Where to Walk: the 10 Best History Walking Tours in Edinburgh

1.Old Town History and Tales Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,361 reviews · 2 hours · from $24Our pick

Spend two hours walking Edinburgh’s UNESCO-listed Old Town with an English-speaking guide. Expect medieval streets, folklore, Scottish Enlightenment stories, Harry Potter connections, and stops near Mercat Cross, St. Giles Cathedral, and the Grassmarket. Guides such as Koffe, Max, Euan, Ben, and Graeme are known for lively storytelling and local tips.

“Mr G was very informative, friendly, and accommodating. We would absolutely recommend him. We would never have seen this city in such detail and short amount of time had we not have taken the tour. 5 stars!”

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2.Old Town Walking Tour History and Tales in Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,168 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $24Top rated

Walk Edinburgh’s UNESCO-listed Old Town with a local guide for about two hours. You’ll see St Giles Cathedral, Mercat Cross, George Heriot School, and Edinburgh Castle from outside while hearing lively tales of Scottish history. Guides such as Max, Greg, Angus, Jule, and Ben bring their own stories and humor. Comfortable shoes and weather-ready clothing are essential.

“A very nice Edinburgh Old Town tour. I learned a lot, and Max guided us in a clear and engaging manner.”

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3.Witches & Haunted History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,290 reviews · 1h 15m · from $24

Join guides such as Hazel, Juniper, or Angelica outside Caffè Nero near St. Giles’ Cathedral for a 75-minute walk through Edinburgh’s Old Town. Hear the human stories behind Scotland’s witch trials, visit historic closes and streets, and finish at Grassmarket. Expect character-led storytelling, some humor, steep sections, and a respectful look at injustice.

“my tour was amazing! loved every second and was welcomed into Junipers little coven of baby 🧙‍♀️ Juniper is passionate about this terrible history of beautiful, clever and smarter than men ladies who were accused of witchcraft. loved every second & will happily go again! $$$ well spent 🥰🧙‍♀️💜🖤✨️”

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4.Edinburgh Old Town: Historical Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,016 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $24

Meet your professional guide at 10:30 a.m. on Edinburgh’s High Street for a two-hour walk through the Old Town. Expect medieval and modern history, legends, top landmarks, and lesser-known details before finishing at Greyfriars Kirkyard. The tour is listed in English, with French also offered in the tour description.

“German tour with Urs was full of historical places, explanations and fun. The best tour during our stay.”

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5.3-Hour Historical Walking Tour in Italian

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 734 reviews · 3 hours · from $20Best value

Spend three hours walking Edinburgh’s Old Town with an Italian-speaking guide. Follow the Royal Mile, hear stories of Mary, Queen of Scots and the Scottish Enlightenment, see Edinburgh Castle, pause at Grassmarket, and visit Greyfriars Kirkyard. Guides including Alessandra, Dominga, and Davide bring different energy to the history and legends.

“La nostra guida Alessandra è stata cordiale e disponibile! Tour interessante! Consigliato!”

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6.Old Town History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 528 reviews · 2 hours · from $24

Walk Edinburgh’s Old Town with a live guide in English, French, or German. The two-hour route covers St. Giles’ Cathedral, the Royal Mile, Victoria Street, Edinburgh Castle viewpoints, Greyfriars Cemetery, and Bobby’s statue, with stories about Scotland, local legends, and J.K. Rowling’s Edinburgh inspirations.

“very interesting and enjoyable walking tour of old town Edinburgh.”

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7.Multi-Sensory Old Town Historical Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 290 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $32

Spend 90 minutes walking Edinburgh’s Old Town with a Mercat Tours Storyteller. Hear clearly through provided audio devices as your guide connects Mary Queen of Scots, Robert Burns, rebellion, religion, crime, and daily life to the Royal Mile, closes, courtyards, St. Giles’ Cathedral, Mercat Cross, and Edinburgh Castle.

“The Old Town of Edinburgh is simply magnificent. Excellent tour guide, very knowledgeable about the history of the city and its past inhabitants.”

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8.Dark History Royal Mile Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 271 reviews · 2 hours · from $20

Walk Edinburgh’s Old Town and Canongate with an English-speaking guide such as James, Robert, Lydia, or Kieran. Hear true stories of murder, witches, plague, executions, thieves, and sanitation, then visit Canongate Graveyard to see how ghost tales take shape. This is dark history without costumes or jump scares.

“James was a great guide, informative, humorous and made it such an interesting tour.”

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9.Pubs and History Guided Walking Tour with Beer

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 254 reviews · 2 hours · from $62

Start near St Giles’ Cathedral and follow an English, German, or French-speaking guide through Edinburgh’s Old Town, Royal Mile, Canongate, and Grassmarket. You’ll visit three pubs, taste Scottish beers, learn how brewing shaped the city, and get practical pub tips from guides such as Tilly, Sara, Tom, and Dylan.

“Tilly was a very knowledgable and engaging guide through a range of beers, while sharing the local history of brewing.”

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10.3-Hour Historical Walking Tour in Spanish

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 99 reviews · from $20

Walk Edinburgh’s Old Town with a Spanish-speaking guide for three hours, beginning near City Chambers. You’ll follow the Royal Mile, hear about Mary Queen of Scots and the Scottish Enlightenment, view Edinburgh Castle, pause at the Grassmarket, and visit Greyfriars Kirkyard, with its dark tales and Harry Potter links.

“Super interesante toda la información que nos conto la guía, que al ser Escocesa, sabia muchas detalles de la ciudad e historia.”

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