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Home/United Kingdom/Scotland/Edinburgh/Edinburgh Old Town

Explore Edinburgh Old Town: Tours & Historic Attractions

Uncover the magic of Edinburgh Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where medieval history meets vibrant modern culture. Wander the legendary Royal Mile, explore the shadows of Edinburgh Castle, and discover hidden gems tucked away in cobblestone wynds. Whether you are looking for immersive historical tours, spooky ghost walks, or authentic whisky tasting experiences, our curated selection of 76 top-rated activities offers something for every traveler. From guided walking tours to private cultural adventures, book your unforgettable journey through Scotland's most enchanting historic district today!

4.8/5 avg ratingTours from $1576 unique experiencesHighly rated by 18,636+ reviews

At a glance

Rating

Rating

4.79★ average

Based on 18,636 pooled reviews with ~92% positive sentiment

Tour Price

Tour Price

$33–$400 typical

Median price is $167, with a wide spread up to $991

Tour Length

Tour Length

2 hours median

Typically ranges from 1.5 to 8 hours

Tour Type

Tour Type

Sightseeing & Cultural

92% are sightseeing tours and 89% focus on cultural themes

Tour Format

Tour Format

Mostly Guided

87% are guided tours, including 46% private options

Languages

Languages

8 languages available

Includes EN, ES, DE, FR, IT, RU, EL, and ZH

165 Products

Old Town Walking Tour History and Tales in Edinburgh

Old Town Walking Tour History and Tales in Edinburgh

2 hrsEco-FriendlyFree cancellation
4.89 (2,371 reviews)
96.11%
3.89%
funnygreat tourexcellent
Viator
$24
Book now
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Old Town Walking Tour History and Tales in Edinburgh
Summary

This walking tour is designed to give you a broad understanding of Edinburgh, it's history and culture.  The tour runs for around two hours taking in many of the sites of the Old Town which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We strive to be informative yet entertaining on this tour, delivering an over...

Inclusions
  • Professional guide
Exclusions
  • Gratuity
Itinerary
  • Edinburgh Old Town
Good to know
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, Service animals allowed, Public transportation options are available nearby, Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness, These tours run all the year round so please wear clothing that is appropriate for the Scottish climate and come in footwear that you are comfortable in for a two hour walking tour on the historic streets of Edinburgh., Please Note - Children, aged 15 and under, will not be able to join the tour unless accompanied by a responsible adult
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Edinburgh and Underground Spanish Ghost Tour

Edinburgh and Underground Spanish Ghost Tour

1.3 hrsEco-FriendlyFree cancellation
4.86 (1,574 reviews)
93.42%
6.58%
Great tourvery funnygreat guide
Viator
$26
Book now
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Edinburgh and Underground Spanish Ghost Tour
Summary

They will be driven by the dark past of Edinburgh and its surroundings including the most enchanted cemetery in the world. The tour will end with a visit in our underground vaults. Your guide will delight you with horrifying stories of ghosts, torture, witchcraft, executions with a little humor from...

Inclusions
  • Guided hike
  • entrance to the underground vaults
  • guide in Spanish
Itinerary
  • Edinburgh Old Town
Good to know
  • Service animals allowed, Public transportation options are available nearby, Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness, Children must be accompanied by an adult, Children must be over 5 years old, Must understand Spanish
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Edinburgh: Old Town History and Tales Walking Tour

Edinburgh: Old Town History and Tales Walking Tour

2 hrsEco-Friendly
4.82 (2,869 reviews)
GetYourGuide
$24
Book now
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Edinburgh: Old Town History and Tales Walking Tour
Summary

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Old Town of Edinburgh on a guided walking tour. Learn about local history and culture as you discover the historic streets with your guide.

Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle - Small Group Walking Tour

Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle - Small Group Walking Tour

2.3 hrsEco-FriendlyFree cancellation
4.82 (1,920 reviews)
92.51%
7.49%
great touramazinggreat guide
Viator
$70
Book now
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Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle - Small Group Walking Tour
Summary

Edinburgh’s Master Storytellers, Mercat Tours, are redefining the walking tour, promising to enrich and deepen your connection with Edinburgh’s people and its past far beyond your visit. Take the Story Home: evoke the memories: - Listen to the tour playlist The castle towers over Edinburgh from up...

Inclusions
  • Exclusive multi-sensory experience; with master Storyteller guides
  • Enhanced, hand-picked sounds of Edinburgh, delivered through TourTalk audio devices
  • Small group experience
  • Tickets to Edinburgh Castle with your Storyteller
  • Exclusive Sounds of Edinburgh Playlist
Exclusions
  • Transportation to/from meeting point
  • Gratuities (if not already included)
  • Personal expenses
  • Bags larger than 25 liters (not permitted inside Edinburgh Castle)
Itinerary
  • St Giles' Cathedral
  • Parliament House
  • Edinburgh Old Town
  • Royal Mile
  • John Knox House Museum
  • St. Margaret's Chapel
  • Castlehill
  • Edinburgh Castle
Good to know
  • Wheelchair accessible, Service animals allowed, Public transportation options are available nearby, Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness, Tours are guaranteed all year round, so please dress for the weather, with comfortable shoes., Please note: Edinburgh Castle will not admit visitors with bags larger than a 25litre capacity, Please note that we cannot accept babies or children under the age of 5 on this tour.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Edinburgh Darkside Ghost Tour of Mysteries and Murder and Legends

Edinburgh Darkside Ghost Tour of Mysteries and Murder and Legends

2 hrsEco-FriendlyFree cancellation
4.77 (3,934 reviews)
91.74%
8.26%
Great tourvery funnyhighly recommend
Viator
$32
Book now
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Edinburgh Darkside Ghost Tour of Mysteries and Murder and Legends
Summary

Edinburgh sells itself on castles and tartan by day — but its real character was forged in the dark. This walk goes after the city's grimmer past: the public executions and brutal justice of the Old Town, the underground vaults where the poorest were left to rot, the witch trials fed by royal obsess...

Inclusions
  • Professional guide
Exclusions
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Gratuities
Itinerary
  • Edinburgh Old Town
  • Royal Mile
  • South Bridge- Edinburgh
  • Old Calton Burial Ground
  • Calton Hill
  • Jacob's Ladder
Good to know
  • Service animals allowed, Public transportation options are available nearby, Suitable for all physical fitness levels, Our guides have your best interests in mind; while the tour usually includes the sites & stories mentioned and lasts about 2-2.5 hours, your tour may vary depending on what your guide thinks is best for your group., We unfortunately do not advise guests in wheelchairs to join the Dark Side Tour, due to the narrow stairways and steep hills. We apologize for any inconvenience or disappointment caused., Recommended for ages 10 and up. This tour covers murder, witch trials, and body-snatching through storytelling — spooky and atmospheric, but not graphic. Great for older kids and teens who enjoy a scare; parents of younger children may want to ask their guide about content in advance.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Edinburgh: Old Town History Walking Tour

Edinburgh: Old Town History Walking Tour

2 hrsEco-Friendly
4.81 (932 reviews)
GetYourGuide
$21
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Edinburgh: Old Town History Walking Tour
Summary

Enjoy a walking tour of Edinburgh's historical center and discover its many centuries of history. Learn about the legends of the Scottish capital in a historical atmosphere.

Multi-Sensory Haunted Underground Vaults Tour in Edinburgh

Multi-Sensory Haunted Underground Vaults Tour in Edinburgh

1.3 hrsEco-FriendlyFree cancellation
4.72 (1,868 reviews)
88.67%
11.33%
Great touramazinggreat storyteller
Viator
$36
Book now
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Multi-Sensory Haunted Underground Vaults Tour in Edinburgh
Summary

Edinburgh’s Master Storytellers, Mercat Tours, are redefining the walking tour, promising to enrich and deepen your connection with Edinburgh’s people and its past far beyond your visit. Take the Story Home: evoke the memories: - Smell the leather and smoke - Listen to the tour playlist - Read your...

Inclusions
  • Exclusive multi-sensory experience; with master Storyteller guides
  • Small group experience
  • Exclusive access to the famous Blair Street Underground Vaults on this high-spirited tour
  • Listen to the Exclusive Sounds Of Edinburgh Tour Playlist
  • Take home an exclusive ghost story gift!
Itinerary
  • Mercat Cross
  • Edinburgh Old Town
  • Mercat Tours
Good to know
  • Service animals allowed, Public transportation options are available nearby, Suitable for all physical fitness levels, Please note that we cannot accept babies or children under the age of 5 on this tour., Tours are guaranteed all year round, so please dress for the weather, with comfortable shoes.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Edinburgh: Underground Vaults Evening Ghost Tour with Whisky

Edinburgh: Underground Vaults Evening Ghost Tour with Whisky

2 hrs
4.71 (2,838 reviews)
GetYourGuide
$41
Book now
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Edinburgh: Underground Vaults Evening Ghost Tour with Whisky
Summary

Weave through Edinburgh's Old Town, descend into Blair St Underground Vaults and savour a candlelit drink. Enriching connections, the community and you through exclusive multi-sensory storytelling in a Small-Group

Edinburgh Free Tour

Edinburgh Free Tour

2 hrsFree cancellation
4.7 (3,332 reviews)
Civitatis
$0
Book now
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Edinburgh Free Tour
Summary

Discover Edinburgh's Old Town with this free walking tour of one of Scotland's most beloved cities. This tour is perfect for any first-visitors to Edinburgh!

Inclusions
  • English–speaking guide
Exclusions
  • Tips
  • Entrance fees
Cancellation Policy

If you are not able to attend the tour, please cancel your reservation, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.

The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour

The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour

1.3 hrsFree cancellation
4.65 (10,946 reviews)
87.76%
12.24%
funnyGreat tourfun
Viator
$26
Book now
View Details
The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour
Summary

Experience the world's most haunted city on a ghost tour of Edinburgh and be spooked by one of the city's most infamous sons as they lead you around the dark side of the Old Town. Discover the hidden wynds (alleys) off the Royal Mile and hear some of Edinburgh’s horrifying secrets. Then, visit what...

Inclusions
  • Hear terrifying stories of hauntings, murders, executions and cannibalism.
  • 6.45pm Evening tour is suitable for families.
  • Guide plays a real, distinct and infamous character from Scotland’s history.
  • Travel back in time and descend into our section of underground street.
  • Walk through the Old Town’s distinctive closes, wynds and secluded squares.
  • 75 Minute evening walking tour of Edinburgh’s Old Town and South Bridge vaults.
  • Visit the world-famous, eerie, unforgettable Greyfriars Kirkyard.
Exclusions
  • None
  • No under 5s
Itinerary
  • Edinburgh Old Town
Good to know
  • Service animals allowed, Public transportation options are available nearby, Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness, guests should arrive 10 minutes prior to tours
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

...

Pairs well with

Landmarks travelers visit on the same route as Edinburgh Old Town.

Scott Monument
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Scott Monument

150 m away • from $7.01

Edinburgh Dungeon
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Edinburgh Dungeon

150 m away • from $20

Real Mary King's Close
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Real Mary King's Close

300 m away • from $7.39

Royal Scottish Academy
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Royal Scottish Academy

300 m away • from $7.01

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to the most common questions travelers ask before visiting.

Among the 113 options we compare across booking platforms, 52% (59 listings) are private tours. This is a significantly higher share of private experiences than many other destinations, making it a great choice if you want a more tailored itinerary. If you prefer a larger group, there are still plenty of shared options available.

Prices vary widely depending on the level of exclusivity and duration. Most tours fall within the $33–$460 range, though the full spread across booking platforms can go from about $16 up to $999. We recommend checking specific listings for the most accurate pricing for your chosen date.

The feedback is overwhelmingly positive. Across 34,577 pooled reviews, the experiences hold an average rating of 4.75★. When looking at the 40 most analysed products, roughly 94% of the sentiment is positive, with travellers frequently using words like excellent, fantastic, and knowledgeable to describe their guides.

It is wise to plan ahead. While 74% (84 listings) of the options we compare offer instant confirmation, about 5% (6 listings) are flagged as likely to sell out. Booking early ensures you get your preferred time slot, especially for popular walking or history tours.

Most experiences last between 1.5–8 hours, with a median duration of about 3 hours. To accommodate international visitors, the options we compare are offered in 8 different languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian, Greek, and Dutch.

Flexibility is common when booking through various platforms. 60% (68 listings) of the options we compare offer free cancellation, which is helpful if your travel plans change unexpectedly.

Yes, there is a notable focus on sustainability. 52% (59 listings) of the tours we compare are tagged eco-friendly, allowing you to choose experiences that align with more sustainable travel practices.

Wear sturdy walking shoes with good grip. Use the Lothian Buses app to navigate the hills and avoid steep climbs when possible.

Yes, booking online is highly recommended. Tickets often sell out quickly, especially during the busy August festival season.

Take the Airlink 100 bus or the Edinburgh Tram. Both options are frequent, reliable, and drop you near major central locations.

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