Scotland · WALKING TOURS IN EDINBURGH

15 Walking Tours in Edinburgh to Build a Day Around

29 tours  ·  from $20 a head

Good walking tours in Edinburgh fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

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

1.Underground Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh Old Town

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

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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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

2.Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket

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

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

3.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 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

4.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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Haunted Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh - The torture exhibition and Edinburgh’s darker past
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Haunted Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh

5.Haunted Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh

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

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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Old Town Walking Tour History and Tales in Edinburgh - St Giles Cathedral and the Royal Mile
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Old Town Walking Tour History and Tales in Edinburgh

6.Old Town Walking Tour History and Tales in Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,168 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $24

Join Little Fish Tours for a two-hour English walking tour through Edinburgh’s Old Town. Guides such as Max, Greg, Angus, Jule, Ben, and Euan bring streets, churches, schools, and local tales to life. Expect a gentle pace, outdoor sights, cobbled lanes, and a route that ends within five minutes of the Royal Mile.

“Great tour with Jess - she was friendly and so knowledgeable, weaving facts with interesting stories around some key locations in the city centre. She kept the group engaged and made us laugh. Pace was good and a really lovely way to see new things in the city. We have lived here for years and learned so much! Thanks Jess”

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The Mountebank Comedy Walk of Edinburgh - The Royal Mile puts Edinburgh on stage
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The Mountebank Comedy Walk of Edinburgh

7.The Mountebank Comedy Walk of Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,813 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $36

Join Scots comedian and historian Daniel Downie for a roughly two-hour walk from Monkey Barrel Comedy through Edinburgh’s Old Town. Expect Scottish vocabulary, sharp adult humor, tales of executions and bodysnatchers, castle views, and company from Daniel’s dog, Brahan. The route ends near Greyfriars Kirkyard and suits ages 16 and up.

“Hilarious! He’s a comedian AND has a masters in Scottish history. If you want to learn about the city and laugh, this is your tour. His dog is super cute too.”

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Haunted Vaults and Graveyard Walking Tour in Edinburgh - Greyfriars Graveyard after dark
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Haunted Vaults and Graveyard Walking Tour in Edinburgh

8.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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Royal Mile and Old Town Walking Tour - Starting at Usher Hall and meeting Edinburgh’s architecture
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Royal Mile and Old Town Walking Tour

9.Royal Mile and Old Town Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,596 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $48

Spend about three hours walking from Usher Hall through Edinburgh’s Old Town and along the Royal Mile to Scott Monument. A guide such as Fiona, Stuart Usher, David, or Dr Alison Duncan may lead the small group, sharing stories about castles, reformers, writers, criminals, and daily life. Expect cobbles, some steps, outdoor sightseeing, and no included admission tickets.

“Our guide Stuart Usher was an astonishing guide with wide knowledge and enthusiasm. His great uncle Andrew Usher is an important guy in Edinburgh’s history and it was a privilege to have Stuart as a guide coming with strong roots to the city.”

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Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle - Small Group Walking Tour - Starting at Mercat Cross and St. Giles Cathedral
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Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle – Small Group Walking Tour

10.Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle – Small Group Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,523 reviews · 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $70

Walk Edinburgh’s Old Town with guides such as Craig, Linda, Nicola, and Mally, hearing stories in hidden closes and courtyards before entering Edinburgh Castle. The roughly 2-hour-15-minute tour covers St. Giles Cathedral, Parliament Square, John Knox House, Castlehill, and the castle’s main sights. Expect hills, cobbles, and up to 18 people.

“The information and pictures Linda had were amazing. She was the best and was so intuned to the group and how different things would be more interesting to us.”

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Edinburgh Skip-the-Ticket-Line Castle Walking Tour - St. Margaret’s Chapel and the castle’s quieter details
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Edinburgh Skip-the-Ticket-Line Castle Walking Tour

11.Edinburgh Skip-the-Ticket-Line Castle Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,283 reviews · from $51

Meet your guide near Tron Kirk on the Royal Mile, bypass the main entry line, and spend about 90 minutes hearing stories of battles, monarchs, St. Margaret’s Chapel, and the castle’s dog cemetery. The guided portion focuses largely on the grounds, while your ticket lets you explore interiors, Crown Jewels, and museums independently until closing.

“The views from this castle were definitely a must see. Very informative & friendly guide! Lots of historical information & interesting stories/facts.”

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Edinburgh Old Town: Historical Guided Walking Tour - What the historical route gives you
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Edinburgh Old Town: Historical Guided Walking Tour

12.Edinburgh Old Town: Historical Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,016 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $24

Meet at 10:30 am on Edinburgh’s High Street for a two-hour guided walk through the Old Town. Your guide may be Gavin or Urs, both praised for humor, useful local tips, and clear historical storytelling. The route ends at Greyfriars Kirkyard. English is offered, with French also listed in the tour details.

“Very informative. Now I see the city with different eyes. History and places were a good match. There were also many tips.Auto-translated”

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Edinburgh Castle & Royal Mile Walking Tour - Ticket Included - St. Giles’ Cathedral and the Act of Union
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Edinburgh Castle & Royal Mile Walking Tour – Ticket Included

13.Edinburgh Castle & Royal Mile Walking Tour – Ticket Included

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 894 reviews · 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $65

Follow Edinburgh’s Royal Mile from Mercat Cross to the Grassmarket, then climb to Edinburgh Castle with a local guide. Expect Scottish history, writers, closes, royal tales, and a chance to see the One O’Clock Gun firing. Guides may include Paul, James, Mark, Zenon, or Alistair. The castle’s museums and indoor rooms are explored at your own pace.

“It was a great experience… whether solo or with a group. I learned a ton and thoroughly enjoyed myself. James had a wealth of knowledge and a great wit to boot!”

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Edinburgh Full Day Walking Tour with Castle Included -Small Group - Princes Street Gardens and Scotland’s art
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Edinburgh Full Day Walking Tour with Castle Included -Small Group

14.Edinburgh Full Day Walking Tour with Castle Included -Small Group

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 676 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $112

Spend about five hours walking from elegant New Town streets to the Royal Mile, Greyfriars, Grassmarket, and Edinburgh Castle. Your English-speaking guide, such as Ben, James, or Mark, covers Scottish history, art, architecture, writers, and local legends. Castle entry, a guided castle visit, and selected gallery highlights are included. Lunch is on your own.

“Excellent and informative guide! James created a great tour of Edinburgh full of interesting stories and unique details. Well worth the time & cost.”

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Edinburgh: Witches & Haunted History Walking Tour - The Royal Mile and the North Berwick witches
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Edinburgh: Witches & Haunted History Walking Tour

15.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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