Edinburgh: City Bike Tour with E-Bike Option & Local Guide

Summary

Edinburgh’s wild edges and old stories by bike with a local

You’ll ride through Edinburgh’s parks and neighborhoods—from volcanic Arthur’s Seat to sandy Portobello Beach—with a local guide leading the way. Expect salty breezes, local stories, and easy laughs along Georgian streets. With e-bikes or manual bikes available and all gear included, you’ll see sides of Edinburgh most visitors miss—and maybe catch yourself grinning for no reason.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I wasn’t sure if I’d keep up—Edinburgh has more hills than I expected. But Riccardo (our guide) just grinned and handed me an e-bike, saying “Don’t worry, you’ll thank me at Arthur’s Seat.” He was right. The first climb out of the city center was a breeze, and suddenly we were gliding past Bruntsfield Links where the grass smelled like last night’s rain. There was this old man walking his dog who waved at us—felt like we belonged for a second.

We stopped at the edge of Holyrood Park, close enough to touch the volcanic rock of Arthur’s Seat. Riccardo told us about the geology (I tried to repeat one of the Gaelic names—he laughed, but in a friendly way). The wind picked up there; it tasted faintly salty, which surprised me until he said we’d be heading to Portobello Beach next. I never thought Edinburgh had a real beach—sand under my shoes and all those pastel houses facing the water. A couple of kids were kicking a ball around while their mum watched from a bench wrapped in a tartan scarf.

Leith was next—different vibe entirely. Old warehouses mixed with new cafés, seagulls arguing overhead. Riccardo pointed out some details in the architecture I’d have missed on my own (honestly, I’m still not sure what qualifies as “Georgian,” but he made it sound interesting). We followed old railway lines back toward New Town. My legs were starting to feel it by then—even with the e-bike—but coasting through those wide streets felt good. There was this moment looking back toward Calton Hill where the city just glowed in that weird Scottish light—you know when everything is kind of gold but also grey? Hard to explain.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Edinburgh's key outdoor spots

• Arrive 15 minutes early
• Visit Edinburgh Quay at Union Canal
• Stop at Bruntsfield Links golf course
• Explore Edinburgh's largest public park
• Pass by hidden countryside portal
• Visit Secret Garden near Arthur's Seat
• Relax at Portobello Beach
• Discover Leith's maritime history
• Follow Water of Leith on railway path
• View city from New Town near Calton Hill
• Travel through New Town Georgian streets

Top questions

Is an e-bike included in the Edinburgh bike tour?

E-bikes are available for riders aged 14 and older; manual bikes are also an option.

Does the tour include pickup?

The tour includes pickup; check details when booking.

Are children allowed on this Edinburgh city bike tour?

Children under 13 can join only on private tours; equipment for kids is available.

Which places do we visit on this Edinburgh bike tour?

You’ll see Arthur’s Seat, Portobello Beach, Leith, Bruntsfield Links, and New Town streets.

What should I bring for this day trip?

Bikes, helmets, gloves, rain jackets, and pannier bags are provided; dress for changing weather.

How long is the Edinburgh city bike tour?

The exact duration isn’t specified; expect several hours covering main sights around Edinburgh.

What’s included

Your day includes your choice of e-bike or manual bicycle (e-bikes for ages 14+), helmet and gloves for comfort, rain jacket just in case—it is Scotland after all—and even a pannier bag if you need one. Pickup is included so you can start riding right away with your local guide leading every turn through parks and neighborhoods.