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: Stirling Castle, Kelpies & Highland Day TripYou'll visit five castles and palaces spanning Scottish royal history, stand in front of the world's largest equine sculptures, meet highland cattle, and cross two iconic bridges — all without arranging transport or timing yourself. Hotel pickup is included, as is water and snacks throughout the day, and the route returns you to Edinburgh by evening.Is it for me?Book this if you want Scotland's main Braveheart landmarks and highland scenery in one day without arranging your own transport, timing each stop, or deciding which castles to skip — the private group format and fixed route handle all of that, leaving you free to just show up and absorb it.
Edinburgh Airport Meet and Greet: Driver Waits at ArrivalsYou receive a call from your driver when they arrive at the airport. They collect you from the pickup point and drive you directly to your Edinburgh accommodation. The price is fixed before you travel, so there's no surprise at the end — just a straightforward transfer that lets you start your trip without the airport-to-hotel scramble.Is it for me?Book this if you're landing at Edinburgh Airport and want to skip the taxi queue or the hunt for a ride — the driver meets you, the price is locked in, and you go straight to your hotel without arranging anything else.
Private Edinburgh Sightseeing Tour by Chauffeur: Castle to HolyroodYou get a private vehicle and driver for the day, hotel pickup included, who takes you past Edinburgh Castle, down the Royal Mile, through St Giles' Cathedral, past the Scottish Parliament, and to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The chauffeur points out the main sights and recommends restaurants, leaving you free to look without navigating. Up to seven passengers fit in the vehicle, and you return to your hotel at the end.Is it for me?Choose this if you want to see Edinburgh's main sights without arranging your own transport or navigating the city on foot — the chauffeur handles the driving and knows where everything is, which frees you to just look around.
Speyside Whisky Tour: Three Distilleries, Private GuideA private whisky tour of Speyside visiting three distilleries with expert-led tours and tutored tastings at each stop, plus hotel pickup and drop-off. The distilleries shift based on availability and your preferences—Macallan, Aberlour, and Cardhu are among the options. Bottled water is included; the tour runs 12 to 14 hours and requires a minimum age of 18.Is it for me?You'll visit three carefully selected Speyside distilleries—both renowned names and smaller producers that define the region—with tours and tastings at each, all in a single day with pickup from your accommodation.
Edinburgh & Rosslyn Chapel: Full-Day Private Tour with CastleYou spend the day in a private minivan with a local guide covering Edinburgh's Old Town, New Town, and key landmarks like Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile, then head south to Rosslyn Chapel after lunch. Fast-track entry to both the castle and chapel is available as an add-on, and the guide provides live commentary throughout. Hotel pickup and all transport, water, and snacks are included, so you arrive knowing the day is already arranged.Is it for me?Book this if you want Edinburgh's history explained by someone who knows the city's layers — medieval closes, Georgian planning, royal connections — without arranging separate transport, tickets, and timing between stops yourself. The private minivan and fixed itinerary handle all that, leaving you to absorb the story.
Edinburgh: Custom Scotland Itinerary Planning with Local GuideYou work with an experienced Edinburgh guide via email to design a custom Scotland itinerary covering transport, accommodation, and activities. You receive detailed recommendations tailored to your interests and travel style, then book everything yourself using the finalized plan. No group tours, no fixed dates, no additional bookings handled by the guide — just the strategy you need to move through Scotland on your own terms.Is it for me?Right for travelers who want expert guidance on planning a Scotland trip without joining a group tour or committing to fixed dates — the email-based format means you get local knowledge without the schedule constraints.
Alnwick Castle & Rosslyn Chapel from Edinburgh: Harry Potter & Film LocationsYou visit Rosslyn Chapel, a 15th-century landmark from The Da Vinci Code; drive past the Leaderfoot Viaduct from the new Indiana Jones film; have lunch and explore Alnwick Castle where Harry Potter's flying scenes were shot; cross the Scotland-England border for photos; and finish at St Abbs coastal village, which doubled as New Asgard in Avengers: Endgame. Transport, guide, and lunch are included, and the group stays under 16 people.Is it for me?Choose this tour if you want to see multiple film locations in one day without arranging your own transport or timing between sites — the fixed itinerary and small group size mean you move at a steady pace and don't get lost in logistics.
Edinburgh Airport to City: Private Transfer & ReturnYou're met at Edinburgh Airport arrivals with a name board, driven directly to your accommodation in a private air-conditioned vehicle, and collected for the return journey at a time you choose. No waiting, no queuing, no negotiation — the driver handles the timing and the route, and WiFi is available if you need to stay connected during the drive.Is it for me?Book this if you want to skip the taxi queue and arrive without the stress of arranging transport — the driver's already waiting, the price is fixed, and you know exactly when you're leaving for the airport on the way home.
Edinburgh to Inverness Private Transfer & Scenic RouteYou're picked up from your Edinburgh hotel or airport in a private minibus that holds six passengers and all your luggage. Choose the direct route to Inverness or ask the driver to take the scenic way through Glencoe and past Loch Ness. The journey takes around six hours, bottled water is included, and you arrive at your Inverness accommodation without another transfer to book.Is it for me?Choose this if you're traveling as a group or with luggage and want to skip the bus station or taxi negotiation—a private minibus means you leave when you're ready and arrive without another transfer to arrange. The scenic route option lets you see the Highlands without booking a separate tour.
Edinburgh Airport Transfer: Private Car to City CentreYou're picked up at your Edinburgh accommodation or collected from the airport at Lane 3 in the arrivals pick-up zone. The driver waits 45 minutes at the airport if your flight is delayed, provides bottled water and onboard WiFi, and takes you directly to your destination without other stops. Book the time that suits your flight, and the service adapts to you.Is it for me?Book this if you want to avoid the airport taxi queue and bus schedules — a private driver who knows Edinburgh and waits for you takes the logistics out of arrival and departure, which is what makes the journey feel unhurried instead of rushed.
Edinburgh: Isle of Skye & Jacobite Steam Train 4-Day TourYou spend four days moving through the Scottish Highlands by coach with a knowledgeable driver-guide, riding the Jacobite Steam Train across the Glenfinnan Viaduct, exploring the Isle of Skye's waterfalls and rock formations, and visiting Eilean Donan Castle and Culloden Battlefield. Accommodation in Oban and Portree is included, optional whisky tastings happen at two distilleries, and the whole thing runs in all weather—bring layers. Book accommodation through the tour operator or within 2km of town centers if you arrange your own.Is it for me?Choose this tour if you want the Jacobite Steam Train, Isle of Skye's main landmarks, and Highland castles in one four-day loop without arranging transport, accommodation coordination, or timing between stops—the fixed itinerary handles all three, and the driver knows where the light hits best.
Edinburgh: Rosslyn Chapel & Melrose Abbey Private Day TripYou visit three medieval abbeys and a chapel across the Scottish Borders in one day, with a private driver and guide handling all the logistics. The route includes Rosslyn Chapel's intricate carvings, Melrose Abbey where Robert the Bruce's heart rests, Scott's View overlooking the River Tweed, and Dryburgh Abbey where Sir Walter Scott is buried. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with live commentary, bottled water, and transport in a luxury Mercedes minivan.Is it for me?This works well if you want to see the main medieval sites south of Edinburgh without arranging your own transport or managing multiple entry points—the private vehicle and guide handle the route, timing, and stories, which is what makes a full day across the Borders feel unhurried rather than rushed.
Alnwick & Bamburgh Castles: Harry Potter & Last Kingdom TourYou spend the day in a vehicle with a driver-guide, stopping to feed seals in Eyemouth, exploring Alnwick Castle (the Hogwarts filming location with extensive gardens), eating lunch in a coastal town, and walking through Bamburgh Castle with its exclusive Last Kingdom costume display. Water and snacks are included, and you return to Edinburgh in the evening without arranging transport or tickets yourself.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see both the Harry Potter and Last Kingdom filming locations without arranging your own transport or buying tickets separately — the fixed itinerary and included entries mean you show up and the day unfolds on schedule.
Rosslyn Chapel & Pentlands tour: Da Vinci Code sites half-dayThis half-day guided tour of the Pentlands region takes you through three sites spanning Iron Age ramparts, 17th-century mansion gardens, and Rosslyn Chapel, the 15th-century chapel famous for its intricate carvings and connection to the Da Vinci Code. Door-to-door pickup in a luxury minivan, live guide commentary in English or German, bottled water and WiFi on board are included. The tour runs 4 hours and suits all fitness levels; wheelchair-accessible vehicles and specialized infant seats are available.Is it for me?Book this tour if you have a free afternoon and want to move through three distinct historical periods without arranging your own transport or timing—the minivan picks you up, the guide handles the narrative, and the sequence builds from ancient ramparts through 17th-century grandeur to the chapel that ties it all together. Choose the Premium option if you want additional amenities beyond the core experience.
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 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.
National Museum of Scotland Tour: Lewis Chessmen & Arthur's SeatA one-hour guided tour of the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, led by a certified Blue Badge Guide, covers Scottish history, science and world culture. You meet at the William Chambers Statue on Chambers Street, explore highlights including the Lewis chessmen and Arthur's Seat coffins with live commentary, then continue at your own pace using an audio tour app available in English, French and German. The museum itself is free to enter; this package includes the guide, the app, a donation to the museum and local discounts.Is it for me?Small groups work best here — the guide leads a manageable number through the highlights, so you hear the stories without fighting through crowds. It's ideal if you want the context and the key objects without spending half the day in the museum, or if you're visiting Edinburgh for the first time and want a local expert to anchor what you're seeing.
Edinburgh & Rosslyn Chapel: Private Shore Excursion 9 HoursYou see Edinburgh Castle, walk the Royal Mile, pass the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Scottish Parliament, drive around Arthur's Seat, and visit Rosslyn Chapel—all in one 9-hour block with a driver-guide who knows the city and timing that works around your ship. Port pickup and drop-off are included, so you don't arrange transport or worry about getting back on time.Is it for me?Right for cruise passengers who want to see both medieval and modern Edinburgh plus the famous 15th-century chapel in one block—the fixed 9-hour window and port timing take the logistics off your hands so you can focus on the sights.
Isle of Skye 3-Day Tour from Edinburgh & Train RideYou travel three days from Edinburgh through Glencoe and onto the Isle of Skye with a local guide, sleeping two nights in a hostel in Portree. You ride the West Highland Line train across the Glenfinnan Viaduct, walk to the Old Man of Storr and Kilt Rock, see Eilean Donan Castle and Dunvegan, and learn the myths and rewilding work that define the region. The tour handles transport, accommodation and entry to the main sites, so you show up and move through the landscape without arranging logistics yourself.Is it for me?Book this if you want the main Highlands and Skye landmarks in three days without arranging your own transport, accommodation or entry fees — the fixed itinerary and included hostel mean you pack and show up, and the guide handles the rest.
Edinburgh: Bamburgh Castle & Lindisfarne Holy Island Day TripYou spend the day on the Northumberland coast with a small group (max 16 people) in a luxury minibus, crossing a tidal causeway to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, exploring Bamburgh Castle's interiors and beach, and stopping at St Abbs Head's dramatic cliffs. The itinerary adapts to tide conditions to keep you safe and ensure a full day of exploration. All transport, the guide, and the vehicle are included; castle entry is paid on site. Pickup is arranged via What3Words coordinates — check the operator's website for exact meeting details and advance booking.Is it for me?Book this if you want the Northumberland coast's two major castles and a sacred island in one day without arranging your own transport or timing — the small group size and flexible itinerary mean you see everything the tides allow, and the driver handles the route.
