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Edinburgh Full Day Walking Tour with Castle Included -Small Group

756 Reviews 4.96 out of 5 stars Based on 756 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 99% of reviewers |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
Edinburgh, Scotland

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On average, this is booked 21 (0) days in advance.

5 hours (approx.)
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Offered in: English

Overview

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.

What's Included

  • From 1 April 2026, admission to 1 Historic House, either Gladstone’s Land or The Georgian House
  • Scottish National Gallery guided tour (highlights)
  • Local Tour Guide
  • Lunch
  • Gratuities
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

2-4 Hope Street
Edinburgh EH2 4DB, UK

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

Castlehill
Edinburgh EH1 2NG, UK

The tour ends inside Edinburgh Castle.

What To Expect

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Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Charlotte Square

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’
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15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Georgian House

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.
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20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Princes Street Gardens

Princes Street Gardens 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.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

National Galleries Scotland: National

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.
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40 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

High Street

We will walk towards the Royal Mile where we will stop for lunch. This area is renowned for its pubs and restaurants and you will have the opportunity to try some delicious Scottish food.
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30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Mercat Cross

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.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

St Giles' Cathedral

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.
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30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Heart of Midlothian

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.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Royal Mile

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.
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25 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Greyfriars Bobby

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.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Greyfriars

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.
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20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Grassmarket

After the graveyard we will find the Grassmarket, famous for its pubs and its dark past.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Victoria Street

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.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Writers' Museum

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.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Castello Di Edimburgo

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.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Edinburgh Castle

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.
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40 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • 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
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Frequently Asked Questions

(7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Edinburgh Full Day Walking Tour with Castle Included -Small Group?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (BST).This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund. Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

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Activity code: C-454922P1

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Reviews

4.96
756 reviews

Average 4.96 out of 5 stars based on 756 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and partner sites such as Trustpilot, Viator, and TripAdvisor

5 stars
731
4 stars
20
3 stars
4
2 stars
1
1 star
0

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On average, this is booked 21 (0) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

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

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • 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
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
  • Operated by a business

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Free Cancellation

100% refund
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You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (BST).
  • This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
  • This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

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