We ranked these by a simple test: if a friend were coming to Edinburgh for the first time, what would we tell them to book, and in what order? Things that sell out and things you cannot do alone come first; nice-to-haves follow.
Ratings and review counts are from GetYourGuide at the time of writing; prices are indicative “from” prices in euros and will be shown in your own currency when you click through.
- Best overall
Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket
Ticket and guide in one for the city’s number-one sight, and the most-reviewed castle tour there is.
First-time visitors who want the castle explained, not just seen
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- Best walking tour
Edinburgh: Harry Potter Magical Guided Walking Tour
Two entertaining hours in the Old Town that work even if you have never read the books.
Families and fans of the books
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- Best day trip
Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Scottish Highlands Tour
Glencoe and Loch Ness in one day, with more reviews than anything else leaving Edinburgh.
Seeing the Highlands when you only have one spare day
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- Best underground
Edinburgh: Real Mary King’s Close Guided Tour
Real 17th-century streets and a guide in character: history, not gimmicks.
Anyone curious about how the Old Town really lived
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- Best royal visit
Edinburgh: Palace of Holyroodhouse Entry Ticket
Mary, Queen of Scots’ rooms and a ruined abbey, at the foot of the Royal Mile.
Royal history, and pairing with Arthur’s Seat next door
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- Best whisky experience
Edinburgh: The Johnnie Walker Signature Experience
Slick, fun and personalised — and the rooftop bar looks straight at the castle.
A fun whisky experience, even for non-experts
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- Best ghost tour
Edinburgh: Haunted Underground Vaults and Graveyard Tour
Vaults, a graveyard and a good storyteller: Edinburgh after dark.
The best all-round ghost tour
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- Best-rated attraction
Edinburgh: The Royal Yacht Britannia Ticket
A 4.9 rating from thousands of visitors, and a reason to see Leith.
A half day away from the Old Town crowds
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- Best for history lovers
Edinburgh Castle: Guided History Tour with Tickets
A longer castle tour that begins with the Royal Mile.
History lovers who want more context
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- Best shorter day trip
From Edinburgh: Loch Lomond, Stirling Castle & Kelpies Tour
Stirling Castle and Loch Lomond without a 12-hour day.
A first taste of the Highlands without a 12-hour day
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- Best for Harry Potter fans
Edinburgh: Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe & Highlands Day Tour
The Glenfinnan Viaduct, with Glencoe thrown in.
Harry Potter fans and landscape photographers
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- Best whisky introduction
Edinburgh: The Scotch Whisky Experience Tour and Tasting
Clear, traditional and right beside the castle.
Whisky beginners and curious drinkers
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- Best value
Edinburgh: Old Town History and Tales Walking Tour
Two hours of Old Town history for the price of a pub lunch.
Getting oriented on day one
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- Best short tour
Edinburgh: Underground Vaults Tour
An hour in the South Bridge vaults that fits into any day.
A short, atmospheric tour that fits any day
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- Best coastal day
From Edinburgh: St Andrews and Fishing Villages of Fife Tour
St Andrews and the fishing harbours of Fife.
Golfers, and anyone who likes the seaside
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- Best for children
Edinburgh: Camera Obscura and World of Illusions Ticket
Five floors of illusions and a rooftop by the castle.
Families, and wet days
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- Best overview
Edinburgh: City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
The whole city from an open top deck, at your own pace.
An easy overview, and tired legs
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- Best small-group day
Rosslyn Chapel and the Scottish Borders Small-Group Tour
Rosslyn Chapel and Melrose Abbey by mini-coach.
A relaxed day of history in a small group
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- Best for Outlander fans
From Edinburgh: The Outlander Experience Guided Tour
A full day of castles and film locations at a low price.
Outlander fans and castle collectors
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- Best on the water
Edinburgh: “Firth of Forth” Three Bridges Sightseeing Cruise
Ninety minutes under one of the world’s great bridges.
A half-day escape with sea air
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- Best hidden corners
Edinburgh: Dean Village and Circus Lane Walking Tour
Dean Village and Circus Lane with someone who knows them.
Photographers and second-time visitors
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- Best active tour
Edinburgh: Guided Hike to Arthur’s Seat and Holyrood Park
To the top of the city’s volcano with a guide.
Walkers who want the best route without map-reading
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- Best for laughs
Edinburgh: Comedy Horror Ghost Bus Tour
Edinburgh’s dark side, played for comedy on a vintage bus.
A rainy evening, and older children
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- Best for food lovers
Edinburgh: Walking Food Tour with 5 Tastings, Haggis & Scotch
Haggis, cheese, seafood and whisky with a local.
Food lovers on a first visit
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- Best for small children
Edinburgh Zoo Entrance Ticket
Penguins, and a whole day outdoors.
Families with younger children
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- Best cross-border trip
From Edinburgh: Holy Island, Alnwick Castle & Northumbria
Alnwick Castle and Holy Island in England.
Castles, coast and a different country
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- Best multi-day tour
From Edinburgh: 3-Day Isle of Skye and The Highlands Tour
The sensible way to see Skye without driving.
Travellers with three days to spare
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- Most useful
Edinburgh Airport: Bus Transfer
The cheap, quick link between the airport and the centre.
Arriving late or with luggage
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How to combine them
A good first-timer’s plan is the castle tour on the first morning, an Old Town or Harry Potter walk the same afternoon and a ghost tour that evening. On day two, visit Holyrood and add a whisky experience. Keep a third or fourth day for a Highlands day trip. Our travel guide has full itineraries.
What we left out
Edinburgh has hundreds of bookable activities. We have left out near-duplicates of the tours above, products with few reviews, and private tours whose price depends on group size. The live widget on the tours page shows the full range.