Location: Edinburgh
Top Things to do in Edinburgh
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Top 10 Walking Tours in Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh is Scotland’s capital city, renowned for its heritage, culture and festivals.
Take a long walk around the centre to explore the World Heritage Sites of the Old Town and New Town, as well as all the area’s museums and galleries. Then stop for a delicious meal made from fresh Scottish produce before heading out to take in one of Edinburgh’s many events — including the famous summer festivals of culture, or the Winter Festivals of music, light and ceilidhs.
Restaurants in Edinburgh
1. Small-Group Photography Walking Tour of Edinburgh
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
See Edinburgh like a local on a small-group walking and photography tour with a professional photographer who used to work for Lonely Planet. You will learn how to use your camera to get the best results. We explain everything in easy to understand language and make sure you get the photos you always wanted whilst we go to the popular spots in the city and get off the beaten path to take great photos. All the while you will learn about Edinburgh's history and some of it's more interesting characters as well.
Inclusions: Professional photographer guide
Exclusions: Gratuities, Food and drinks
Reviewed By FormanFive
We had such a wonderful day with Will, even with the rain! (He taught us the word "smirr" for a light rain, which I misheard as smurf rain, which I think amused him). We are a family of 5 expat Americans living in the UK, looking for a private tour during these times of Covid. He had hand sanitiser in the van and was appropriately masked up and social distanced throughout the day. Will took us to an excellent coffee shop to get us started (he has great recommendations for coffee shops in Edinburgh), then guided us through Stirling Castle. He had asked us what we hoped to see and do during the day in advance so he could plan the day out and he went out of his way to try to hunt down a Highland cow for us, despite the off season (most are tucked away in barns during the wet season). He was super flexible for when the kids got worn out at a place or the road was closed to a site. The best part was chatting about a tour we took to Stonehenge and he piped up, "Want to see some standing stones you can touch?" Not 5 minutes later he had driven us to an isolated farmers field where we got to touch these beautiful old stones, standing in the mist. He took us to a very tasty place for hot pies and chips for lunch and was great about letting us eat in the van while he took a walk in the rain, since Covid restrictions meant no eating in restaurants and the weather was not great. And he was great about pointing out when we could and could not take a bathroom break, so we didn't end up with any uncomfortable bladders. All in all, it was a great day thanks to Will's stories and enthusiasm. We wouldn't hesitate to use his services again one day.
2. Self-guided Discovery Walk in Edinburgh: An Obscure Adventure
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Just one look at Edinburgh’s intriguing cityscape hints at all the secrets beneath… Are you curious to discover them? Follow in the footsteps of an enthusiastic history buff, Chris, and seek answers to location-based riddles he created. Wandering through obscure streets, you’ll find atmospheric gardens, intriguing statues and wicked delights along the way. Even long-time locals said they were surprised with hidden spots and stories they discovered on this self-guided walk! This playful walk across Edinburgh’s Old Town sharpens your senses and encourages you to appreciate the most wonderful – and often hidden – details around you. Whether you know Edinburgh or just start exploring here, this experience gives you a perspective on discovery that will inspire your curiosity wherever you go next. There are 12 fun location-based riddles to solve on this route. You can fully enjoy this experience of connecting with the city while staying in your own group.
Inclusions: A link to the web app game (received via email). The game is played in the browser of your phone.
Exclusions: Food and Drinks, Mobile data
3. The Edinburgh Cheese Crawl
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8 reviews
The 2-3 hour crawl will be packed full of the finest of Edinburgh's brie-liant cheeses, with very mature fun facts, and the chance to heckle your quizmaster with your favourite cheese puns that will have your group crumbling faster than a Wensleydale. You have not truly explored Edinburgh until you tour Edinburgh as a turophile. Get involved in Edinburgh’s first and grate-est cheese crawl! The crawl is 2.5 hours of non stop in-curd-edible action. There will be a cheese whizz quiz and of course a little bit of fizz. The crawl will start at Saint Stephen's Comely Bank Church, and you will be taken on a journey packed full of the finest of Edinburgh's brie-liant cheeses. During the crawl there will be very mature fun facts, and the chance to heckle your quizmaster with your favourite cheese puns that will have your group crumbling faster than a Wensleydale. You will finish the crawl right by Leith walk.
Inclusions: Cheese Tastings
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By Dolly154
Jenny was fantastic! This was my first official date in lockdown and was wonderful (I didn't even have to wear uncomfortable heels!). Really informative, lovely hosting and spoke at a really good pace. Would definitely do these tours again
4. Award-winning circular cycle tour of Edinburgh!
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 18 reviews
This is a cycle tour you won't find anywhere else. I shall take you where other tourists will not know about. There are other cycle tours in Edinburgh, but as I take small groups, you will be able to go at your own pace, ask as many questions as you like and take numerous photos without pressure of being rushed. This tour requires you to be able to cycle for a maximum distance of 20 miles with regular stops and at a slow -steady pace. This tour is not suitable for under 12 years. From Craigmillar Caste, to the stunning Dean Village, Leith and Portobello, you will be cycling through all the 'must-see' parts of Edinburgh that are off the tourist trail.
Inclusions: We shall supply bikes, helmets and gloves.
Exclusions: Coffee and/or Tea
Reviewed By 735juditho
I can't really pick what part was a favourite because all were. But if I were to choose, a trip to roslin Chapel, followed by Craigmillar Castle. Edinburgh is full of history. Accessing these touristic sites by bike gives it even more of a personal touch because you get to cycle around as Leanne, Owner of wee pedal explains the history behind these beautiful sites. Craigmillar Castle although still beautiful as ancient it has a sad history. I understand it was a sanctuary for Queen Victoria. When you go there. You can feel the energy around it. Stunning! And the big parks and woodlands around it is breathtaking.
5. The Potter Trail Private Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 165 reviews
Founded in 2012, we are the original Harry Potter tour in Edinburgh. Our guides have the most experience of any tour company in Edinburgh and we are consistently rated most highly by visitors across all platforms. Booking a private tour with us will ensure the ultimate experience for Harry Potter fans as you'll be able to take the tour at your own pace and ask as many questions as you like! All of guides are trained comic performers so we can guarantee they will captivate and entertain you as well as impress with their extensive knowledge. We are also happy to customise this tour to suit you! We take on lots of bookings for hen parties and school groups and our guides are skilled at catering the tour content for any audience. Edinburgh is as magical to us as it is to JK Rowling and we hope this passion will inspire you too!
Inclusions: Guide
Exclusions: Please bring something that you can use as a wand. This can be anything roughly wand shaped - a pen or umbrella will work well!
Reviewed By rebeccajT8303LU
Our family did a virtual tour and just loved it! Our guide, Gemma, was so engaging and knowledgeable. We enjoyed our time so very much. It was like a little escape while still at home.
6. The Old Edinburgh Walking Tour - Private tour.
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 111 reviews
This 2-hour guided tour of Edinburgh will reveal to you not just some of the streets of Scotland’s historic Old Town today; it will let you discover what they were once like. We love taking our guests to the very places where some of Scotland’s most famous (and infamous) characters lived and walked. Walk in the footsteps of; Mary, Queen of Scots, ‘Bonnie Prince Charlie’, Deacon Brodie and more! On this tour, you will visit many famous Old Town locations. Our tour makes full use of the Historic Edinburgh Tours archive of images. Robert, your guide, will bring an A3 book of images which will help you imagine Old Edinburgh as it once was. Numerous 'then and now' opportunities arise on this tour! Your guide was born in Edinburgh and has lived there all his life. He planned, researched and wrote this tour.
Inclusions: Local guide
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By Janet H
Recently we had the pleasure of participating in a virtual tour with Robert , Historic Edinburgh Tours. Since our personal trip was, once again, postponed, this tour was a wonderful opportunity to spend a very informative 90+ minutes strolling thru Old Town. His time with us was full of information, wonderful antidotes and incredible stories. The side by side photos of then and now were most helpful in allowing us to put things into proper perspective. Something not quite achieved the same way when on crowded streets . So we now have a familiarity and whole lot of knowledge that we'll hold when we finally walk those same cobblestones. Something that is extremely beneficial before embarking on our journey. Thank you Robert for this entirely new and exciting experience.
7. The Mountebank Comedy Walk of Edinburgh
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 165 reviews
Edinburgh's hysterical, historical, and completely original Mountebank comedy walking tour is back and we are in desperate need of a laugh now more than ever! Come and laugh off the pandemic on the only tour of Edinburgh that is led by a local, professional, stand-up comedian guaranteed to make you laugh yourself silly! The aim is simple, to make you laugh a lot while you learn a little about Scotland's incredible capital. *Please note I sometime have to take my mega friendly dog Brahan aka 'The Bonnie Prince' on the tour, he is the softest dog in Scotland but if you have any issues with dogs please let me know "a star on the rise at the moment with material totally on the pulse, Daniel is one to watch". (Mumble Comedy) '5* best history show 2019 Fringe' (Herald) 'the best walking tour I've ever been on,' 'my face ached from laughing so much,' 'laugh riot humor and historical intrigue,' 'masterfully executed,' 'I'll never look at a unicorn the same way again' (guest reviews)
Inclusions: Guide
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By Bigtonylarok
Dan is an extremely witty guy, with excellent knowledge of the city. A brilliant way to spend a couple of hours . Dan gave us some excellent recommendations . Highly recommended
8. Silent Disco Adventure Tour
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 158 reviews
Join the Silent Adventures Team as we take you on a journey of song and dance through the famous streets of Edinburgh. This musically instructed adventure aims to have your funky moves on display and your pop star voices serenading the people of the capital! Hi-tech headsets will fill your body with beats, theme songs and your favourite hits across the decades. As your inhibitions evaporate and laughter takes over, you will be part of the best all dance, all singing walking tour in town! It's a Flash Mob, it's a Silent Disco, It’s a roaming, rhythmic riot through Edinburgh!
Inclusions: Adventure Host, Advanced radio headsets
Exclusions: Please be aware that we have no place to store valuables
Reviewed By lologeorge69
A group of 5 friends were in town celebrating my 50th birthday. Our group was the 430 pm group and James was our leader. Admittedly, most of the 40 of us were women and most were pleasantly buzzed, but buzzed or not, this was the most fun activity I have been a part of in a very long time. It is a dance party through the royal.mile. Everyone is dancing and singing . Spectators were getting out their phones and taking pictures the whole time. We were encouraged by our fearless leader to interact with people we ran into during our tour. It was SO MUCH FUN. If silent adventures comes to your town, DO IT. You will not regret it. I would do this all over again. My husband and some friends chose not to go and they most definitely regret it. A total party. Thank you thank you thank you James.
9. Edinburgh - Dark History
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 13 reviews
Ah, Edinburgh! They don't call it "The Jekyll & Hyde City" for nothing. During the day, a respectable figure, with its astonishing architecture and wondrous history. But when the sun sets, it tells an entirely different story... Hear all about the darker history of Edinburgh: murderers, thieves, cannibals, hangings and decapitations, witches, the Plague and streams of human waste. Learn about the most notorious citizens of Edinburgh and how ghost stories are born. We don't need costumes or people jumping from behind the corners: Edinburgh's Dark History itself is enough to make your skin crawl. And oh, how we love to share it with our visitors... *Due to the current global health concerns, we are limiting our tour sizes to 6 people, to ensure our visitors are kept safe and we comply with Government guidance. Please message us directly if you have larger group travelling together.
Inclusions: In-Person guide
Exclusions:
Reviewed By M8981UTamyl
We as a family with children all enjoyed the tour tremendously! Our guide was so passionate and knowledgeable. He was very friendly, accommodating and ever so flexible with adapting to what we were interested in exploring. Such excellent value for money. A must if you would like to really know Edinburgh and its rich history!
10. Royal Mile Guided Walking Tour in Edinburgh
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 511 reviews
This guided walk with our unique guides, Stuart Usher or his son, Richard Usher, will entertain and enthral you. Also we are delighted to introduce a new guide who will take occasional group tours; Dr Alison Duncan, who is a professional historian and Edinburgh expert. We limit the tour to 10 guests so everyone is involved, unlike tours of 30, 40 or more. Stuart's family has historic connections with Edinburgh (Stuart's great-great Uncle, Andrew Usher, donated the magnificent Usher Hall to the city as well as being known as the father of the scotch whisky blending industry). Their deep knowledge of the cultural, historical and architectural aspects of the city means they have a unique perspective on our wonderful capital. Your guides will show you the cultural treasures of Edinburgh, the secrets of its past and its famous characters, and are rightly renowned for their entertaining and witty commentary.
Inclusions: Professional guide, Small group (maximum 10 participants)
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By William H
An excellent way to learn about the history of Edinburgh. Stuart is extremely knowledgeable whilst also being very friendly and easy going. He informs without lecturing and is so relaxed that you do not realise that you have just spent over three hours walking the streets of this great city. We have no hesitation in recommending Stuart Usher to guide you around Edinburgh and can only advise that you do it at the beginning of your holiday to improve your awareness of the city for the remainder of your stay. Peter & Jane Hunt
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