Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Scotland’s second-most-popular tourist attraction as you learn about the bloody history including stories of the kings and queens who lived in this castle.
There is evidence of a fort here for almost 3000 years, and it has been a royal castle since at least King David I’s reign in the 12th century. The Scottish monarchs continued to use it until 1633, and even saw the birth of King James VI within its walls.
Your tour will begin on the Royal Mile, then take you to the castle, where you will hear your guide talking about the origins of the castle and its sieges.
Once inside the castle walls, the guide will take you through the different parts of the fortress and tell you its fascinating history. Inside the complex, you will find three museums, two prisons, a canine cemetery, the Chapel of Saint Margaret, the National Monument to the fallen of Scotland, the Great Hall, and a Royal Palace.(ENTIRE TOUR WILL REMAIN OUTDOORS; buildings are not accessible during the tour.)
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Please note in poor weather conditions the tour will remain outdoors as access to the castle buildings is not available for tour groups
Tour will be inside the castle walls, but outdoors, with free time after the tour to to explore the castle an to go inside every building (Museums, Royal Palace, prisons, and much more). We can not access those buildings during the tour, but the tour will still be carried out within the castle grounds.
The castle is a complex of buildings, not a single building.
On this tour you will be guided around Edinburgh castle, with specific stops assigned by the castle authorities.
Bags over 30L in volume are not allawed inside the castle.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Edinburgh Castle
Explore one the most important fortresses in the history of Scotland. Walk inside the castle for 1 hour and 10 minutes to enjoy the wonderful royal palace, where Mary Queen of Scots once lived, and admire the Great Hall of the 16th century where parties and feast took place. After the exploration with a guide, you can spend a free time inside the castle until closing time
What‘s Included
Entrance ticket & Edinburgh Castle Guided Tour
Entre fees
Pet Not allowed. Only guide dog.
Gratuities
Options
Spanish Tour
Spanish Tour : We also have the Edinburgh Castle tour in Spanish, every day at 10am and 1:30 p.m.
Italian Tours
German Tour
We also offer the Castle Tour on Thursdays and Saturdays
Edinburgh Castle Tour, English
Tour du Château d'Édimbourg
Reviews
5,336 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Despite biting winds &...
DEBORAH C,,Dec 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Despite biting winds & cold, a brilliant tour from Raj with lots of interesting information & jokes.
Terrific tour
Michelle G,,Dec 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Raj was WONDERFUL! So knowledgeable & thorough.would highly recommend this tour. Thank you for your insights & delightful anecdotes, Raj.
A windy blast from the past
symona670,,Dec 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was extremely informative, fun, factual, interesting and lively. Our guide Catherine, was charming, funny, and extremely knowledgable, mixing folk tales with historical events. Edinburgh Castle itself was awesome, although it was very windy and cold, it seemed appropriate in a strange way. Tour was long and enjoyable leaving us the rest of the afternoon to visit other parts of the castle at leisure and gift shop. Tiring but amazingly satisfying
Superb tour and guide! Dress warmly, very windy.
32233CRNA,,Dec 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Jen was superb! One of the best tour guides we have ever experienced. She was animated, articulate, and knowledgeable. I was not sure that I would enjoy this outdoor tour in December, but Jen made it very entertaining. We were excited to see more on the inside of the castle after the tour concluded. Be sure to double the amount of layers that you think you will need to stay warm; it is very windy up there. Thank you so much Jen!
Beautiful Scotland
N8272APpaulinel,,Dec 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent story telling about history of Scotland and the Scotland castle ! Love the rich history and culture of Scotland
Edinburgh Castle with Niamh
lucascoutoo,,Dec 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Niamh is an amazing, incredible and knowledgeable guide. great tour, definitely recommend!!! Been with my girlfriend during winter time.
Wonderful experience
P7471LUkathrynj,,Dec 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The castle was amazing. Our guide, Gavin was not only knowledgeable but humorous as well. I would highly recommend doing this tour.
Amazing
Paul T,,Dec 10, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Gavin was amazing, friendly and so knowledgeable and was great to have a native representative as made the experience feel real
SCOTTISH PUNISHMENT FUNNY
696evamar an,,Dec 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Panoramic views of the city. Several rooms to admire the conditions in these castles, the richness of army dress and Scottish jewels. The audio child guide bored my 15-year-old daughter.You can walk from the train station but it is a steep 10-minute hike!.The cannon at 13:00h is not done on Sundays.
Naimh, the tour guide,...
Cheryl L,,Dec 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Naimh, the tour guide, was great. The castle is an amazing place. Give yourself plenty of time to explore in addition to the tour.
From £37.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Related Experiences
Operated by Scotland City Tours - Somos Escocia