The 12 Best City Tours in Edinburgh

1.City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Kids Go Free

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,683 reviews · 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.) · from $24Our pick

Use a 24-hour Edinburgh hop-on hop-off pass to circle the city by open-top double-decker bus. Hear commentary in nine languages, follow a kids’ track, and stop near Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace, Dynamic Earth, and other major sights. Up to three children travel free with each paying adult before March 31, 2026.

“Windows fog up easily in the rain and cold. Scott was great on the Edinbyrg live tour. Drivers great on all three. Great way to embrace the city. We did red, green and blue route.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.City of the Dead: The Double Dead Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 900 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $31Top rated

Join an English-speaking guide such as Ben, Nat, Ian, or Grant for a small-group night walk from St Giles’ Cathedral to Greyfriars Kirkyard. You’ll enter the South Bridge Vaults, hear Edinburgh’s darker stories, and visit the restricted Covenanter’s Prison.

“My friend and I went on this tour not expecting much as we had done a similar one the evening before with a different company but we were pleasantly surprised as this took us to different underground vaults and greyfriars kirkyard where we learned some spooky history and stories. Our tour guide Ben was absolutely fabulous with his story telling, with lots of laughs and a few jumpscares throughout which added that little bit extra to it. We done the tour through Storm Amy with very high winds and rain but again this made it a little more spooktacular. We would highly recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Underground City of the Dead Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 272 reviews · 1 hour 20 minutes (approx.) · from $27

Follow an English-speaking guide beneath Edinburgh for 80 minutes through the South Bridge vaults and Damnation Alley. Hear how people once lived below the streets, learn the area’s darker stories, and choose a daytime or nighttime departure. Guides include Ben, Beth, Rebecca, Lloyd, and Heather.

“We enjoyed the whole experience. Rebecca was an amazing host. We would recommend this tour to friends and family for their next holiday in edinburgh.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Edinburgh City Bike Tour – Choice of E-Bike or Manual

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 241 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $87

Ride with Ricky, Stuart, Ricardo, or Robbie through Edinburgh’s parks, canal paths, Georgian streets, Leith, and Portobello Beach. Choose a manual bicycle or e-bike, follow quieter routes where possible, and cover about 13 to 14.5 miles in three and a half hours. Lucy the dog may join the ride.

“Ricardo did an excellent job of making the tour fun and able for all skill levels. He was very patient with our group and understanding our needs. The coffee stop was planned well and we loved meeting Lucy, his little puppy!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.City of the Dead Haunted Graveyard Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 225 reviews · 1 hour 20 minutes (approx.) · from $27

Meet at St Giles’ Cathedral for an English-language walking tour through Edinburgh’s closes and alleyways, then enter Greyfriars Kirkyard and the locked Covenantor’s Prison. Guides such as Ross, Gerry, and Grant mix grim history, humor, and ghost stories in a group of no more than five.

“We showed up and waited. They never did. There was no phone number to call. The returned my email the next day to let me know they had cancelled our tour. They never contacted me. I had to go back through Viator to get refunded. Would not recommend this company.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Big Bus Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off City and Britannia Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 172 reviews · 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.) · from $34

Use one mobile ticket for Edinburgh’s City Tour and Britannia Tour, with unlimited rides for 48 hours. You’ll get recorded commentary in nine languages, free headphones, and stops near the Castle, Grassmarket, Holyroodhouse, Dynamic Earth, the Botanic Garden, and Royal Yacht Britannia. Britannia admission costs extra.

“Great way of getting around the city without expensive taxis or Ubers. Just be aware of the end time which can be early”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.City of the Dead Underground Vaults (Day)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 113 reviews · 1 hour 20 minutes (approx.) · from $27

Meet at St Giles’ Cathedral at 3:30 pm and follow an expert guide into Edinburgh’s South Bridge vaults. Hear grim stories of former residents and the feared South Bridge Entity in Damnation Alley. The tour ends on Niddry Street South and is limited to two people.

“On March 19th, 2025, our small lovely group led by charismatic guide Joshua descended into the dark and mysterious vaults of old Edinburgh. I was rather sceptical - until Joshua started telling us his bone-chilling stories, in the complete darkness, illuminated only by the faint light of a lantern. I still get goosebumps when I remember that strange sensation of being in the presence of something dead and ghostly! The frightening reality of the past intertwined with horror. A brilliant and fascinating tour, played out like a small performance. Bravo, Joshua! For the first time in many years, I went to bed that night with the lights on!”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Private Edinburgh City Half-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 65 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Spend four hours exploring Edinburgh with a private driver-guide such as Alan, Paul, Gary, Keith, or James. Ride in a VIP Mercedes minibus, see the Royal Mile and major sights, and adjust the pace for mobility needs, family interests, or cruise schedules.

“Great tour, great guide. Alan described lots of sites as we were driving through the area, lots of history, with lots of humor. We had a wonderful time and learned a lot. What a lovely city. Absolutely recommend!!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Private Edinburgh City 4-Hour Guided Tour in a black cab LEVC TX

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 61 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Explore Edinburgh in a private LEVC TX black cab with a local guide such as Saf, Danny, Jovan, or Sal. You’ll cover the Royal Mile, Old and New Towns, Greyfriars, Dean Village, Arthur’s Seat, Calton Hill, and more, with time for photos, questions, and itinerary changes.

“We had an amazing experience with our driver, Mr. Saf, today! The service was excellent — he was incredibly flexible with our schedule, especially when the kids were tired, and made sure we could adjust our plans comfortably. His driving was very safe and smooth, and he shared lots of interesting and informative details along the way, which made the trip even more enjoyable. Highly recommended!”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Private City Kickstart Tour: Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 57 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $92

Meet a private local guide in Edinburgh’s Old Town for a 90-minute walking introduction. See St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh Castle, and other key sights while hearing local history, legends, Harry Potter connections, and advice tailored to your interests.

“Svend-Erik was delightful! Full of information and a wonderful personality! Great start to our time in Edinburgh! Thanks for the memories :)”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.The Royal Military Tattoo Edinburgh City Tour Rosslyn Chapel and Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 28 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $651

Join Alan, Paul, or Al for a private Edinburgh day covering the Old Town, Rosslyn Chapel, a four-course Scottish pub dinner, and reserved Royal Military Tattoo seats. Pickup is offered from Edinburgh accommodations, with return to your starting point after the evening show.

“We had a fun and educational day in Edinburgh with our tour guide. Alan. We saw a variety of sights and learned a lot about Scotland. We ended the day by attending the spectacular Military Tattoo show.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Edinburgh City of Wizards Exploration Game and Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3 reviews · from $8Best value

Follow Eladora through Edinburgh on a self-guided Harry Potter-themed game. Use your phone to solve clues at City Chambers, Riddle’s Close, Grassmarket, Greyfriars Bobby, and the Old Medical School. Plan for about 50 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes, with no attraction tickets required.

“The adventure was fun, the only negative comment would be that I purchased four tickets to be able to put on four different phones, and with the link we were sent, we were only able to put it on one phone.”

Check availability →Read our full review