Category Edinburgh Old Town & Hidden Corners

The Old Town is best understood one close, courtyard and change of level at a time. These walks reach beyond the main spine into Canongate, hidden lanes and quieter corners.

Edinburgh · EDINBURGH OLD TOWN & HIDDEN CORNERS

The 15 Best Old Town Walking Tours in Edinburgh

20 reviewed

The Old Town is best read on foot, close by close, from the castle down to Holyrood. Compare the best Old Town walking tours: which cover the wynds and the kirkyards, which lean into the history and which into the stories, how far each one walks, and what they cost.

Underground Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh Old Town

Underground Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh Old Town - Meeting Point on Lawnmarket, Then Straight to the South Bridge Story

1.Underground Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh Old Town

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 8,506 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $33Our pick

Step into Edinburgh’s underground vaults on a 1-hour guided walk under South Bridge, with spooky stories and tight staircases.

“The first 20 minutes is above ground, the whole hour is not in the vaults. If Louisa the guide had not been as good at her job as she certainly was then visitors would be looking around 4 damp cellars. Louisa was wonderful we have to say a credit to the company.”

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Edinburgh: Old Town History and Tales Walking Tour

Edinburgh: Old Town History and Tales Walking Tour - Meeting at Adam Smith and stepping into the Old Town

2.Old Town History and Tales Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,361 reviews · 2 hours · from $24

2-hour guided walk through UNESCO Edinburgh Old Town with Mercat Cross, St Giles and Grassmarket tales, Auld Reekie folklore, and Harry Potter inspiration. $24.

“Fantastic Old Town Edinburgh Tour with Ben We absolutely loved our Old Town Edinburgh tour with Ben. From the start, he was engaging, knowledgeable, and full of energy, bringing the history of the Old Town to life with fascinating stories, humor, and local insight. The tour felt well paced and never overwhelming, even with lots of historical detail. We were a bit unsure how our 4-year-old would handle a walking history tour, but Ben did an amazing job keeping things interesting and accessible. We learned so much about Edinburgh’s history and it was a great way to explore the Old Town with a knowledgeable local guide. We would highly recommend…”

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Old Town Walking Tour History and Tales in Edinburgh

Old Town Walking Tour History and Tales in Edinburgh - Price and value: what $24.96 buys you in real terms

3.Old Town Walking Tour History and Tales in Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,168 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $24Top rated

A 2-hour Old Town Edinburgh walking tour with a pro guide, cobbled streets, major landmarks, and great stories in UNESCO heart of town.

“Excellent tour, interesting and informative.Georgia was very good, very engaging. Tour was just the right length with well timed stop for hot drinks. Thank You”

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Edinburgh: Old Town and Underground Historical Tour

Edinburgh: Old Town and Underground Historical Tour - Going Underground: Eight Steps Into Edinburgh’s Vaults

Edinburgh: Old Town and Underground Ghost Tour

Edinburgh: Old Town and Underground Ghost Tour - The Old Town Walk: Wynds, Closes, and Story Stops on the Royal Mile

Edinburgh: Dark Secrets of the Old Town Ghost Walking Tour

Edinburgh: Dark Secrets of the Old Town Ghost Walking Tour - What To Know About a 2-Hour Night Walk (Comfort, Pace, and Coverage)

Royal Mile and Old Town Walking Tour

Royal Mile and Old Town Walking Tour - Small-Group Touring, Real Guides, and How That Changes the Feel

7.Royal Mile and Old Town Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,596 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $48

A small-group walking tour of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile and Old Town, from Usher Hall to Scott Monument, with smart history stops.

“Fiona was a great tour guide. She told interesting stories and had a ton of knowledge above Edinburgh, its history, and lore. The tour is 3 hours with a great deal of walking so wear comfortable shoes. Highly recommend!”

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Old Town Historical and Underground Tour

Old Town Historical and Underground Tour - Meeting point at 124 High Street: start where the Old Town feels real

8.Old Town Historical and Underground Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,574 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $27

Edinburgh Old Town above and below, with South Bridge vaults and Canongate Kirkyard. Small group, expert guides, 90 minutes, English.

“This was fun and our guide Emilie was fantastic but it was a little too long underground. I’d have liked more of the surrounding area.”

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Afternoon Old Town and Underground Ghost Tour 1:15, 3:15, 5:15


Edinburgh Old Town: Historical Guided Walking Tour

Edinburgh Old Town: Historical Guided Walking Tour - Meeting Point on High Street, Then Right Into the Story

10.Edinburgh Old Town: Historical Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,016 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $24

A 2-hour guided walk through Edinburgh’s Old Town with a professional guide, hitting major history spots and ending at Greyfriars.

“Urs war super, unterhaltsam, gut auf die Gruppe acht gegeben. Weiß absolut Bescheid! Keine absolute mainstream Geschichte, achtet auf Details.”

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Edinburgh: Old Town History Walking Tour

Edinburgh: Old Town History Walking Tour - St Giles Cathedral to the Royal Mile: where the story starts making sense

11.Old Town History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 528 reviews · 2 hours · from $24

A 2-hour Edinburgh Old Town walking tour with top guides, St Giles, the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle views, and Greyfriars Bobby plus Harry Potter lore.

“Melanie was full of energy and enthusiasm, and truly made us enjoy every bit of Edinburgh’s history.”

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90min Underground Whisky Tasting in Edinburgh’s Old Town

90min Underground Whisky Tasting in Edinburgh's Old Town - How the timing works in 90 minutes

Edinburgh: Immersive Old Town Historical Walking Tour

Edinburgh: Immersive Old Town Historical Walking Tour - Where you start on the Royal Mile (and why timing matters)

13.Immersive Old Town Historical Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 286 reviews · from $36

A 90-minute Old Town walk that brings Edinburgh’s Royal Mile to life with clear headsets and expert storytelling at historic stops.

“The best guide I have every had. She made everything exciting with a through knowledge of the history of Edinburgh. Lots of interesting stories. I look forward to coming back again. Amazing, Wonderful lady. Thank you”

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Private Old Edinburgh Tour – Walk in the footsteps of Royals and Rogues!

Private Old Edinburgh Tour - Walk in the footsteps of Royals and Rogues! - Greyfriars Bobby and the Graveyard Stories You Actually Remember

14.Private Old Edinburgh Tour – Walk in the footsteps of Royals and Rogues!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 229 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $117

Walk Greyfriars to the University with a private guide, archive photos, and dark tales of Royals and Rogues in Old Town Edinburgh.

“Ask for Robert, the tall man in a glorious kilt! He was an outstanding tour guide - hilarious, informative and delightfully irreverent! Seriously, we travel all over the world and this was one of our best guides ever!”

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Edinburgh: History Lovers Old Town Walking Tour

Edinburgh: History Lovers Old Town Walking Tour - Ross Fountain: Castle Views Plus War Monuments

15.History Lovers Old Town Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 216 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $24

A 2-hour Old Town walking tour in Edinburgh, focused on history, stories, and top sights like the Royal Mile and Greyfriars.

“Kieran was knowledgeable and entertaining. Thoroughly enjoyed the tour. Solicitous of people’s comfort.”

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