Edinburgh Castle Guided Tour - Tickets Included

Overview

Available languages

English

1 hour 30 minutes

Mobile ticket

Join us on an unforgettable journey through millennia as we explore the iconic Edinburgh Castle on a walking tour that will bring Scotland's rich history to life!

As you explore, your knowledgeable guide will regale you with tales of battles won and lost, royalty and rebels, and the colourful characters who have called the castle home over the centuries. You'll be greeted with breath-taking views of Edinburgh and the surrounding countryside, providing a unique perspective on this beautiful city.

Whether you're a history buff or just looking for a unique and educational experience, a tour of Edinburgh Castle is a must-do activity in Scotland's capital. Come and discover the rich cultural heritage of this iconic landmark, and immerse yourself in the history of one of the most fascinating places in all of Europe!

*IN ENGLISH ONLY. Tickets to Edinburgh Castle are included, and the tour takes place inside. Due to guidelines imposed by HES, guides are not allowed inside the covered areas.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

Royal Mile

A brief walk from St. Giles to Edinburgh Castle's Esplanade, where you will be introduced to the History of Edinburgh and the Castle.

30 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Edinburgh Castle

Walking tour of the Edinburgh Castle grounds. You'll be introduced to the History of Edinburgh Castle, its residents and buildings. Highlights include: - St. Margaret's Chappel, the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh, - Mons Meg, a 6.6 tonne cannon, - The Great Hall, where monarchs could eavesdrop on their court, - The Honours of Scotland, the oldest crown jewels in the United Kingdom, - A cemetery for dogs. Please note that this is a visit of the Castle grounds only, as due to the reduced size of some indoor spaces and the popularity of the Castle, tour guides are not allowed into enclosed spaces.

1 hour • Admission Included

What‘s Included

Castle Admission

Options

Edinburgh Castle Guided Tour - Tickets Included

Reviews

4.88

1,193 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

1110

James was great, I highly...
Nishit S,,Jan 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
James was great, I highly recommend him. Very knowledgeable and told us lots of stories. He was very respectful and patient with few members of the group who were walking slow.
The brilliant guide James...
Duncan G,,Jan 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
The brilliant guide James (historian) gave a really passionate entertaining and historically accurate tour of this brilliant castle. We loved it !
Engaging tour with James
Jill P,,Jan 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
We had the 10 am tour with James. It was my family, including two young adult daughters. I would greatly recommend this tour as it gives nice context around the castle and it's history. Tour guides are not allowed to lead tours into the interior buildings and other designated areas, so the tour takes you from the outside of the castle gates to the interior 'courtyard' spaces. After the tour, you are able to visit inside the buildings at your own pace to see the crown jewels, war memorial, prison, St. Margaret's Chapel, weapons displays, etc. James did a wonderful job of explaining the different buildings, the history of some of the different castle attacks, as well as the historical significance of the castle and figures attached to its history. I appreciate that James was funny, engaging and tried to focus on historical accuracy. I advise going for the earliest tour if possible as it seemed to get much more crowded as the afternoon went on.
Happy that we booked this...
Pracheta B,,Jan 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Happy that we booked this guided tour. David comes recommended as a person who clearly explained the history of the castle in simple terms. Highlight of the tour was the war memorial, which was both elegant and deeply moving
James was great. Very informative tour! Thank you
Ron W,,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
James was a lot of fun. Great time😊 Would highly recommend their service. We really all enjoyed the stories.
Very knowledgeable guide...
Kevin J,,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Very knowledgeable guide and interesting. You can stay on the castle grounds to tour on your own afterward.
Great experience
Adventure17389154066,,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Seamless booking process and experience on the day - very informative and engaging guide! Would definitely recommend this tour.
The welshies
Katryn J,,Jan 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Great tour Edgar was a diamond so accommodating . As a family member was struggling with mobility issues,he got a car to take her to top of the castle x
Great tour Great food and drink.
Cora B,,Dec 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Great tour .and great guide .when we went to the main street it was like something out of a Harry porter movie.
Excellent Castle Walking Tour
PartyBoyWells,,Dec 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Excellent walking tour!!!! James the guide was very knowledgeable & made the walk informative but certainly not stuffy! Make sure you ask about his love of Hollywood renditions of historic movies Highly recommended all round!!