Edinburgh City Bike Tour: E-Bike & Manual, Calton Hill & Beach
Edinburgh's Hidden Spots on Two Wheels: From Volcanic Rock to Sandy Beach
You ride through Edinburgh's quieter neighborhoods and secret spots (from a volcanic rock garden to a sandy beach to a working harbor) on either an e-bike or manual bike, with a guide who's spent a decade riding these routes. The tour includes helmet, gloves, rain jacket and pannier bag, covers about nine stops, and finishes back in the New Town. Book a private option if you're bringing kids under 13.
Options for this experience
2 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Explore Edinburgh by bike
- Arrive 15 minutes early
- Visit Edinburgh Quay
- Stop at Bruntsfield Links golf course
- Explore Edinburgh's largest public park
- Pass by countryside portal
- Visit Secret Garden near Arthur's Seat
- Enjoy Portobello Beach views
- Discover Leith maritime area
- Follow Water of Leith on railway lines
- View Calton Hill from New Town edge
- Travel through New Town Georgian streets
- Union Canal 5m
- Bruntsfield Links Short Hole Golf Course 5m
- The Meadows 5m
- Innocent Railway Tunnel passing by
- Arthur's Seat 5m
- Portobello Beach 15m
- Leith 15m
- Water of Leith Walkway passing by
- Calton Hill 5m
- New Town passing by
What’s included
- Helmet, gloves, rain jacket, pannier bag if needed, and your choice of e-bike (for ages 14+) or manual bike.
- The tour visits Edinburgh Quay, Bruntsfield Links, the city's largest public park, the Secret Garden at Arthur's Seat, Portobello Beach, Leith's harbor district, and the Water of Leith converted railway route back through New Town.
- Arrive 15 minutes early for bike setup.
- Every day 10:30
Information
Edinburgh bike tour covering Calton Hill, Arthur's Seat, Portobello Beach and Leith. E-bike or manual options, small groups. Helmet and rain jacket included with guide.
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Traveler reviews
The experience
Most Edinburgh tours stick to the Royal Mile and castle views. This one takes you to places locals actually ride to: a volcanic rock garden tucked into Holyrood Park, a working-class harbor in Leith that feels nothing like the postcard version, a sandy beach most visitors don't know exists. Riccardo, who's been guiding in the Scottish Highlands and European Alps for nearly a decade, built this route to show you the city's actual shape, not just its famous silhouette.
You'll choose between an e-bike or a manual bike before you start, arrive 15 minutes early for setup, and the tour covers about nine stops across the day. The route moves through Edinburgh Quay at the Union Canal, past Bruntsfield Links (one of the oldest golf courses anywhere), then into the city's largest public park with views back toward the old Royal Infirmary. After that comes the Secret Garden, a hidden patch on the edge of Holyrood Park where you're right up against Arthur's Seat's volcanic rock face. The contrast hits different when you're on a bike: you're not hiking up, you're riding through the city and then suddenly you're at the edge of something that feels wild.
Portobello Beach is the part that surprises people. Edinburgh has a beach (a proper sandy one with views across the Firth of Forth toward the Kingdom of Fife), and most tourists never find it. From there, the tour swings through Leith, a working harbor with eclectic architecture and a real maritime history that's nothing like the gentrified parts of town. You follow the Water of Leith back on converted railway lines, pass views of Calton Hill from the New Town side, and finish through Georgian streets. The whole thing is built around the idea that you see more from a bike than you do on foot, and you move fast enough to cover real ground without burning out.
Riccardo holds a UK bike guide qualification, Outdoor First Aid certification, and child protection training, so the safety side is handled. You get a helmet, gloves, rain jacket, and a pannier bag if you need one. E-bikes are available for riders 14 and older. Younger kids can join only on private tour bookings. The pace works for all fitness levels, though the description notes it's not suitable if you have poor cardiovascular health. Arrive 15 minutes early so the bike setup doesn't eat into ride time.
Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English, Spanish and Italian.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (14 to 18 years); Child (1 to 13 years).
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What's the difference between the e-bike and manual bike options?
E-bikes are available for riders 14 and older. Manual bikes work for all ages. Both are included in the tour price. Choose based on fitness level and preference: the route works on either.
What's included in the bike tour?
Helmet, gloves, rain jacket, pannier bag (if needed), and the choice of e-bike or manual bike. You'll need to arrive 15 minutes early for bike setup.
Is the tour suitable for beginners?
Yes, it's suitable for all physical fitness levels. It's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health. The guide, Riccardo, has experience with all ability levels.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes, advance booking is required. Arrive 15 minutes before the tour start time for bike setup.
What if the weather is bad?
A rain jacket is included with the tour, so you're covered for wet weather. Check the weather forecast and dress in layers.
Is there public transport near the start point?
Yes, public transportation options are available nearby the tour start/finish point.
Operated by Ricky’s Bicycle Tours. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.
Prices and times updated 4 days ago
Edinburgh City Bike Tour: E-Bike & Manual, Calton Hill & Beach
3h 30m · EN · ES · IT
from £ 63 per person
≈ US$ 85 in your currency
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