The 15 Best Ghost & Underground Vault Tours in Edinburgh

1.The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 9,272 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $26Our pick

Walk Edinburgh’s Old Town after dark, visit Greyfriars Kirkyard, and descend into South Bridge vaults on a 75-minute tour. Guides such as David, Maggie Dickinson, Fred Knox, and the Fairy Wife use history, humor, and ghost stories to bring the city’s darker past to life. The 6:45pm departure is the best fit for families.

“great storyteller. Lafayette enjoys his work made the tour into a game too. I think a few more stops should be added to it.”

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2.Underground Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh Old Town

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 8,506 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $33

Join an English-speaking guide in Edinburgh’s Old Town for a one-hour walk beneath South Bridge. You’ll hear why the vaults were built, how criminals and homeless residents used them, and stories of hauntings and witchcraft. Guides such as Joshua, Louisa, James, Kieran, and Aimee are praised for bringing the dark tales to life.

“The tour of the vaults was very interesting. Our tour guide Joshua was very knowledgeable and engaging. He kept the attention of everyone and was very nice.”

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3.Ghost Bus Tour of Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,761 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $24

Ride a vintage Routemaster through Edinburgh after dark with an entertaining guide such as Tommy Terror or Sinead O'Horror. Hear grim tales of Burke and Hare, witch hunts, executions, and Maggie Dickson while passing Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Greyfriars, Grassmarket, and Holyroodhouse. Expect theatrical fun, English commentary, and a one-hour route.

“We had a lot of fun. The performance was fantastic and Tommy Terror was the best storyteller. The smoke, the videos, and the interaction with all of the passengers made this ride extra spooky fun!”

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4.Haunted Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,183 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $33Top rated

Meet your guide on the Royal Mile for a short history walk before heading below street level into Edinburgh’s vaults. You’ll see a torture display, hear about the vaults’ changing uses, and listen to unsettling stories of death and paranormal activity. Guides including James, Louisa, Dom, Aimee, and Brendan are praised for lively storytelling. Expect stairs, tight spaces, and mature subject matter.

“Really enjoyed the tour Dom was amazing and we really enjoyed it! We took our 10 year old daughter and he kept checking in she was ok thanks Dom”

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5.Haunted Vaults and Graveyard Walking Tour in Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,702 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $36

Walk Edinburgh after dark with guides such as James, Diva, Jordan, Darren, or Brendan, visiting Greyfriars Graveyard and the South Bridge vaults. Expect a 90-minute English tour filled with burial customs, grim city history, ghost stories, and paranormal tales. The vaults involve stairs, damp air, and a low entrance.

“A nice walk through the graveyard and vaults. Tour guide very informative and made the tour fun but I expected a more themed about ghosts etc but that was my fault for not looking closely enough at the detail”

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6.Multi-Sensory Haunted Underground Vaults Tour in Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,649 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $37

Follow a cloaked Mercat Tours guide from Mercat Cross through Edinburgh’s Old Town, hearing tales of murder, torture, and body snatching before entering the Blair Street Underground Vaults. The 75-minute tour combines real history, dramatic storytelling, and sensory moments, with groups capped at 18 people.

“Fantastic! Must do. Creepy to say the least. Steph was our guide and she was fantastic. They end the tour in the vaults, it is spooky down there. For a non believer, I ended up believing in those moments. My son did get scared, but Steph was so kind and gentle and gave him a flashlight to “protect” himself from any presence. Definitely a must do!”

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7.Extreme Paranormal Underground Ghost Tour in Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,587 reviews · 1 hour 20 minutes (approx.) · from $29

This 80-minute Edinburgh night tour takes you from 124 High Street through Old Town lanes to Greyfriars Kirkyard and the South Bridge vaults. Costumed guides such as David Rizzio, Lafayette, Dr Knox, and Raticus mix dark history, ghost tales, humor, and theatrical character work. It starts at 9:15 pm, is limited to ages 18 and over, and ends at the meeting point.

“This was very interesting and the tour guide made the experience even spookier. A great tour of the city.”

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8.Old Town Historical and Underground Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,574 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $27

Walk Edinburgh’s Old Town with guides such as Holly, Chihon, Emily, and James, then descend into the Niddry Wynd and South Bridge vaults. Expect Scottish history, local stories, Canongate Kirkyard, and plenty of time for questions. The group is capped at six, but bring sturdy shoes for stairs and uneven ground.

“Holly was amazing! Funny, engaging, and extremely knowledgeable. Honestly, wish it could’ve lasted longer!”

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9.Multi-Sensory Small-Group Historic Vaults Tour in Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,384 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $37

Meet your English-speaking storyteller at Mercat Cross, walk through Old Town closes, then enter the Blair Street Underground Vaults beneath South Bridge. Guides such as Linda, Veni, Nicola, and Charles bring the chambers to life with stories of workshops, taverns, poverty, and crime. The tour ends at the Vaults Museum.

“Our tour guide Margaret-Ann is very welcoming and knowledgeable about the vaults history, her passion for the subject clearly shines through. The tour was interactive and interesting, I would definitely recommend it. The meeting place is also very clearly marked and easy to find.”

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10.Edinburgh Ghost Tour: Mysteries, Legends and Murders

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 762 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $22

Walk from 351 High Street along Edinburgh’s Royal Mile to Canongate, hearing tales of cramped closes, graveyards, witches, corpses, and Burke and Hare. Guides such as Jen, Sonia, Gavin, and Joe bring the stories to life with humor and detail. Expect hills, steps, outdoor conditions, and a historical tour with a ghostly title.

“Joe was a great tour guide, he was a local and had lots of great stories and tales to tell from years gone by.”

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11.Witches & Haunted History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 632 reviews · 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $24

Follow a costumed storytelling guide such as Juniper, Hazel, or Angelica from St Giles’ Cathedral to Grassmarket. In about 70 minutes, you’ll hear about Scottish witch trials, Mary Queen of Scots, North Berwick witches, Edinburgh’s execution ground, and the women and men caught in fear and superstition. Expect cobbles, steep lanes, outdoor storytelling, and a lively English-speaking guide.

“Witch Hazel was a pure delight! This is one of the best historical tours I have ever been on. She took a somber topic and treated it with reverence and respect, while also adding a touch of levity, magic, and mystery. She was such a fantastic guide. And we lucked out with the weather. This was a treat for my birthday and I can’t think of a better way to have spent my afternoon.”

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12.Small Group Ghost Tour incl. Underground Vaults & free drink in Megget’s Cellar

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 608 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $43

Follow a cloaked storyteller from Mercat Cross through Edinburgh’s medieval closes and into the Blair Street Underground Vaults. Hear tales of crime, witchcraft, and restless spirits, then finish with a Scotch dram, local beer, or soft drink in candlelit Megget’s Cellar. Groups are limited to 18, with guides including Sarah, Steph, Jack, Michael, and Jade.

“Our caddy, Steph, was awesome. She shared so much great information and history...and did it with a lot of flair. While the underground area did give us the creeps, it wasn't too scary for kids. It wasn't too long or too short...and kicked off our first night in Edinburgh in a great way.”

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13.Small Group Edinburgh Underground Vaults & Graveyard Ghost Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 454 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $43

Descend beneath Edinburgh’s Blair Street to hear tales of body snatchers, cannibals, witches, and restless spirits, then walk to Canongate Kirkyard. Costumed guides such as Shannon, Sarah, and Michael use theatrical storytelling to bring the city’s darker past to life. Expect a 1-hour-45-minute walk, uneven ground, cold vaults, and outdoor time.

“Our guide Jason gave a great tour. He was very theatrical and very knowledgable of the history of the area. It was a beautiful evening as well. The meeting spot was very easy to find. We enjoyed the underground part the most. In my one photo we can see a person, with people surrounding her. This was supposedly in the room with a female spirit. Spooky and a fun time for all!”

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14.90min Underground Whisky Tasting in Edinburgh’s Old Town

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 350 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $55

Meet at John’s Coffee House & Tavern for a 90-minute whisky tasting in The Lost Close, an underground Old Town venue. A guide such as Mark, Dan, Haley, or Eleanor explains whisky making, regional styles, and tasting technique while you sample four drams. Intermediate and high-end options are also available.

“Great setting, patter & whiskey tasting for a beginner. 4 interesting whiskeys from different regions tried and explained”

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15.Underground City of the Dead Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 272 reviews · 1 hour 20 minutes (approx.) · from $27

Head below Edinburgh’s streets into the South Bridge Vaults and Damnation Alley, where your English-speaking guide explains the grim lives once lived here and the legend of the South Bridge Entity. Guides have included Ben, Beth, Rebecca, Lloyd, and Heather. Tours run by day or night, with groups capped at five.

“Heather , very good , great information about the vaults , some very good facts about the city that would never have known”

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