All 8 options, side by side
✓ 2026-08-12| Option | Price | Per person | Length | Rating | Cancellation | Extra fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh Old Town Walking Tour: Castle, Royal Mile & StoriesBest value | £ 18 p.p. | £ 18 | 2h | 5.00★ · 71 | free | — |
| Edinburgh: Royal Mile & Castle Walking Tour, Max 10 People | £ 40 p.p. | £ 40 | 3h | 4.90★ · 126 | free | — |
| Edinburgh Castle & Royal Mile: Small Group Walking Tour | £ 52 p.p. | £ 52 | 2h 15m | 4.81★ · 1,884 | free | — |
| Edinburgh Castle & Royal Mile Walking Tour with EntryOur pick | £ 53 p.p. | £ 53 | 2h 15m | 4.92★ · 2,689 | free | — |
| Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile & Holyrood Palace Shore Excursion: Walk Scotland's royal heart | £ 59 p.p. | £ 59 | 8h | 3.00★ only 9 reviews | free | — |
| Edinburgh: Private City Tour with Castle & Royal Mile | £ 775 per group | £ 97 (8 share) | 8h | 4.60★ · 10 | free | — |
| Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood & Royal Mile Small Group Tour | £ 99 p.p. | £ 99 | 5h | 4.89★ · 119 | free | — |
| Edinburgh Private City Tour: Castle & Royal Mile with GuideTop rated | £ 721 p.p. | £ 721 | 7h 30m | 5.00★ only 5 reviews | free | — |
Real price per person across the 8 options: £ 18–£ 721 (median £ 53). With 100+ reviews: 4 of 8.
Default order: real price per person — the group price divided by the seats it includes.
Up to 2 hours (1)
Edinburgh Old Town Walking Tour: Castle, Royal Mile & StoriesYou’ll walk Edinburgh’s Old Town with a guide who brings history to life—stories behind St Giles’ Cathedral, secrets along the Royal Mile, and legends at Grassmarket. Expect laughter, unexpected details (and maybe a chill or two), plus plenty of chances to pause or ask questions as you go.
2 to 5 hours (4)
Edinburgh Castle & Royal Mile Walking Tour with EntryYou walk the Royal Mile with a guide who explains the closes, the Mercat Cross, St Giles' Cathedral, Victoria Street, and the Grassmarket before climbing to Edinburgh Castle. Inside the castle, you see the Crown Jewels, Great Hall, and St Margaret's Chapel, then explore the roofed areas on your own. Entry is included, and the whole guided portion takes around three hours.Is it for me?Book this if you want the main Edinburgh sights connected by someone who knows the history and stories — the guide is what turns separate landmarks into a coherent picture of the Old Town, and entry to the castle is what keeps you from buying a ticket separately at the gate.
Edinburgh Castle & Royal Mile: Small Group Walking TourYou walk the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Old Town with a Master Storyteller guide who tells the history of each place as you stand in it. If you choose the castle option, you get a 45-minute guided introduction to Edinburgh Castle plus free time to explore on your own. Everyone receives a wireless audio device so you can hear clearly, and you take home an exclusive Sounds of Edinburgh playlist. The whole experience is designed to feel like a conversation with someone who knows the city, not a lecture.Is it for me?Book this if you want the main Edinburgh stories — castle, Royal Mile, Old Town — told by someone who knows the history deeply, without arranging tickets and timing yourself. The small group size and audio devices mean you hear everything clearly, and the 45-minute castle introduction gives you context before you explore on your own.
Edinburgh: Royal Mile & Castle Walking Tour, Max 10 PeopleYou walk the Royal Mile, pass Edinburgh Castle and St Giles' Cathedral, explore Grassmarket and Greyfriars Kirkyard, and see Victoria Street—all with a local guide in a group of ten or fewer. The three-hour pace lets you absorb the city's layout and history without rushing, and you avoid the crowds that come with larger tours. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a jacket; the route is hilly but steady.Is it for me?Right for first-time visitors who want to understand Edinburgh's layout and history in one morning without arranging their own route, and for anyone who prefers a smaller group where you can actually hear the guide and move at a human pace.
Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood & Royal Mile Small Group TourYou’ll trace centuries of royal drama from Edinburgh Castle’s ramparts down through winding closes and lively streets to Holyrood Palace’s stately halls. Alongside a local guide you’ll hear stories that make old stones feel personal—and finish wandering palace gardens at your own pace. It’s not just history; it gets under your skin.
Half day and longer (3)
Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile & Holyrood Palace Shore Excursion: Walk Scotland's royal heartYou board a coach at the tendering point and spend the day with a licensed guide visiting four Edinburgh landmarks: the Royal Yacht Britannia (drive-by), Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile with St Giles Cathedral and Scottish Parliament, and Holyrood Palace. Entry to the castle and palace is optional and not included. The guide times your return to the ship, typically one hour before sailing, so you never miss the boat.Is it for me?Built for cruise passengers on a short stop: the return time is planned around your ship's departure, which is what makes a full Edinburgh highlights tour possible in port without the stress of arranging your own transport back.
Edinburgh: Private City Tour with Castle & Royal MileYou get eight hours in a private vehicle with a guide who knows Edinburgh's medieval and Georgian sides, moving between the Old Town's cramped closes and the New Town's planned elegance. Stops include the Royal Mile, St Giles' Cathedral, Grassmarket, Calton Hill with its panoramic views, and optional time at Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and the group stays under eight people so the pace stays flexible.Is it for me?Best for travelers who want to see Edinburgh's main landmarks without arranging their own transport or timing between stops—the private vehicle and guide handle the route, and the small group size means you're not locked into a fixed pace if something catches your attention.
Edinburgh Private City Tour: Castle & Royal Mile with GuideYou walk Edinburgh's main landmarks — Castle, Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace, Calton Hill, St. Giles' Cathedral and Greyfriars Kirkyard — with a private guide who knows the history and the shortcuts. Castle entry is included, hotel pickup is arranged, and the pace stays yours because it's not a group tour. Expect a full day of walking through medieval closes and Georgian streets.Is it for me?Book this if you want Edinburgh's main sights — Castle, Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace — in one day without arranging separate tickets or navigating the city alone; the private guide and included entry mean you skip the logistics and move at your own pace.
Frequently asked questions
Can I book with free cancellation?
Yes: 8 of the 8 options offer free cancellation, so you can book now and confirm your plans later.
How long do these experiences last?
Most options last between 2 and 5 hours. There are also shorter and longer formats to fit your itinerary.
Which one is the travelers' favorite?
Edinburgh Castle & Royal Mile Walking Tour with Entry is the travelers' favorite, rated 4.92 out of 5 across 2,689 reviews.
Are private options available?
Yes, 2 private experiences are available if you prefer a closed group.
More things to do in Edinburgh
Edinburgh Bus Tour6 optionsDay Trips from Edinburgh40 optionsEdinburgh Underground City18 optionsEdinburgh Highlands Tour59 optionsEdinburgh Ghost Tour22 optionsStirling Castle Tours22 optionsEdinburgh Whiskey Tour17 optionsEdinburgh City Tour9 optionsEdinburgh Castle Ghost Tour15 optionsEdinburgh Walking Tour69 optionsEdinburgh Food15 optionsEdinburgh Airport Taxi9 optionsArthur's Seat Hiking6 optionsRosslyn Chapel Tours11 optionsEdinburgh Bike Tours6 optionsBoat Tour in Edinburgh6 optionsEdinburgh Hiking5 optionsEdinburgh Movie Tours11 optionsRoyal Mile Walking Tour23 optionsTrain Tours from Edinburgh5 optionsEdinburgh Old Town Tours12 optionsOvernight Tours in Edinburgh27 optionsLoch Lomond Highlands Tours5 options
