Best Tours in Edinburgh

Enjoy self-guided audio tours with included attraction tickets in one app

Top sights in Edinburgh

All self-guided activities

Activities found:17
Sort by:
Your free Edinburgh sightseeing self-guided audio tour is waiting.
Get free audio tours, travel Spotify playlists, and other goodies in your email.
By signing up, you agree to receive promotional emails on activities and insider tips. You can unsubscribe or withdraw your consent at any time with future effect. For more information, read our Privacy statement.
Recommended to visit in Edinburgh
Edinburgh: Self-Guided Audio Walk Through Royal Mile History
Edinburgh: Self-Guided Audio Walk Through Roy...

This self-guided audio walk explores Edinburgh’s royal, religious, and civic history, making it a great fit if you enjoy first visits, old architecture, and stories tied to real places. You follow the route at your own pace, with narration that helps you notice what is right in front of you, from palace gates to stone closes and church spires. The walk begins at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, where the royal residence sits against the dramatic rise of the Old Town. From there, you move along the Royal Mile past Canongate Kirk, John Knox House, and St Giles’ Cathedral, tracing centuries of power, worship, and debate through medieval streets lined with dark stone and tall tenements. The route then leads you to Greyfriars and on toward the castle area, before continuing to the National Galleries, Princes Street, and the ordered elegance of Edinburgh New Town. Along the way, you will have memorable encounters with the contrast between palace and fortress, the crown-shaped crown steeple of St Giles’, the story of Greyfriars Bobby, sweeping views near Edinburgh Castle, and the sudden shift from the Old Town’s rugged lanes to the broad Georgian streets of New Town. It is a walk that lets you see how Edinburgh wears its history on every wall.

Edinburgh: Self-Guided Audio Walk Through the Old Town Heart
Edinburgh: Self-Guided Audio Walk Through the...

This self-guided audio walk introduces first-time visitors to Edinburgh’s historic core, with a route that suits travelers interested in medieval streets, grand landmarks, and the city’s layered stories. You will hear clear, lively narration as you move at your own pace through some of the most iconic scenes in the Scottish capital. The route begins at Usher Hall, where the curved stone frontage and bronze details set a ceremonial tone. From there, you head toward Edinburgh Castle, perched high on its volcanic rock, then down into the lively Grassmarket, once a medieval market square. The walk continues through tucked-away corners such as Milne’s Court and Riddles Court, then follows the Royal Mile past Deacon Brodies Tavern, St Giles’ Cathedral, the City Chambers, Mercat Cross, and Anchor Close. In the final stretch, you reach Edinburgh Waverley Train Station, spread below the Old Town ridge, before stepping into East Princes Street Gardens. The tour ends at the Scott Monument, a dark Gothic spire rising above the trees and shopfronts. Along the way, the most memorable moments include castle views above the skyline, narrow closes opening suddenly off crowded streets, the crown-shaped tower of St Giles’, and the striking contrast between the stone heights of the Old Town and the green gardens below.

Edinburgh: Scottish National Gallery Audio Tour
Edinburgh: Scottish National Gallery Audio To...

This in-app audio tour will guide you through timeless masterpieces of world art and Scottish artistic heritage housed in the Scottish National Gallery. Keep in mind that this museum has a free (!) admission. By buying this audio tour, you don’t pay for your entry. However, you get an opportunity to explore the beauty of the museum at your own pace, following the carefully planned route, seeing the best the museum has to offer, and listening to amazing stories. You will walk through the opulent rooms of the neoclassical jewel of Edinburgh and explore the highlights of the outstanding collection, including Botticelli, Titian, Velázquez, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and more. The tour will take you from the Middle Age to Renaissance, from the Baroque to Rococo, and to the all-time favourite Impressionism. You will hear little-known facts about the artists whose names are on everyone's lips, and trace how art developed throughout history. On top of that, you will discover the unique art of Scotland with its own authentic artistic traditions. The gallery boasts breathtaking Scottish landscapes and scenes from everyday life you don't want to miss. Marvel at iconic portraits by Sir Henry Raeburn, and travel back in time to 18th-century Edinburgh with David Wilkie. Note! This tour is not affiliated with the Scottish National Gallery but is provided by an independent creator.

Edinburgh: Castle Quest for the Stone of Destiny Audio Tour
Edinburgh: Castle Quest for the Stone of Dest...

Discover the city’s most iconic monument with this self-guided audio tour. Edinburgh Castle dominates Scotland's capital city from its great volcanic summit. The story of the Castle has helped shape the nation's history: battles and sieges were fought over it, royalty lived and died within its walls, and countless generations have been inspired by it. Learn about the many Scottish monarchs it has sheltered, including Queen Margaret (later St Margaret), who died here in 1093, and Mary Queen of Scots, who gave birth to James VI in the Royal Palace in 1566. Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of medieval royal intrigues and feel like a participant in historical events in a place where time has stopped.

The Real Mary King's Close: Entry Ticket
The Real Mary King's Close: Entry Ticket

Experience 400 years of history and discover the stories of your character guide during a 1-hour guided tour of historic Edinburgh. Imagine a warren of streets frozen in time, where centuries of stories are just waiting to be told. Discover authentic truths about Edinburgh's dark past, and find out what it was really like for the people who lived, worked, and died on the Close. Unlock the secrets of Edinburgh’s only preserved 17th-century street, wander through a labyrinth of underground alleyways, and avoid the cry of gardyloo. From myths and legends to the deadly plague epidemic and a famous royal visitor – there’s a myriad of stories just waiting to be told.

About Edinburgh

Insider tips for visiting Edinburgh

Sergio Clementini

Sergio Clementini is a local guide who has been publishing tours since 2023 for your discovery of hidden gems and local specialities of Edinburgh on their personal guide page (view profile). Explore their expert tips planning trip to Edinburgh.

I usually recommend late May to early June or September if you want Edinburgh at its best. The light is beautiful, the gardens are full, and the city feels lively without the August festival crush. When I visit Edinburgh in early summer, I love walking the Water of Leith to Dean Village, then ending the evening with a drink as the sun lingers over the Old Town skyline. September is another favorite in my travel guide Edinburgh notes: the weather is often mild, and it’s easier to book restaurants and enjoy the real rhythm of local life. For relaxed things to do in Edinburgh, that’s when I’d say visit Edinburgh.

I always send curious travelers in Edinburgh to Dunbar’s Close Garden first—it’s a quiet 17th-century-style garden just off the Royal Mile, and most people walk straight past it. In Stockbridge, I recommend Circus Lane early in the morning, when Edinburgh feels almost village-like and the flower boxes are at their best. One of my favorite lesser-known attractions in Edinburgh is Dr Neil’s Garden by Duddingston Loch; it’s peaceful, with lovely views toward Arthur’s Seat. When friends ask me what to see in Edinburgh beyond the obvious, I also mention the Vennel steps at sunset. Even people browsing tours in Edinburgh often miss these corners.

If I had to choose, I’d time a visit Edinburgh around three very different moments. In August, I love the buzz of the Fringe, but I always slip away to the Pleasance Courtyard early before the biggest crowds build. At New Year, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay brings torchlight processions and a real citywide energy that feels distinctly local when you wander the Old Town after midnight. For something more rooted in tradition, I recommend Beltane Fire Festival on Calton Hill in April—dramatic, smoky, and unlike anything else in Edinburgh. In my travel guide Edinburgh notes, these are some of the most memorable things to do in Edinburgh.

On a first trip to Edinburgh, I recommend balancing the famous sights with the city’s quieter corners. Start early in the Old Town, when the Royal Mile is still calm, then duck down closes like Advocate’s Close for one of my favorite castle views. For classic things to do in Edinburgh, I’d pair Edinburgh Castle with a walk up Calton Hill rather than cramming in too much. If friends ask me what to see in Edinburgh, I also send them to Stockbridge for a slower afternoon and to Victoria Street just before dusk, when it’s at its most atmospheric. Some attractions in Edinburgh are best found by wandering, not rushing between tours in Edinburgh.

In my travel guide Edinburgh notes, I usually suggest the Old Town for a first stay in Edinburgh, especially if you want to step out early onto the Royal Mile before it fills up. If you prefer a calmer base, I personally like Stockbridge: it’s leafy, walkable, and you can start the day along the Water of Leith before heading into the center. For a stylish middle ground, the New Town works well, with elegant streets and easy access to things to do in Edinburgh without the late-night noise. When friends ask where to visit Edinburgh from, I tell them to match the neighborhood to their pace, not just the postcode.

When I’m showing friends around Edinburgh, I usually mix three neighborhoods with very different moods. The Old Town has some of the most atmospheric attractions in Edinburgh, but I always tell people to look beyond the Royal Mile and wander the closes around Lawnmarket and the Canongate. Stockbridge is where I go for a slower Edinburgh—independent shops, the Sunday market, and a lovely stretch of the Water of Leith. For Georgian elegance, I recommend the New Town, especially around Abercromby Place and Drummond Place Gardens. If you’re wondering what to see in Edinburgh beyond the obvious, these areas give more character than many standard tours in Edinburgh.

If you want the liveliest nights in Edinburgh, I’d point you to the Cowgate and nearby Grassmarket. That part of Edinburgh stays busy late, with vaulted bars, live music, and a younger crowd, but I usually prefer starting in the Old Town closes and drifting downhill as the evening builds. For something a bit more polished, I recommend the New Town around George Street and Thistle Street, where cocktail spots and wine bars feel more relaxed. In my travel guide Edinburgh notes, the best choice depends on your pace: for high energy, visit Edinburgh’s Old Town after dark; for a slower evening, there are still plenty of things to do in Edinburgh around the New Town.

When I’m in Edinburgh, the most popular choices are popular for a reason: walking the Royal Mile early, going up to Edinburgh Castle, and climbing Arthur’s Seat if the weather holds. For classic things to do in Edinburgh, I’d also include the National Museum of Scotland and a stroll through Princes Street Gardens with the castle above you. When friends ask me what to see in Edinburgh, I tell them to pair the big sights with details people miss, like the closes off the High Street or the view from the Vennel. Many attractions in Edinburgh are best enjoyed on foot, which is why walking-style tours in Edinburgh appeal to so many visitors.

Want to discover all there is to do in Edinburgh
Click here for a full list