Castle entry is included, with time to explore the buildings independently afterwards; steps and steep paths require moderate fitness. 4.92 from 2,716 reviews at €63 per person for 2h 15m.
Best for: Book the Castle and Royal Mile walk with entry, leaving interiors for independent visits: €63 per person, 2h 15m, 4.92 from 2,716 reviews. Edinburgh Castle Tours comparison
Trade-off: Castle buildings are explored independently.
In our comparison: #4 of 13 in Edinburgh Castle Tours, by rating weighted by review volume (see the comparison).
One price for every traveller: €63 per adult.
Children from €50 (ages 7 to 15). Option texts and prices come from the operator's listing; prices checked on Viator on 1 October 2026.
98% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4★ or 5★: 2,671 of 2,716
Star breakdown of all 2,716 ratings
Reviewers praise the humorous history and freedom to explore the castle afterwards; the cobbled walk can be challenging.
Written by Guidekin from the 100 most recent English reviews on Viator & Tripadvisor (24 September 2026 to 3 October 2026). Refreshed as new reviews arrive; last checked 4 October 2026.
Reviews are shown as the platforms publish them and removed when they disappear there.
Ratings collected from Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor.
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 minAs 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 minIn 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 · Admission not includedWe 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 minFrom 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 minAs 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 minFrom 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 minIt 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 includedMake 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.
The operator's own notes, grouped by topic. Nothing here is added by Guidekin.
The booking form will also ask for: dates of birth
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
| Tour | Price | Duration | Rating | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| This tour · #4 of 13 | €63 | 2h 15m | 4.92 (2716) | shared |
| Edinburgh Full-Day Tour with Edinburgh Castle included | €115 | 5h | 4.95 (874) | shared |
| Edinburgh Castle 120-Minute In-Depth Experience with Expert Guide | €55 | 2h | 4.96 (407) | shared |
| Edinburgh Castle Tickets and Tour - Local Expert Guide In a Kilt | €47 | 1h 30m | 4.94 (665) | shared |
Ranked #4 of 13 in Edinburgh Castle Tours by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €46 to €115, 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