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
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Edinburgh: Harry Potter Walking Tour & Hogwarts InspirationYou walk through Edinburgh's Old Town with an expert guide, stopping at J.K. Rowling's handprints at the City Chambers, the Tom Riddle gravestone at Greyfriars Kirkyard, Victoria Street (Diagon Alley inspiration), George Heriot's School (Hogwarts), and Edinburgh Castle's witch trials history. The tour ends with a view of the Balmoral Hotel, where Rowling finished the final book. Children under 5 accompanied by an adult join free; the tour lasts around 2 hours and covers steep hills and narrow streets.Is it for me?This tour works well if you're a Harry Potter fan who wants to understand the real Edinburgh behind the books without arranging your own route — the guide connects specific locations and local history directly to Rowling's life and the series, which is what makes the 2 hours feel complete rather than scattered.
Edinburgh: Alnwick Castle, Holy Island & Northumbria Day TripYou travel south from Edinburgh in an air-conditioned coach with a knowledgeable driver-guide providing live commentary. You'll walk Lindisfarne Priory on Holy Island and sample monk-brewed mead, spend time at Alnwick Castle and its poison gardens, and stop at Flodden Field battlefield if time permits. Admission to castle and gardens is optional and purchased on the day; the tour handles all transport and timing around tides.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Alnwick Castle and Holy Island without arranging your own transport or worrying about tidal access times — the fixed schedule and tide knowledge built into the itinerary is what makes both stops possible in one day from Edinburgh.
Edinburgh: Loch Ness & Inverness 2-Day Highlands TourYou travel north from Edinburgh through the Cairngorms with a driver-guide and small group, stop at Pitlochry or Dunkeld based on what interests you, spend a night in Inverness with breakfast included, then cruise Loch Ness and explore Urquhart Castle and Glencoe before returning. The route is flexible, both major attractions are paid for upfront, and the group stays under 16 people, which keeps the pace human.Is it for me?Book this if you want the main Highlands attractions in two days without arranging transport, accommodation, or attraction tickets separately — the small-group format and included guide mean you're not navigating logistics or following a rigid schedule, just traveling at a pace that lets you actually see the landscape.
Edinburgh: Outlander Castles & Palaces Day TourYou travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with a knowledgeable driver-guide who provides live commentary on the Outlander filming locations and Scottish history. The day includes stops at Culross village, Linlithgow Palace, Blackness Castle, Doune Castle, and either Midhope Castle (summer) or the Forth Bridges (winter), with a lunch break built in. Arrive 15 minutes before departure.Is it for me?Book this if you're an Outlander fan who wants to see the main filming locations without renting a car or planning the route yourself — the fixed itinerary covers five major sites and handles all the driving, so you just show up and follow the guide.
Edinburgh to St Andrews: Day Trip with Fife Villages & Photo StopsYou’ll cross iconic bridges from Edinburgh into Fife, stroll through fishing villages like Anstruther, and get free time to explore St Andrews’ winding streets and university charm. With a local guide sharing stories along the way and plenty of photo stops—including Falkland—this day trip offers small surprises and real moments you’ll remember long after you’re home.
Edinburgh: Alnwick Castle & Bamburgh Day Trip with GuideYou visit two major castles in one day—Bamburgh in Northumberland and Alnwick in England—with a local guide handling the driving, the history, and the route. Transport, guide commentary, and an air-conditioned coach are included; you handle your own lunch stops and any castle entry fees beyond what's covered. Expect to be out from morning until early evening, with the drive itself being part of the experience rather than dead time.Is it for me?A good fit if you want to see two major castles and the Scottish-English border region in one day without driving yourself or piecing together public transport connections. The full-day format—morning until early evening—is what makes visiting both castles and hearing the guide's history of the region possible in a single trip.
Edinburgh: Literary Pub Tour with Actors & Old Town TavernsYou’ll trail behind two quick-witted actors through Edinburgh’s winding streets and storied pubs, laughing at their duels and learning odd facts you won’t find in guidebooks. Expect plenty of banter, local color, and maybe even a new toast or two by night’s end.
Edinburgh Gin: Classic Tour & Tasting in Old TownYou spend ninety minutes in a working gin distillery learning how botanicals shape flavour, then taste three different gins with proper mixers and garnishes. The Flavour Arch—where you smell and taste the actual ingredients—is the part people remember. Entry, welcome drink, and all three tastings are included, plus access to the shop and bar if you want to stay longer.Is it for me?Right for gin drinkers who want to understand how flavour actually builds, not just taste spirits. The ninety minutes are paced for learning and tasting together, which means you're not rushed but also not standing around between pours.
Edinburgh Boat Tour: Three Bridges & Seals from the WaterYou’ll board at South Queensferry for a 90-minute cruise along Edinburgh’s Firth of Forth, passing under all three bridges with stories from your local guide. Watch for seals and puffins near Inchcolm Island’s medieval abbey as you breathe in salty air and catch changing Scottish skies—a trip that lingers long after you step back on shore.
Edinburgh: Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off 24 & 48 Hour ToursYou board at Waterloo Place and choose your route: the City Tour hits Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace and the National Museum; the 48-hour option adds the Britannia Tour to the Royal Yacht. Hop off whenever you want, listen to audio commentary in nine languages, and ride the open-top deck for views of the castle and Georgian streets. The whole thing is wheelchair accessible, dogs travel free, and you're back on the next bus whenever you're ready.Is it for me?Best for travelers who want to see Edinburgh's main sights without committing to a guided group or fixed schedule — you hop off when something catches your eye and catch the next bus when you're ready to move on.
90min Underground Whisky Tasting in Edinburgh's Old TownA 90-minute whisky tasting class in Edinburgh's Old Town introduces you to Scotland's whisky regions and history through four tastings in an exclusive underground space recently uncovered beneath the city. A live guide leads the session in English, and you choose between introductory whiskies on weekdays or weekends, or step up to intermediate or high-end selections if you want rarer, more complex drams.Is it for me?Choose the weekday Introduction Whisky if you want a gentle introduction to Scottish regions and flavors; pick the weekend Introduction if that timing suits you better. If you've tasted whisky before and want to explore rarer, more complex selections, the Intermediate or High End levels let you go deeper without leaving the group behind.
Edinburgh: Sky to Sea Bike Tour, Arthur’s Seat & PortobelloYou’ll pedal from Arthur’s Seat down to Portobello Beach with a local guide who actually knows Edinburgh’s quirks—expect city views, salty air, and stories you won’t find in guidebooks. Includes hotel pickup, bottled water, all gear (even gloves if it rains), plus your choice of regular or e-bike for those climbs that sneak up on you.
Edinburgh: Highland Lochs, Castles & Loch Lomond Small GroupYou visit three castles (Doune with interior access, plus Kilchurn and Stirling from outside), stop at two lochs with mountain views, explore a 15th-century village, and have a two-hour lunch break in Inveraray. Your driver-guide manages the route and vehicle, so you focus on the scenery instead of logistics or directions.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the main Highland castles and lochs in one day without arranging your own transport or navigating between stops — the small group size and fixed itinerary mean you spend the day looking at mountains instead of reading a map.
Edinburgh: Harry Potter Tour & Castle Entry with GuideYou walk two hours through Edinburgh's Old Town following the real places that inspired Harry Potter — Greyfriars Kirkyard, Victoria Street (Diagon Alley), Waverley Station, and Edinburgh University — with a local guide who knows the connections. Then you get timed entry to Edinburgh Castle to explore the Crown Jewels and views at your own pace, with no extra ticket to buy.Is it for me?Right for Potter fans and Edinburgh first-timers who want the real locations without spending hours researching them, since the guide connects the dots and castle entry is already sorted. The walk is two hours on cobbles and slight hills, which is what lets you cover the Old Town and still have time to spend in the castle afterward.
Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glen Coe & Inverness Highlands Day TripYou leave Edinburgh early and spend the day moving through three valleys and two lochs with a Spanish-speaking guide, stopping long enough at Loch Ness to eat and walk, and returning to Edinburgh in the evening. Transport, guide, and all the main Highlands landmarks are included; you just show up at pickup.Is it for me?Right for travelers based in Edinburgh who want the main Highlands in one day without renting a car or planning stops themselves—the fixed route and Spanish guide are what make fitting Loch Ness, Glen Coe, and Inverness into a single outing possible. Expect a full day in the bus with breaks to walk; that's what covers the distance.
Edinburgh: Underground Vaults & Torture Exhibition After DarkYou descend into Edinburgh's most haunted underground vaults on a 75-minute evening tour with a professional guide, visit a torture exhibition showing instruments from the Burning Times, and hear firsthand accounts of paranormal activity reported by visitors and investigators. The tour is strictly for adults 18 and over, includes vault entry and exhibition access, and runs when paranormal activity peaks—late evening approaching midnight.Is it for me?Book this if you're 18 or older and want to explore Edinburgh's paranormal history on your own terms without arranging a private group—the fixed evening time is when the vaults show the most activity, and the guide handles all the history and logistics so you just show up and descend.
Palace of Holyroodhouse Edinburgh: Mary Queen of Scots ApartmentsYou walk through the official Scottish residence of His Majesty The King and spend time in Mary, Queen of Scots' apartments, where her secretary was murdered and her bedchamber still stands as the most famous room in Scotland. A multimedia guide is included, and you can move through at your own pace. Last admission is 4:30pm most days, earlier in winter.Is it for me?Right for anyone wanting to understand Mary, Queen of Scots and Scottish royal history without a guided tour — the multimedia guide lets you move at your own pace through 900 years of drama. Plan for two to three hours; the Palace is not vast, but the story pulls you through each room.
Edinburgh Harris Tweed Handbag Workshop: Craft Your SatchelThis 90-minute handbag-making workshop in Edinburgh lets you craft a custom Islander mini satchel from start to finish. You choose the body color, select a Harris Tweed® or Lochcarron® cloth lid, pick your straps and accessories, then construct the bag using provided tools under the guidance of a live instructor. The finished handbag is yours to keep; minimum age is 12 years old.Is it for me?Book this workshop if you're spending an afternoon in Edinburgh and want to leave with something you made yourself rather than something you bought. The small group setting and hands-on format mean you'll spend the full 90 minutes actually building, not watching—which is what makes the finished bag feel like yours.
Private Scottish Highlands tour from Edinburgh: Castles and lochsA private guided tour departing from Edinburgh City Centre explores the Scottish Highlands over nine hours, visiting Inveraray Castle, Kilchurn Castle, Loch Lomond, Glencoe and the Three Sisters viewpoint, ending at the Kelpies—two 100-foot horse statues. Pickup is at 10am or a time you request; the guide speaks your choice of language; water, snacks and air-conditioned transport are included. Inveraray Castle admission costs extra if you choose to enter; lunch is your own arrangement.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to see three castles and two lochs without arranging your own transport or timing—the private vehicle and guide handle the route, the stops and the nine-hour day, leaving you free to photograph and absorb the landscape.
Edinburgh: Stirling Castle, Kelpies & Loch Lomond Day TripYou travel from Edinburgh through three distinct Scottish moments: colossal modern sculptures celebrating folklore, a fortress where queens and warriors lived, and a village on one of Scotland's most famous lochs. Transport, a driver who knows the route, and time at each stop are all arranged, so you just show up at pickup and move through the day without planning logistics.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the main sights north of Edinburgh without renting a car or planning three separate journeys—the fixed route and driver handle the navigation, leaving you free to look at the landscape.
