Edinburgh Free Walking Tour

Name: Edinburgh Free Tour
Brand: Civitatis
Rating: 9.5 (3007 reviews)

Edinburgh Free Tour

Views of Edinburgh

Edinburgh Castle

Discover Edinburgh's Old Town with this free walking tour of one of Scotland's most beloved cities. If you love history and legends or are a fan of Harry Potter, this tour is perfect for you. What are you waiting for?

Details

Duration

2 hours.

Language

The activity takes place with a guide that speaks in English.

Included

English–speaking guide

Not included

Tips
Entrance fees

Supporting documents

Electronic voucher. Have it on your phone.

Accessibility

Wheelchair accessible. An accompanying person is required. This must be indicated in the reservation.

Sustainability

All services meet our

Pets

Allowed.

Frequently asked questions

If you have other questions, contact us

Free cancellation

If you are not able to attend the tour, please cancel your reservation, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.

Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Highlands & Glencoe Day Trip

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Edinburgh Castle Guided Tour

Free cancellation

Dinner and Traditional Scottish Show

Free cancellation

Meeting point

369 High Street (Royal Mile), opposite St. Giles' Cathedral

Reviews of our customers

9.5

Exceptional 36,088 Travelers·3,007 reviews

August 20, 2026
Edward
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Guide was very good - well structured talks and information. A difficult accent to follow and could have spoken a bit slower, but once “in tune” with ...
With friends
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June 27, 2026
Stephen
Bolton, United Kingdom
Our walking tour of Edinburgh was an absolute highlight of our trip! Jen was our guide, and she was incredibly knowledgeable and engaging. She include...
As a couple
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June 20, 2026
Joshua
New York, United States
Jen was amazing - definitely recommend. Great knowledge and history of Scotland. Fantastic tour of things that I would not have found on my own and wo...
As a couple
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April 11, 2026
Keeley
London, United Kingdom
This was a great way to orient yourself when you first arrive in Edinburgh. The tour was well organised and Charlie, our guide, was warm and welcomin...
Traveling solo
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April 9, 2026
Ashanthiabeywardene Abeywardene
Manchester, United Kingdom
Hi just wanted to say thanks a million for helping me with this last minute request for the tour. I managed to finish it and on time for the train ...
Traveling solo
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March 22, 2026
Ngoc Anh Luongová
Czechia
Amazing. The guide was very knowledgable and charming with many hilarious jokes. The tour was objectively well put to show you around the city, which ...
As a couple
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October 3, 2026
Marian
Spain
Ross was an excelent tour guide!
With friends
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September 21, 2026
Yuliya
San Francisco, United States
Our tour guide Ignas was very knowledgeable and friendly. We enjoyed our time.
As a couple
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September 16, 2026
Patricia
United States
Fantastic! Glen was so good we requested him on our next tour.
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August 22, 2026
Mohamed
Jidhafs, Bahrain
Guides are excellent knowledgeable
With friends
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Highlights

St. Giles' Cathedral
The Writers' Museum
Victoria Street
The Grassmarket
Greyfriars Kirkyard

At the scheduled time, we'll meet on the Royal Mile in the middle of Edinburgh to begin this free walking tour of this charming city rife with history and legends! We'll explore Edinburgh's Old Town by visiting some of the city's most emblematic streets, such as Victoria Street.

The tour will kick off at St. Giles' Cathedral, one of Scotland's most important medieval parish churches. You may also hear this 900-year-old church being referred to as the "Mother Church of World Presbyterianism" due to its role in the Scottish Reformation and the Covenanters's Rebellion.

Afterwards, we'll make our way to The Writers' Museum, which is found within Lady Stair's House just off the Royal Mile. This small, yet incredibly impactful museum recounts the lives of 3 giants of Scottish literature: Robert Burns (1759-1796), Walter Scott (1771-1832), and Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894). The museum is home to portraits, works and other personal items which once belonged to these renowned writers.

Continuing onwards, we'll make our way to Victoria Street, one of the most photographed spots in the whole city. This street oozes a fun and youthful vibe, with many tourists flocking here to capture photos of the colourful shopfronts and eclectic architecture. Victoria Street was also the inspiration for the famous wizarding street of Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter film series!

At the end of Victorua Street lies the Grassmarket, a marketplace which dates back to the 14th century. This bustling square was also the site of public executions and one of Edinburgh's most notorious riots. These riots were known as the Porteous Riots and took place during April 1736.

Lastly, we'll end up at Greyfriars Kirkyard, considered the world's most haunted graveyard! Here, we'll hear all about the paranormal happenings, including the story of the MacKenzie Poltergeist. However, not all of these stories are to be feared. We'll also learn of Scotland's most treasured K9, Bobby the Skye Terrier!

Also, located not too far from the cemetery is the Elephant House Café, where J.K Rowling wrote Harry Potter while sitting in a window seat overlooking a rather Hogwarts-esque school!

Finally, this tour will come to an end after 2 hours of exploring this magical and unique city. Until next time!

Important

Groups of more than 10 people are not permitted on the tour.

Points of interest in Edinburgh

Royal Mile Edinburgh Castle Greyfriars Kirkyard Palace of Holyroodhouse

Types of activities in Edinburgh

Guided tours and free tours Day trips Food and Wine Experiences

Other activities in Edinburgh

Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Highlands & Glencoe Day Trip Loch Ness & the Scottish Highlands: 2 Day Tour St. Andrews & Fife's Fishing Villages Day Trip Edinburgh Big Bus Tour Stirling, The Kelpies, Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park Day Trip Edinburgh Pub Crawl Edinburgh Underground Ghost Tour Edinburgh Free Ghost Tour West Highland Lochs, Mountains & Castles Day Trip Royal Edinburgh Ticket

Highlights

St. Giles' Cathedral
The Writers' Museum
Victoria Street
The Grassmarket
Greyfriars Kirkyard