Edinburgh Old Town Tours and Activities

See the best of medieval yet modern Edinburgh on this walking tour with optional skip-the-line access to Edinburgh Castle. As you walk, listen as your guide shares the history of this formidable city with ancient Roman roots and UNESCO-listed pockets. Explore atmospheric cobbled walkways along the Royal Mile, breeze into Edinburgh Castle to witness royal opulence (if option selected), and pass iconic locations like St. Giles Cathedral, Parliament Square, and John Knox House.

Journey through Edinburgh’s grisliest tales on a haunted walking tour. Experience the ghastly histories of monsters, madness, and murder that cast a dark shadow on the capital city. Discover the stories and sites of witch trials, pagan rituals, and executions, and hear about local monsters that live in urban myth. Then visit the chilling Old Calton Burial Ground or Canongate Kirkyard cemetery to learn about body-snatching and some of the infamous interred.

Discover the Edinburgh Vaults—aka South Bridge Vaults—18th-century underground chambers that lie far below the city. On this underground walking tour with an entertaining and informative guide, hear tales of this dark and almost-forgotten place built below one of Edinburgh’s busiest thoroughfares. See evidence of excavated storage spaces, human habitation, taverns with wine vaults and more!

Edinburgh is known for its dark past, and this evening walking tour is the original one to showcase the city's historically sinister and spooky side. Discover the hidden ‘wynds’ (alleys) and closes of the Old Town as you learn their mysteries and horrors; visit the ghost-ridden Greyfriars Kirkyard; and explore the city’s underground vaults to uncover their spirits and secrets. Your tour is led by a creepily costumed guide.

This walking tour of Edinburgh is a great choice for first-time visitors who want to get their bearings of the city and learn more about its history. By exploring the city with a guide, you’ll be able to stop looking at a map and focus on enjoying the sites around you. Your guide will teach you about secret places locals love, as well as the Old Town’s most famous sites. Highlights include St. Giles’ Cathedral, the Mercat Cross, Edinburgh Castle, and much more. 

Step off the tourist trail and explore the Scottish capital’s hidden secrets on this underground walking tour in Edinburgh. Follow a guide from the South Bridge in Edinburgh Old Town down below street level, where a series of ancient vaults lie. As you explore the dark passageways, learn why the vaults were built, hear of the poor souls who sought refuge in the depths and discover a hidden witchcraft temple. Gain insight into city life during the 18th century, and learn of the deadly diseases which threatened Edinburgh’s inhabitants.

Explore a sinister side of Edinburgh on this late-night ghost walking tour that includes the Blair Street Vaults under South Bridge. Stroll mysterious alleyways as you listen to your guide’s grim and ghastly tales of treason and torture. Then venture underground for a candlelight tour of the 18th-century chambers and hear haunting stories of supernatural forces lingering in the city's darkest corners.

Edinburgh is notoriously one of the most haunted places in the UK, making it a prime destination for ghost-hunters. Dare to discover the city’s dark side on this evening tour and visit the eerie Blair Street Underground Vaults, follow in the footsteps of the infamous Edinburgh Mob, then settle your nerves with a dram of Scotch whisky in Megget's Cellar.

Delve into Edinburgh’s horrific history on this evening ghost bus tour. With your spooky local guide, visit the city’s most terrifying locations, haunted by infamy and restless spirits! From your seat in a double-decker vintage bus, gaze at eerie sites such as Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh Castle, Grassmarket, and the Royal Mile. Throughout the trip, hear anecdotes and facts about Edinburgh’s chilling past, replete with bloody executions, unspeakable tortures, and murder.

Scotch whisky is one of Scotland’s most famous exports and this 2-hour tour reveals all the secrets of Edinburgh’s favorite tipple. Stroll through Edinburgh’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, visit Megget’s Cellar for a candlelit tasting, and sample a variety of Speyside, Highland, and Islay whiskies.

Old Town is a MUST DO tour as this was the original Edinburgh during the ancient times. We will pass through from the very beginning to the very end of the Royal Mile (UNESCO), discovering both the well-known historic places and the unknown & hidden spots, including Harry Potter's birth place(!). You will learn how Old Edinburgh was, how real life was and how people lived during the medieval times and many more facts & histories about Auld Reekie (Old Smokey the ancient name of Edinburgh). Hi, I'm Rishi your host and your guide and I conduct walking tours. I have over 20 years of experience in tourism & hospitality, I got my degree in Tourism (BA Hons) in Edinburgh to match my love of travel. I am from India and I live in the alluring city of Edinburgh. When I first came here many years back I fell in love with this city. Being myself an explorer, history & a nature lover, I found endless opportunities here. The experience I provide will become the memories of a life time for you.

Ideal for those fascinated by the supernatural, this tour of Edinburgh’s underground vaults is sure to make your spine tingle. With a ghoulish guide, descend into the darkened depths of the Blair Street Vaults and hear vivid retellings of torture, murder, and body snatching. Abandon thoughts of manufactured frights and prepare to experience the sinister side of Edinburgh on this small-group tour.

This 'Harry Potter' walking tour gets fans closer to spots in Edinburgh that inspired J.K Rowling’s famous books. Walk past key sites that inspired places such as Diagon Alley, and even see the cafes and hotels where the writer wrote her book series. Your guide knows the quickest ways to get around the city on foot to fit more into your time, as well as fun facts about Harry Potter.

Get a taste of Edinburgh on this guided tasting tour. Try locally sourced dishes and drinks beyond the Royal Mile. Along the way, learn about the history of the area. Plus get recommendations on places such as bars, restaurants, museums, and galleries to go following the tour. Listen with an audio headset so you can walk at your own pace.

Edinburgh’s dark and desultory past means its streets are haunted by restless souls and wandering specters. This ghost tour—perfect for those fascinated by the supernatural—takes you to two of Edinburgh’s most haunted locations. Under the cloak of darkness, descend to the Blair Street vaults to explore a shadow-shrouded underground world. Visit Canongate Kirkyard, the final resting place of famous characters, and listen to gruesome tales of torture, cannibalism, and murder.

Embark on an enriching 3.5 or 7-hour walking tour of Edinburgh’s cultural and historical highlights with a private guide. While you listen to insightful commentary, you’ll visit iconic landmarks and hidden gems according to an itinerary tailored to your interests. Explore the cobbled streets of the Old Town, gaze at Edinburgh Castle on its rocky perch and ascend to the summit of Calton Hill for panoramic city views. On this private tour, you’ll receive the undivided attention of your guide while gaining unique insight into the Scottish capital.

Short on time but still want to experience Edinburgh’s UNESCO-listed gems? No problem! Jump aboard a classic Mini Cooper for a private half-day tour of Edinburgh and zip around the sights in style. Hop out along the way to admire Edinburgh Castle, take in the views from Arthur’s Seat and stroll down the Royal Mile, then explore the lively Grassmarket and visit the waterfront neighbourhood of Leith. Finish your adventure by tucking into a delicious lunch or dinner (depending on option selected) of typical Scottish cuisine.

Edinburgh has a rich dark side that requires an introduction. On this walking tour, your guide will fill you in on the city's dual personality that encompasses both a genteel cityscape and a history thick with notorious murderers, thieves, witches and worse. As you explore, you'll see such places as St. Giles Cathedral and the Mercat Cross in a very different light.

Experience spine-tingling thrills and supernatural chills on this 1.5-hour adults-only terror walking tour in Edinburgh. Take a journey along the cobbled streets of Edinburgh’s historic Old Town with a guide and delve deep into the city’s dark past. When darkness has descended on the city, explore hidden underground vaults once used to hold criminals of deepest guilt — and others — and take in top city landmarks including St Giles’ Cathedral by night. Hear of the notorious Tolbooth Prison and the troubled souls it held, and enter the terrifying torture museum.

Dirty Daves Edinburgh Adventure is a very R-18 Comedy private walking tour of Edinburgh. This is a private group tour... book for 1 person and bring your entire group. This tour is totally over the top and not for the feint of heart . Expect exactly all the lines to be crossed, in this no holds barred tour of the old town. This tour has been designed for people who want to be entertained, and not looking to sit through a two hour history lecture. This tour is perfect for backpackers, stag dos, and anyone who likes to have a good laugh!

UNESCO–listed Edinburgh is widely considered among Scotland’s must-see cities, but exploring on foot can be tiring and time-consuming. On this tour, begin with pickup at your Edinburgh hotel and spin through the city in style by comfortable van. Hit top attractions including Edinburgh Castle, Grassmarket, the Royal Mile, and St. Giles Cathedral with ease, with plenty of time to alight and explore on foot where you wish.

Explore Edinburgh is style by opting for a private guided tour. Avoid crowded public transport and enjoy the luxury of traveling in a premium minivan. As it’s a private tour, benefit from having direct access to a guide for questions. The tour can be customized based on your interests, but potential stops include the Royal Mile, the Old Town, Grassmarket, and Edinburgh Castle.

There are so many fantastic places to eat and drink in Edinburgh that planning where to go can be a headache. Leave the decisions to the experts on this food and drink tour. In a small group, you'll delve deep into Scotland's culinary heritage and history and make five food stops in the Old and New Towns, three of which include a drink tasting.

Your Guide, Bella McRae is a professional Photographer with almost 20 years years experience. An Australian born Scot, Bella moved to Edinburgh 2 years ago to further develop her photographic art. Bella has achieved international recognition for her portrait work and prior to her move to Scotland was a judge for local camera clubs. Tours are limited to a maximum of 6 people but will run with just one booking. With keeping our numbers limited, we ensure that you get personal one on one attention from Bella, with advice, tailored to your needs. This makes our tours suitable for photographers of all levels.