The 15 Best Old Town Walking Tours in Edinburgh

1.Underground Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh Old Town

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

Spend about an hour with an English-speaking guide exploring Edinburgh’s South Bridge vaults. Guides such as Josh, Louisa, Kieran, James, and Aimee mix Old Town history with tales of crime, hardship, witchcraft, and ghost sightings. Expect some above-ground walking, dark passageways, uneven footing, and a steep entrance.

“Nice tour , our guide was interesting and gave us an insight into Edinburghs dark past . Can recommend”

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2.Old Town Walking Tour History and Tales in Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,168 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $24Top rated

Walk Edinburgh’s UNESCO-listed Old Town with guides such as Max, Greg, Ben, Angus, and Jule. Expect stories, jokes, historic landmarks, back alleys, and useful food tips. The gentle two-hour route suits first-time visitors, though the exact path and pace vary by guide.

“Jule was a great story teller and showed lots of places of interest! Its been a great experience and would have given a 5-star rating if she was Scottish, speaking Scottish. Its a personal thing and not against Jule, again I think she did great and derserves 5 stars! When signing up it would help setting the expectation if the tour guide is a Scottish native or not.”

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3.Royal Mile and Old Town Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,596 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $48

This three-hour small-group walk links Edinburgh Castle, Grassmarket, St Giles’ Cathedral, hidden courts, literary sites, and the Scott Monument. Guides such as Fiona, Stuart Usher, David Forsyth, and Dr Alison Duncan bring history, architecture, and local stories to life. Expect cobbles, some stairs, and a maximum of 12 people.

“Our guide was an excellent tour guide; knowledgeable, entertaining, and succinct. He had many stories to tell that made the history learning so much easier and more fun..”

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4.Old Town Historical and Underground Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,574 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $27

Walk Edinburgh’s Old Town with guides such as Holly, Chihon, Emily, and James, then enter an exclusive section of the South Bridge vaults. Expect a relaxed 90-minute tour covering overlooked Scottish stories, Canongate Kirkyard, city growth, and underground life. Groups are capped at six.

“Great tour, full of very interesting history of old Edinburgh. Lovely guide, clear, packed a lot in, gave us information that we hadn’t known before, despite being relatively local. Vaults fascinating - who lived in them, drinking dens etc. Also city walls, how Edinburgh grew and evolved as a city. Highly recommend!”

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5.Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle – Small Group Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,523 reviews · 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $70

Walk from Mercat Cross to Edinburgh Castle with guides such as Craig, Linda, Nicola, or Marina, hearing stories of reform, royalty, and rebellion. The roughly 2-hour-15-minute tour includes steep cobbles, castle entry with the selected option, and free time inside afterward.

“Nicola was wonderful. She told the history with passion and she was funny. Weather was not the best but we made it through. Explored the castle on our own after the tour.”

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6.Edinburgh Old Town: Historical Guided Walking Tour

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

Meet your guide at 351 High Street for a two-hour walk through Edinburgh’s historic center, ending at Greyfriars Kirkyard. Expect stories from medieval to modern times, local tips, and an English or possibly French-speaking guide. Gavin and Urs have led particularly memorable outings.

“German tour with Urs was full of historical places, explanations and fun. The best tour during our stay.”

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7.Edinburgh Castle & Royal Mile Walking Tour – Ticket Included

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

Start on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile with guides such as James, Paul, Mark, or Zenon, then follow closes, St. Giles’ Cathedral, Victoria Street, and the Grassmarket to Edinburgh Castle. Your guide leads the castle grounds and history, then you explore its museums and buildings at your own pace.

“Paul was a fantastic tour guide. He had terrific knowledge of Edinburgh's history and presented it with a lot of fun, humour and energy. We'd highly recommend him.”

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8.90min Underground Whisky Tasting in Edinburgh’s Old Town

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 350 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $55

Meet at John’s Coffee House in Parliament Square for a 90-minute English tasting in The Lost Close. A guide such as Mark, Dan, Haley, or Eleanor leads you through four regional whiskies, whisky-making basics, and an underground Old Town venue. Intermediate and high-end tasting levels are also available.

“Great line up of whisky, great history, great location, and great guide. Highly recommend this tour if you want a down to earth tasting in a really cool setting.”

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9.Private Old Edinburgh Tour – Walk in the footsteps of Royals and Rogues!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 229 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Join Robert, a lifelong Edinburgh resident and teacher, for a private two-hour Old Town walk. See Greyfriars, the Grassmarket, Royal Mile, Cowgate, and Old College while archive images, props, royal tales, executions, and Burke and Hare bring the city’s past to life.

“Robert was super accommodating and had wonderful stories to share. What a great guide and lovely, personable fellow! You will love your private and personalized walking tour! Thanks, Robert!! 💜🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💜”

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10.History Lovers Old Town Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 216 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $24

Start near Princes Street and follow a small group through Edinburgh’s Old Town, Greyfriars, Grassmarket, St Giles’ Cathedral, and the Royal Mile. Guides such as Madge, Kieran, Shanna, Zander, and Katie mix Scottish history with dark tales, local tips, and plenty of questions.

“If you want a good historical overview and exposure to Edinburgh, this tour is for you. David does a great job presenting history in an interesting and entertaining story form. This is definitely worth the price of admission.”

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11.Eating Edinburgh: Old Town Food & Drinks Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 177 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $134

Spend three hours walking Edinburgh’s Old Town with an English-speaking guide such as Ailsa, Luana, Emery, or Reece. Taste Cullen skink, haggis bon bons, pie, Scottish cheese, and a deep-fried Mars bar while hearing stories about the Royal Mile, Victoria Street, Edinburgh Castle, and local life.

“What a terrific walking and food tour we had with our guide, Luanna, on the Edinburgh Old Town Food and Drinks tour. The guide was very knowledgeable about the history and culture of the city. We experience many new foods and enjoyed the atmosphere of the city's small businesses. We would definitely recommend this tour and Luanna to other travelelers.”

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12.Old Town’s Highlights Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 117 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $4Best value

Spend about two hours walking Edinburgh’s Old Town from the Royal Mile to the Grassmarket. Your English-speaking guide may be Joe, Niamh, Charlie, Julia, or another local storyteller, sharing history, humor, songs, and practical tips along the way.

“Kriystal was really knowledgeable and fun to walk throughout Edinburgh with. She shared all local insights during the tour”

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13.Dean Village Circus Lane Walking Tour with a Local

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 83 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $24

Walk from Princes Street through Georgian New Town, Dean Village, and the Water of Leith with guides such as David, Zander, Kieran, or Adrian. Expect local history, photo stops, river scenery, and a small group of up to 15 people. Sunday tours also pass Stockbridge Market.

“The walking tour was very informative and personal. Nothing stuck in your ear! Would definitely recommend.”

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14.Private Walk: Edinburgh Old Town and New Town

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 74 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.)

Walk Edinburgh’s medieval Old Town and Georgian New Town with Gerry, a local guide who tailors the route to your interests. Expect castle views, churchyards, closes, Harry Potter connections, grand architecture, local stories, and useful food and sightseeing advice.

“Great tour guide and great tour. He was very knowledgeable about the history of the city. My wife and kids all had a great time too.”

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15.Private Greyfriars Kirkyard history tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 67 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Join Robert Howie for a 90-minute private walk through Greyfriars Kirkyard. He shapes the tour around your interests, uses stories and images to bring Edinburgh’s past to life, and takes you beyond the cemetery’s better-known graves. Expect uneven ground and a thoughtful, sometimes dark look at Scottish history.

“Our host was amazing! So informative and friendly! This has been the highlight of our visit so far - thank you so much!”

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