Top 14 Walking Tours in Edinburgh

1.Underground Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh Old Town

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

Walk from Edinburgh’s Lawnmarket into the vaults beneath South Bridge on a one-hour English tour with Auld Reekie Tours. Guides such as Josh, Louisa, James, Kieran, and Aimee combine Edinburgh history with stories of crime, poverty, witchcraft, and ghosts. Expect uneven ground, tight passageways, steep steps, and no toilet stop.

“I loved the tour of the vaults! Guide did a great job explaining the history of the vaults and the city. The problem was the group was too large. We had 40 people in the tour. Made it difficult to get around in the vaults and even harder to hear the tour guide. People would talk constantly and the guide couldn’t control such a large group.”

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2.Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket

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

Walk Edinburgh Castle’s grounds with a guide such as Joe, Raj, Sonia, or Valeria, hearing sharp stories about Mary Queen of Scots, royal life, and Scotland’s past. The guided portion stays outdoors, but your ticket lets you explore the palace, museums, prisons, and other buildings on your own afterward. Plan for about 90 minutes, plus extra castle time.

“Our guide is a man with immense passion and knowledge of Scottish history. Ask any questions you like. Use your mobile phone to learn more. An informative and exciting experience. After the guide leaves, wonder around, explore photos and cafes.”

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3.Edinburgh Castle Guided Walking Tour in English

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

Meet your English-speaking guide by the Adam Smith statue on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, walk uphill to Edinburgh Castle, and enter with admission included. Guides such as Koffe, Steph, Greg, Graeme, and Euan bring Scottish stories to life during the 90-minute outdoor tour. Afterward, explore the castle buildings at your own pace.

“We booked the Old Town Walking Tour on our last visit to Edinburgh through the same company, Little Fish. It was such a good tour that this time we booked the Castle Walking Tour. Not only was the tour as good as the last but we also had the same excellent guide Euan. He was very informative and delivered his guide with a humorous twist. We would recommend both tours if you are visiting the city. They are really good value for money and a great way to find out about the history of Edinburgh. If you’re lucky you may get Euan as your guide as well!”

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

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

Follow an English-speaking guide from the Royal Mile through shadowed lanes, North Bridge, Calton Hill, and a historic cemetery. Hear true stories of witch trials, Burke and Hare, executions, murder, and hauntings, then finish at a local pub. Guides may include Niamh, Brian, James, G, or Charlie.

“Absolutely brilliant. G was an awesome guide, super enthusiastic and very knowledgable. Lots of fun information and spooky locations”

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5.Haunted Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh

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

Walk from the Royal Mile into Edinburgh’s underground vaults with guides such as James, Louisa, Dom, and Aimee. Expect dark history, torture exhibits, ghost stories, steep stairs, and a quick 40-minute look at the vaults. The tour is in English, capped at 36 people, and best for ages 12 and up.

“This tour was short at sweet, and while not terribly "haunted", was a great way to learn a bit more about the city and it's architecture. Our host, James, was informative and seemed like a perfect fit for the tour! Also, this is majority indoors, so it's a good tour while raining”

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6.Old Town Walking Tour History and Tales in Edinburgh

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

Walk Edinburgh’s UNESCO-listed Old Town with guides such as Max, Greg, Angus, Ben, and Jule. Over two hours, you’ll hear lively stories while seeing St Giles Cathedral, Mercat Cross, George Heriot School, and Edinburgh Castle from outside. Expect cobbles, some hills, English commentary, and a route shaped by your guide.

“Kofe was great. Very engaging and informative. Explained as we we went along. Knew his stuff, as it should be. Would definitely recommend!”

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7.The Mountebank Comedy Walk of Edinburgh

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

Join comedian and Scottish history graduate Daniel Downie for a two-hour walk through Edinburgh’s Old Town. Starting at Monkey Barrel Comedy, the route covers the Royal Mile, St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh Castle, Grassmarket, and Greyfriars Kirkyard. Expect adult humor, local stories, audience participation, hills, steps, and Daniel’s dog Brahan.

“A great way to learn about the amazing, and sometimes gruesome history of Edinburgh whilst pissing yourself laughing”

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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 blend of burial-ground stories, grim city history, and reported paranormal tales. It is atmospheric and funny rather than theatrical, with no planned jump scares.

“Jordan was our tour guide. It was a great experience. It was very interesting hearing all of the stories and entertaining! If you love a good scare, my wife had to leave because she got too scared in the underground vaults! I finished the our and loved it. Recommend to everyone!”

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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 Grassmarket, hidden closes, St Giles’ Cathedral, and the Royal Mile to Scott Monument. A professional English-speaking guide leads a maximum of 12 people, with guides such as Fiona, Stuart Usher, David Forsyth, and Dr Alison Duncan bringing Edinburgh’s characters and past to life. Castle entry is not included.

“Dr Alison Duncan gave 4 of us a tour and we really enjoyed her commentary despite all of the rain. It was our first day arriving in Edinburgh and it was a great start to our vacation.”

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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 from Mercat Cross to Edinburgh Castle with a guide such as Linda, Craig, Nicola, or Marina. Expect stories about Jenny Geddes, John Knox House, medieval closes, and Scotland’s royal past, followed by a 45-minute castle introduction and free time inside when the castle option is selected.

“We learned so much history and saw so much of Edinburgh without even noticing the walk! Marina was a knowledgeable and funny tour guide! What a great experience!”

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

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

Meet your guide on the Royal Mile at 2pm, bypass the main entry queue, and spend about 90 minutes hearing Edinburgh Castle stories, seeing Crown Square, St. Margaret’s Chapel, the dog cemetery, and key sights. Guides such as Alasdair add local humor and detail. Your ticket lets you keep exploring until closing.

“Alasdair was awesome! Not only knowledgeable but funny! Very courteous to make sure everyone could hear, answer questions and make sure we were going too fast for older people on the hills.”

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12.Edinburgh Old Town: Historical Guided Walking Tour

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

Meet at 351 High Street at 10:30 am for a two-hour walk through Edinburgh’s historic center. Your professional guide explains the city from medieval times to the modern day, mixing major sights with lesser-known stories. English and French options are advertised, though language availability should be confirmed when booking. The walk ends at Greyfriars Kirkyard.

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

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

Walk Edinburgh’s Old Town from the Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle in a small group of up to 20. Guides such as Paul, James, Mark, and Zenon explain Scotland’s past with humor, then lead you through the castle grounds before you explore its museums and indoor rooms 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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14.Edinburgh Full Day Walking Tour with Castle Included -Small Group

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

Start at Charlotte Square and walk through New Town, Princes Street Gardens, the Royal Mile, Greyfriars, Grassmarket, and Victoria Street before entering Edinburgh Castle. Guides such as Ben, James, and Mark bring Scottish history to life with stories, humor, and useful local context. Lunch is independent, and the group is limited to 15 people.

“This is the perfect way to ensure you make your way around to all the places you might otherwise have missed in the downtown area. Every corner there is something interesting so having this local guide tour really helps clarify things. Our guide Ben was great. He added so much color to all the stops on the tour and made great suggestions on things to do the whole way.”

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