Edinburgh Royal Mile Alleyway Tour
Overview
Available languages
2 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Explore the Royal Mile and its secret alleys on a journey where history comes to life. From the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle, enter the old closets, narrow passages full of history, until you reach the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Visit iconic landmarks such as Bakehouse Close, Dunbar’s Close or James Court, as we discover the lives of key figures such as Allan Ramsay, David Hume or Patrick Geddes.
You will also explore gardens hidden among the stone, small oases in the heart of historic center. An ideal experience for those looking to discover the most authentic and surprising side of Edinburgh.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Royal Mile
During the tour, travellers will tour Edinburgh’s iconic Royal Mile from the Castle Esplanade to the Scottish Parliament. Along the way, you will explore some of the city’s most fascinating and hidden alleys, known as closets, which hold centuries of history.
Castlehill
Explore Castle Hill with us and delve into some of its alleys, such as Castle Wynd, Ramsay Gardens or Boswell's Court.
What‘s Included
Two and a half hour guided tour of the alleys of the Royal Mile of Edinburgh
Options
English tour
Tour in Spanish
Reviews
5 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Fantastic tour
AnnaG4436,Nov 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great tour! I recently joined a historic walking tour around Edinburgh focused on its iconic closes, and it was absolutely fantastic. We did the tour with Jule who was incredibly knowledgeable, bringing each corner of the Old Town to life with stories, context, and nuance that aren’t often covered in other tours. What I valued most were the unique tales and fascinating anecdotes she shared—details you simply don’t come across elsewhere. Having lived in Edinburgh for 12 years, I was surprised by how much I still learned. She explored a side of the city’s history that often goes untold, and her passion for both history and culture shone through throughout the entire tour. A great experience that I would highly recommend to both visitors and long-time residents.
Fantastic and nuanced!
Anna S,Nov 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Fantastic tour. Jule (tour guide) was incredibly knowledgeable, bringing each close of the Old Town to life with stories, context, and nuance that aren’t usually covered in other tours. What I valued most were the unique tales and fascinating anecdotes she shared—details you simply don’t come across elsewhere. Having lived in Edinburgh for 12 years, I was surprised by how much I still learned. While covering the essentials, she also explores a side of the city’s history that often goes untold, and her passion for both history and culture shone through throughout the entire tour. An outstanding experience that I would highly recommend to both visitors and long-time residents!
One of the best tours I've been to with a bit of everything, history, stories, views and a nice walk
David P,Oct 14, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great tour! The guide explained both the history of Edinburgh through the closes and the Royal Mile and individual stories of particular closes. There's history, interesting stories, picturesque views and nice walks. It felt like an unapologetically honest account of Edinburgh. One of the best tours I've been to
Highly recommend tour!
Heba A,Oct 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00i had a great tour with Jule! Learned so much about the origin and history of many landmarks throughout the royal mile and discovered a few hidden gems that I’ll definitely be going back to!
How wonderful the alleys of Edinburgh
Flyer19166853757,Jun 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We toured the alleys of the medieval city of Edinburgh with Javier. We were in a group and had a great time and he was very nice. Lots of historical information, but it conveyed it with such passion that the tour flew by!!! Recommended 100%
From £12.00
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Operated by Timeless Edinburgh