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Edinburgh Castle and Royal Mile Walking Tour - Ticket Included

4.9 Excellent 2702 reviews
|
2h 15m
|
English
Free cancellation · up to 24 hours before Instant confirmation Live guide

Ratings & Reviews

4.9
2702 reviews
5
2571
4
86
3
27
2
6
1
12
Ratings collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor
Recommended by 98% of travellers: 2657 four- and five-star reviews

Overview

Guidekin summary

Combine the Royal Mile and Old Town with a guided walk around Edinburgh Castle's outdoor areas. Castle entry is included, with time to explore the buildings independently afterwards; steps and steep paths require moderate fitness. 4.92 from 2,702 reviews at €63 per person for 2h 15m.

From the guide

Make the most of your time in Edinburgh with our guided walking tour that combines a walk on the historic Royal Mile and a guided visit inside Edinburgh Castle (entry included).

The tour will begin on the Royal Mile, where your guide will lead you through cobbled streets, sharing fascinating stories of Scotland’s past and pointing out iconic landmarks like St. Giles' Cathedral, the colourful Victoria Street, and the Grassmarket with its vibrant atmosphere.

Uncover Edinburgh castle's rich history and visit the Crown Jewels of Scotland, the Great Hall, and St. Margaret’s Chapel, the oldest building in the city. Learn about the dramatic life of Mary, Queen of Scots, and experience the One O’Clock Cannon firing. After the tour, you will have the opportunity to keep exploring the roofed buildings of the castle at your own pace.

Schedule & Availability

Runs daily
Departures: 10:00, 11:00, 13:00, 14:00
Scheduled through November 2027

This tour runs daily, departing at 10:00, 11:00, 13:00, 14:00. Scheduled through November 2027. These are the operator’s scheduled departures, not a live seat count: availability is confirmed at checkout. Schedule last checked October 1, 2026.

What's Included

Local Tour Guide
Entrance ticket to Edinburgh Castle and guided tour
Guided tour of the Old Town and Royal Mile highlights

What's Not Included

Gratuities

Itinerary

Royal Mile Stop 1
Our tour will start on the Royal Mile. Your tour guide will offer an introduction to the city and the history of the Old Town.
10 min
Mercat Cross Stop 2
As we walk on the Royal Mile we will see some of the city 'closes' and understand what these narrow lanes were used for. We'll also stop at the Mercat Cross, a site once used for public announcements and punishments. Can you spot the unicorn at the top?
10 min
St Giles' Cathedral Stop 3
In front of the Mercat Cross we will see St. Giles Cathedral. We'll talk about the architecture of the most important church in Scotland, and discover the history of the Presbyterian religion. We will also walk to West Parliament Square to talk about the Act of Union.
25 min
Writers' Museum Stop 4
We leave St. Giles behind us and proceed on the Royal Mile. On our way, we will point out the Heart of Midlothian and explain what this mosaic heart is. A few minutes later, we will enter Makars’ Court, just off the Royal Mile. Here, with the Writer’s Museum as a backdrop, we will talk about Scotland’s most important writers, including Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson.
15 min
Victoria Street Stop 5
From the Writer's Museum we will walk down a few steps to get to Victoria Street, one of the most picturesque streets of the Old Town. As we walk down the street, you will see quirky shops and colourful facades.
10 min
Grassmarket Stop 6
As we reach the bottom of Victoria Street, we will see a large plaza in front of us. This is the Grassmarket, an area famous for its pubs, but with a very dark past!
10 min
Edinburgh Castle Stop 7
From the Grassmarket we will take some steps to reach the Castle Esplanade. As we walk up the hill we will see the dark spike of the Hub, and explain what this building is. Once on the Castle Esplanade, we will enjoy stunning views of the city and see where the Edinburgh Military Tattoo takes place.
15 min
Edinburgh Castle Stop 8
It is finally time to enter Edinburgh Castle. Once inside, we’ll delve into the history and secrets of this building, and recall the fascinating stories of kings, queens, battles and sieges. After the guided tour you will have the opportunity to explore the indoor areas of the castle at your own pace.
40 min
Admission included

Departure & Return

Start point

Your guide will be holding a Navy Blue Umbrella. Please arrive 10 minutes before the tour start time to check in.

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End point

The tour will end inside Edinburgh Castle.

Additional Information

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Suitcases and large rucksacks are not permitted in Edinburgh castle.
  • There will be 3 set of steps and 2 steep paths along the route.
  • The tour will take place on the outdoor areas of the castle. After the guided visit you will have the time to visit the roofed buildings and the museums
  • The company is not responsible for participants arriving late and missing the beginning of the tour. If the group is no longer at the meeting point when you arrive, please note that the first stop will be the Mercat Cross and the Old Parliament Square.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

1+ daysFull refund
0-1 daysNo refund

Compared with other Edinburgh Castle Tours

TourPriceDurationRatingGroup
This tour · #4 of 13€632h 15m4.92 (2702)shared
Edinburgh Full-Day Tour with Edinburgh Castle included€1145h4.95 (874)shared
Edinburgh Castle 120-Minute In-Depth Experience with Expert Guide€552h4.96 (406)shared
Edinburgh Castle Tickets and Tour - Local Expert Guide In a Kilt€461h 30m4.94 (665)shared

Ranked #4 of 13 in Edinburgh Castle Tours by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €46 to €114, median €62; typical length 2h 15m. 0 of 13 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market. Compare all 13 Edinburgh Castle Tours

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