Edinburgh Free Tour

9.30 / 10

1,013 reviews | 15,715 travellers

The guide. Ayrton prepared, sociable and available

 8 Gaetana Bartilotta

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The guide. Ayrton prepared, sociable and available

  Gaetana Bartilotta

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?

Description
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?
Highlights

St. Giles' Cathedral

The Writers' Museum

Victoria Street

The Grassmarket

Greyfriars Kirkyard

Edinburgh Free Walking Tour

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.
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Details
More Information

Duration

2 hours.

Language

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

Included

English–speaking guide

Not included

Tips

Entrance fees

When to book?

You can book up to the tour start time subject to availability. Book now to guarantee your spot.

Type of voucher

Electronic. Show the voucher on your phone.

Accessibility

Wheelchair accessible. This must be indicated in the reservation. An accompanying person is required.
Sustainability
All services published on Civitatis are carried out in accordance with our Sustainability Code.

Sustainability Code

Our providers commit to:

Provide a safe and satisfying experience.

Reduce, reuse, recycle.

Incorporate eco-conscious technologies.

Uphold fair employment standards.

Foster the growth of local communities.

Preserve the integrity of local culture.

Safeguard both cultural and environmental heritage.

Ensure ethical treatment of animals.

Operate with honesty and transparency.

Encourage sustainable behaviors among customers and staff.

This particular activity contributes as follows:

No printing of documentation required.

Has a carbon footprint offset policy.

Has a gender equality policy.

Promotes local employment.
Provider
Somos Escocia Show more

Somos Escocia

Corporate name: SOMOS ESCOCIA LTD

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Pets

Permitted.
Frequently asked questions
Q - Why do this activity with Civitatis?

A - At Civitatis we guarantee the best quality and prices, click here if you want to know how we select our activities.

Q - How to book?

A - To reserve the activity, choose the date and complete the form on this page. You will receive your confirmation immediately.

Q - Is a minimum number of participants required?

A - This activity requires a minimum of 4 participants. Should this number not be reached, we'll get in touch with you to offer alternatives.

If you have any other questions please contact us.
Cancellations

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

Meeting point

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

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Reviews

Our customers' reviews
These are genuine reviews written by our customers.

5 out of 1,013 review

9.3 / 10

 9.3147745969069 1,013 review | 15,715 travellers

152 traveler-submitted photos

 8

Mar / 10 / 2025

E

Elisa

Genova, Italy

La guida Claudia è stata molto professionale, simpatica e piena di informazioni. Ho scoperto tante curiosità della città e degli scozzesi in generale. Mi sarei aspettata di camminare molto di più per visitare altre parti della città vecchia, ma in sole 2 ore capisco che sia difficile Translate this opinion into English.

The guide Claudia was very professional, friendly and full of information. I discovered many curiosities of the city and of the Scots in general. I would have expected to walk much more to visit other parts of the old city, but in only 2 hours I understand that it is difficult Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled by myself

 10

Feb / 21 / 2025

P

Paola

Friuli, Italy

Tour consigliatissimo, la guida ci ha spiegato la storia di Edimburgo attraversando la Old Town e dato delle chicche davvero interessanti dando un senso a tutto ciò che ci circondava. Il tour ci ha portati nei luoghi "principali" ma Claudia ci ha dato poi altre idee e consigli su cosa visitare nei giorni successivi. Molto toccanti alcuni racconti. Claudia grazie ancora! È stato un piacere fare i tour con te! Disponibile, gentile, e molto preparata! Consigliato! Translate this opinion into English.

Highly recommended tour, the guide explained the history of Edinburgh to us through the Old Town and gave us some really interesting tidbits giving a sense to everything that surrounded us. The tour took us to the "main" places but Claudia then gave us other ideas and advice on what to visit in the following days. Some stories were very touching. Claudia, thank you again! It was a pleasure to do the tours with you! Helpful, kind, and very prepared! Recommended! Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled with my partner

 8

Feb / 01 / 2025

S

Silvia

Toscana, Italy

Tour ben organizzato, focalizzato su fatti salienti della città in 2 h. Non abbiamo apprezzato la precisazione della guida relativa alla mancia in relazione al num di partecipanti: siccome il tour parte con un min di 5/6 persone ed eravamo solo 4, ci è stato detto velatamente che avremmo dovuto adeguarci con una mancia più abbondante, senza proporci alternative (annullare il tour, ad esempio). Abbiamo quindi pagato l'equivalente della visita di 3 h, pur avendo prenotato la versione free. Translate this opinion into English.

Well organized tour, focused on the city's highlights in 2 hours. We did not appreciate the guide's clarification regarding the tip in relation to the number of participants: since the tour starts with a minimum of 5/6 people and we were only 4, we were told in a veiled way that we should have adjusted with a larger tip, without offering us alternatives (cancel the tour, for example). We therefore paid the equivalent of the 3-hour visit, even though we had booked the free version. Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled with my partner

 8

May / 05 / 2025

P

Patricia Bulley

Oxford, United Kingdom

Very personable friendly Tom .

I travelled with friends

 10

May / 04 / 2025

A

Alessandro

Bergamo, Italy

La nostra guida è stata Airton, un ragazzo molto competente e disponibile. Abbiamo trascorso due piacevoli ore nel centro di Edimburgo tra storia e aneddoti curiosi. Veramente consigliato. Translate this opinion into English.

Our guide was Airton, a very knowledgeable and helpful guy. We spent two pleasant hours in the center of Edinburgh between history and curious anecdotes. Highly recommended. Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled with my partner

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