Edinburgh Walking Tour 2026
Old Town of Edinburgh walking tour | Reserve now & pay later
About Edinburgh Walking Tour
Explore the capital of Scotland on our Edinburgh Walking Tour! A guide will show you the city’s historic center, where you’ll see top landmarks like Edinburgh Castle and more. View the sculpture of Scotland’s most famous dog - Bobby - and peer into the spooky Greyfriars Kirkyard. You’ll also walk down famous streets like Victoria Street. As you stroll, your guide will show you the sights that inspired J.K. Rowling as she was writing Harry Potter!
Walk by St. Giles’ Cathedral and Edinburgh Castle. They’re both important landmarks in Scottish history, dating back to medieval times!
Wander down Victoria Street and the Royal Mile: two picturesque, cobbled streets. Victoria Street was the inspiration for Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley!
Find out why there’s a statue of a Skye Terrier next to Greyfriars Kirkyard! Your guide will explain the legend and talk about the city’s many mysteries.
Your guide will teach you the city’s past, from ancient times to modern events. That includes which city sections inspired J.K. Rowling while writing Harry Potter!
The Edinburgh Walking Tour is led by a local guide. Take advantage of their inside knowledge to ask questions you have and really get to know the city!
No need to commit right away. Just reserve your tour spot, and only pay once you’re sure. Alternatively, cancel up to 24 hours in advance and get a refund.
RESERVE NOW & PAY LATER!
Keep your travel plans flexible - book your spot without any upfront payment!
Perfect for Harry Potter fans
I know this isn’t the main point of a tour of Edinburgh, but it is a great experience for all Harry Potter geeks like me! Melanie was an amazing guide and pointed out everything that helped J.K. Rowling write the series. You can really see Diagon Alley in Victoria Street. Edinburgh Castle feels like seeing Hogwarts for the first time. Of course, the tour is also fun even from a non-Harry Potter perspective. I think Edinburgh is beautiful, with so much history and so many fun stories. You have to go visit Bobby!
An atmospheric city with a fascinating history
Edinburgh has a reputation for being dark and gloomy, but it is a very rich city in culture and history. The tour convinced us of that! Raj was a great storyteller. He has a talent for making things that happened 2,000 years ago interesting, even to my children. He also gave great recommendations on what traditional Scottish food to try. My favorite part was walking the Royal Mile, personally. The street looks like the Middle Ages, but still has bookstores, cafes, and the like along it. Very interesting.
DESCRIPTION
Edinburgh Walking Tour
- Walking tour of Edinburgh
- Live tour guide
- Live commentary throughout
- Strolling down historic streets like The Royal Mile, Victoria Street, etc.
- Viewing historic sights such as Edinburgh Castle, St. Giles’ Cathedral
- Visit to Greyfriars Kirkyard
- English, German
WANDER THE STREETS OF THE OLD TOWN
The Edinburgh Walking Tour starts with a brief historical introduction of the city. Travel back thousands of years and learn about the area’s earliest settlers, including the Picts. Then go all the way up to the re-establishment of the Scottish Parliament. Afterwards, stroll through the historical Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk on famous cobblestone streets like the Royal Mile and Victoria Street. The Royal Mile hosts Victorian churches, a Camera Obscura exhibition, and more. And you might recognise Victoria Street - it was the inspiration for Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley!
MEET SCOTLAND’S MOST FAMOUS DOG AND LEARN OTHER MYTHS
Before you enter the cemetery of Greyfriars Kirk, you’ll see the sculpture of Bobby. Bobby was a Skye Terrier (often also described as a Dandie Dinmont Terrier) who guarded his master’s grave for 14 years after his death! He’s now Scotland’s most famous dog. But the cemetery has other, spookier myths. A homeless man once entered the grave of ‘Bluidy MacKenzie’ by mistake. He was a Lord famous for mistreating prisoners. After the man fell through the grave's floor, he released the vengeful spirit. That's how the poltergeist MacKenzie started his hauntings. You’ll also see the grave of Thomas Riddle in the cemetery. This was the inspiration for J.K. Rowling’s Lord Voldemort!
VIEW EDINBURGH’S ICONIC LANDMARKS
Finish by strolling past St. Giles’ Cathedral. Founded in the 12th century, it’s one of Scotland’s most important churches. The services of the Order of the Thistle - Scotland’s order of chivalry, or a society of knights - take place there. It was also used as the meeting place for the Scottish Parliament! After the cathedral, gaze up at Edinburgh Castle overlooking the city. The Castle’s history dates back to the 12th century, and used as a royal residence until 1633. Afterwards, it was a military garrison, a mint, a prison, and more! Your guide will explain the entire history.
FREE CANCELLATION UP TO 24H IN ADVANCE!
Receive a complete refund if you cancel your booking 24 hours before the selected date!
Did you know that parts of Edinburgh inspired the Harry Potter series?
Several parts of the city inspired J.K. Rowling’s famous book and film series! Here are just a few places:
- Victoria Street inspired the famous magical shopping street Diagon Alley.
- Edinburgh Castle is often said to have inspired Hogwarts.
- Lord Voldemort’s real name is Tom Riddle. J.K. Rowling might have got that idea from the grave of Thomas Riddle in Greyfriars cemetery.
- In Greyfriars cemetery, there are graves of William McGonagall and Elizabeth Moodie. The first is believed to have inspired Mrs. McGonagall, Hogwarts’s Transfiguration professor. The second was also likely the inspiration for the wizarding Auror Mad-Eye Moody.
- There are medieval Lewis Chess pieces in Scotland’s National Museum. They might have inspired wizarding chess!
Good to know before you go
- The tour will still happen even if it’s raining. Rain or shine, you can count on us!
- It’s a good idea to wear comfortable shoes, as you will be walking for two hours.
- Remember to wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sunhat in the summer months.
- If visiting in colder weather, it can’t hurt to layer up with a jacket or a sweater.
- Please bring a photo ID (passport or a national identity card), as it may be required.
- We suggest bringing a bottle of water to refresh yourself during the tour.
Meeting Point
Meet your tour guide across from St. Giles’ Cathedral, in front of the entrance to Advocates Close. You’ll recognize them by their black umbrella. It will also have the bright yellow Scotland City Tours logo on it.
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FAQ - Edinburgh Walking Tour
How long is the Edinburgh Walking Tour?
2 hours long. You should be in moderate physical condition to complete it. We also suggest wearing comfortable shoes.Do I have to pay for children?
Your little ones under the age of 5 can attend the Edinburgh Walking Tour free of charge! Older children must, however, pay.Can I bring my pet?
Yes! All pets are more than welcome on the Edinburgh Walking Tour, as we will be outside the entire time.Do I need to print my booking confirmation?
No, a digital booking confirmation is more than enough. We actually encourage our guests not to print their booking confirmations. This helps us reduce paper waste.What attractions will I see on the Edinburgh Walking Tour?
During the Edinburgh Walking Tour, you’ll be able to see many famous attractions such as:- St. Giles’ Cathedral
- Edinburgh Castle
- The Royal Mile
- Victoria Street
- Greyfriars Cemetery (with its mysteries, legends, and paranormal stories)
- The statue of Greyfriars Bobby (the famous loyal dog)
- Harry Potter connections in Edinburgh, including places linked to J.K. Rowling’s writing and inspirations
What else can you see while in Edinburgh?
You could join a Harry Potter Tour in Edinburgh and follow in the footsteps of the world’s most famous wizard. For a taste of Scotland’s royal past, book an Edinburgh Castle Ticket or a Palace of Holyroodhouse Ticket, both packed with history. If you want an easy way to get around, the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour in Edinburgh is a great option to explore the city at your own pace. And of course, no visit is complete without trying some local flavors, from a Scotch Whisky Edinburgh Experience to a Haggis Edinburgh Tour, it’s the perfect way to enjoy Scotland’s traditions.Don't wait! Book now!
- Edinburgh Old Town walking tour
- Expert guide
- Reserve now & pay later
- Free cancellation