Scotland · TOURS IN EDINBURGH

The 15 Best Edinburgh Tours & Tickets

186 tours  ·  from $20 a head

Edinburgh rewards an early start and a plan for the evening. Build a first visit out of these 15: the castle and the Mile below it, the vaults under South Bridge, and the Highland runs that leave Waverley Bridge at seven.

The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour - Greyfriars Kirkyard and its famous dog
Ghost and Underground Vault Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Edinburgh

The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour

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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Underground Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh Old Town - Why Edinburgh built the vaults beneath South Bridge
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Underground Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh Old Town

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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Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe and Pitlochry Tour - Loch Lomond, the Trossachs, and Highland stories
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Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe and Pitlochry Tour

3.Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe and Pitlochry Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6,854 reviews · 12 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $67Top rated

Travel from Edinburgh through Loch Lomond, Glencoe, Fort William, Loch Ness, the Cairngorms, and Pitlochry on a 12.5-hour coach tour. Choose a Loch Ness cruise, Urquhart Castle visit, or Deanston whisky stop. Guides such as John, David, Rod, William, and Ryan bring Scottish stories to the long scenic drive.

“We had a great time with Allen! Would definitely request him again for any other Scottish tours that I did. He was very accommodating to my family who gets car sick easily and made sure we could sit at the front. He was also so kind to pull over every chance he got so we could see lots of different sites.”

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Loch Ness & Highlands Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh with Cruise - Glencoe: Scotland at its most dramatic
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Loch Ness & Highlands Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh with Cruise

4.Loch Ness & Highlands Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh with Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6,022 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $84

Ride in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach from Edinburgh through Glencoe and the Highlands to Fort Augustus, where a 50-minute Loch Ness cruise is included. Guides such as Jim, Kenny, Shea, and Andrew are known for lively stories, local music, and practical tips. Expect a full 12-hour day with regular breaks, dramatic views, and lunch at your own cost.

“Great tour, lots of smaller stops leading up to the cruise. Great explanation on the drive up and back. Well organized. David was the best!”

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Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket - Meeting near St Giles Cathedral and walking uphill
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Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket

5.Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5,540 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $51

Meet near St Giles Cathedral for a guided walk to Edinburgh Castle, then spend about 70 minutes hearing stories of Mary Queen of Scots, the Great Hall, and Scotland’s fortress past. The tour stays outdoors, but your ticket lets you enter the palace, museums, prisons, and other buildings afterward.

“It was our first time visiting Edinburgh castle and thanks to our tour guide Joe, we had a wonderful day! We got all the facts in and even had time for a joke. Would definitely recommend to friends that are coming to visit.”

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Edinburgh Castle Guided Walking Tour in English - A guided approach to Edinburgh Castle
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Edinburgh Castle Guided Walking Tour in English

6.Edinburgh Castle Guided Walking Tour in English

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5,214 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $52

Meet Little Fish Tours near Adam Smith’s statue on the Royal Mile, then walk to Edinburgh Castle with a guide such as Koffe, Steph, Greg, or Graeme. Expect about 90 minutes of stories, castle history, dungeons, Crown Jewels, and views. Your guide cannot enter the castle buildings with you, but you can explore them at your own pace afterward.

“Great stories from Scottish History. Wonderful guide. Even explained the expansive views Would do this again. Really enjoyed it”

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Edinburgh: Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe & Fort William - Fort William is the day’s proper lunch break
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Edinburgh: Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe & Fort William

7.Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe & Fort William

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,337 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $62

Leave Edinburgh at 8:00 am for a full Highland day with an English-speaking driver-guide. Stop in Callander, Glencoe, Fort William, Glenfinnan, and Pitlochry, with time for photos, lunch, and Highland scenery. The route is timed around the Jacobite Steam Train, but the train is seasonal and not guaranteed. Guides may include Keith, Scott, Alastair, Brian, or Anthony.

“I greatly recommend this trip to the Glenfinnan Viaduct and Scottish Highlands. We had a lovely time thanks to our driver guide Leon, who tried his best to make us enjoy all the experiences. This is a day trip not to be missed by any Harry Potter fan or enthusiastic of nature.”

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The Chocolatarium Chocolate Tour Experience in Edinburgh - Making your own bar at Cranston Street
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The Chocolatarium Chocolate Tour Experience in Edinburgh

8.The Chocolatarium Chocolate Tour Experience in Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,322 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $44

Spend 90 minutes at The Chocolatarium in Edinburgh’s Old Town learning how cocoa becomes chocolate, tasting more than 30 varieties, and making a bar to take home. Guides such as Coco, Kelly, Bogi, and Hannah lead the session in English. The experience suits adults, families, and chocolate fans aged 6 and up.

“You may think you know a lot about Chocolare ate but Meg will teach you more ! And the samples are great. A grand experience for all ages!”

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Original Harry Potter Locations Tour in Edinburgh : Guided Tour - What the guides add to the experience
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Original Harry Potter Locations Tour in Edinburgh : Guided Tour

9.Original Harry Potter Locations Tour in Edinburgh : Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,236 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $19Best value

Start at the William Chambers Monument and walk about 1.5 miles through Edinburgh with a guide such as Robbie, Jenny, Orla, or Xander. Expect Harry Potter trivia, a house quiz, Rowling-inspired streets, the Tom Riddle grave, a Diagon Alley facade, Edinburgh history, and castle views. The easy two-hour walk ends near the Royal Mile.

“We had 4 adults and 2 young boys. Robbie our tour guide was amazing. Knowledgeable and very friendly. He was very kind and engaging to the boys.”

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Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour: Mysteries, Murder and Legends - Calton Hill brings views and witch-trial stories
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Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour: Mysteries, Murder and Legends

10.Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour: Mysteries, Murder and Legends

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,862 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $29

Follow a local guide from the Royal Mile through shadowed lanes, North Bridge, Calton Hill, and an Edinburgh cemetery. Hear true stories of murder, witch trials, Burke and Hare, David Hume, and hauntings. Guides such as Niamh, G, Brian, James, and Charlie bring different styles, so expect lively storytelling rather than staged scares.

“G was great! He had all kinds of stories of Edinburgh. They ranged from Scary, horror and funny depending on your sense of humor. Highly recommend this tour!”

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Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe & The Highlands - Loch Tulla offers a quick Highland view
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Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe & The Highlands

11.Loch Ness, Glencoe & The Highlands

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,771 reviews · 12 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $62

Spend a full day touring Scotland’s Highlands by air-conditioned coach, with stops at Callander, Glencoe, Fort William, Loch Ness, Pitlochry, and the Commando Monument. Your English-speaking driver-guide, such as Keith, Anthony, Brian, or Ross, adds history, music, humor, and local stories. The optional Loch Ness cruise costs extra.

“Overall a great trip through the Highlands. We made several stops along the way. The guide was flexible on time spent at each location. The bus was comfortable and warm on a chilly day. Some shops were not open along the way but that's part of going in January. The Highland Coos were a great way to end the trip.”

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Scottish Highlands, Loch Ness and Glencoe Day Trip from Edinburgh - The 8:00am departure from central Edinburgh
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Scottish Highlands, Loch Ness and Glencoe Day Trip from Edinburgh

12.Scottish Highlands, Loch Ness and Glencoe Day Trip from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,793 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $74

Leave Edinburgh at 8:00am for a full day through Perthshire, Cairngorms National Park, Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle, and Glencoe. Your English-speaking driver-guide shares Scottish stories from a comfortable coach, with an optional Loch Ness cruise and castle visit for £30 in cash. Expect big views, brief stops, and a long but rewarding day.

“The experience was good but our bus got missed and we went for a trip to st Andrews’s from the same company and the trip was really good especially the our guide Aaron he was so good and friendly”

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Ghost Bus Tour of Edinburgh - The Royal Mile and Old Town stories
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Ghost Bus Tour of Edinburgh

13.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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City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Kids Go Free - Nicolson Square, Chambers Street, and George IV Bridge
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City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Kids Go Free

14.City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Kids Go Free

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,683 reviews · 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.) · from $24

Use a 24-hour City Sightseeing pass to circle Edinburgh on an open-top double-decker bus, with 15 stops, commentary in nine languages, and a children’s track. Ride the full 70-minute route first, then hop off near Edinburgh Castle, Grassmarket, Holyrood, Dynamic Earth, and the Royal Mile. Up to three children travel free with each paying adult until March 31, 2026.

“A fab thing to do especially with our children, helped explore the city and rest their legs in hilly edinburgh, the commentary was informative and everyone learnt something new! Fab offer of kids go free made it excellent value for money.”

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The Potter Trail Private Tour - Potterrow and the early writing story
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The Potter Trail Private Tour

15.The Potter Trail Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,353 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $104

Follow a private guide through Edinburgh’s Old Town to connect J.K. Rowling’s characters with real gravestones, schools, streets, and writing places. Meet at Greyfriars Bobby, visit Potterrow, the National Museum area, the Elephant House, and Victoria Street. Guides such as Caroline, Charlie, Becky, and Roisin bring Potter trivia, local history, humor, and wand-friendly spell practice.

“The guide was very knowledgeable and fun. We learned a lot. Fantastic experience. Highly recommend this tour.”

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