The 8 Self-Guided Tours in Edinburgh That Earn Their Price

1.Harry Potter’s Edinburgh: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 42 reviews · 40 minutes to 1 hour (approx.) · from $11Our pick

Follow a self-guided VoiceMap tour from Edinburgh Castle to the Elephant House, with stops at the Writer’s Museum, Victoria Street, and Greyfriar’s Kirkyard. The English audio, maps, and route work offline, so you can pause for shops, museums, photos, or a slower look at the city.

“It was easy and worked very well we took everything in out own tempo and could pause the tour and look ind the stores”

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2.Ghosts of Edinburgh: Bloody Past Exploration Game and Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 25 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $7Best value

You guide yourself through Edinburgh with a phone-based puzzle game linking eerie sites from The Mound to Old Town. Solve clues, pause when needed, and play offline without entering paid attractions. Expect about an hour of walking, history, legends, and occasional tricky challenges.

“App was rubbish Took ages to load in to account By the time it happened it was soo late at night Waste of money”

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3.Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 13 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $12

Use the app and Jule’s recorded guide to explore Edinburgh’s Harry Potter connections privately, with GPS directions, photos, videos, and three weeks of access. The route covers Greyfriars Kirkyard, Victoria Street, Edinburgh Castle, New College, and the Balmoral Hotel in about two to three hours.

“This tour takes you to all the wonderful Harry Potter inspired spots. It has a brief summary at each location followed by directions to the next. However, I would definitely recommend starting at point one as that is where the directions are written from. We tried to do a few out of order and it was very difficult finding certain spots due to the spotty GPS thru Edinburgh. Also the Elephant Shop was under construction and they had a temporary one on Victoria Street. We were not able to go in because it had 45min wait. The tour itself was informative and could be stop and started if you want…”

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4.Edinburgh Old Town Private Self-Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $12Top rated

Follow Jule’s recorded audio guide through Edinburgh Old Town in about two to three hours. You’ll visit the Royal Mile, St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh Castle, Grassmarket, the Writers’ Museum, and more, with GPS directions and three weeks of app access.

“Unable to do due to weather - really wish we could have explore at are own pace but definitely will on our next adventure here.”

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5.Highlights from Edinburgh’s Old Town: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.) · from $11

Follow VoiceMap’s English audio and offline maps from the Royal Scottish Academy to the Scottish Parliament. In 90 minutes to 2 hours, you’ll hear how Edinburgh’s architecture shaped its story, with stops at Princes Street Gardens, the Royal Mile, Riddle’s Court, St Giles Cathedral, and John Knox House.

“It was our first time using the app. Overall, the experience was relatively good. Sometimes it knew exactly where we were, but sometimes it didn't, which was a bit challening. This particular tour was very focused on the city's architecture, which I didn't recall from the description, so if you aren't as interested in that aspect of the city's history, you may want to try another tour.”

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6.A History of Witchcraft in Edinburgh: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $9

Follow Kat’s English narration from the Palace of Holyrood to Castle Hill, hearing about Scotland’s witch trials, John Knox, Major Thomas Weir, torture methods, and the last witch of Scotland. The VoiceMap app supplies offline audio, maps, and directions for your private, self-guided walk.

“I had a great time with the narrated tour by Kat. The facts were interesting but not overly dry and "textbook"-focused. Focused more on the storytelling aspect, which I really liked.”

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7.Edinburgh City of Wizards Exploration Game and Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3 reviews · from $8

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.”

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8.Highlights from the Royal Mile: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $19

Follow VoiceMap’s English audio tour from the Witches Well beside Edinburgh Castle to Holyroodhouse. In about an hour, hear stories of witch trials, Deacon Brodie, John Knox, Mary Queen of Scots, harsh punishments, and the Royal Mile’s four historic sections. Download the route for offline use.

“We loved the ability to set the pace and enjoy stopping to shop or take in scenery. Loved hearing all of the history”

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