The Best Guided Tours in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is one of those cities that may seem small- and easy to take in. After all, it’s the only city I’ve ever been to that doesn’t have skyscrapers! Once you begin exploring, however, you’ll soon realize there’s more than meets the eye to Edinburgh! There’s an abundance of information, historical sites, and interesting places to visit in Edinburgh- trust me when I say you won’t want to miss any of it. That’s why I recommend taking a guided tour in Edinburgh. With a guided tour, you’ll learn more about the city and appreciate your trip more altogether. Plus, it can be a fun way to meet other people when you travel. To get you assisted in your planning, I’ve put together some of the best guided tours in Edinburgh.

Do you need a guided tour in Edinburgh?

Edinburgh is a small city, so you don’t necessarily need a guided tour when visiting. You could easily read up on the sights and scenery ahead of time and make a detailed itinerary. Exploring on your own is always a possibility, and I don’t think you’ll necessarily miss out on a great trip to Edinburgh if you do it on your own. That being said, there’s an abundance of historical, cultural, and just downright cool tidbits of Edinburgh scattered all over the city. Blink, and you’ll miss it- and trust me, you’ll get so much more out of your trip with at least 1 guided tour. Pick an area of interest- whether it’s military history, ghost tours, or a general Edinburgh walking tour- and try it out! There’s truly a guided Edinburgh tour for everyone- so let’s get to it!

Free Guided Tours in Edinburgh

If you’re wondering: “Is Edinburgh expensive to visit?”, the answer is yes! In fact, the average hotel price in Edinburgh is usually $220-$250 per night. If you’re visiting Edinburgh during Fringe festival in August (peak season), you can expect to cough up over $400 per night. It’s by no means a budget destination, however, there are budget guided tours in Edinburgh that will help lessen the blow to your wallet (while maximizing your experience!). Here’s some free guided tours in Edinburgh:

The Potter Trail: If you’re a Harry Potter fan, this guided Edinburgh tour is for you! One of my FAVORITE experiences ever in Edinburgh has got to be the Potter Trail. You’ll meet your magical tour guide in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town at Greyfriar’s Bobby . From there, you’ll see the real life Hogwarts, visit Tom Riddle’s real grave, and the street that inspired Diagon Alley. Book the Potter Trail here! and if you’re interested in more Harry Potter inspired activities in Edinburgh, check out this post on 4 Harry Potter Things To Do in Edinburgh.

Girl on Victoria Street, Edinburgh, a popular stop on Harry Potter guided tours in Edinburgh. — Victoria Street in Edinburgh actually inspired Diagon Alley in Harry Potter!

St. Giles Cathedral Guided Tour: St. Giles Cathedral is another can’t miss landmark in Edinburgh! Built in the 1100s, St. Giles is a remarkable example of Edinburgh’s gothic architecture. Here, you’ll learn about Edinburgh’s turbulent religious history (including John Knox and the Reformation), and enjoy the stunning artistry within. Free 45 minute guided tours are available throughout the year at 10:30 am and 2:30 pm timeslots. Be sure sure to book your tickets in advance though, as they tend to sell out quickly. Book your free St. Giles Cathedral tour here! Don’t forget a charitable donation to ensure St. Giles stays in peak condition for years to come.

Free Edinburgh Tour by City Explorers: If a good overview of the city is your goal, check out this free Edinburgh guided tour by City Explorers. Beginning on the Royal Mile and at two hours long, you’ll get a great foundational knowledge of the city.

One important thing to note when considering a free guided tour in Edinburgh (or anywhere, really), is that while your ticket is technically no charge, tips are how free tours are able to operate. Therefore, if you had a great tour guide, please make sure to tip them appropriately as a proper thank you for an inexpensive, fun experience.

Guided Tour of Edinburgh Castle

When discussing must-do attractions in Edinburgh, Edinburgh Castle is #1 in my opinion. It may seem like an obvious choice, but certainly not an overrated one! Built in the 1100s on an extinct volcano, this stunning castle has been home to Royals such as Mary, Queen of Scots, and has seen a multitude of conflict throughout its history.

As with anything on this list, you don’t necessarily need a guided tour of Edinburgh Castle. You will, however, learn and appreciate so much more with some type of guide than without. Here’s some options for guided tours of Edinburgh Castle:

An Audio Guided Tour: This is the guided tour we decided to do for Edinburgh Castle because it allowed us to explore at our own pace while also getting the valuable information for each area and place we visited within.

If you’d like to go on a full guided tour, here are some great options:

Royal Mile Guided Walking Tour in Edinburgh

One of the best things to do in Edinburgh is to simply explore the Royal Mile. Aptly named, it’s roughly the mile long stretch between the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Edinburgh Castle, both of which have been Royal residences (the Palace is currently the official Royal residence in Edinburgh!). As you can imagine, this road has seen a lot of history. And with so many remarkable houses, closes, and landmarks hiding in plain sight, you may miss something. Here’s some good options for a guided tour of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh:

Secrets of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile by Mercat Tours: Mercat Tours is a great option for guided tours in Edinburgh. They’ve been around since 1985 and are a staple in keeping Edinburgh’s fascinating history and culture alive. This tour is roughly an hour and a half, (with the option to add on Edinburgh Castle after- add an extra 2 hour 15 min). You’ll retrace the steps of some of Edinburgh’s most famous past residents, such as Robert Burns. I personally think that if you’re into history, you will LOVE Mercat Tours. They strike a great balance between storytelling and providing a depth of knowledge. Check it out here!

Palace of Holyroodhouse Guided Tour

You definitely can’t miss the Palace of Holyroodhouse on your next trip to Edinburgh! See the medieval abbey where King Henry VIII’s (yes, the one with 6 wives) sister got married, Mary Queen of Scots’ bedchamber, and even the remnants of a Jacobite attack on the palace in the 18th century uprising. Just as is the case with Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse offers a variety of guided tour options.

Guided Audio Tour: I am a big advocate for a good audio tour haha. As someone who enjoys taking her time (and yes, reading every plaque there is!), a self-paced audio guide never misses. The tape runs for about an hour, and you can match it up to your own pace as you explore the palace. It’s also included with your ticket, so no extra cost will apply.
King’s Gallery Tour: If you’re a fan of art or the Royal Family, you may also want to purchase a ticket to the King’s Gallery. Located at the entrance to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, this gallery provides an in-depth look at rotating collections of rare art and artifacts. This is NOT included with regular palace tickets, so be sure to book these separately.

Guided Ghost Tours in Edinburgh

If you’re into all things creepy- Edinburgh will suit you well! With its extensive history of war, plague, and witch hunts, there’s tons of guided ghost tours in Edinburgh to choose from. Depending on your interests (and how scared you’re willing to be!), here’s a few different options to choose from:

Edinburgh Dark History: While it’s not necessarily a ghost tour, this guided tour will take you around Old Town and dive deep into Edinburgh’s most notorious criminals, witches, and horror stories.

Haunted Vaults and Graveyard Walking Tour in Edinburgh-Auld Reekie Tours: To me, this is one of the best guided tours in Edinburgh! You’ll start by touring one of Edinburgh’s most haunted places- Greyfriar’s Kirkyard. Explore hundreds of tombs and macabre stories- including the Black Mausoleum, where the Mackenzie Poltergeist is rumored to reside. Then if you’re brave enough, venture down into the Niddry Street vaults. It’s dark, creepy, and riddled with a past of crime and the supernatural.

Ghost Bus Tour of Edinburgh: If you’re looking for a more fun, light-hearted tour (or one more suitable for children), check out the Ghost Bus Tour of Edinburgh. You’ll hop off the bus at numerous sites around the city, and hear a more theatrical, funny take on Edinburgh’s ghostly residents.

Book the tours below- and if you want to dive deeper into the spooky side of Edinburgh, check out my post on Spooky Things to Do In Edinburgh!

Guided Whisky Tours in Edinburgh

When in Scotland, whisky is a must! And what better way to learn about the history, process, and flavors of Scottish whisky than to go on a guided whisky tour in Edinburgh? The following two are my favorites- here’s why:

The Johnnie Walker Journey of Flavour Tour: Unsure if you like whisky, but want to give it a go? This guided whisky tour is the perfect way to dip your toes in. First, you’ll take a flavour quiz to find which flavours and notes of whisky you’ll actually enjoy. Then, you’ll learn about the history of the iconic Johnnie Walker brand and enjoy three whisky cocktails (included in your ticket). It’s fun, entertaining, and tasty. If you weren’t a fan of whisky before, you definitely will be now!
The Scotch Whisky Experience: If you’re looking for an overview of Scottish whisky in general, I recommend the Scotch Whisky experience! You’ll learn about the process of making a good Scottish whisky, and the 5 whisky regions of Scotland. Then, you’ll try a whisky from each of the five regions. It’s also home to one of the largest collections of single malt Scotch whiskies in the world!

The largest collection of scotch single malt whiskies in the world at the scotch whisky experience, a guided whiskey tour in edinburgh, scotland. a great option for the best guided tours in Edinburgh — The largest collection of single-malt Scotch whiskies at the Scotch Whisky Experience!

Guided Day Trips From Edinburgh

While Edinburgh itself is one of my favorite places to visit, I highly recommend venturing outside the city to explore more of beautiful Scotland. There’s many incredible locations and tour companies I would recommend- such as exploring St. Andrews, or visiting the Highlands. I find that if you’re looking for a reputable and reliable guided tour company in Scotland, Rabbie’s is a great option. I’ve been on a few of their tours, and they were well-paced and provided a lot of interesting information. Here’s a few I recommend:

St. Andrews and the Fishing Villages of Fife day tour from Edinburgh: Into history, seas-side villages, golf, and Outlander? This tour would fit you well! My fiance and I went on this tour a few years back and really enjoyed it. Your driver will have great commentary throughout- and at each stop, you’ll be free to explore on your own. You’ll explore several villages and locations throughout Fife, starting with Anstruther Harbour. Then, you’ll have several hours to explore St. Andrews on your own- I recommend St. Andrews Cathedral, St. Andrews Castle, and the Old Course (obviously!). If you’re into Royal history, you can even have lunch where Prince William met Kate Middleton (for coffee) on one of their first dates- North Point Cafe. Once you’ve finished up at St. Andrews, you’ll head to Falkland. If you’re an Outlander fan, you’ll recognize this village as the filming location for 1940’s Inverness. I recommend visiting Falkland Palace (Mary, Queen of Scots’ favorite place!), Falkland Antiques, and Vintage Quine (my favorite vintage shop ever!). I thoroughly enjoyed this tour and thought it was a great mix of history, culture, and leisure.

Book the St. Andrews Tour and other guided day trips from Edinburgh here:

Outlander Tours from Edinburgh

Edinburgh is home to many Outlander filming locations- such as Alexander Malcolm’s print ship (it’s located at Bakehouse close on the Royal Mile!). However- there’s many more Outlander filming locations just outside the city, such as Lallybroch! We went on a guided Outlander Tour from Edinburgh with Rabbie’s and loved it it’s what I would recommend if you’re looking to visit the best Outlander filming locations in Scotland.

Outlander Locations Tour Including Admissions from Edinburgh: Another Rabbie’s tour- but I love them so much! With this Outlander day trip, you’ll visit the most famous Outlander filming locations- with time to explore on your own at stops. You’ll visit the real Lallybroch- Midhope Castle, Castle Leoch (Doune castle), Culross (many Cranesmuir scenes!), Blackness Castle (Fort William), and Linlithgow Palace (interior Fort William scenes). I highly recommend a visit!

If you want to visit the set of 1940s Inverness, you could also choose a tour that visits the village of Falkland. A good one to choose is the 2nd tour below from Haggis Adventures. You’ll visit all of the film locations mentioned above, except swapping out Linlithgow Palace for Falkland. Both are great tours- it just depends on which Outlander filming location you’d like to visit more!

Midhope Castle, Scotland. This castle was used in Outlander as Lallybroch, Jamie Fraser's home. It's a popular stop for Outlander tours from Edinburgh. — Midhope Castle- otherwise known as Lallybroch

Private Tour Guides in Edinburgh

If crowded guided tours aren’t your thing and you want to have a private tour guide to explore Edinburgh with- there’s many options available! Just be aware that a private tour guide will be much more expensive than a regular guided tour in Edinburgh. Ian G Black is an Edinburgh local and content creator who also offers private guided walking tours of Edinburgh! Check out his incredible Scotland content to inspire your trip- or book him for a private tour here! You’ll visit all of the Edinburgh must-dos such as Calton Hill, The Royal Mile, St. Giles, and many more.

Edinburgh is a wonderful city with tons of interesting history and stories hiding in plain sight- that’s why I recommend taking a guided tour. Whether you find yourself wanting a free Harry Potter guided tour, a whisky tour, or a ghost tour in Edinburgh, there’s truly something for everyone- and you’ll find yourself falling even more in love with Edinburgh as a result! I hope this post helps you plan your next Edinburgh trip- in my opinion, it contains many of the best guided tours in Edinburgh. Let me know if you decide to take any of these tours- I can’t wait to heard about your next adventure!