Edinburgh Full-Day Tour with Castle: Old Town to New Town

Walk the Royal Mile and climb to Edinburgh Castle in one guided day

A small-group walking tour of Edinburgh covering Old Town, New Town, the Scottish National Gallery and Edinburgh Castle, with a local guide in English and a lunch break built in. The tour runs about five hours including the break and covers the city's main landmarks (Charlotte Square, Princes Street Gardens, the Royal Mile, St Giles' Cathedral, Greyfriars Kirkyard and the Grassmarket) before entering the castle for a guided tour and free exploration of the interior.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Georgian House20m
2. Princes Street Gardens10m
3. Scottish National Gallery40m
4. Stockbridge Market30m
5. St Giles' Cathedral30m
6. Royal Mile25m
7. Grassmarket10m · entry included
8. Edinburgh Castle40m · entry included

Explore Edinburgh's highlights and castle

• Start tour in West End of Edinburgh
• Admire neoclassical architecture in Charlotte Square
• Visit Georgian House museum
• Cross Princes Street Gardens and see Ross Fountain
• Discover artworks at Scottish National Gallery
• Stop for lunch on the Royal Mile
• See Mercat Cross on Royal Mile
• Visit St. Giles Cathedral and West Parliament Square
• View Heart of Midlothian landmark
• Walk along Royal Mile and learn about closes
• See Bobby dog statue on George IV Bridge
• Explore Greyfriars Kirkyard graveyard
• Visit Grassmarket area
• Walk up Victoria Street
• Visit Makars’ Court and Writer’s Museum
• Walk to Castle Esplanade and enjoy city views
• Tour Edinburgh Castle and explore indoor areas

The experience

The tour starts in the West End at Charlotte Square, where the guide explains why Edinburgh earned the nickname "Athens of the North" through its neoclassical architecture. You'll see the Georgian House and understand what 18th and 19th century high society life looked like in these townhouses, then cross Princes Street Gardens from east to west, stopping to see the Ross Fountain and a clear view of the castle and castle rock. The Scottish National Gallery comes next, where the guide highlights works by Sir Henry Raeburn, Alexander Nasmyth and the Glasgow Boys.

After the gallery, you walk toward the Royal Mile for a lunch break. The area has pubs and restaurants with vegan and vegetarian options, and the time is yours to spend. Once you've eaten, the walking portion resumes along the Royal Mile itself. You'll see the Mercat Cross, where public announcements and punishments once took place, and learn why a unicorn sits at its top. St Giles' Cathedral comes into view next, and the guide covers its architecture, the history of the Presbyterian religion in Scotland and the Act of Union. Nearby stands the Heart of Midlothian, marking where the Old Tolbooth once stood. The route then takes you through the medieval closes, the narrow cobbled lanes, and past Greyfriars Kirkyard, where you'll learn about Mortsafes and the Scottish Covenants. The Grassmarket follows, known for its pubs and dark history, and then Victoria Street, described as the most colorful street in the city. Back on the Royal Mile, Makars' Court introduces Scotland's major writers (Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson) before you reach the Castle Esplanade for views of the city and the spot where the Edinburgh Military Tattoo takes place.

Edinburgh Castle is the final stop. The guide leads you through the history, stories of kings, queens, battles and sieges, then you have free time to explore the indoor areas at your own pace. The whole tour, including the lunch break, takes approximately five hours, though it may run slightly longer during peak season (April to October) when navigating the city takes extra time. Wear comfortable shoes (Edinburgh is hilly), and bring a windproof, rainproof jacket.

What’s included

• Edinburgh Castle entrance ticket and a guided tour of the castle.
• admission to one historic house (either Gladstone's Land or The Georgian House, available from 1 April 2026).
• a guided highlights tour of the Scottish National Gallery.
• a local guide in English throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00Last departure this season: 31 Oct

AgesAdult (16 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Child (7 to 15 years) · Infant (under 7): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Clan Pascual Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to cover Edinburgh's major landmarks in a single day with a guide managing the pace and route. Choose a self-guided option if you'd rather linger in museums or set your own speed.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (7 to 15 years); Infant (under 7): free.

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 inside Edinburgh Castle that I'll see on the tour?

Edinburgh Castle includes the history and stories of kings, queens, battles and sieges. After the guided portion, you have free time to explore the indoor areas at your own pace.

Do I need to arrange my own lunch, or is it included?

Lunch is not included in the tour price. You have free time during the lunch break on the Royal Mile, where there are cafes, pubs and restaurants to choose from, with vegan and vegetarian options available.

What is the Royal Mile and why does the tour spend time there?

The Royal Mile is the main historic street of Edinburgh's Old Town, lined with medieval cobbled lanes called closes. The tour walks along it to show you these closes, explain their history, and pass key landmarks like St Giles' Cathedral, the Mercat Cross and the Writer's Museum.

How long does the tour actually take?

The tour runs approximately five to five and a half hours, including the lunch break. During peak season (April to October), it may run slightly longer due to extra time needed to navigate the city and access historical sites.

Is the Scottish National Gallery visit a full tour or just highlights?

The Scottish National Gallery portion is a guided highlights tour, where the guide shows you works by Scotland's most famous artists including Sir Henry Raeburn, Alexander Nasmyth and the Glasgow Boys.

What should I wear and bring for this tour?

Wear comfortable shoes because Edinburgh is a hilly city. Bring a windproof and rainproof jacket. The tour involves walking through the city and up to the castle, so good footwear and weather protection matter.