Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Edinburgh Private Tour
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
This is not just another city tour; this is the best of Edinburgh from a unique perspective! Get to know Edinburgh on a city tour that gives you the perfect overview, with city highlights, hidden gems, storytelling, and a local treat - this tour has it all!
Forget about big touristy groups and the crowds; it's time to see Edinburgh at its best but from the eyes of a local. Check out main landmarks like Edinburgh Castle, Grassmarket, Greyfriars Kirkyard and uncover hidden gems and city secrets with the help of a knowledgeable local guide. And the cherry on top, a local treat is included.
Withlocals Highlights & Hidden Gems Private City Tour™ is one of Withlocals' signature tours available in major cities worldwide. We work with passionate local guides who earn a fair fee. We support local economies by only offering local produce and prevent over-tourism with only small non-intrusive groups.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Private tour: only you & your local guide
CO2 Neutral: all tours carbon emissions are offset
Post Covid-19 regulations are applied to this product with regards to the number of participants, delivery methods of the tour and content of the tour.
What To Expect
Edinburgh Castle
The edifice known as Edinburgh Castle was built during the 12th century and sits on an extinct volcano which is called Castle Rock.
Grassmarket
The old GrassMarket doubled up as a public execution site and is now home to many pubs.
Options
Private Tour
What‘s Included
Private Tour
Local Guide
1 local drink/tasting
Hotel pick-up and drop off
Food & beverages not listed as inclusions
Entrance to the attractions - we will visit them from the outside
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
131 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Spectacular private tour with Laura
elizabethnO8643GW,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Laura was an outstanding tour guide. We covered so much ground and were educated on an abundance of interesting history in a short amount of time. She provided a wealth of information on the area and supported us with ideas on how to spend the following day. I highly recommend booking with Laura if you want a focused, informative, interesting tour rich with history, and a few good laughs, as well.
Great experience
Linda L,Dec 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our tour was fabulous! Our tour guide Gain was terrific. very knowledgeable, and we had several laughs along the way. he led us at a pace the two of us could handle given that we both use a cane. we still managed to see so many parts of Old Town even with the sloping streets and the stairs. highly recommend this experience and our tour guide Gain.
Fun walking tour
John C,Oct 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Mark was a great guide. Very knowledgeable and good personality. Highly recommended. Lots of walking.
Fabulous afternoon tour of old town with G
Samantha H,Aug 7, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00G was such fun and knowledgeable. We loved how he brought us to quiet offshoots around the old town to discuss Edinburgh’s amazing history of inventors, philosophers, economists and religious quarrels. He even made significant effort to get to know our family and incorporate our interests in his stories. He captivated our quiet teenage boy, excited tween daughter and us parents alike. We highly recommend G for any tour!
Walking tour of Edinburgh
Ed C,Aug 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Chris was an awesome guide: well- informed, & fun! He answered all of our questions, while showing us a hugh part of Edinburgh. We even were able to go by the university my father had attended.
Don't miss this tour!
Marie K,Jul 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Xavier was very friendly and knowledgeable. He taught us so much about the city. We really enjoyed it.
A Great Way To See The City In Three Hours
Marshall C,Jul 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide Alice was awesome. She gave us a great tour of the City. She was very knowledgable and told some great stories that tied into the tour perfectly.
Gains on Edinburgh Hidden Gems Tour – A Unique and Memorable Experience!
Andrew C,Jun 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00If you're looking to go beyond the usual tourist hotspots in Edinburgh, Gains Hidden Gems Tour is an absolute must. This tour offered an eye-opening look at the city’s lesser-known corners, filled with rich history, quirky stories, and spots even locals might miss. From the moment we met our guide, it was clear this wasn’t going to be your average walking tour. They were incredibly knowledgeable, engaging, and full of anecdotes that brought the city’s hidden history to life. We explored tucked-away closes, gardens, cementaries, and local dives. What really sets this tour apart is the personal touch. Our group was small, so we got to ask questions and have real conversations. The pace was perfect, and it never felt rushed. You can tell Gains really cares about the quality of the experience rather than just pushing people through a checklist of sites.
Lots of hidden gems discovered!
Therese M,Jun 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Xavier was amazing! We had a lovely morning learning about some of Edinburgh that is off the beaten path, as well as some of the standard things to see. The Royal Mile is so beautiful and has lots of little coffee shops and things tucked away. Xavier took us into a couple of the Closes and we leaned about how the city became what it is today. Fun tour, blessed with good weather, found some hidden gems!
Minnesota to Edinburgh
Theodore J,May 7, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Russell is very accommodating and a wealth of information about history of Edinburgh! He is enthusiastic and very personable. We learned so much and were fascinated with historic information he was able to provide us! It was our first exposure to Edinburgh and we are excited to explore on our own with some of the suggestions he provided us. I would recommend him wholeheartedly to any who wish to learn from someone who is passionate about his hometown!
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