Things to do in Edinburgh
Day Trips from Edinburgh12 optionsEdinburgh Underground City14 optionsEdinburgh Tour Highlands44 optionsEdinburgh Ghost Tour24 optionsStirling Castle Tours39 optionsWhiskey Tour Edinburgh13 optionsEdinburgh Walking Tour94 optionsEdinburgh Airport Taxi10 optionsEdinburgh City Tour7 optionsRosslyn Chapel Tours10 optionsBoat Tour Edinburgh6 optionsLoch Lomond Tours13 options
Sort
Edinburgh: Pentland Hills Hike & Highland Cows with All-Day BusYou’ll hike through Edinburgh’s Pentland Hills with a local guide, spotting Highland cows if luck’s on your side and learning little bits of Scottish history along winding trails. Expect muddy boots, fresh air, snacks included, plus an all-day bus ticket so getting there (and back) is no stress. It’s part city escape, part wild adventure—hard not to feel changed by it.
Edinburgh Old Town Walking Tour: Royal Mile & Greyfriars BobbyYou walk the Royal Mile from High Street down through St Giles' Cathedral and the Grassmarket to Greyfriars Kirkyard, hearing stories of Scottish history, William Wallace, and the legendary Greyfriars Bobby along the way. A local guide handles the narration and timing, so you don't have to plan the route or wonder what you're looking at. The tour ends near a museum, leaving your afternoon open.Is it for me?Book this if you want the main Old Town landmarks connected by real stories rather than visited as separate stops — the guide's knowledge is what turns a walk into a narrative, and the fixed route means you don't spend time figuring out where to go next.
Stirling Castle, Kelpies & Whisky: Day Trip from EdinburghYou’ll join a small group for a day trip from Edinburgh with stops at Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond’s wild beauty, Glengoyne Distillery for whisky tasting, and finally meet the towering Kelpies. With local stories along the way and short hikes included, you’ll come home with muddy boots—and probably a new favorite Scottish legend or two.
Edinburgh Castle & Holyrood Palace: Guided Tour with Audio GuideYou meet your guide at 10am and walk to Edinburgh Castle, exploring the Great Hall and Royal Apartments with expert commentary before free time to roam the rest. At 2pm, a staff member escorts you to Holyrood Palace, where you use an audio guide to learn about Mary, Queen of Scots and the palace's role in modern royal life. Both entry tickets are included, and the day wraps by late afternoon.Is it for me?A good fit if you want both Edinburgh's royal landmarks in one day without arranging separate tickets or navigating between them alone. The guided morning gives you context and history, while the audio guide afternoon lets you explore at your own speed — the mix is what makes a full day of discovery possible without feeling rushed or tethered to a group.
Edinburgh: City of the Dead Underground Vaults TourYou descend into the South Bridge Vaults beneath Edinburgh's Royal Mile for 80 minutes with a local expert guide who knows the real stories of those who lived and died in these tunnels. The tour covers the most haunted section, called Damnation Alley, and includes accounts of the conditions people endured and the presence that lingers. Expect a steady walk through uneven, dark passages; it's not for travelers with spinal or heart issues, and the experience can be emotionally intense. Book ahead during peak season, as tours fill quickly.Is it for me?Right for travelers who want to understand Edinburgh's real history, not the sanitized version—the 80 minutes are paced to let the stories land, and a local guide beats a recording. Plan for a steady walk through cold, dark, uneven passages; that's what makes the experience authentic and unsettling in equal measure.
Edinburgh to Loch Ness & Eilean Donan: 2-Day Highlands TourYou’ll ride through Scotland’s wild heart—from Edinburgh past Glencoe’s brooding mountains to Eilean Donan Castle’s misty ramparts and Loch Ness’s deep waters. Expect muddy shoes, stories from your local guide, an overnight stay by Ben Nevis in Fort William—and maybe even a laugh over lost socks or missed trains along the way.
Bobby's Bar Crawl Edinburgh: 5 bars, nightclub & shotsBobby's Bar Crawl is a guided tour of Edinburgh's nightlife, starting at 9 PM at Pilgrim Bar and moving through five venues including Frankenstein and ending at Hive nightclub. The crawl includes entry to all bars and the club, complimentary shots at selected venues, exclusive drink deals, a wristband, professional photos, and a local host leading a mixed group of solo travelers and groups through the night.Is it for me?The local host speaks English and leads the group at a social pace through live music venues and nightclubs, so solo travelers and groups mixing together can follow comfortably and meet people throughout the night. You'll need to be 18 or older to join.
Edinburgh: Castle, Grassmarket & Private City Tour with Local TastingsYou’ll wander Edinburgh’s winding streets with a local guide who knows every shortcut and story. Expect tales at Edinburgh Castle, laughter in Grassmarket pubs, maybe even a taste of Scottish tablet or whisky along the way. This private city tour includes flexible stops—sometimes museums or Parliament—plus a local treat that changes with your guide’s mood. You’ll leave feeling like you’ve actually lived here for an afternoon.
Edinburgh: Dean Village & Circus Lane Walking Tour Local GuideYou walk through Dean Village's 17th-century streets and along the Water of Leith with a local guide who knows which alleys matter and where the otters sometimes appear. The route includes the New Town's Georgian architecture, the Stockbridge Market (on Sundays), and ends at Circus Lane. Expect cobblestones, a moderate pace, and roughly two hours on your feet.Is it for me?Right for travelers who've done the Old Town and Royal Mile and want to see where locals actually walk. Plan for moderate cobblestone terrain and roughly two hours on your feet — that's what lets you reach the quieter neighborhoods most visitors miss.
Edinburgh: Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour with Live GuideYou board at Waterloo Place or any of 13 stops and ride upstairs past Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Holyroodhouse, and Grassmarket with a live guide whose stories change with each departure. Hop off to explore, rejoin when ready, and use the WiFi to plan your next move. The paper ticket is your pass on and off the buses.Is it for me?Choose this if you want to cover Edinburgh's main sights without arranging separate transport between them, and you'd rather not commit to a fixed walking pace or tour schedule — the bus does the navigation, and you decide where to stop.
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: Guided Tour & Entry Tickets IncludedYou’ll walk Edinburgh’s Royal Mile with a local guide who brings centuries-old stories to life before stepping inside Edinburgh Castle itself. See Scotland’s crown jewels up close and hear legends echoing off ancient walls. From quiet passageways to sweeping views over the city, every moment here feels weighty in the best way.
Edinburgh: Private Walking Tour with Custom Route & Local HostYou’ll wander Edinburgh’s winding streets with a local host who shapes the route around your interests—from climbing Calton Hill for wide-open views to sampling fresh bread in Stockbridge Market. Expect spontaneous stops, insider stories, and small moments you wouldn’t find alone—all with flexible pickup and direct planning before you go.
Edinburgh to Loch Ness & Urquhart Castle: Full-Day Spanish TourYou get a full-day Spanish-language tour covering four major stops — Culloden Battlefield, Inverness, Urquhart Castle ruins, and Dunkeld village — with an optional Loch Ness cruise included. Hotel pickup isn't mentioned, so confirm your meeting point at 190 High Street in Edinburgh when you book. Plan for a 12-hour day out, which is what makes fitting the whole north-and-back route possible without skipping anything.Is it for me?Right for Spanish speakers based in or visiting Edinburgh who want a full Highland loop without arranging their own transport or timing. The 12-hour day — leaving at 7:15am and returning at 8pm — is what makes four major stops possible in one trip, so plan accordingly and dress for changeable weather.
Private Highlands Tour from Edinburgh: Customize your dayYou spend a full day driving through the Central Highlands with a local guide who adjusts the route to what you actually want to see—castles, lochs, walks, whisky, or Rob Roy's story. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, the van is private, and you move at a pace that lets you linger or skip without holding anyone else up. Distillery visits are optional and booked separately.Is it for me?Right for travelers who want to see the Highlands without following a coach schedule or managing a rental car themselves. Expect a full day out with flexibility built in—that's what makes customizing the route possible without holding other passengers back.
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.
Edinburgh: Arthur's Seat Hike & Holyrood Park with Local GuideYou climb Arthur's Seat with a professional guide who explains the extinct volcano beneath your feet, the medieval ruins, three lochs, and the old hill fort scattered across Holyrood Park's 650 acres. The two-hour ascent is steep and requires moderate fitness, but the views from the top stretch across Edinburgh and beyond. You finish where you started, with no transport logistics to arrange afterward.Is it for me?Book this if you're fit enough for a sustained two-hour climb on steep terrain and want to understand Edinburgh's geology and history while earning the best views in the city — the guide removes the guesswork about what you're looking at and how to navigate the park safely.
Scotland Highlands: Queen’s View, Wallace Monument & Kelpies Day TripYou’ll wander Scottish pine forests at The Hermitage, taste whisky straight from Blair Athol Distillery, stand quietly at Queen’s View over Loch Tummel, and feel history come alive at the Wallace Monument and The Kelpies sculptures—all with a local guide handling every detail so you can just take it in.
Scotch Whisky Tasting in Edinburgh: Learn the Regions & StylesA 90-minute whisky tasting class in Edinburgh where you taste three single malts and one new make spirit while learning the history, distillation secrets and regional styles that define Scotch. A local guide in your chosen language walks you through origins, the golden age of Scotch, Edinburgh's influence on its fame, and the anecdotes behind each dram. Minimum age 18; wheelchair accessible; available in English, Spanish, Italian or German.Is it for me?Book this if you want to understand what you're tasting instead of just tasting it—the guide's stories and explanations turn four drams into a lesson in why Scotch matters, and the new make spirit shows you what whisky tastes like before the barrel changes everything.
Edinburgh Comedy Attic: Late-Night Stand-Up & Drinks Above PubYou get admission to an intimate, rotating stand-up show hosted by Rick Molland with three acts pulled from the UK circuit each night. The room is small enough that comedians can see you react, heckling is fair game, and the late-night slot means no early finish. Book ahead—seats fill fast.Is it for me?Book this if you want stand-up comedy without the theater-seat distance—the room is small enough that the show feels like a conversation, and the rotating line-up means no two nights are the same. The late-night slot and pub setting keep the energy high without an early finish.
