walking tour of edinburgh map

Edinburgh Walk - One Day on and Around the Royal Mile

TripSavvy / Jess Macdonald

Edinburgh's Royal Mile slopes down from Edinburgh Castle on Castle Rock to the Palace of Holyrood House in the shadow of the mountains of Holyrood Park. Along the way, the route follows the eastern ridge of an extinct volcano - one of several in Scotland's capital.

The Royal Mile walk is one of those must-do experiences. Most people walk down it, from the castle to the palace, taking in the sights and architecture of the city's Old Town. However, you can buck the trend and walk up the Royal Mile. Here's why:

• Every Edinburgh hill you walk down is paid for by one or two more you have to climb. In the context of this itinerary, walking up the Royal Mile is no more difficult than walking down it.
• Some of the best sights are at the bottom. Start there and you won't feel you have to race down the hill to see them before they close.
• Walking up the mile slows you down so you can pay more attention to the little details you might otherwise miss.

About This Walk

• Distance: The walk takes in more than the Royal Mile itself - which is slightly longer than a mile. Depending upon how many side routes you take, this walk is between 3.25 and 3.5 miles. It may seem that's crammed a lot in, but this is a doable walk. I'm only moderately fit and I was able to finish - with all the stops - and still return to my hotel for some down time before dinner.
• Time: The walk is planned to fill a day, from about 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., including stops for lunch, snacks , and window shopping.
• Facilities: It's an urban walk so there are plenty of places to have a sit-down, a drink or use restrooms. Some parts of the walk are along bus routes which I'll point out along the way.
• Dress: Comfortable shoes are a must. Take along something to keep you dry in Edinburgh's changeable and unpredictable weather . But don't bother with an umbrella - it can be very windy.

Start the Walk - the View from Calton Hill

One of the best views of Edinburgh is from the top of Calton Hill looking south towards Arthur's Seat and the Salisbury Crags. Edinburgh really is a city with mountains right in the middle.

But you don't have to go all the way to the top of Calton Hill to enjoy the view. It's just as beautiful from Regent Road at the base of the hill and the start of this walk.

Step-by-Step

• From the end of Princes Street, continue east. and follow the main road as it curves off and climbs to the right into Regent Road (also known as the A1).
• As the road curves uphill you will pass steps up Calton Hill, on the left, and a large Art Deco building on the right. This is St. Andrews House , home to the Scottish government offices.
• After St Andrews House, the views open up to reveal Edinburgh's "mountain range". 
• The large, and somewhat dilapidated neoclassical building above the road on the left is The Old Royal High School Building, also known as the New Parliament Building. In fact, this early 19th-century building is neither. It was rejected as a home for the new Scottish Parliament and is currently without a use.
• Just beyond, on the right, is the Robert Burns monument, a small, circular pavilion. A path down to the Palace of Holyrood House and the Scottish Parliament starts downhill and to the right of this monument.
• Follow this path down to the right and then left to down to Calton Road. Continue downhill on Calton Road to Abbey Hill. Turn right. There's a small roundabout. Just past it, you will see Abbey Strand and the entrance to Holyrood. 

Other Options

Getting there - If you'd rather skip this part of the walk, you can take a bus to the bottom of the Royal Mile. Lothian Buses 6 and 35 stop near Holyrood and the Scottish Parliament.

The Palace of Holyrood House - Home of Mary Queen of Scots

The Palace of Holyrood House is the Queen's official residence when she is in Scotland. (Different from her retreat at Balmoral which is her private property). It dates from a 12th-century Augustinian abbey founded by King David I of Scotland in 1128.

Parts of the Abbey still stand and can be visited during the summer. The palace itself has been built and rebuilt several times so it is a mixture of architectural styles. Because it is a working palace, very little of it is actually open to the public but what's there is fascinating.

• The State Apartments reflect the history and tastes of the different Scottish monarchs who have occupied the palace. There are tapestries, portraits of real and legendary figures of Scottish history and the Scottish Throne Room.
• The most romantic corner of Holyrood holds Mary Queen of Scots' chambers. She lived here when she returned from France where she was educated and raised. The suite of rooms includes her bedchamber, her prayer oratory, and her outer chamber. There, a year after her marriage to Lord Darnley, her Italian private secretary, David Rizzio, was murdered by her husband , in front of her.

The palace is also surrounded by gardens that can be visited.

If you're traveling with children old enough to complain but young enough to be bored by royal palaces, consider the Dynamic Earth attraction as an alternative attraction at the bottom of the Royal Mile.

• Opening Hours: The palace is open from 9:30 a.m. every day except Christmas and boxing day. From April through October, closing time is 6 p.m., and from November through March, closing time is 4:30 p.m. When the Queen is in residence or entertaining state visitors, admission can be limited, so if you arrive toward the end of June or the beginning of July, be prepared to be turned away.
• Admission: A range of ticket, some of which include tours, joint access to the Palace and the Queen's Gallery and access to the gardens can be booked online or purchased at the gate .
• Audio tours are included with all tickets. The audio tour takes about an hour. An hour to an hour and a half is sufficient for your visit.

The Scottish Parliament

TheScottish Parliament is both the dramatic contemporary building that houses the Parliament of the Scottish government and the body of its members, known as MSPs - Members of the Scottish Parliament. It was opened by the Queen in 2004.

From the moment it was proposed, in the 1990s, until its completion and beyond, the building designed by Spanish architect Enric Miralles, was controversial. The estimate of its cost, originally proposed at £10 million ($12 million), quickly escalated to £40 million ($46 million). By the time it was finished, it had cost £414 million ($506 million).

See for Yourself If It Was Worth It

Visiting the public areas of the Scottish Parliament is free. Don't miss the breathtaking, high tech debating chamber. A variety of free tours about Scotland's contribution to science, art, architecture, literature, and politics are available and can be booked online. It's worth joining one of the frequent, hour-long tours of the building itself to learn more about its craftsmanship, functions, symbolism, and architecture. If Parliament is in session, you can watch from the visitor's gallery.

The Parliament building is open Monday to Saturday and public holidays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. When Parliament is conducting business, Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays, the building is open from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Take a Break

Before moving on take a breather here. The building has comfortable, well-maintained restrooms. A family-friendly cafe sells inexpensive snacks and drinks from 11:30 to 2:30.

Dynamic Earth - A Family Alternative

Dynamic Earth is one of Edinburgh's most popular modern attractions. For families with school-age children, it's an alternative to the Palace of Holyrood House. Admission charges are similar to standard tickets for the palace.

It tells the story of planet Earth from the Big Bang onward. Fans of earth science, dinosaurs, underwater, jungle and space adventures will enjoy the break from history, politics, and hiking to have some fun.

Visitors experience interactive, multi-media and "4-D" features as they travel through time, space and climate zones. Short, family films are shown in the Show Dome, Scotland's only 360 ͦ, digital theater.

A visit should take about an hour and a half.

How to Get There

The attraction is southwest of the Scottish Parliament. Turn right at the exit from the Parliament building and follow the building around toward the right. After the reflecting pool, (on your left), look for the path around the grassy strip on the right. At that point, you should see a passage through to Dynamic Earth.

A Morning up and Around the Royal Mile

Now start your walk up The Royal Mile. Return to the traffic circle near the entrance of the Scottish Parliament, on Horse Wynd. On the side of a building near this, you will see a street sign for Canongate. That is the start of the Royal Mile. Turn left.

The Royal Mile has several different names. It's Canongate, High Street, Lawnmarket and Castle Hill. Relax, all of it is the Royal Mile. If you can follow a straight line, you won't wander off it.

Take Your Time

What's your hurry. If you stroll up the Royal Mile instead of marching up you'll be able to spot the genuine treasures amongst all the souvenir shops and tourist tat. Look for the strange street names on the closes - narrow pedestrian streets sometimes with steep staircases - that open out from the high street. They usually indicate the markets and trades that took place in those areas hundreds of years ago. From bottom to top, these are some of the highlights I found before lunch (you will no doubt find your own):

• Canongate Kirk - This flat fronted, Dutch-style church is the parish church of Edinburgh Old Town and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The Queen's granddaughter Zara Philips married her ex Rugby Union player husband Mike Tindall here. According to legend, David Rizzio, the murdered secretary of Mary Queen of Scots, is buried here. It is about a fifth of a mile up from the bottom on the right side.
• The Museum of Edinburgh - Across from Canongate Kirk, you'll spot a bright yellow and red building. This is one of several 16th-century houses, arranged around a close, that make up the Museum of Edinburgh. The museum tells the story of the city from ancient times. If you are interested in decorative arts and craftsmanship, you really should stop here to see the collections of Scottish silver, cut glass, and woodworking. The museum is free and is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays in August.
• The Museum of Childhood - About a third of a mile further up is the world's first museum devoted to childhood. Your own children will enjoy the exhibits of toys of the past - Dinky cars, dolls houses, games, puppets, child-sized cars, model planes, children's clothes. The museum is free and opens the same hours as the Museum of Edinburgh. A Word of Warning: If you go in here with your kids, you probably won't have time to see anything else on the Royal Mile.

Wherever you find lots of tourists, you find touristy pubs and restaurants. So, what a pleasant surprise to find The Inn on the Mile when hunger pangs struck at the same time as the One o'clock gun.  Formerly a bank it's now a pub and nine-room, mid-priced boutique hotel. And it's hard to miss. It sits on an "island" on the High Street section of the Royal Mile, between wee Niddy Street and South Bridge Street, with impressive neoclassical columns and granite steps sweeping down to the road.

The former banking hall, with its large windows, high ceilings, and original features, is now the pub and dining room. It's relaxed and friendly with an inexpensive menu of well prepared casual food - soups, burgers, sandwiches, salads, chicken, steak, mac and cheese, and a kids menu for smaller appetites. 

I was staying elsewhere so I only I looked at the rooms, with their luxury bathrooms, free wifi, free minibars and huge windows over the Royal Mile or the bridges. It's definitely on my list for my next Edinburgh visit.

Afternoon of Window Shopping and Sentiment

After lunch, continue up the Royal Mile past St. Giles Cathedral and turn left on George IV Bridge Street for a detour and a change of pace. Turn right on Victoria Street and follow the curving street down the hill, exploring its colorful shops along the way. Stop at La Barantine , 89 Victoria, to pick up some rainbow-colored macarons for later.

Further down it turns into West Bow. At the first intersection, turn right on Grassmarket. This street is known for its restaurants, bars, and independent boutiques. There's a street market here every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Visit Greyfriars Bobby

The true story of   Greyfriars Bobby inspired a classic movie, one of the most unashamedly sentimental British movies ever made. The faithful Skye terrier pined at his master's grave, in Greyfriars Kirkyard, for 14 years until his own death. Locals fed him and the Lord Provost of Edinburgh paid for his license. After his death in 1872, the Lord Provost's daughter commissioned the statue of him that still stands today near Greyfriars Kirk.

To Get There - Retrace your steps up Grassmarket past the small monument at the bottom of West Bow. Bear right onto Cowgatehead and at the traffic circle continue right onto Candlemakers Row. The statue is outside the family and dog-friendly  Greyfriars Pub near the intersection with George IV Bridge Road. It's a distance of a couple of hundred yards.

You might want to step into the pub to whet your whistle and refresh yourself for the   climb back up George IV Bridge to the Royal Mile, now called Lawnmarket. At Lawnmarket, turn left and head for the Castle, just ahead.

Is Edinburgh Castle an Anticlimax?

I'm afraid it is. Enjoy Edinburgh Castle from the outside. Marvel at the impressive views of it from vantage points around the city center. But don't waste your money going inside.

I know that may seem a controversial point of view but it is based on two visits, the second more disappointing than the first.

Yes, there are fabulous views, but you can find views just as good, or better, from Calton Hilland Arthur's Seat - and they are free.

Yes, it has the Scottish crown jewels, known as the Honours of Scotland, and the Stone of Destiny (formerly known as the Stone of Scone) on which the Scottish kings were crowned, but:

• To get to the crown jewels you have to wind in and out of twenty minutes of small, claustrophobic rooms filled with dioramas and luridly painted plaster figures offering the story of the Scottish monarchy in a style so embarrassing, it's an insult to the history it relates.
• The crown jewels, purported to be the oldest in Britain, consisting of a small crown, a scepter, and a sword. The build-up to get to their glass case is so long and complicated that they are bound to be a disappointment.

And yes, it has Mons Meg - a huge and ancient bombard canon; the Royal Palace where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to James VI of Scotland, later James I of England; a great hall with an impressive hammerbean roof; a war museum and regimental museums with lots of medals.

But it is very disjointed. It's crowded during vacation seasons and basically, there is very little to see. It is simply far too expensive for what it offers.

For Scottish History Fans

Visit the National Museum of Scotland instead. It covers Scottish history, archaeology, and natural history and its many fascinating and often mysterious objects are yours to visit for free. The museum is just across the street from the little bronze statue of Greyfriars Bobby. So if you've taken that detour, stay a while longer to visit it. Use the time you'll save not wandering around Edinburgh Castle wondering why you've spent so much money to visit it.

The Mound and the National Galleries

The good news is, it's all downhill from here and there's probably a nice cup of tea at the bottom.

At the top of Castle Hill, a large paved area that looks like an empty parking lot forms a sort of prelude to the castle itself. This is known as the Esplanade and is where the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is staged.

Just inside the Esplanade, at the far end, opposite the castle entrance, turn right and head for the corner of the enclosure. A cream colored, multi-story building with tan trim around its windows is the last building on the right before a wooded path that leads downward.

Go through the opening in the wrought iron fence and down a few steps. Then follow the path downward, through the trees and parkland. The path is steep in places but is paved throughout and not very difficult. It will lead you to the garden entrance of the National Galleries and the end of this walk.

There's a coffee shop at the garden entrance of the National Gallery where you can rest your tootsies before taking in some of the Gallery's world-class collection of fine art. Don't miss the wonderful collection of Scottish paintings. Like most of Scotland's national museums, the gallery is free.

If by now you've walked your feet off - and if you've touched all the bases in this walk, you've covered 3.3 miles - you can easily catch a bus, a taxi or the Edinburgh tram on The Mound, in front of the gallery, or on Princes Street a few hundred feet north - and downhill.

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Highlights of Edinburgh Walking Tour: A Free & Self-Guided Itinerary

By: Author Sophie Nadeau

Posted on Last updated: 9th March 2023

Categories Scotland , walking tour

Last Updated on 9th March 2023 by Sophie Nadeau

Edinburgh is one of those places you could return to time and time again, and still never manage to scratch the surface of. Luckily, this guide and itinerary will help you understand the city on a more local level by offering you an Edinburgh Walking Tour that’s free, self-guided, and a trail you’ll actually want to follow!

Highlights of Edinburgh Walking Tour: Tips & Tricks

Dean village, scottish national gallery, the writers’ museum, edinburgh castle, grassmarket, greyfriars kirkyard, drink a coffee in the elephant house, walk the royal mile, palace of holyrood, arthur’s seat, map for your self-guided edinburgh walking tour, enjoyed reading this highlights of edinburgh walking tour pin it now, read it again later:.

The Scottish Capital, like many European cities, is a place best enjoyed on foot and so you’ll want to allocate yourself a nice sunny day (if possible) to truly make the most of this walking tour.

Make sure to wear sturdy walking shoes and bring an umbrella in case of showers (there’s a reason Edinburgh is such a green city!)

This is especially when you take into consideration that you may be walking far more than the suggested walking time if you easily get distracted (like me) by quaint corners and side streets.

Much of Edinburgh is constructed on the remnants of ancient volcanic activity, meaning that there are lots of hilly roads and steep lanes in much of the city.

During this walk, the best place to grab a bite to eat are along the Royal Mile or in the Grassmarket, where you’ll find plenty of traditional Scottish Pubs. On a warm day, it’s also possible to enjoy a picnic in the calm area of Dean Village or atop the high and windy peak of Arthur’s Seat.

Walking time: 1 hour 42 minutes

Distance covered: 4.5 miles (7.3 kilometres)

Places to visit on this Edinburgh walking tour

Probably the most picturesque area of Edinburgh, Dean Village is an area of the city that shouldn’t be missed on any trip to the Scottish Capital! For this self-guided walking tour of Edinburgh, you’ll start your stroll in this stunning location.

First constructed for workers of the nearby mills, the Edinburgh district is now home to some of the prettiest and most exclusive real-estate in Edinburgh.

Just remember to bring your camera, you’ll likely want to snap a photo or two! Nearby, the river provides a quiet spot of calm in the midst of the hustle and bustle of Scotland’s capital city.

After visiting Dean Village, you’ll embark on your first steep hill walk of the day (which will, unfortunately, be the first on many). Like I said, wear sturdy walking shoes!  Home to some of the best paintings to be found anywhere in Scotland, including iconic works by well-known Scottish artists, the Scottish National Gallery is open on a daily basis and is free to visit.

All of the priceless works date from the middle ages, right up until the present day and the museum is a must-see for any art lover. Those who fully want to explore the many paintings on offer may well want to dedicate at least an hour or two to understanding and admiring all of the works of art. All in all, a visit to the Scottish National Gallery is easily one of the best things to do in Edinburgh .

From the National Gallery, it’s just a short walk until you stumble upon the Writers’ Museum. Tucked away in a little alcove and just metres away from the Royal Mile, this may well be the quaintest exhibition space the city has to offer.

Open from Wednesday through to Sunday, the Museum is just one of the contributing factors that led to Edinburgh being named the first ever UNESCO City of Literature back in the early 2000s.

The culture space is free to visit and most of the works are dedicated to three of Scotland’s leading writers; Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson.

Within the museum, there are countless exhibitions comprising of photographs, notebooks, and more. Right next to the museum, you’ll find a lively outdoor bar by the name of ‘Wash Bar’.

Although I would have liked this walk to have started from the place where Edinburgh itself may well have begun, Edinburgh Castle, it’s best to enjoy the castle in the middle of the day when the sun is shining down and tourists still number less than those in the afternoon.

The aptly named mount of Castle Rock is home to Edinburgh Castle, where evidence suggests that people have been constructing fortifications since the Bronze Age, and perhaps earlier.

Although you have to pay to enter the castle, it’s easily one of the best attractions the city has to offer. Fun for all ages, Edinburgh Castle is open on a daily basis from 9:30 AM and is easily one of the best castles in and around Edinburgh .

To make the most of a castle visit (and get your money’s worth!), you’ll want to allocate yourself at least a couple of hours. Just outside the castle, an ice cream van sells refreshments throughout high season- perfect for picking up a quick snack along the route of this Edinburgh Walking Tour.

Book now: Edinburgh Castle skip the line and guided tour ticket

Wander down the steps or road from the Castle (the steep steps being the quickest option), and you’ll be rewarded with some of the best views of Edinburgh, as well as the perfect shot for Instagram .

The Grassmarket is an ancient market space and place for events in the old part of the city. Today, the area is the perfect place to sample one of the many local beers on offer in one of the many traditional Scottish pubs which surround this centrally located square!

From the Grassmarket, it’s just a short walk eastwards before you stumble upon Greyfriar’s Kirkyard. Situated on the Southern edge of the Old Town, the ancient cemetery was established in the mid 16th-century.

When JK Rowling was writing the Harry Potter series in the nearby Elephant House, she would have likely looked out the window and seen Greyfriar’s Churchyard stretching out below.

Further on, and you can see the historic George Heriot’s School. Turreted and founded in 1628, it even has four Schools, just like Hogwarts!

Back at the graveyard, wander among the many gravestones and you’ll spot plenty of names on the headstones that are easily recognisable from the wizarding series; ‘Riddell’ and ‘McGonagall’ to name just a couple…

For fans of the wizarding series that is Harry Potter, I’m sure that the Elephant House will need no introduction. Famously the place where JK Rowling wrote many of the earlier books, today the Elephant House is understandably always busy!

Best seen earlier in the day so as to avoid the majority of the crowds, even if you don’t want a drink, you’ll need to pay a £1 entry fee to check out the toilets (a weird thing to say, but the graffiti covering the cubicles is truly unique!) and coffee shop interior. For more wizard-inspiration, check out our Harry Potter Tour of Edinburgh!

Following the small detour to admire some Harry Potter locations and historical sites, it’s a quick wander back up the hill, and onto the Royal Mile! Spanning the stretch of street between Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace, the Queen’s Official Residence in Edinburgh, most of the action which can be found in Edinburgh is centred around this street.

Along the Royal Mile, you’ll find all manner of attractions; the city’s main cathedral, St Gile’s Cathedral, several covered marketplaces, and oodles of historic eateries can be found here.

Other points of interest include the entrance to Mary King’s Close (Edinburgh’s secret underground city- book a guided visit here ) , as well as the Museum of Childhood.

The official residence of King Charles in Scotland can be found at the end of the Royal Mile, in the form of the Palace of Holyrood. This is one of the final stops on this Edinburgh walking tour and the Royal Residence’s interior can be visited for a fee.

Open on a daily basis, you’ll want to give yourself at least an hour or two to admire the palace’s ancient abbey ruins, wander the Palace Gardens, and see various lavishly decorated Scottish interiors.

Nearby, the quirky structure of Queen Mary’s Bath House can be found, an unusual example of a 16th-century summerhouse or pavilion.

Although its tiny interior is closed to the public, the unusual exterior may well be the oldest surviving tennis pavilion in the world. Just a three minute walk away from the Palace of Holyrood, it’s also possible to admire the exterior of the ultra-modern Scottish parliament buildings.

For the best views of Edinburgh (and a great place to enjoy a picnic), this walking tour of the city ends at Arthur’s Seat. There, you’ll find epic sights such as Holyrood Palace, the ruins of Holyrood Abbey, and onto the waters and rolling hills beyond.

Arthur’s Seat also happens to be one of the best spots in the city to enjoy the sunset thanks to its enviable vantage point. Contrary to popular belief, Arthur’s Seat is not named after the King of Celtic Legend.

Instead is likely a mispronunciation of its middle ages name ‘Àrd-na-Said’ (Heigh of Arrows in English). However, Arthur’s Seat won its name, you’ll want to dedicate around an hour to climb up and down its towering peak.

This time allocation will need to be more if you’re looking to picnic at the top (or simply wish to give yourself a quick breather). On the way down, it’s possible to wander the remains of a 14th-century chapel dedicated to St Anthony. For more information check out our guide on  hiking an extinct volcano in Edinburgh!

Sophie Nadeau loves dogs, books, travel, pizza, and history. A Francophile at heart, she runs solosophie.com when she’s not chasing after the next sunset shot or consuming something sweet. She splits her time between Paris and London and travels as much as she can! Subscribe to Sophie’s YouTube Channel.

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Monday 25th of March 2019

Hi! We are a 7 adults coming to Edinborough in May and we want to do a history walk. Though we want a guided tour. Do you know if any company has a similar walk to this to offer? It looks perfect!

The Best Places You Should Visit on Your Edinburgh Self Guided Tour

• Published on: April 24, 2022

Welcome to one of the world’s most beautiful cities. A city steeped in rich history, picturesque medieval architecture, and a vibrant culture; Edinburgh will keep you coming back for more. Follow this Edinburgh self-walking tour for some of the best highlights of Edinburgh’s Old Town along with some spectacular hidden gems.

Estimated time: 1 hour 30 minutes – 2 hours

Distance: 3.1 miles (5 km)

• Get to and from the Airport:  Save on airport transfers with HolidayTaxis .  F rom only US$69.08
• The easiest way to  get around Edinburgh is to use the City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour. Get Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour tickets starting   at US$22.48 

With 11 main stops around Edinburgh’s Old Town , you can see the absolute best of the city in a short amount of time. Use the guide as an Edinburgh itinerary, a self-guided walking tour, or a bucket list of must-see spots in the Scottish capital.

This site uses affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when you use my links and make a purchase without incurring an additional fee yourself. Many thanks for supporting this website. Please see my legal page for more details.

1. Ross Fountain

Start your Edinburgh self-walking tour at Ross Fountain in Princes Street Gardens. This iconic cast-iron fountain was first installed in 1872 and later restored in 2017 and 2018. It’s a beloved spot by both locals and tourists and also boasts magical views of the Edinburgh Castle.

2. Scott Monument

Follow through Princes Street Garden as you make your way to the other side of the park. Follow the stairs and exit the park on the right-hand side. You’ll soon come across the tall-standing Scott Monument. The historic monument is dedicated to renowned Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott. He was born in Edinburgh in 1771 and passed away in 1832.

“ Is death the last step? No, it is the final awakening. ” – Sir Walter Scott

Follow past the Scottish National Gallery to arrive at your next stop. If you have time, explore the gallery to see works by Van Gogh, Monet, Dalí, and more. Have more time in Edinburgh? Pencil it in for another day! The gallery, like all public museums in the UK, is free to enter.

3. Edinburgh Self-Walking Tour and The Writers Museum

Somewhat of a hidden gem, the Writers Museum in the picturesque Lady Stair’s Close is a must-see in Edinburgh. Enter this free museum to learn more about Sir Walter Scott and other famous Scottish writers, or simply soak up the beauty of this tucked-away spot off the Royal Mile.

4. Edinburgh Castle

Of course, we can’t forget Edinburgh’s main attraction! Follow up a portion of the Royal Mile dotted in jolly bagpipe players and long-standing medieval architecture.

You can pay to enter the castle grounds or admire it from outside. Whatever your budget, time, and interests decide!

Inhabited since the Iron Age, the Edinburgh Castle is one of the oldest places in the city. Here you will also have fantastic views overlooking parts of Edinburgh, providing a sneak peek to one of the next stops on this self-guided Edinburgh walking tour.

Did you know that the Edinburgh Castle is built on top of an extinct volcano?

5. Victoria Street

Easily one of the most interesting and colourful streets in Edinburgh , your next step of  Edinburgh self-walking tour is Victoria Street. Built during the early 1800s, this beautiful hilly spot is lined with incredible shops, boutiques, and cafes and even features a unique second-level walkway to get even more marvellous views of the street.

6. Grassmarket

Walk up Victoria Street which loops into W Bow. Take a left and you’ll find yourself at Grassmarket, a pedestrian-friendly historic marketplace. Here you may find some street vendors along with lots of surrounding pubs and restaurants. It’s a favourite area among locals and tourists alike.

Would you like this guide in a printable version?

7. the vennel viewpoint.

Walk to the other end of Grassmarket and look to your left for a tall staircase. Avoid the temptation to look back – just yet – until you make it to the top of the stairs.

Turn around and enjoy one of the most picturesque views of the Edinburgh Castle!

Here you’ll also find the Flodden Walls which were built in 1560 to protect against an English invasion (which never actually came).

8. The Elephant House

Make your way back down the stairs and through Grassmarket again as you keep right. You’ll soon stumble upon The Elephant House on Merchant Street. This is a book lover’s paradise as it was a favourite spot for JK Rowling when she was writing the Harry Potter series while looking out at Edinburgh Castle .

It’s easy to say much of Harry Potter was inspired by the architecture, charm, and people of Edinburgh. The more time you spend here (and the more Harry Potter you read or write), it will quickly become apparent.

9. St. Giles’ Cathedral

One of the city’s most stunning cathedrals, situated between Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse on the famous Royal Mile. The cathedral is dedicated to Saint Giles, who is the patron saint of Edinburgh.

Walk inside and experience the historical charm of this building. On the southeast corner, there is the peculiar, gothic-style Thistle Chapel, one of the most important parts of the church

10. Dunbars Close

Leisurely continue down the Royal Mil e until you find the cobbled Dunbars Close on the left-hand side. Hop off the tourist path and into this secret 17th-century garden. The hustle and bustle of the Royal Mile swiftly fades away when you enter into this tranquil oasis. Spend as much time as you’d like meandering through this piece of Edinburgh greenery.

11. Edinburgh Self-Walking Tour and Calton Hill

Your final stop on your Edinburgh self-walking tour will take you to the iconic Calton Hill at the end of Princes Street.

The views of Edinburgh from Calton Hill are just as stunning as the hill’s monuments themselves. Witness the Athens-like National Monument of Scotland and the early 19th-century Nelson Tower built to honour Vice-Admiral Nelson after his victory and death at the Battle of Trafalgar.

Calton Hill is lovely both day and evening, but if you time it right, you can catch a gorgeous sunset here

READ ALSO: HOW TO EXPERIENCE EDINBURGH LIKE A LOCAL. A GUIDE TO STOCKBRIDGE

Discover other things to do in edinburgh.

Edinburgh is a city of legends and history. The city has a lot to offer and walking tours are one of the most popular activities to explore one of the world’s most culturally rich and beautiful cities. Whether you’re a Harry Potter fan, history enthusiast or on the ghost haunting mission, there’s a walking tour in Edinburgh to suit everyone!

Check our article on the best Edinburgh’s walking tours.

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My name is Kate and I created Scotland Itinerary Planning to give you those life-changing experiences right in the beautiful country I call home.

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A free, self guided walking tour of Edinburgh

Two good friends of mine recently visited edinburgh..

For those of you unaware, Edinburgh was home for almost 10 years.I guess anywhere you live so long, it becomes part of your DNA. I love living in Madeira. I’ve met someone special here, the people are wonderful and the island is a beautiful place with stunning natural beauty. Plus year round the weather here is beautiful. One thing I definitely do not miss about Edinburgh is the weather. You can experience 4 seasons in one day in Edinburgh. Sounds crazy but that’s what make the city and indeed Scotland unique.I was asked to create a walking tour of the city for my Madeiran friends highlighting  my 50 favourite haunts. I spent a few happy hours revisiting in my memory all my favourite haunts. This post is the end result. I thought I’d share with you in the hope that one day you may visit this beautiful city and see it through my eyes. It’s not your conventional walking tour of all the most famous sights. Sometimes you walk. Sometimes you will need to stop for a beer. A few beers. Sometimes you’ll need to hop on a bus. Sometimes I might have forgotten the odd place to mention and you’ll have to revisit the street again. PS: By the way, if you are looking for recommendations about my favourite budget places to stay in Edinburgh , check this post and also checkout my recent guide on how spend 48 hours in Edinburgh

To supplement the guide I’ve created my own illustrated map of the city.

I was never good at art but I try. I hope the map gives you some sort of a visual idea of the places I’ve mentioned below.

I’ve started the guide with one of my favourite walks in Edinburgh which starts from my old house in the Canongate where I lived for many moons….right uptil Morningside. It can take a few hours so make sure you have a pair of good walking shoes. Edinburgh is a city best enjoyed on foot.

Canongate is on the bottom half of the Mile and is right near the Queens Palace.

My first port of call on most days in Edinburgh would be 1.Starbucks on Canongate . You come all the way to Edinburgh and the first place I ask you to go is Starbucks. WTF!!!!! I know.  The coffee is OK, wifi is good and the baristas here are friendly. This cafe was basically my office in my early days as a travel blogger so I have an emotional pull towards this place. I loved pulling up a stool in the front of the cafe from where you could watch the comings and goings of people. You could easily spend an hour of just drinking the dull filter coffee ( Brings back memories drinking their filter coffee.)

Across the road, I would love to see the astonished look of people as they would stumble upon the 2. Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe. Yes. A shop that celebrates Xmas 365 days of the year. Once upon a time Cliff Richard was here….. you may spot a dull yellow newspaper cutting glued to the shop’s display window with Cliff’s toothy smile burning through the paper. Here’s an interesting fact. Edinburgh has not one but three Christmas shops open year-round. So if you are the kind of person that wishes they could celebrate Xmas everyday of the year, you’ve come to the right city.

Right beside the Xmas shop you’ll find a little hidden alleyway that leads you into the 3 . Victorian Garden. Beautiful place. Perfect, to escape the crowds and where you can even have your own picnic with a fish and chip supper from Bene’s. ( See later) Royal Mile has many hidden beautiful gardens like this.

Besides the Starbucks is a narrow alleyway- Crichton’s Close. On the left is the 4 . Scottish Poetry Library . If you are lover of a poetry, like me, this library has a fabulous collection of poetry books. I would often pop in for readings from local poets and if you are keen to get feedback on your own stuff, bring your work along and share with fellow budding poets.

Do not leave Edinburgh without going to 5.Bene’s Fish and Chips  ( 162 Canongate. Opens for Lunch, 12-2pm and then 4.30 till 12pm ) which is at the bottom of the Royal Mile. If you are keen to sample the fabled deep fried mars bar, this is the place to come to. They also do deep fried pizza. Other specialities to try here included haggis plus they do a pretty mean fish and chips. When you order chips here or in fact anywhere in Edinburgh, make sure you ask for the right dressing: ’salt and sauce.’ No tomato ketchup. You want those thick cut chips ( fried in lard) smothered in vinegar, salt, pepper with a liberal drizzling of brown sauce. Oh god. I am practically drooling on my keyboard as I write. If Maria ( or Maria’s husband- His name is not Tony. Damn, I’VE FORGOTTEN HIS NAME. Spoke to him so many times. Shoot me ) are in the shop, say hello from me.

Right opposite Bene’s is the 6. Canongate Church. This is the Queen’s church. She attends service here in the summer when she is in residence in her palace down the road. I love wondering the graveyard here. Sounds morbid but the tombstones are beautiful here. It is a very atmospheric place with a beautiful view of Calton Hill and the old Scottish Parilament. On the left hand corner you’ll find the grave of none other than Mr Adam Smith , the father of economics.

Now, instead of walking up the Mile. Reverse.

Walk to the bottom of the Mile and you’ll come face to face with three key landmarks.

To your right is the 7. Scottish Parliament , a controversial building which cost almost £1 billion to make and still incurs the wrath of locals. The architect Enric Miralles, died before completing it. It has many complex motifs that draw inspiration from Scottish history but I have never got my head around them. Love it or hate it, definitely has a beautiful location right at the foot of Arthurs Seat.

In front of you is the 8.Queens Palace . Do not enter and pay to see this place: for the price you have to pay, better splurging on one key historic attraction:  9. Edinburgh Castle which is on the top of the Royal Mile. Purely to see the Stone of Destiny. The stone of destiny ( also known as the Stone of Scone) is the Coronation Stone, an oblong block of red sandstone that was used for centuries in the coronation of the monarch of Scotland and later the monarchs of England and the Kingdom of Great Britain. The stone of destiny is kept in the crown room at Edinburgh Castle alongside the crown jewels of Scotland. The last time the stone was used was in 1953 for the coronation of Elizabeth II. In keeping with Scottish tradition there are many myths and legends associated with this stone. Some say that this is not the original stone of Scone but a replica. On Christmas Day 1950, a group of four Scottish students removed the Stone from its then location, Westminster Abbey to bring it back to Scotland. When the stone was ultimately returned, many people disputed whether this was the original stone. Some say that the  original stone is buried beneath Scone Abbey, near Perth. It is a story that has always fascinated me and one very good reason why you should visit Edinburgh Castle. Time your visit to the Castle around the 1pm gun salute from the Castle. Also unmissable is the dreamy and beautiful St Margaret’s Chapel, a 12th chapel in the Castle grounds. It is still used for weddings and is the oldest building in Edinburgh. The views from the Castle, looking down onto Princes Street gardens and the elegant Georgian streets of the New Town are one of the most beautiful views you will ever see.

The souvenir shop at the palace which is open to the public has excellent Royal memorabilia like commemorative mugs of William and Kate’s wedding that maybe your mum would like. The other reason I go here is that they have excellent and clean public loo here.

In front of you lies one of the key landmarks of Edinburgh- 10. Arthurs Seat , an extinct volcano. The views you get of Edinburgh from the top are beautiful from here. On a clear day you can see as far afield as Fife.

If it is a clear day, I recommend you go for a climb to the top. There is an easy path that you can follow just a few footsteps from in front of Holyrood Park which is right behind the Queens Palace. If you never make it to the Scottish highlands, you can experience the feeling of the beautiful Scottish wilderness right in the heart of the city, here in Holyrood Park. It has an array of hills, 3 lakes or lochs as referred to in Scots,  glens (lakes), ridges, basalt cliffs, and patches of gorse. It has also has a beautiful ruin, the 15th century St Anthony’s Chapel that stands above St Margaret’s Loch. The latter is beautiful lake right at the end of Holyrood Park where you can see ducks, geese and the most graceful elegant swans you will ever see.

Ok. Enough of walking. Time for some beer and food.

The perfect Scottish breakfast for me ( Haggis included!) is at 11.Holyrood 9A which is on the beginning of Holyrood Road. They also have an excellent burger menu and also over 50 beers from around the world to choose from. To get to Holyrood 9A, you have to walk down the Royal Mile until you come to a crossing. To your left will be a pub called the 12. World’s End pub.

This pub does also excellent fish and chips plus serves excellent draft ales- I recommend you make a pit stop here for a pint of Deuchars IPA which is the local ale of choice.

The reason this pub is called the World’s End Pub is that this building used to mark the boundary of Edinburgh in the ancient period. You’ll see some brass bars in the ground in front of the pub which mark where the wall used to be.

To get an idea of what the wall looked like walk up the staircase of John Knox’s house, ( home to the protestant reformer John Knox and also the (most impossibly pretty cottage you will see in the city ) on your left which is now home to the 13.Scottish Storytelling Centre. Scotland is the land of stories and storytelling is in the blood of all Scots. The centre is an embodiment of that wonderful tradition of storytelling and you can experience here live storytelling, theatre, music, exhibitions, family events and workshops all year round so check ahead for any events.

On the top of the staircase you’ll see an illustration of what the gate used to look like. The wall ( also known as the Flodden Wall ) is still intact in some part of the city. Turn right onto St Mary’s Street and a few hundred yards forward, you can see the remainders of the wall on your right hand side.

At the end of St Marys Street turn left onto Holyrood road and you are at the Holyrood 9A.

They have an excellent burger menu and also over 50 beers to choose from.

From St Mary’s Street if you turn right…you are onto the Cowgate. 

Cowgate is filled with many excellent pubs and bars- it gets very lively at night.

My top picks here are 14.Bannerman’s for their live music nights. Also next to Bannerman’s is the 15.Banshee Labryinth – a exquisite labryinth of 6 or 7 vaults , each vault has something going on including a pool table , jukebox room, a live music ‘dungeon’ and even a cinema.

Further down from Bannerman’s if you fancy checking out a few clubs, there is the 16.Bongo Club which has a few nice bars and always has a bunch of great club nights, playing everything from garage, techno, old school hip hop, soul and house.

Further down from the Bongo Club is 17. Espionage which is a kind of superclub with 5 different clubs. The drinks are a bit expensive and the bouncers on the door can be arseholes sometimes. This maybe due to the fact that being a free club it can attract a whole bunch of weird, idiotic ( stag and hen groups) and wonderful folk from all walks of life but once you do make it past them, a decent club night awaits. My friends in Edinburgh will slaughter me for recommending this place but I’ve had many good memories here with friends. The 5 different themed bars means you have a wide variety of music to choose from. It always gets packed and sweaty here so be prepared for that. My love for this bar dates back to my time as an international student in Dundee when we would come to the Burgh for a big night out with the rest of the international student society. Everyone would refuse to pay entry into any of the nightclubs so we would always end up here 🙂

Walk further and you are in the Grassmarket.

Grassmarket is the place where once upon a time people were publicly executed. You’ll find the spot where they would hang the people. Right in front is the 18. Last Drop pub . This is would be the place where they would have their last drop of beer before being hanged.

However if I was to be fussy, I would not go for a beer here.

On the corner of the Grassmarket , beside the Grassmarket Hotel, you’ll see 19. Hula Juice Bar.

They do the best smoothies ( my favourite was Sunshine in a Cup: Peach, mango and orange ) delicious soups and also lovely coffee. Plus FREE WIFI. Yay.

Tip: If you check in on the Yelp App here, you get 10% off.

If you do pop in, say hello to Susan and pass on my best wishes to her please.

Hula Juice Bar marks the beginning of the prettiest street in Edinburgh and in the world in fact : Victoria Street!

Before we walk up Victoria Street, let me point out a few more key landmarks here in the Grassmarket.

Grassmarket has two famous shops which specialise in Vintage clothing which attract people from all over Scotland. Pop into 21. Armstrongs which is in their own words ‘a cornucopia of vintage and retro delights.’ So if you are looking for your vintage clothing fix, this is the place to come to.

Every Saturday they have a fab street market here where you can find great street food, sustainably sourced produce as well as just-cooked street food, sweet treats and seasonal crafts and gifts from local makers.

Also from the 22. West End of the Grassmarket you have one of the most photographed views in the city: a great panoramic view of Edinburgh Castle. It is beautiful when it gets dark and the castle lights up.

Ok back to the prettiest street in Edinburgh and the world: Victoria Street

It has a bunch of lovely shops and restaurants.

In Victoria Street you’ll find one of my favourite pubs in Edinburgh called the 23.Bow Bar. Proper pub which does a lovely range of ales and beers on tap.

They serve this lovely chocolate and lime stout that is made with real dark chocolate.

Wind your way up Victoria Street back onto George 4th bridge. Turn left and you are on the Royal Mile. Turn right and walk up George 4th Bridge.

On your right soon after 500 yards you’ll find yourself in front of the famous 24. Elephant Cafe. This is where JK Rowling wrote the first Harry Potter Novel. JK Rowling still has a home in Edinburgh and still frequents many cafes around this area so keep your eyes peeled.

At the back of the cafe which in doubt will be crowded with people looking for a seat you’ll find a huge table and a bay window. Look through it and you will see probably the real-life model for Hogwarts: ‘ St George’s Heriot Watt School’

Once you come out of the Elephant Cafe…walk further. You’ll soon come to a statue of a dog: 25.Greyfriars Bobby. You probably know the story of this dog? His grave is right in front of the entrance of the Greyfriars Bobby Kirk. Beautiful graveyard which has great views of the Castle. Some people say this is a haunted graveyard and ghost tours come here at night.

Come out. In front of you is Forrest Road, where I first lived when I came to Edinburgh.

I often started my night with a pint at 26.Sandy Bells (25 Forrest Road) which is a small wee pub that specialises in traditional music nights. It always has a great atmosphere with a mix of tourists and locals. They have a good selection of whiskies and beers at decent prices so do pop in here.

On your left is a place called 27.Mums ( used to be called Monster Mash) where they do an epic breakfast of 3 types of sausages with mash. I would go for their lamb and mint, the herby, pork and apple sausages sitting on a bed of delicious horseradish mash, smothered in a tomato and thyme (gluten free) gravy. Cost: £8/ Good hearty food, perfect for a cold winters day. Will keep you going for hours.

Forrest Road has one of my favourite charity shops run by the charity called 28. Shelter They always have decent clothing labels and selection of books so worth a good rummage.

To your left from Shelter you’ll see 29. Doctors -this is the pub which all the University of Edinburgh medical students frequent and has a nice ambience. Great selection of ales and ciders on tap and they do nice sharing platters. In front of the huge building you will see the medical school which marks the beginning of the University of Edinburgh campus. A certain Arthur Conan Doyle went to university here and also the doctor who discovered the anesthetic.

If you fancy a nice coffee, look straight ahead and you will see the beginning of the green lung of Edinburgh, 30. The Meadows . The air is heavy with the smell of BBQ’s and the grass is glowing with yellow and red cans of Tennents. At the beginning of the Meadows on your right you will see a few shops. The one right at the end is 31.St Peters Yard, a Swedish style bakery and coffee house. Coffee here is lovely and their bread has won many awards.

Before you enter to the Meadows , look straight ahead and on the right you’ll get a broad panoramic view of George Heriot school.

Opposite the gates of the school, you’ll see a  huge glass building which is the HQ for 32. Skyscanner So many an evening I have spent on the Skyscanner app looking for flights from Edinburgh and Madeira to everywhere in the world.

Ok. From here. If you still feel like walking. Walk past George Heriot, Skyscanner HQ on your left. You are now walking along Lauriston Place. On your right you will be seeing the Edinburgh School of Art.

105 Lauriston Place is home to the 33.Brauhaus Pub which has a great selection of beers from all over the world , especially Belgian and German beers.

Another few hundred yards, untill you come to the 34. Tollcross Junction . In the middle of the Junction don’t miss the distinctive ironwork pillar clock which has been one of the city’s landmarks since 1901.

If you walk to your left you are in Tollcross. This is a nice neighbourhood and has probably my favourite cinema in Edinburgh, 35.The Cameo.

If it is a typically blustery day/ rainy day and you need respite from the wind and the rain, escape here for a few hours.

They have a lovely bar , walls adorned with classic film posters. Wine is decent. They serve sausage rolls in a pint glass.The popcorn is excellent plus they have Ben and Jerry’s ice-cream. What more could you want?

If you still have the energy to walk…if you keep walking, you’ll be walking past by the Meadows (to your left) and come into Marchmont which then leads onto 36. Morningside, probably the most elegant  neighbourhood in Edinburgh.

The people of Morningside allegedly have their own medium posh accent so see if you can spot the difference. JR Rowling used to once upon a time live here, nearby Alexander McCall Smith and Ian Rankin, both key literary figures in their own right.

They are two gastronomic highlights of this area. You will find the cheesemonger, 37 IJ Mellis (330 Morningside Road) that does a heavenly range of cheeses from all over Europe. Talking about cheese, before you leave Scotland, try the cheddar from Isle of Mull. At the end of most meals in decent restaurants in Edinburgh you can order a cheeseboard where they will serve you oatmeal biscuits and cheese.

The other place not to miss in Morningside is the 38.Canny Mans Pub ( 239 Morningside Road) which serves probably the best bloody mary in Scotland. Plus they also sell Salmanazars (nine-litre bottles) of champagne! This place is an institution and another eccentric oddity of Edinburgh. Moment you walk in, you’ll know what I mean. I’ll leave the rest to your imagination.

So. Telling you way too much. Or maybe I am missing out a whole bunch of places. There is only so many places you can fit into a trip to Edinburgh.

Other key things to remember when you visit Edinburgh. On the Royal Mile , right in the middle there is a trio of pubs that do fantastic live music. My pick is the 39 Whiski Bar which does decent food too. Other great live music joints include 40 Whistle Binkies ,  a subterranean cave just off Royal Mile that showcases the best local bands and attracts a quirky mix of students and classic rock, blues devotees. Also just beside Whistle Binkies is the 41.Oz Bar. It is your typical bottle bar with cheap beers ( £1.25 for a bottle of Carlsberg) cheap shots and they show Live Premier league and La Liga matches here.

If you have some time to spare don’t leave Edinburgh without a trip to the Shore and a walk down the Water of Leith. In front of the John Knox house- you’ll see the number 35 bus stop. Direction The Shore, Leith. Get a day ticket. Think its £4.

Ask the bus driver to drop you off in the Shore.

There you have a range of amazing bars and places to eat. My favourites are the Shore pub and diner and also Fishers (same owners) which offers the best seafood in town.

From here you can start you walk down the Water of Leith which is for me Edinburgh’s best kept secret where you come across gems like the quaint, historic 42 Dean Village .

Dean Village. A photo posted by Kash Bhattacharya (@budgettraveller) on Apr 6, 2014 at 4:56am PDT

The bridge in the village is probably my favourite part of the city. I feel like I have walked back in time when I come hre. Back in the day the village was the centre of the grain milling trade. At one point there were 11 working mills here , driven by the force of the strong currents of the water of Leith. Tranquil, peaceful, and an oasis of calm, walking down by the canal you will feel far removed from the city.

Walking past Dean Village you will come to 43. Stockbridge which is beautiful little neighbourhood. This is charity shop heaven. I could easily spend a day around these shops, gathering dust on my nose as I delve into the thousands of second hand books, classic records on their shelves. Pop in for a drink at 44.Hector’s before a sunset walk through the beautiful 45.Royal Botanical Gardens — 70 acres of beautifully landscaped greenery.

I’ve completely neglected Princes Street and George Street here. For good cocktails I would go to the 46. Dome on the east end of George Street, formerly the headquarters of the Commercial Bank of Scotland. The 1930’s bar has great ambience ( they have the best Christmas tree display ever) and they do a mean Long Island Iced Tea.

For the best views of the city, I would climb to the top of 47. Calton Hill.

My favourite museums in the city are 48 National Gallery of Scotland on the Mound, off Princes Street which has a brilliant selection of impressionist works from Van Gogh, Monet and Degas. Also pop into the newly refurbished 49. National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street ( right across from Greyfriars Bobby) where under one roof you can enjoy the natural world, world cultures, art and design, science and technology, and Scottish history. It’s a great day out for the kids, and the best thing is that it’s free, just like the National Gallery.

Ok. My last and 50th tip. I forgot to mention. For the best bacon sandwich in town I used to go to the 50.Larder ( 15 Blackfriars Street) which is Old Town’s best-kept secret. With its emphasis on high quality and local ingredients this is a truly special place. The prices are not cheap but the food here is an excellent value for money. I love their delicious streaky, smoked bacon from Ramsay of Carluke (which won the Gold Taste Award) in a fresh roll (£3.50).

There are so many amazing places I haven’t mentioned here. However, I hope this mini tour gives you a flavour of how magical and amazing this city is. Please feel free to leave your tips below and feedback. Thanks for reading!

PS: If you are in Edinburgh on a Friday, my good friend, Tania Pramschufer runs a fabulous marketplace inside Waverley Train station on Platform 2 where you can find wonderful food and gifts from local and international producers, all ethically sourced and made with love. Give Tania a hug from me if you do meet her.

Looking to book a tour for your stay in Edinburgh? I recommend Get Your Guide

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Hi I am Kash aka the BudgetTraveller I'm the Luxury Hostels guy and for the last 14 years are sharing ways of how you can travel in style on a budget. Say hello to me here or on Instagram/Twitter. Lets connect!

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12 comments.

I really like your map Kash. I’ve been to Edinburgh many times, as it’s one of favourite places but your map looks more interesting than your typical walking tour. Love it!

Ta Victoria! Sorry we didn’t get a chance to have a proper chat at TBEX but was good to see your briefly.

Hi Kash! Great article – thanks for sharing your tips. Will check them out as I will be in Edinburgh beginning of August as a starting point for my Scotland holiday 🙂 Many greetings from Graz / Austria

Wheyyyy! Hope article came handy? Love to hear about how your trip went.

I totally disagree with you about the weather. I love the weather in Edinburgh. I was there once in early November and it was in the high 70’s. I also enjoy mild, cooler weather. If you don’t like this kidn of weather, um, don’t live in the UK. Don’t diss it. Some of us LOVE the weather in Edinburgh and I’m here to stand up for it! I dont’ want 80 degree humid weather. YUCK! I want people in great clothing, snuggling and having a great time.

Did I say I hated the weather in Edinburgh? I must admit it has its moments and the ‘four seasons in one day’ is one of the unique charms of visiting the city and Scotland. I am glad you stand for the weather and everything about Edinburgh but some people may not find it easy to handle given that they come from warmer climes. People enjoy the warmth and hospitality they find in the pubs and cafes which they seek refuge in because of the bad weather. So see, every cloud has a silver lining?

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Love the map and all the pointers!!! How many day would you recommend to explore all our main points. Will definitely try and use some of this for my trip

Glad you loved my hand drawn map-art was never my strength at school but I tried 🙂 I would leave 2-3 days to comfortable fit in all the sights. You could dedicate a good few hours to walking the Water of Leith from Leith all the way to the Gallery of Modern Art. Please do tell me how you get on and if the tips delivered plus any personal tips of your own. Thanks for dropping by and stay in touch

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7 Fabulous Things Not To Miss In Edinburgh During A Self-Guided Walking Tour

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• United Kingdom

Built on seven hills like Rome, Edinburgh might seem like a challenging city for walking. While it’s true that there are some pretty steep hills to contend with and that you can’t go far without encountering daunting steps rising with the land or winding snaking hills that make your calves ache, it is a stunning city to explore by foot.

The only real alternative anyway is to nip about by taxi, and while it is also a very drivable city, I find walking much more satisfying. There’s so much to see along the way that you miss while in a car. All those little alleys, the closes, the tucked away tiny museums, and the interesting little bars and cafes would be missed if you aren’t walking. To help you plan a walking tour of the city, here are seven fabulous things not to miss while exploring Edinburgh by foot.

1. Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle is a great place to start a walk around Edinburgh as it’s central and can be seen from just about everywhere in town. Whether you choose to take a tour inside the castle or not, it’s a focal point and a great place to get an overview of where you are. Perched high up on the hill, the castle grounds gift visitors incredible views over the city, and just viewing the castle from the outside is awe-inspiring. Inside the castle, the Stone of Destiny and the Honors of Scotland are the displays most visitors want to see.

The castle gets extremely busy, and tickets are often sold out on the day, so if you do want to go inside it’s advisable to book your tickets in advance. It’s easy to spend an entire day here, you can wander around at your own pace and eat lunch inside the castle in the tea rooms or café, but if you want to do more with your day and not spend it all here, leave a couple of hours at least to do the castle justice.

2. Greyfriars Kirkyard

As part of a walk around Edinburgh, you can walk right through Greyfriars Kirkyard, the graveyard of Greyfriars Kirk (or church) from one side to the other. Enter from the back entrance on Candlemaker Row and make your way up through the churchyard towards the church and the main entrance, where you can exit. Or the other way around. It’s said to be one of the most haunted graveyards in the world, following many reports of spooky happenings, mostly at George Mackenzie’s mausoleum.

Some people have reported blacking out once inside the mausoleum and waking up with scratches on their arms. These ghostly goings-on got so bad that you can no longer enter the mausoleum — but you can peek inside. You can also look out for the graves that inspired some of the names in the Harry Potter books, including the graves of the Potter family and the grave of Tom Riddle.

The church itself is a lovely serene place to spend a few moments in contemplation. At the entrance to the churchyard is the statue of Greyfriars Bobby, the Skye terrier dog who spent 14 years guarding the grave of his owner after their death.

Seek out the grave of William McGonagall, known as the worst poet in Scotland and sometimes even the worst poet in the history of the English language, which seems a little harsh!

3. The National Museum

Many of the museums and art galleries in Edinburgh are free to enter, so you can continue your walk around the city uninterrupted by walking into and around the museum. The National Museum of Scotland is a large building with four floors full of interesting exhibitions and artifacts.

You can easily lose hours of your time wandering around and discovering everything the museum has to offer. The galleries include fashion exhibitions, natural history displays, science and technology, and the history of Scotland. There are interactive displays and daily guided walking tours for anyone wanting to be shown the highlights.

The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., but give yourself enough time to get around all of the exhibits. On my first-ever visit, I showed up at 3:30 and quickly realized I wouldn’t get around much of it in the time I had.

4. The Royal Yacht Britannia

A walk down to Leith — the port district of Edinburgh — gives visitors a lovely change from the busy city center. There are lots of cool cafes, bars, and restaurants in this area, and there’s a lovely river walk that takes you past the backs of some very grand-looking houses.

But the star of the show down here has to be The Royal Yacht Britannia , the former royal yacht of the Queen. The yacht was decommissioned in 1997 and is now a major tourist attraction. A visit to the yacht is a fascinating insight into what it was like to be a royal aboard this most regal of ships.

Visitors wander around at their own leisure, but there’s lots of information to tell you what each room was used for and complimentary audio guides are handed out when you arrive.

The Royal Deck Tea Room is an especially lovely place to eat lunch, take tea, or enjoy a champagne cream tea. The staff treat everyone like royalty, and you really feel like you’re meant to be on this royal yacht. The food is really good too! If you visit at Christmas time, complimentary mulled wine and shortbread are handed out.

5. Royal Botanic Gardens

As part of a good walk around the city, The Royal Botanic Gardens make a peaceful and beautiful stop-off and a lovely walk within themselves. You can book a guided tour of the gardens, with a knowledgeable guide to tell you about the history and the running of the gardens, and daily guided walks are also available in the gardens.

Or you can take your time on your own walk around the gardens and enjoy the woodland, the rock gardens, the Chinese hillside, and the glasshouses. The glasshouses include a tropical palm house and an orchid house, showcasing some artful plants and flowers.

Note: at the time of writing this the glasshouses are closed for renovations.

There’s no need to book ahead for entry into the Royal Botanic Gardens unless you want to book a specific event. Tickets are available when you arrive, and it’s rarely very busy. Even in summertime, you can amble around the gardens without much in the way of crowds.

6. The Scott Monument

Located on Princes Street just a few strides away from the train station and opposite the high street shops, The Scott Monument is a gothic tower dedicated to Sir Walter Scott, the Scottish novelist and historian. It’s an impressive-looking monument that locals and regular visitors probably pass multiple times a day without giving it a second thought. But it’s more than just something interesting to look at. Inside the moment are 267 steps that take you up to the top of the tower. It’s a spiral staircase that narrows the higher you go, so it’s not for anyone with a fear of heights or unsteady on their feet. Once at the top though, the views are amazing and it definitely feels worth the climb. The monument closes during high winds and bad weather.

If 267 steps sounds like a lot, it is, but there are viewing platforms along the way so anytime you feel like you need a breather you can duck out of the staircase and enjoy the views for a while. Take your time if you need to, no one is in a hurry.

7. Holyrood

If you walk right down to the bottom of The Royal Mile , the old street full of shops, bars, and restaurants that slopes down from the castle, you arrive at Holyrood. Holyrood is basically the seat of power in Edinburgh, as the castle once was. This is where the Scottish Parliament is and it’s also where you can explore Holyrood Palace .

Holyrood Palace is the official residence of the monarch of Britain, so it’s now the official residence of King Charles while he’s in Scotland. It is open to the public and you can take a tour, viewing the state apartments, the throne room, and treasures, but do book tickets ahead of your visit as it’s usually booked up quite far in advance.

Take a picnic down to Holyrood and sit outside the parliament in the gardens. It’s a lovely quiet spot to sit and take some time out. The hills rise behind you dramatically and it’s hard to believe you’re still in the city it’s so much stiller and quieter. It’s also interesting to sit right next to parliament and wonder at what might be going on inside while you enjoy a picnic.

Related Reading:

• 4 Reasons This Classic, Luxurious Hotel Is A Must-Visit
• 7 Can’t-Miss Authentic Pubs In Edinburgh
• The Unique Cocktail Bar In Edinburgh Where You Can Stay The Night

Travel writer, author, and playwright, Samantha loves historic buildings, quirky hotels, woodland walks and literary trails, specializing in food and drink, luxury travel, retreats, spas, and anything arts based. Samantha is based in Yorkshire, the UK, where she lives with her artist partner. Learn more on her website .

Walking in Edinburgh

We all want to put our best foot forward, and in Edinburgh it's easy. With one dormant volcano, seven hills, clusters of cobbled streets and tantalising vistas waiting around every bend, the capital is a fabulous place for a wander.

Edinburgh Castle Edinburgh

Edinburgh Castle Esplanade

© Kenny Lam, VisitScotland. All rights reserved.

Distance: 2.5 km; duration: 1 - 1.5 hours as part of the Old Town walk

Explore the medieval heart of Edinburgh. Venture up Castle Hill to see the iconic castle, its esplanade and amazing views in all directions. From the Royal Mile, make your way up over the cobbles and take in the atmosphere.

Top tip: if you're planning to pay a visit to Edinburgh Castle, make sure to book far in advance to avoid disappointment. Tickets often snap up quickly, especially during the summer months.

Calton Hill Edinburgh

Scottish National Monument.

Distance: 1.75km; duration: 1-1.5 hours

Calton Hill is a local favourite and it boasts numerous landmarks on the hill including the striking national monument.

Arthur's Seat Edinburgh - City Centre

Holyrood Park and Arthur's Seat

Distance: 5.5km; duration: 1.5 hours

No visit to Scotland's capital is complete without an attempt at scaling the imposing, iconic Arthur's Seat.

Craiglockhart Hills Edinburgh

Craiglockhart Hills, Edinburgh

© @tim.m.angus

Distance: 4.5 km; duration: 1.5 - 2 hours

One of the four lesser known hills in the south of Edinburgh, there are incredible city views from the two summits of the Craiglockhart Hills which are found just to the west of the Morningside area.

Braid Hills Edinburgh

Braid Hills, Edinburgh

© @cws214

Distance: 4.5 km; duration: 1.5 hours

A lovely circular route, surrounded by golf courses, the Braid Hills are perfect for a peaceful walk, with views of the city and the Pentland Hills to enjoy.

Blackford Hill Edinburgh

A couple on Blackford Hill look over the city toward Arthurs Seat.

© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Distance: 4.25 km; duration: 1.5 hours

Neighbouring the Braids, Blackford Hill is part of the Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill nature reserve and is a real escape from the city, with woodland paths and forest wildlife to keep an eye out for.

Corstorphine Hill Edinburgh

A man dog walking along Corstorphine Hill

Distance: 4.5 km; duration: 1- 1.5 hours

To the west of the city, Corstorphine Hill is an interesting stroll with amazing views of the Firth of Forth. Check out Clermiston Tower, a memorial to Walter Scott built in 1871.

The Pentland Hills Balerno

Walking path in the Pentland Hills Regional Park, just south of Edinburgh

© VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins, all rights reserved.

A favourite escape for city dwellers, there are over 100 km of sign-posted routes across the Pentland Hills including Allermuir Hill and the Gladhouse Reservoir. 

Dean Village and Galleries of Modern Art Stockbridge to National Galleries of Scotland

Dean Village on the Water of Leith in Edinburgh

Distance: 4.5 km/2.75 miles. 1 - 1.5 hours

This walk from Stockbridge passes through the beautiful New Town along streets with magnificent Georgian architecture, before reaching the National Galleries of Scotland.

Water of Leith Edinburgh

Distance: 20.5 km; duration: 7-8 hours

The chilled-out Water of Leith pathway takes you past all of the city's best bits - Murrayfield Stadium, the GMA, Stockbridge and the Shore.

Edinburgh to Ratho Edinburgh Quay in Fountainbridge to The Bridge Inn, Ratho

The Union Canal, Edinburgh

Distance: 13.5 km (one way); duration: 3 hours (one way)

Follow this traffic-free path from Edinburgh to Ratho along the Union Canal (National Cycle Route 754) starting from Edinburgh Quay in Fountainbridge. Grab some food at the Bridge Inn and head back again.

Stockbridge and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Edinburgh Waverley to Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Glasshouses at the Royal Botanic Garden; Edinburgh

Distance: 7.5km; duration: 2.5 - 3 hours

This route starts at Edinburgh Waverley and explores one of Edinburgh's loveliest neighbourhoods and the glorious Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Circle around the Botanics and enjoy being surrounded by the brightly-coloured plants and exotic flowers.

Craigmillar Castle & Country Park Edinburgh

Craigmillar Castle

Distance: 4km; duration: 1 hour

Set in a spacious country park, Edinburgh's 'other castle' is a striking tower house dating back to the 1300s. Craigmillar Castle has played host to Mary Queen of Scots, and there is a pleasant walk through the park and around the castle, with views to Arthur's Seat for most of the way.

• On Public Transport Route
• Accessible Parking Or Drop-off Point

Lauriston Castle Edinburgh

Lauriston Castle from the air

Distance: 2.4 km (Lauriston Castle to Cramond); duration: 30 mins

The grounds of Lauriston Castle are a fabulous place to visit for a lovely family afternoon out. Enjoy the pretty Edinburgh - Kyoto Friendship Garden, which opened in 2002, enjoy views to Cramond and the Firth of Forth. The castle dates to the 16th century and the grounds are also filled with lots of trees and manicured lawns. Double up with a visit to Cramond and take a walk along the iconic promenade.

• Pets Welcome
• Accessible toilets
• Cafe or Restaurant

Hopetoun House South Queensferry

Hopetoun House country estate near South Queensferry, Edinburgh

Distance: 1 - 2 km; duration: 1 - 1.5 hours

There are two walks in the grounds of this country house, just along the coast from South Queensferry. You can enjoy the Sea Walk Trail (2 km/1 hour) overlooking the Firth of Forth, or the Spring Garden Walk (1 km/ 30 mins) with lots of ornamental trees and shrubs to admire. The house is a popular venue for weddings or treat yourself to a decadent afternoon tea in the Stables Kitchen.

Cramond and Cramond Island Cramond to Cramond Island

Cramond Causeway at low tide

Distance: 8.75 km; duration: 2 - 3 hours

Venture out to Cramond Island, a tiny isle connected to the shoreline of Edinburgh. You can only visit at low tide, so make sure to plan and check tide times in advance. The Cramond shoreline is a stunning part of the city, with a fabulous café to stop and grab a coffee.

Portobello Promenade Walk Portobello Beach

The promenade at Portobello Beach which is just a few miles from Edinburgh city centre.

© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam, all rights reserved.

Distance: 4.3km; duration: 1.5 hours

The beach at Portobello has been a much-loved spot for many generations. The promenade was built in 1866, and together with a historic swimming pool, gives Porty a Victorian spa town feel. The flat, wide stretch is also a great place to go for a jog, accompanied by the sea breeze!

You can see why Edinburgh folks love to come out here for a change of scene. Walk along the promenade and through the town to see some gorgeous Georgian houses and the impressive Town Hall on Portobello High Street. Treat yourself to a tasty lunch at Bross Bagels and a sweet treat from 12 Triangles.

The Shore Walk South Queensferry to Cramond

South Queensferry, a town to the west of Edinburgh

Distance: 10.5 km; duration: 2.5 - 3 hours

Explore the secrets of Edinburgh's coastline along the Shore Walk, which stretches from South Queensferry to Cramond. The route starts at South Queensferry's Hawes Inn in the shadow of the three bridges, before passing hidden beaches and by the incredible Barnbougle Castle.

You'll soon reach the beautiful Dalmeny Estate, home to the Earls of Rosebery, with its golf course and seascapes for miles around. The Shore Walk can be done in small sections or in one go if you want a longer walk. 

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a blog about visiting Edinburgh – things to do around the city

Edinburgh New Town Walk – Easy Walking Tour

This Edinburgh New Town Walk is an easy historical walking tour to the Dean Village, the Water of Leith, Stockbridge and through the streets of Edinburgh’s historic New Town.

Start of the Walk

Like a great many of my walks this walk starts from outside the Caledonian Hotel at the west end of Princes Street.

If you want to find out more about the history of the Caledonian Hotel, read my blog Edinburgh Old Town and Arthur’s Seat

From the hotel cross the road at the pedestrian crossing. Proceed down Queensferry Street past three sets of traffic lights until you come to the Dean Bridge. At the side of the Dean bridge you will find a small cobbled street with a steep incline called Bell’s Brae. (see street to left of the picture below)

At the bottom of Bell’s Brae you will come to the Dean Village and the old bridge across the Water of Leith. This has become a favourite with Instagrammers.

The Dean Village was known as the Water of Leith Village and was the site of grain milling for 800 years. The old mill buildings have now been converted into flats as has the old victorian school building.

From the Dean Village proceed down Miller Row and follow the Water of Leith Walkway to Stockbridge. Look out for the old mill stones before you pass under the Dean Bridge. The bridge was designed by Thomas Telford and opened in 1833.

The Dean Bridge featured in the second book in the Lewis Trilogy “The Lewis Man” by Peter May where a dare by children from the children’s home (now the Dean Gallery) results in a tragic fatality.

Edinburgh New Town Walk – St Bernard’s Well

Follow the Water of Leith on the left down the path until you come to St Bernards Well. The well gets its name from St Bernard of Clairvaux who is said to have lived in a cave nearby. The story goes that the well was discovered by a group of schoolboys in 1760 whilst out on a fishing trip. The site was bought by Lord Gardenstone in 1789. Lord Gardenstone was a staunch campaigner against slavery.

The Greco Roman temple structure was designed by the Scottish painter Alexander Nasmyth in 1789. The dome is topped with a golden pineapple and the statue in the middle is Hygieia the Greek and Roman goddess of health. Over the doorway you will find the insciption “Bibendo Valeris” meaning; drink and you will be well.

The locals thought the well had healing powers and believed the mineral rich spring water was a cure for muscle pain, arthritis and even blindness.

The well was eventually closed in the 1940’s as the water was found to contain arsenic.

Edinburgh New Town Walk – Stockbridge

Like the Dean Village, Stockbridge was originally another village on the banks of the Water of Leith and was originally separate from the city of Edinburgh. The painter Henry Raeburn owned the adjoining estates of Deanhaugh and St Bernards and commissioned the bridge in 1801.

With the expansion of the New Town, Stockbridge became a hangout for artists, poets, writers and musicians which helped shape the culture of the area which survives today. Stockbridge has a Sunday market and a number of speciality shops, cafes and restaurants which are well worth exploring.

At the bridge and the traffic lights turn right and proceed up Glanville Place and North Circus Place. On your left next to the Royal Bank of Scotland Branch you will find a small street Circus Place. Walk up Circus Lane with its attractive little houses on either side.

At the end of Circus Lane is St Stephen’s Church.

St Stephens Church

St Stephens Church was designed by the architect William Henry Playfair and built in 1827. If you would like to learn more about William Henry Playfair and the buildings he designed in Edinburgh read our blog .

The first minister of the church William Muir opened an evening class in the church vaults to educate the illiterate.

With declining church congregations the Reverend Ian Dunlop raised money to alter the church in the 1950’s adding an upper gallery, main hall with stage and additional meeting rooms.

Today the church is used for community events and is a performing arts venue.

Edinburgh New Town

At the end of Circus Place turn right and proceed up cobbled St Vincent Street and Howe Street. On the left as you walk up the hill look out for the wide cobbled Northumberland Street a classic example of Georgian Architecture. As you reach the second set of traffic lights you come to Heriot Row.

Heriot Row and Robert Louis Stevenson

Number 17 Heriot Row was the home of Robert Louis Stevenson. In 1857 at the age of 7 Stevenson moved to this house with his family. His bedroom overlooked the gardens and a small islet in the middle of the pond may have been the inspiration for the novel Treasure Island.

There is no doubt that the city of Edinburgh had an influence on Stevenson’s creative imagination. The gas lamps which can still be seen on Heriot Row offered some comfort to the young Stevenson who was said to be frightened of the dark.

“For we are very lucky, with a lamp before the door, And Leerie stops to light it as he lights so many more; And O! Before you hurry by with ladder and with light, O Leerie, see a little child and nod to him tonight!”

(from ‘The Lamplighter’, A Child’s Garden of Verses )

Proceed west along Heriot Row with the gardens on your left. Many of the houses on the opposite side of the road are home to high court judges and advocates. Look out for some of the name plates on the doors.

Edinburgh New Town Walk – Moray Place

From Heriot Row continue into Darnaway Street and turn left into Moray Place. This a quiet cobbled street with one of the longest Georgian Terraces in Europe known as the Moray Feu. The area was part of the Moray Estate which included Drumsheugh house and large gardens lying between Charlotte Square and the Water of Leith.

In 1822 Francis Stuart 10th Earl of Moray commissioned the architect James Gillespie Graham to draw up plans for 150 large townhouses to be accompanied by large private gardens on the slopes of the Water of Leith. The scheme was completed in 1858. Planning rules regarding the lifestyle of the residents made the area very exclusive and attracted wealthy buyers. Lord Moray himself took one of the largest properties at number 28 Moray Place.

The Earls family names still adorn the street signs. Look out for names such as Ainslie Place named after the Earls wife Margaret Jane Ainslie. Great Stuart Street was named after the Earls family name, Stuart.

If you would like to learn more about one of Edinburgh’s most exclusive streets click on this link and watch the BBC Programme “The Secret History of our Street”.

Continue up Forres Street toward Queen Street. As you cross the road you will see facing you the Catherine Sinclair Monument. Sinclair lived at 6 Charlotte Square as a child and at the age of 14 became secretary to her father.

She began writing children’s books and is most remembered for Holiday House a story about two anarchic children. Her other activities included charity work establishing cooking depots in Edinburgh. She was also credited with the discovery of Water Scott’s authorship of the Waverley Novels which had been written anonymously.

Catherine Sinclair died in 1864 and is buried in St John’s Episcopal Church (opposite then Caledonian Hotel)

Continue up the slight incline into Charlotte Square and turn right.

Edinburgh New Town Walk – Bute House

Bute House if the official residence of Scotland’s First Minister. Number 6 Charlotte Square was designed by Robert Adam. It was bequeathed by the Marquess of Bute to the National Trust for Scotland in 1966.

Between 1970 and 1999 it served as the official residence of the Secretary of State for Scotland. Since July 1999, on the establishment of a the Scottish Parliament, Bute House has been the home of the First Minister.

The four storey building contains a cabinet room, offices, reception, sitting room and dining room. The second and third floors are the First Ministers’ private residence.

The First Minister often holds press conferences and media briefings and has hosted the occasional Prime Minister.

Next to Bute House the National Trust for Scotland’s Georgian House Museum is well worth a visit.

National Trust for Scotland Georgian House

Walk through the square. Hope Street will bring you back to the West End, the Caledonian Hotel and the end of the walk.

I hope you have enjoyed reading this blog and this small tour of Edinburgh’s New Town. This is an easy walk which can be enjoyed at any time of the year.

To help you plan your trip to Edinburgh and decide what you want to see when you get here. Click on the link to purchase a few guide books you may find useful.

Acknowledgements

Edinburgh World Heritage

BBC The Secret History of our Streets

Edinburgh Guide.com

Atlas Obscura.com

Blog Post updated March 2024

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Edinburgh Guided Tour

Private & group walking tours of edinburgh, scotland.

We now offer  virtual tours of Edinburgh  where our guide can link up to the client, using zoom or similar technology, whilst the guide walks and/or drives around the city giving a commentary as he/she does so. We have now done this, very successfully, for  educational establishments ,  companies  and  private individuals . If you wish to book a  virtual tour , or simply wish to know more, please contact us by using our contact form on our contact page , saying what you have in mind. 

• Most Popular!
• Hour Glass 3 Hours
• Tag Walking Tour

Group Walking Tour – Edinburgh

The tour focuses on the historical, cultural, and architectural heritage of Edinburgh.

• Hour Glass 3.5 or 7 Hours

Private Edinburgh Walking Tour

Customisable tours to suit your taste. Our private tours allow your group to have an educated guide all to yourselves.

Our Edinburgh Walking Tours

Start your holiday with us and let us give you inside knowledge on what to see, where to go, and things to do.

The Edinburgh walking tours focus on the historical, cultural, and architectural heritage of Edinburgh. Most of the major historical sites of interest are covered, including the world-famous Royal Mile in the Old Town.

On our Group Walking Tours , we have an absolute maximum of 12 walkers to ensure you have a first-class experience. We feel strongly that tours of 30, 40 or 50 more, just cannot give you the same experience.

And where better to start those walks than the Usher Hall, Scotland’s premier concert hall, donated to the city in 1896 by Andrew Usher.

Alternatively, our Private Walking Tours allow you to see even more landmarks and sights around Edinburgh both in the Old and New towns and can even be altered to suit your personal tastes/interests, as you will be the only walkers on the tour.

Our guides are very carefully hand-picked for their historical knowledge and they share our love of history and the city.

Edinburgh Guided Tour is currently ranked number 8 out of 470 Edinburgh tours on Tripadvisor; an exceptional performance for our small tour company.

And, even better, in 2019 Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards had us ranked at #5 in the world for cultural experiences!

You can book your tour with us with confidence. If your plans change, you can always cancel the booking and get a full refund (apart from cancellations made with less than 24 hours to go). 

Meet the Guides for our Edinburgh Guided Tours

Father and son team, Stuart and Richard Usher, started Edinburgh Guided Tour in 2012 with one clear vision; to provide an intimate walking tour of Edinburgh’s Old Town and Royal Mile that would enthuse their guests with its amazing history, its famous characters and its magnificently varied architecture.

Simply put, they want their guests to fall in love with Edinburgh!

Introducing Professor John W. Frank MD, CCFP, MSc, FRCPC, FCAHS, FFPH, FRSE, LLD: John has held a Personal Chair in Public Health Research and Policy in the Usher Institute at the University of Edinburgh from 2017 to 2021, at which time he retired. John was born in Canada but has lived and worked in Edinburgh for almost 20 years. He is a keen history buff and, despite his lofty academic attainment is a genuinely down to earth, warm and immensely affable tour guide.

Introducing Dr Alison Duncan: Alison is a Scottish history expert and a  professional historian and she can make the wonders of Scottish History come alive, in front of your eyes, as she takes you on tour.

Alison was recently interviewed by Channel Four’s Professor Alice Roberts as part of their episode covering Edinburgh, on the hit TV series, ‘Britain’s Most Historic Towns’. Please see the video on the right.

Introducing David Forsyth: David is a professional historian and, prior to his recent retirement after 25 years with the National Museum of Scotland, David acted as ‘Keeper’ (Manager) of the Museum’s Scottish History & Art & Design Departments. David will absolutely delight you with his stories about the city and its history.

David was recently featured on BBC’s ‘Art that made us’ and is shown here talking to the BBC’s Shaun Leane. Please see the video on the right.

Introducing Douglas Graham BD (Hons) MSt (Oxon.) DipPTP: After training for three years as a stage actor, Douglas read Theology at the universities of Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Oxford. He is a keen student of History and a gifted storyteller. Douglas is a great addition to our team.

Introducing Craig Goodman BDS; Born in Scotland, Craig’s love of history began as a child and, as a voracious reader, this continued over the years. After qualifying as a Dentist, his professional life took him to England and to Germany. Eventually, the pull of home brought him back to Scotland and his proximity to Edinburgh ignited his passion, not just to further expand his knowledge of its history, but to unfold to others the historical riches this wonderful city holds.

How do you pronounce EDINBURGH? Here is Stuart Usher, our senior guide, on Scottish TV’s news programme, giving the definitive and CORRECT answer.

Edinburgh Guided Tour Recognised Among Best In The World!

• Edinburgh Guided Tour are extremely proud to announce that our Guided Group Walking Tour has won the 2023 Viator Experience Award ! It rates us among the Top Twenty Viator attractions in all of Northern Europe .
• Viator is the world’s largest travel experiences marketplace with more than 300,000 bookable tours, activities, and excursions.
• Our Guided Group Walking Tour is our most popular, best-selling tour and it is the original experience that started us off over 10 years ago!
• This longstanding tour, focuses on the most important streets in Edinburgh and covers the most seminal people, buildings and events from Scotland’s history, and has grown from strength to strength and stood the test of time.

Other Plaudits for our Edinburgh Walking Tours

• In 2019, Edinburgh Guided Tour was ranked #5 in the World for Cultural Experiences in the 2019 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards. An outstanding achievement!
• In 2016 we were selected as being one of Edinburgh’s Top Ten walks by the Guardian newspaper.
• In 2019 we were selected as one of Edinburgh’s 7 best walking tours by The Scotsman newspaper

The Ushers of Edinburgh

Stuart and Richard’s family roots are steeped in the history of both Edinburgh and Scotland. Stuart’s great-grandfather, Sir John Usher Bt., and his great-great uncle, Andrew Usher, introduced blended whisky to the world. In fact, Andrew in particular is widely acknowledged as the Father of the Blended Scotch Whisky Industry. From the Usher Hall by Edinburgh Castle and the Usher Institute at the University of Edinburgh Medical School, to the Usher created North British Distillery near the city centre, the Ushers are as intertwined with Scotland’s Capital City as bagpipes and tartan are with this outstandingly beautiful country.

Andrew Usher, father of the modern Scottish whisky industry

Our Walking Tours in Edinburgh were Rated "Excellent" by 94% of our Guests!

"Wide range of information on the history, architecture geology and people who contributed to Edinburgh. I learnt absolutely tons in 3 hours. Easy nuggets of knowledge delivered in a conversational style. Excellent introduction to the city from our guide Alison."

"Stuart was great and very knowledgeable! He also gave great advice on where to shop, eat, and drink."

"Starting at the appropriately named Usher Hall (you'll be told all about that), the tour progressed at a leisurely pace throughout the centre of Edinburgh. Stuart's knowledge is extensive, and his delivery humorous, leading to a hugely enjoyable and unique touring experience. Would highly recommend."

"Hugely informative and wonderful as an introductory tour in Edinburgh. Great trivia and historical information along with fantastic restaurant and shop recommendations. I would advise anyone to take this tour as it is a fantastic way to accommodate yourself to this city!"

"Lively and entertaining. Just the right mix of solid facts and amusing trivia. A fantastic introduction to the city."

"Alison was a brilliant tour guide. The tour was interesting, enjoyable and gave the right amount of information on the places we visited. We had a small group which was great so we could ask questions and get to know the other guests. Would highly recommend this tour."

"We walked privately with Stuart Usher through old & new town as well as the Royal Mile. It was absolutely excellent!! Not only was Stuart enjoyable company, but the tour provided a solid overview of the history of the mile and recommendations for food and shopping. Stuart pointed out fun details that I would've never otherwise noticed. It really gave me an appreciation for what this city has to offer. Plus, the information provided was the perfect balance between detailed v. general, old v. modern, etc. We loved it and will definitely use the service should we return to Edinburgh in the future!! THANK YOU STUART! :)"

"It was a joy to spend the day with Alison. She was passionate about the city and its history and struck the right balance between historical content and lay person human interest. She engages the group in a comfortable manner and flexes to meet the needs and interests of whoever she has with her that day. Highly recommend joining one of her tours."

"We loved Stuart Usher and what he brought to our understanding of Edinburgh and the special knowledge that he has of its history having been there for many generations. His family donated Usher Hall, a premiere music venue, to the city and that attests to the intimate viewpoint Mr. Usher has of not only the history but also the current condition of Edinburgh. We enjoyed his very insightful comments and also his recommendations of places to eat and go see. All in all, a very worthy experience and one that I would do early in your visit to the city to be able to go back to some of the places pointed out on the trip."

"Our guide for the tour of Edinburgh was incredible ... literally cannot write/speak enough of my praise. Guide was well versed in the history - woven in the details was a comprehensive reflection of the old compared with the new. Guide arranged the tour to our interests, using old maps and books for us to view ... a truly must guide to show you around the lovely city."

Sunhats and Chardonnay

Walking Tour In Edinburgh – A Practical Guide To The Amazing Highlights

Having only been to Edinburgh once, I just fell in love with the city. Here is an article I wrote about some of the more prominent things that are worth seeing. Without a car, I found it quite easy to navigate this historic city. I look forward to my next trip to Scotland in Fall 2024 where I will explore the city as well as the highlands.

Great for a City Break

Planning a trip to Scotland would not be complete without a stop in Edinburgh. With its medieval history and picturesque architecture it is no wonder that millions flock to Edinburgh every year. A great way to explore this city is on a self-guided walking tour in Edinburgh. Edinburgh is a pleasure to walk around although it is very hilly. While many vacations in Scotland require longer visits due to distances, Edinburgh can be enjoyed as a city break. There are so many things to do in Edinburgh.

There is so much history to explore and treasures to be found at many corners. As you tour through the old part of the city, some of the more interesting places are away from the main drag and down the small alleyways. You may even find some local pubs or restaurants that you would not otherwise find. Be careful too as some of the streets are cobblestone and can be uneven.

The Scott Monument as the start of a Self-guided Walking Tour in Edinburgh

A good place to start your walking tour is at the bridge over the rail tracks at the entrance to Waverly train station. From there, you can meander through the cobblestone streets and alley-ways towards the castle. The route has some great views of the Edinburgh’s New Town area, the historical Scott Monument and the gardens in the park along the tracks. Pick up some take-out and enjoy a picnic lunch in the park.

Edinburgh Castle

When considering this walking tour, be mindful that Edinburgh Castle is high on a hill (extinct volcano) and therefore should be scheduled near the beginning of any walking tour. The trek up to Edinburgh castle can be tiresome for some. Don’t forget to bring your walking shoes as the cobblestone streets are uneven.

Once you have reached Edinburgh Castle, take the time to enjoy the view before embarking on your tour of history inside the castle. Once inside the castle grounds, don’t forget to see the Scottish National War Museum , the Half Moon Battery or the Queen’s Embroideries. Plan on spending at last half a day at the Castle to appreciate the history of Edinburgh and the significance of the castle.

Within the Castle grounds there are historical artifacts and canons along the wall. Canons were used as part of the defense of the castle. Take your time and feel the history of the castle.

From the castle, you can see across the city to the Nelson Monument.

Nelson Monument

The tower of the Nelson Monument was erected as part of the ships warning and time-keeping system for the harbor of Leith. It is said that a ball was dropped from the tower everyday at one o’clock to let all the ships know the exact time.

After departing the Castle, follow the road downhill and walk towards The Royal Mile. Here, you will find some lovely local shops, souvenir shops, whiskey shops and a pub or two. Outside some of the pubs, there may be some local entertainment to lure you in. Be sure to try the whiskey at least once on your walking tour even if you are not a connoisseur. The Scottish Whiskey Experience is a great way to experience Edinburgh’s prized export. For more in depth whiskey tastings and folklore, Viator has this great package to the Waverly Pub.

St. Giles Cathedral

After lunch or a quick pint (or two), wander a little further down the road on your walking tour in Edinburgh to St. Giles Cathedral , a beautiful centuries-old gothic church. This church became part of Scottish history at the time of the Jacobite’s and Bonnie Prince Charlie in the mid 1750’s. When Bonnie Prince Charlie arrived in Edinburgh, it was announced at St. Giles. Supporter of the Prince lined the Royal Mile as he made his way to set up a Jacobite Court at Holyrood Palace

Palace of Holyroodhouse

If you are up to it, continue your walking tour of Edinburgh all the way down to the end of the Royal Mile where you will find the Palace of Holyroodhouse . Holyroodhouse was home to some of Scotland’s most well-known historic figures such as Mary, Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie. Today, it is used by the Queen when carrying out official engagements in Scotland.

National Museum of Scotland

If you are looking for something to do with the children, or you have a rainy day, check out the Museum of Scotland a few blocks away from the Royal Mile. There are many interactive exhibits and several galleries depending on your interest preferences.

AD - Planning a trip is made easy with this Trip Planning Checklist Bundle . It has everything you need to keep you well organized. From Pre-planning to Budget Planning, Day Trip Planning, and a variety of Checklists, you will have the tools to plan and enjoy your vacation.

If you would rather head back towards flatter ground, head back towards Waverly train station and continue your walk in the New Town area. Walking around here you will find many newer shops and restaurants to enjoy.

Whatever you decide to do in Edinburgh, be sure to include a self-guided walking tour and discover a great history of this medieval city.

Don’t forget to enjoy a local pint at the pub and the warm and friendly people that make Edinburgh so inviting. Edinburgh is perfect for a three day getaway and walking is a great way to get around.

Are you ready to Explore Edinburgh on a walking tour?

You might also like these posts on Edinburgh:

Things to Do In Edinburgh For Your First Time

3 Days in Edinburgh – Discover the Best Budget Friendly Activities

For great Accommodation options, be sure to check out what is available on popular booking engines for your dates.

If you are liking all the history in Edinburgh, why not consider an active vacation with European cycling and river cruising .

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If you are thinking or staying longer than three days, you might want to consider creating a custom itinerary. Here are some tips in this article:

Exploring Scotland: How to Create a Unique Travel Itinerary

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Dean Village Walk | A True Edinburgh Hidden Gem

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Dean Village is a lovely thirty-minute walk from the city center of Edinburgh. The Dean Village walk is what makes reaching Dean Village all the more special as it takes you along the Water of Leith Walkway, a hidden gem in itself. There are many Edinburgh tours that take you to Dean Village, but honestly, you don’t need a tour to see the Edinburgh Dean Village!

Now, you can reach Dean Village by taxi or taking the city bus (more on that below) but honestly, the best way to experience this area of Edinburgh is by doing the Dean Village walk from Princes Street, to Stockbridge, then down the Water of Leith walkway to Dean Village. There’s a map of the direct route below.

SO, WHAT EXACTLY IS DEAN VILLAGE IN EDINBURGH?!

In the 1880s, Dean Village was a water milling site. The Edinburgh World Heritage restored the building that housed the water mill workers making it now probably the most photographed area of Dean Village. 

The village as a whole is super charming, and the historic buildings right on the water are a sight to see.

Visiting Dean Village can be done as just a nice walk, or as we recommend, by making it an afternoon affair. Pack food and drinks and enjoy the walk to Dean Village, then, picnic at the Dean Gardens before wandering around the village. 

Alternatively, pop into an outdoor market in Stockbridge before making your way down the Water of Leith walkway, spending extra time in another super cute area of Edinburgh.

READ MORE | 21 Things to do in Edinburgh

THE DEAN VILLAGE EDINBURGH WALK

As you walk down the Water of Leith walkway towards Dean Village, you’re greeted with this view just as you enter Dean Village.

Continuing the Dean Village walk, you’ll find yourself inside the village itself, just taking in the charm of the old buildings and darling colors!

After wandering around the inside of the village, don’t miss walking back over towards the water. Here you’ll find the views that make Dean Village such a popular place.

From here, continuing your walk through Dean Village, taking the Dean path and bridge over the Water of Leith. But.. don’t forget to stop and take photos on the way!

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE DEAN VILLAGE WALK

• There are no bathrooms at Dean Village or along the Water of Leith Walkway. Be sure to use that bathroom before heading down to explore Dean Village.
• Likewise, there are no restaurants at Dean Village. It’s a residential area of Edinburgh, so don’t think you’ll be able to pop into a restaurant to use the loo. Eat before or after your walk to and through Dean Village!
• While many residential areas have small shops, Dean Village does not. Be prepared by bringing something to drink and snacks with you in case you want to spend more time in the surrounding area!
• You can continue down the Dean Path past Dean Village and walk to two different art galleries, the  Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art,  one and two. We aren’t too huge on museums, so we didn’t visit this place, however, the reviews are great!

DEAN VILLAGE WALK MAP

If you couldn’t tell already, we  highly recommend walking to Dean Village.  The map below shows the route that we suggest taking to get to Dean Village from Princes Street in Edinburgh. This route takes you through the very popular Stockbridge area of Edinburgh, and right down  Circus Lane, a hidden gem in Edinburgh .

Here are more views of Dean Village and the surrounding area you get to enjoy when doing the Dean Village walk…

GETTING TO DEAN VILLAGE

Walking (most recommended).

Walking to Dean Village is the best part of seeing Dean Village. The walk takes roughly thirty minutes, leading you through other hidden gems in Edinburgh – Circus Lane and The Water of Leith Walkway. The “Dean Village Walk” down the Water of Leith Walkway has multiple stops with old water mills, statues, and wells, truly making you feel like you’re outside the city!

City Bus (cheapest alternative)

You can hop on many of the city buses from Princes street heading out of town (opposite of Calton Hill) to get to Dean Village. The Lothian buses run every 10 minutes, so there’s not much scheduling or planning you need to do to take the bus.  Check here for bus routes and which bus number you want to take .

You could always walk to Dean Village and then take the bus back to the city centre if you need to get back quickly. Just find a bus heading to Princes Street, you’ll be dropped right below Edinburgh Castle.

Taxi (closes drop off point)

Taxis will allow the closest drop-off point to Dean Village and allow you more time to walk around Dean Village itself. Obviously, this alternative will not allow you to walk down the Water of Leith Walkway. However, this is a great option if you are only interested in seeing Dean Village itself.

If you do want to do the entire Dean Village walk along the water, have the taxi drop you off at Stockbridge Market. From there you’ll have about a short walk (about 15-minutes) along the water, straight to Dean Village.

Search for cheap flights here

Momondo is our go-to website for booking flights. They always have cheaper flights than competitors, and have a fantastic calendar feature for finding the cheapest flights in a given window!

Go on, see for yourself how great Momondo is!

WHAT ELSE TO SEE IN EDINBURGH + SCOTLAND

50+ Castles in Scotland | Opening Times + Price + Photos 

READ MORE | 7 Hidden Gems in Edinburgh

LEARN MORE | 21 Things to do in Edinburgh (including our favorite places to eat)

LEARN MORE | 15 Foods + 2 Drinks You MUST Try in Scotland

LEARN MORE | Mistakes to Avoid When Ordering Fish and Chips

The Best Time to Visit Scotland

The Best Chippys in Scotland  

Still planning your trip to Scotland? Save this post here.

Heather is the co-founder of Arbours Abroad, and a full time travel writer with over ten years of travel experience across 39 countries. She’s lived in five different countries, and traveled by van in the United Kingdom and Europe for two and a half years.

Heather and her husband currently live in a van with their cat, Georgie, traveling and finding nature escapes all over the western United States while sneaking in trips abroad when they can.

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Explore Edinburgh with the best-rated Tour Guides

Edinburgh Free Tour

The best introduction to edinburgh, secure your space now.

The best-rated Edinburgh Free Walking Tour

• 10am, 11am & 1pm
• 154 High Street (Royal Mile)

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Free Walking Tour of Edinburgh

No trip to Scotland is complete without visiting Edinburgh, its inspiring capital, a cosmopolitan town teeming with genius and culture. On this 2 hours FREE Tour your expert guide will show you the most attractive spots of this seductive city.

Wonderful walking tour

"What a wonderful walking tour with Graeme. A beautiful summer day and an extremely engaging guide. Would definitely book again next time I visit Edinburgh."

Tricia Butterfield

Google (July 23)

It was worth every second

"I did three walking tours with City Explorers and it was worth every second! Definitely recommended. Ashlyn, Emma and Dr Rory were super fun and highly informative."

Sanyukta Desai

Highly recommended!!

"We had a PHENOMENAL ghost tour with Emma! We also had a AMAZING day time walking tour with Glen. Both guides were funny, knowledgeable, and friendly. Could not recommend these tours enough!!!"

Katie Cummings

Free Walking Tour of the Old Town

"Wonderful intro giving us enough info about where to spend our time as well as some great restaurant recommendations. Kenny was amusing, knowledgeable and easy to listen to so I highly recommend this walk."

Annelise Giddings

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Tour Description

The FREE Walking Tour starts every day at 10 am, 11 am and 1 pm on The Royal Mile , just in front of a bar called Copper Still (154 High Street).

We believe that everyone, no matter what is one's budget should be able to experience and enjoy what Edinburgh has to offer and we also believe that the price of a tour should correlate with your budget and how much you enjoyed it.

Our Edinburgh FREE Walking Tours are both informative and fun and offer something for everyone.

To ensure the highest quality of our Free Tours, groups of 15 or more people should book a Private Tour .

If you are arranging a booking for a School Group , please book a Private Tour .

This will allow us to give you a more personalized experience. Thanks for your understanding!

Secure your space now for the Edinburgh Free Tour!

Showing up is fine in most cases. However, you will have priority with a booking if tours reach their capacity.

Meeting Point

The FREE Tour starts on The Royal Mile just in front of a bar called Copper Still (154 High Street).

Look for the yellow umbrellas!

Related tours in edinburgh.

Free Ghost Tour

Every night @ 7pm

Duration: 1.5 hours

Discover the ghostly tales and sinister stories that will get you back to the terrifying past of old Edinburgh.

Free Harry Potter Tour

Every day @ 2pm

Explore the real people and places that inspired JK Rowling to create the Universe of Harry Potter.

Free New Town Tour

Saturday @ 2pm

Duration: 2 hours

Discover the finest part of town and the role Edinburgh played as a center of the Enlightment in Europe.

Edinburgh Castle Tour

Every day @ 10am, 12.15pm & 1.30pm

Get the best value of your visit to Edinburgh Castle and jump the queue with our skip-the-line tickets.

Fri & Sat @ 8pm

Duration: 4.5 hours

Meet amazing people from all over the world and enjoy Edinburgh nightlife at its best 7 nights a week.

Edinburgh Travel Guide

Useful information.

Travel tips you need to know before visiting Edinburgh.

Sightseeing

Discover the most unmissable attractions in Edinburgh.

Things to do

The ultimate guide to things to do in Edinburgh.

Food and drink

Edinburgh's best restaurants, bars and pubs.

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Find out the best places to stay in Edinburgh.

Discover how to travel around Edinburgh.

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Best of Edinburgh walking tours by Amitylux

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Best of Edinburgh Walking Tour-3 Hours, Small Group max 10 people

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Best of Edinburgh walking tours by Amitylux - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Self-Guided Edinburgh Walking Tour

This post is a free, self-guided tour of Edinburgh, along with a map and route, put together by local tour guides for Free Tours by Foot.  

You can expect to walk nearly 2 miles or just over 3.2 kilometres.

Below is the abridged version. You can get the full version with directions by downloading this map, PDF version , or downloading our audio tour (see below).

Click the map to enlarge it or to download it to your smartphone.

GPS-Enabled Audio Tour

We also offer an audio tour of historic Edinburgh, researched, written, and recorded by one of our own tour guides.

Here’s a sample.

Purchase our Audio Tour of Edinburgh

Additionally, you can also take free guided walking tours that run multiple times each day. These tours are in reality pay-what-you-wish tours.

Edinburgh is one of the most historic cities in Scotland and the entire United Kingdom.

In addition to its medieval history, this city’s history of education and learning has also affected our modern lives.

Whether it be the contributions that Adam Smith made to our modern understanding of a free market economy or the inspiration pulled from Edinburgh for the Harry Potter series, the people and the atmosphere of this city have contributed to the world in many important ways.

This tour will lead you through some of the most influential and popular landmarks in Edinburgh with plenty of sightseeing on the way.

In addition to historic sites, I’ll also point out some options for food, museums, art, and other ways to make the most of your time in Edinburgh.

This tour will begin at Edinburgh Castle and continue downhill, mostly following the Royal Mile, with a few turns onto other streets.

Once you’ve made your way to the castle gates, you’ll be ready to begin this tour.

Edinburgh Castle

This is the most historically significant landmark in all of Edinburgh, and there have been people living in the area since around the second century CE.

The castle itself became a royal residence in 1124, and it has been through a total of 26 sieges throughout its history.

This makes Edinburgh Castle the most besieged location in Scotland and one of the most attacked structures in the whole world.

This is the home of the Honours of Scotland, also known as the Scottish Crown Jewels. Entry is ticketed, and you can visit every day of the year.

The Castle is open from 9:30 am - 18:00 (6 pm) daily from April - September and from 9:30 am - 17:00 (5 pm) daily from October - March.

Tickets are £17.50 for Adults, £14 for Seniors and Unemployed, and £10.50 for Children. Visit the website .

Kids under 5 get in for free with an Adult. Alternatively, you can save money on tickets using either the Edinburgh Explorer Pass or the Royal Edinburgh Ticket.

We also offer a 25-stop audio tour of historic Edinburgh, researched, written, and recorded by one of our own tour guides, that you could take whenever you wish.

• Purchase an audio tour (£2.30)
• Get a confirmation email with .mp3, pdf, and embeddable Google Map
• Enjoy the tour(s).

The Witches’ Well

This monument was erected in memory of the more than 4,000 alleged witches who were burned at the stake in front of Edinburgh Castle from the 15th - 18th century.

The plaque features symbolic imagery including a foxglove plant which represents the use of herbal medicine, two heads representing evil and good, and a snake that is representative of both treachery and wisdom.

Many in Edinburgh would like to see an even better memorial, as this one is fairly small and has fallen into disrepair.

Castlehill Attractions

Castlehill is filled with notable attractions, but there are three, in particular, you may want to visit:

• The Scotch Whiskey Experience
• The Witchery
• Camera Obscura & The World of Illusions

The Scotch Whiskey Experience has one of the largest collections of Scotch Whiskey in the world, and it also has a ride that allows you to experience how this drink is made.

The Witchery is an interesting restaurant with 9 theatrical suites that are designed to look medieval. Although prices are high, this is a very popular location for tourists.

Camera Obscura & The World of Illusions is a family-friendly attraction with multiple interactive exhibitions.

It's also home to the Camera Obscura, which reportedly projected moving images 40 years before the motion picture was invented.

Princes Street Gardens & Museums

These beautiful gardens are located right alongside Edinburgh Castle, and there are a lot of great monuments to see in the area.

This is also the location where several local events and festivals take place every year.

Located across from the Prince Street Gardens, the Scottish National Gallery and Royal Scottish Academy are both beautiful art museums which you can visit for free.

The Scottish National Gallery is especially worthy of a visit because it houses works by Raphael, Claude Monet, and Paul Gauguin.

Museum on the Mound

This is the Head Office of the Bank of Scotland, and it was originally built in 1806.

Although it’s still used by the bank, there is also an interesting museum inside which is free to visit.

The museum focuses on the history of economics in Edinburgh, as well as the money and coinage used in the city over many centuries.

One of the most interesting exhibits is a £1 million note from the Bank of England.

The Museum on the Mound is open from Tuesday - Friday from 10 am - 17:00 (5 pm).

It’s also open on Saturdays and Bank Holiday Mondays from 13:00 (1 pm) to 17:00 (5 pm), and admission is free.

The Writer’s Museum

Housed in a historic building known as Lady Stair’s Close, this museum is dedicated to the lives and works of 3 well-known and beloved Scottish writers: Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson.

Robert Burns is known for poems like Halloween and Auld Lang Syne .

Sir Walter Scott is known for the poem The Lady of the Lake and novels like Rob Roy and Ivanhoe .

Robert Louis Stevenson is known for novels like Treasure Island and the Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde .

The collection on display here includes portraits, written works, and personal objects owned by the three writers. Admission is free and the museum is open daily.

The Writer’s Museum is open daily from 10 am - 17:00 (5 pm) and admission is free.

Gladstone’s Land

This 17th-century tenement house is one of the oldest buildings on the Royal Mile.

And it has been restored to remain faithful to its roots so that visitors can experience what life was like hundreds of years ago.

Although admission isn’t free, it is fairly affordable and open daily throughout most of the year.

Check out the official website for more information.

High Court of Justiciary

This is the supreme criminal court of Scotland, and even to this day, they hear cases of both criminal trials and appeals.

One of the most interesting things to see here is the statue of David Hume, a philosopher who once coined the phrase “reason is the slave of the passions.”

Hume was inspired by the likes of Sir Isaac Newton and John Locke, and he saw philosophy as something that could be scientifically tested and experimented.

Hume inspired many notable figures, including people like Adam Smith and Benjamin Franklin.

The Heart of Midlothian Mosaic

This used to be the site of the Old Tolbooth, an administrative building that was also used as a prison and a site of public executions.

The mosaic that exists here now is named after the Midlothian county, of which Edinburgh was the county town.

It memorializes the location of the jail, and there is an odd tradition of spitting on it for good luck. 

While there’s no law against doing this yourself, it’s certainly not the most delightful of customs.

St. Giles’ Cathedral

Although it was founded in the 12th century, this church became an important historical location in the 16th century during the period of the Reformation.

John Knox served as a minister when St. Giles’ became a protestant church in 1559, and he brought the language of the bible to everyday Scots, making it more accessible to the common man.

Although St. Giles was granted cathedral status from 1661-1689, it has been a Presbyterian church since then and is no longer technically a cathedral, but it’s still colloquially known by that name.

The most recent addition is the Thistle Chapel, built in 1909.

This chapel is fairly important, as it is the site of the ceremony where the Queen selects new members of The Order of the Thistle every other year.

The Real Mary King’s Close

This close was a pretty important location during the 17th-century, and it was the site where George Rae once treated victims of the plague using the suit that has since become known as the “plague doctor” attire.

Although parts of the close were demolished and buried during the 18th century, you can now visit daily and tour the close for yourself to see and learn about the area.

Many hauntings have been reported at Mary King’s Close over the years, and as a result, it has become a subject of fascination for believers of the supernatural.

Nowadays, you can get a fully guided tour of the close which is offered daily from 9:30 - 18:00 every 15 minutes.

Tickets are £17.95 for adults.

Adam Smith Statue

Built in 2008, this is the newest statue on the Royal Mile, and it depicts one of the most important Scottish figures in the history of the country.

Adam Smith is well known as one of the fathers of modern free trade economics, and he’s also the author of The Wealth of Nations, which would quickly become influential in American politics.

American founding fathers James Madison, James Monroe, and Thomas Jefferson all spoke very highly of Adam Smith’s ideas.

And it’s clear to see that his economic concepts were important both here in Scotland and in other parts of the world as well.

Mercat Cross

This was once the site where civic proclamations were publicly read to citizens by a town crier, and it was also used for many punishments including hangings and other public executions.

Although the original cross dates back to 1365, it has been damaged and altered multiple times over the years.

Today, a royal unicorn sits at the top with a Scottish flag beside it.

The Mercat Cross is lined with the royal arms of Britain, Scotland, England, Ireland, Edinburgh, Leith, the Canongate, and the University of Edinburgh.

Statue of James Braidwood

Although this figure may not appear familiar, he was actually a pretty important person in the history of Edinburgh and the United Kingdom as a whole.

James Braidwood not only founded the first fire service in the city, but he was also the first director of the London Fire Engine Establishment which would come to be known as the London Fire Brigade.

Braidwood is credited with developing modern fire fighting principles that are still in use today.

And he was recognized for acts of heroism during the great fires of Edinburgh in 1824 and London in 1830.

Parliament Square and Old Scottish Parliament

Located behind St. Giles Cathedral, this public square was formed in front of the Parliament House in 1632.

An equestrian statue of Charles II of Scotland stands at the entrance to the Old Supreme Courts of Scotland which is next to the Parliament House on the right.

The Parliament House would only be in use from 1639 - 1707 when it was dissolved as a result of the Acts of Union.

The Acts of Union led to the creation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain.

Edinburgh City Chambers

As you come out from behind St. Giles’ Cathedral, you’ll see the memorial to the 5th Duke of Buccleuch ahead of you and the Edinburgh City Chambers on the left.

This is the meeting place of the City of Edinburgh Council, and these chambers have existed under one name or another since 1753.

The building here was originally designed to be the Royal Exchange, which led to the partial demolition and burying of Mary King’s Close, as we discussed earlier.

The Royal Exchange was never very popular among merchants, so the Town Council eventually took over the Northern part of the building and used it as the City Chambers starting in 1811.

By 1893, they had taken over the whole building, and it remained home to the city’s council of state for most of the years since.

Its other most important function was as a filming location for the movie Braveheart.

You can also find plaques on the ground with handprints of famous Scots, including J.K. Rowling. This is also a stop on our self-guided Harry Potter Tour .

The National Library of Scotland

Although it was initially opened in 1689, this library would not officially become the property of the nation until the 1920s, at which time it became the National Library of Scotland.

There are more than 26 million items of historic relevance here, and it’s also the home of Scotland’s Moving Image Archive which has over 46,000 videos and films.

Items of note in the library include a letter from Charles Darwin, a Gutenberg Bible, the First Folio of Shakespeare, and more.

Edinburgh Central Library

This was the first public library in Edinburgh, and it was initially built and opened in 1890 with the help of funding from Andrew Carnegie, the wealthy Scottish-American industrialist turned philanthropist.

Upon Carnegie’s insistence, the motto “Let There Be Light” was placed above the entrance.

Above the inner doorway, you’ll find the lintel from the home of Sir Thomas Hope, the owner of the home that was once located on this site before the library was constructed.

The Elephant House

Even though this cafe isn’t particularly old, it has still become a quite notable location in Edinburgh thanks to the famous people who have visited.

Perhaps most notably, JK Rowling is said to have worked on her first Harry Potter novel right here at the Elephant House, and you’ll see all kinds of signs that have been left there by fans.

Authors Ian Rankin and Alexander McCall-Smith also frequented the Elephant House, which makes this a popular stop for budding writers and fans of their work.

National Museum of Scotland

This is a relatively new museum just East of the Greyfriars Kirkyard which combines both the Museum of Scotland and the Royal Scottish Museum.

While the building of the Museum of Scotland opened in 1998, the connected Royal Scottish Museum building opened all the way back in 1866, which is why the museum includes such different architectural styles.

The focus of this museum is the achievements of Scotland and its inhabitants, including examples of art, science, technology, and historical artifacts.

Exhibits include Dolly the sheep -- the first successfully cloned mammal, one of Elton John’s suits, a kinetic sculpture known as the Millennium Clock, and many more.

Admission is free and they are open daily from 10:30 - 16:30 (4:30 pm). Advanced online booking is required.

Greyfriars Kirkyard

Although this graveyard dates back to 1562, it has more recently become known as one of the locations where JK Rowling may have gotten a few ideas for the names of her characters.

This is also the location where the dog that would come to be known as the Greyfriars Bobby would stay by the gravestone of his deceased owner for 14 years until he also passed away.

Whether you’re a fan of Harry Potter, loyal dogs, or historic headstones, there’s plenty to see and experience at Greyfriars Kirkyard and it’s open from Monday - Friday.

Admission is ticketed , but it is very affordable.

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Best of Edinburgh walking tours by Amitylux

• See all photos

Best of Edinburgh Walking Tour-3 Hours, Small Group max 10 people

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Best of Edinburgh walking tours by Amitylux - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)