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Edinburgh Full-Day Tour with Edinburgh Castle included

5.0 Excellent 874 reviews
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5h
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English
Free cancellation · up to 24 hours before Instant confirmation Live guide

Ratings & Reviews

5.0
874 reviews
5
841
4
25
3
4
2
2
1
2
Ratings collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor
Recommended by 99% of travellers: 866 four- and five-star reviews

Overview

Guidekin summary

Old Town and New Town share this walking route with Edinburgh Castle and Scottish National Gallery highlights. Castle admission, guided visits and entry to either Gladstone’s Land or The Georgian House are included; lunch is extra, and the walk covers hills. 4.95 from 874 reviews at €114 per person for 5h.

From the guide

Join our small-group walking tour and visit Edinburgh in one day.
Old Town, Edinburgh Castle, New Town, the National Gallery of Scotland and the inside of a historic house museum. You’ll learn about the history, culture and heritage of the Scottish capital, and there will be a break for lunch.

Schedule & Availability

Runs daily
Departs: 10:00
Scheduled through October 2027

This tour runs daily, departing at 10:00. Scheduled through October 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

Edinburgh Castle entrance ticket and guided tour
From 1 April 2026, admission to 1 Historic House, either Gladstone’s Land or The Georgian House
Local Tour Guide
Scottish National Gallery guided tour (highlights)

What's Not Included

Lunch
Gratuities

Itinerary

Charlotte Square Stop 1
Our tour will start in the West End of Edinburgh where we will introduce the city and its neighbourhoods. In Charlotte Square, we'll admire elegant examples of neoclassical architecture and understand why Edinburgh is known as the ‘Athens of the North’
15 min
Georgian House Stop 2
In Charlotte Square we will talk about the most iconic mansion of the New Town, the Georgian House. We will understand what the layout of Georgian townhouses looked like and what high society life was like in 18th and 19th century Edinburgh.
20 min
Princes Street Gardens Stop 3
is one the main parks of Edinburgh, and we’ll cross it from the east to west. We'll stop to admire the Ross Fountain and other examples of public art. You will also enjoy a great view of the castle and the castle rock from the gardens.
10 min
National Galleries Scotland: National Stop 4
In the Scottish National Gallery we will discover the artworks of some of Scotland’s most famous artists including Sir Henry Raeburn, Alexander Nasmyth, and the Glasgow Boys.
40 min
We will walk towards the Royal Mile where we will stop for lunch Stop 5
This area is renowned for its pubs and restaurants and you will have the opportunity to try some delicious Scottish food.
30 min
Mercat Cross Stop 6
After lunch we will walk along the Royal Mile where we'll see the Mercat Cross. This was once used for public announcements and public punishments. We will also explain why the unicorn appears at the top of this structure.
10 min
St Giles' Cathedral Stop 7
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.
30 min
Heart of Midlothian Stop 8
On the other side of St. Giles we will see the Heart of Midlothian, a landmark that marks the spot where the Old Tolbooth once stood.
10 min
Royal Mile Stop 9
Leaving St. Giles behind us, we will stroll along the Royal Mile. Here's we'll learn what its medieval cobbled lanes, called closes, were and how they were used. There will also be the opportunity to talk about the city’s cultural scene, including its festivals.
25 min
Greyfriars Bobby Stop 10
We will walk along George IV bridge. It is time to meet Edinburgh's most famous and loyal dog, Bobby! We'll also see the dog statue located just outside of the graveyard.
10 min
Greyfriars Stop 11
Behind Bobby, we will find the entrance to Greyfriars Kirkyard. This historic graveyard we will understand what the Mortsafes are, and learn about the connection between the Scottish Covenants and the George Mackenzie Mausoleum.
20 min
Grassmarket Stop 12
After the graveyard we will find the Grassmarket, famous for its pubs and its dark past.
10 min
Admission included
Victoria Street Stop 13
From the graveyard, we will walk to the Grassmarket an area famous for its pubs and its dark past. From the Grassmarket we will walk up Victoria Street, the most picturesque and colorful street of Edinburgh.
10 min
Writers' Museum Stop 14
Back on the Royal Mile, we'll find the Makars’ Court. 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.
10 min
Castello Di Edimburgo Stop 15
After leaving Makars' Court, we'll walk for a few minutes along the top part of the Royal Mile until we reach the Castle Esplanade. Before entering the castle, we will enjoy stunning views of the city and see where the Edinburgh Military Tattoo takes place.
5 min
Edinburgh Castle Stop 16
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

You will meet your guide on the corner of Princes Street, outside of Johnnie Walker and near the Binns Clock. Please arrive 10 minutes before the tour start time to check in.The guide will be holding a Navy Blue Umbrella

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End point

The tour ends inside Edinburgh Castle.

Additional Information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Please wear comfortable shoes, Edinburgh is a hilly city. We also recommend a windproof and rainproof jacket.
  • You will have free time during the lunch break. There will be cafes, pubs and restaurants for you to choose from with vegan and vegetarian options available.
  • The duration of the tour will be approx 5 - 5:30 hours, including the lunch break. We may need more time to access the historical sites and navigate the city during peak travel season (April to October), when more travellers are in town. Please note that in these months, the tour might be slightly longer.
  • The company is not responsible for participants arriving late and missing the beginning of the tour. If you miss the group at the starting point, please note that the first stop of the group would be Charlotte 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 · #1 of 13€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
Edinburgh Castle and Royal Mile Walking Tour - Ticket Included€632h 15m4.92 (2702)shared

Ranked #1 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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