Edinburgh: Castle Entry & Royal Mile Walking Tour Ticket

Summary

Wander royal mile’s closes before stepping into edinburgh castle

You’ll follow winding closes along Edinburgh’s Royal Mile with a local guide, hear stories at St. Giles’ Cathedral, see Victoria Street’s colors and Grassmarket’s shadows, then step inside Edinburgh Castle with your entry ticket included. There’s time after for you to explore at your own pace — or just sit quietly above the city for a bit.

What’s the experience like?

We were already halfway up the Royal Mile when I realized how uneven the cobbles felt under my boots — not uncomfortable, just… real. Our guide, Ewan, had this way of pausing in front of a battered doorway or a close (that’s what they call those skinny alleys) and dropping some wild fact about plague doctors or poets. I kept getting distracted by the smell of roasted coffee from somewhere nearby and the way locals dodged around us like they’d done this route a thousand times. At St. Giles’ Cathedral, Ewan pointed out a tiny heart mosaic on the pavement and said people spit on it for luck. Not sure if that’s true or just something to mess with tourists, but I almost tried it anyway.

Victoria Street was all color — honestly, I’d seen photos but didn’t expect it to feel so lively in person. There was a guy playing fiddle near the Writer’s Museum and a couple arguing gently about which Robert Burns poem is actually good (I still don’t know). We wound down to Grassmarket where Ewan got quiet for a second before telling us about its darker history — hangings and riots, not just pubs and laughter. The air tasted like rain even though it wasn’t raining yet; you know that dampness that clings to your jacket? That.

The climb up to Edinburgh Castle was steeper than I thought — my legs burned but nobody seemed to mind, least of all Ewan who kept pointing out things like the spike of The Hub or where the Tattoo happens every summer. Inside the castle walls, everything echoed: footsteps on stone, distant gunfire at one o’clock (which made me jump), and someone’s laugh bouncing off centuries-old walls. Seeing Mary Queen of Scots’ rooms felt weirdly personal — maybe because our guide didn’t rush us or maybe because you could smell old wood and something metallic in the air. After he left us to wander on our own, I just sat for a while looking out over Edinburgh’s rooftops. Still think about that view sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Edinburgh Castle and Royal Mile tour

• Start tour on the Royal Mile
• Walk and learn about city closes
• Visit Mercat Cross and spot unicorn
• See St. Giles Cathedral and learn history
• Walk to West Parliament Square
• View Heart of Midlothian mosaic
• Visit Makars’ Court and Writer’s Museum
• Walk down Victoria Street
• Explore Grassmarket plaza
• Walk to Castle Esplanade and see the Hub
• Enter Edinburgh Castle for guided tour
• Explore castle indoor areas independently

Top questions

Is entry to Edinburgh Castle included in this tour?

Yes, your guided tour includes an entrance ticket to Edinburgh Castle.

How long does the walking tour last?

The tour covers both the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle; allow several hours including free time after the guided portion.

Where does the tour start?

The tour begins on Edinburgh's historic Royal Mile.

Are there many steps or steep paths?

Yes, there are three sets of steps and two steep paths along the route up to the castle.

Is lunch included?

No lunch is included; you can explore local cafes before or after your tour.

Can infants join in strollers?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in prams or strollers during the tour.

What happens if I arrive late?

If you miss the group at the meeting point, head to Mercat Cross as that's usually their first stop after starting.

Will we visit inside St. Giles’ Cathedral?

You’ll see St. Giles' Cathedral from outside and learn about its history but do not enter during this tour.

What’s included

Your day includes a guided walk through Edinburgh’s Old Town highlights along the Royal Mile with stops at places like St. Giles’ Cathedral and Grassmarket, plus entrance ticket and guided visit inside Edinburgh Castle — after which you’re free to explore more of its museums and roofed buildings on your own time.