as the Duke of Sandringham’s home (with scenes also filmed in the Red Drawing Room) in season 1. The courtyards provided the backdrop for the Parisian streets of season 2 as well as the Helwater stables in season 3 . The front of the house was Ellesmere Manor in season 3 . Last-minute bookings welcome . Outlander day tour from Edinburgh

Explore the stunning Scottish Highlands on a full-day excursion that includes Glencoe and Loch Ness. Set out from Edinburgh aboard a comfortable coach to experience some of the area's top sights and attractions. Visit Callander, the "Gateway to the Highlands," learn the fascinating history of Glencoe—a village made famous as a setting for movies in the “James Bond” and “Harry Potter” series—and see the world-renowned Loch Ness too.

A haunted jaunt through the historic pubs of Edinburgh’s grassmarket. This walking pub tour will offer a guided insight to the grizzly histories of Edinburgh’s old town in some of the most awe inspiring pubs in the country.

This Edinburgh city sightseeing tour offers a 24-hour hop-on hop-off bus experience with an open-top double-decker bus and audio commentary in multiple languages. Hop on and off at key stops including Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, and the Royal Mile. Buses run every 20 minutes with tickets valid for 24 hours from first use, providing flexible sightseeing at your own pace.

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!

Exploring the Highlands is a must-do when in Scotland but getting around can be tricky. Skip the hassle of navigating public transport or driving on familiar roads by booking this guided tour. From Edinburgh's Loch Ness Discovery Centre, you'll head north to the most important Highland destinations, including Glencoe, Ben Nevis, Great Glen and Loch Ness.

Explore Loch Lomond and Stirling Castle (admission tickets own expense)—and delve into the world of William Wallace, Robert the Bruce, and Rob Roy—on this multi-part tour from Edinburgh that checks off many top sights and experiences. Additionally, head through the Trossachs National Park to the Highland village of Balloch, upgrade for a lake cruise, see the famous Kelpies statues, and more.

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.

Experience some of the best of what Edinburgh, Scotland has to offer in one small group walking tour. Let your tour leader show you around Edinburgh Castle, The Georgian House, and the Scottish National Gallery. See Princes Street Gardens, Heart of Midlothian, Greyfriars Bobby, and more while you learn all about the city’s history, culture, and heritage from your guide.

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.

Escape the city center and discover some of Edinburgh’s most impressive natural landscapes—all of which are within easy reach of the capital—on a private tour that guarantees the undivided attention of your guide. Depending on your fitness level, choose to conquer either challenging peaks or gentle coastal trails.

Get the most out of limited time in Edinburgh with a tour that checks off the city’s royal highlights. Rather than waiting in long ticket lines, enjoy the ultimate stress-free day with Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse tickets included. Also, benefit from having a guide to show you around, as well as an audio guide.

Scotland is renowned for its unique cuisine, but Edinburgh’s foodie hot spots are best explored with a local guide who knows where to find the best bites. On this small-group walking tour, discover the UNESCO-listed Old and New Towns, and sample Scottish classics such as haggis, Neeps and Tatties, Scotch whisky, and afternoon tea. Plus, you'll take away food-focused tips to enhance the rest of your trip.

There are many places to eat and drink in Edinburgh, making planning difficult. On this small-group food and drink tour, you'll explore Scotland's culinary heritage and history with several food stops in the Old and New Towns, including drink tastings that together equal a full meal. Dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.

This tour is a fantastic opportunity to explore some of the most historic and best-preserved areas of green space in the UK. Firstly, this walk will take you to Calton Hill with its historic monuments and spectacular views. Then see Holyrood Palace before entering Holyrood Park, Edinburgh’s finest park with thousands of years of natural and human history. The climb will then begin to the summit of Arthur’s Seat (251m/823ft), using the most relaxed and picturesque route. Be rewarded with stunning panoramic views from the peak across Edinburgh and the surrounding countryside. The descent will take in further historic sites and wildlife prior to concluding the walk. The walk is at a gentle pace and includes plenty of stops to admire the views and historic sites. Perfect for individuals and groups of all ages interested in seeing Edinburgh’s amazing landscape and hearing about its history.

Sample traditional Scottish food and drink on this small-group food tour that covers some well-known Edinburgh restaurants and culinary venues, as well as some that most visitors miss. Skip the tourist traps and chain restaurants and taste both traditional and contemporary takes on Scottish dishes across the city.

Follow the trail of the Romans through ancient Scotland on this full-day tour from Edinburgh. With an expert guide, visit millennia-old Roman ruins such as Hadrian’s Wall, Steel Rigg, and soak up the beauty of Northumberland National Park, the Irthing Valley, and the Southern Uplands. Travel with a small group to historic villages and hear the about Anglo-Scottish wars that once rattled the region. Entrance is included to Vindolanda and Roman Army Museum (Housesteads Roman Fort when Vindolanda is closed).

All tours are private and in the comfort of a 6 seater Mercedes Edinburgh Licensed Taxi with a driver/tour guide and are totally bespoke putting you in control of where we stop and what you want to see! The aim is to introduce you to the simply unmissable beauty of Edinburgh on a 4 hour private tour that visits Edinburgh's iconic attractions and viewpoints and is guaranteed to leave you with a thirst for further exploration of this magnificent World Heritage Site!

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.

Feast your senses on the diverse cuisine of Edinburgh during a private food tour that allows you to tailor your itinerary according to personal tastes. As well as receiving undivided attention from a food-obsessed local host, you’ll discover eateries and restaurants that you may otherwise have missed, and collect food recommendations for the rest of your vacation.