The Best Edinburgh Walking Tours

Updated March 12th, 2020

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When deciding where to go in Scotland you definitely need to include Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, into your itinerary. In comparison to other countries’ capitals, Edinburgh is much smaller. That doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot to see and do. One of my favorite ways to explore any city I visit is with a walking tour. Whether you are a loyal Harry Potter fan, interested in history or intrigued by the supernatural there is a walking tour for you in Edinburgh. Here are some of the best Edinburgh walking tours.

Edinburgh Harry Potter Walking Tour

20171016_152859 — Our guide in front of the tombstone of Thomas Riddell…..if you know Harry Potter you know why this was on the tour!

If you are a Harry Potter fan and wondering which walking tour to take in Edinburgh, it’s a no brainer to take a tour dedicated to Harry Potter. While you see the sights used for inspiration in the books, you can also learn about the city.

The Potter Trail tour is the free and magical tour that we took. I wouldn’t pay for a tour unless the free one is not available. If that is the case you can take the Harry Potter Magical Guided Walking Tour.

The starting point of the Potter Trail tour was easily accessible on foot from within the old town of Edinburgh and close to the new town as well. It began at the statue of Greyfriars Bobby at the junction of Candlemaker Row and George IV Bridge. Once all the wizards were gathered together we headed to the graveyard!

Victoria Street, used as inspiration for Diagon Alley.

I loved learning more about the city through the eyes of JK Rowling. We saw the places which were connected to her and the places that may have served as inspiration for the books.

We were granted wands to use to help us turn the traffic lights to green. If only I had a picture of our group of ~30 people simultaneously pointing our wands at the traffic lights!

Harry Potter Walking Tour — Wizards at work

The tour ended after about an hour and half at Victoria Terrace, only a few minutes away from the starting point. There are no stops during the tour. Nearby, The National Library of Scotland has public bathrooms. Primark (department store) is good place to find a toilet in the New Town if you end up in that area.

Edinburgh Scary Walking Tours

Maybe Harry Potter isn’t scary enough for you? There are several underground and supernatural walking tours in Edinburgh for those that want to see another side of the city. There is a Edinburgh Murder & Mystery Walking Tour, the Real Mary King’s Close Guided Tour, Edinburgh’s Ghosts & Gore Walking Tour and more. Many of these take place after the sun goes down and the ghosts come out!

Edinburgh Historic Walking Tour

If you are thinking to yourself, isn’t there a normal city walking tour, don’t worry! You can take the Old Town Historical Walking tour. You will encounter hidden spots in the city where the buses aren’t able to go and you might not be able to find on your own.

Self-Guided Walking Tour of Edinburgh

On my first day in Edinburgh I immediately fell in love with all the quaint curving cobblestone streets. While I do really love the guided walking tours because you discover places you wouldn’t on your own and you gain a lot of extra information, wandering around on my own with no map and no destination in mind is a lot of fun too. Edinburgh is the perfect city for a self-guided walking tour because you do not need to worry about safety or strolling off in the wrong direction.

My mom and I started at our hotel, Holiday Inn Express Royal Mile Edinburgh, and slowly made our way down the Royal Mile in the Old Town. We wandered along Grassmarket, a wide picturesque street full of independent shops and Scottish pubs.

We also walked through the New Town and wandered around the West End area in the evening. The New town is more commercial and of course does not have the historic feel of the Old Town. The West End contains boutique stores and unique dining places.

Whatever part of the city you go, it is best to go by foot. There are so many hills, stairs and passages that you couldn’t get the full experience from only a vehicle.

From Edinburgh Castle overlooking the New Town

What’s your favorite way to explore a new city? I hope you give one of these walking tours in Edinburgh a try on your next visit!

Where to Stay in Edinburgh

I recommend the Holiday Inn Express Royal Mile Edinburgh where we stayed. Located along the Royal Mile it is perfect for exploring all the Old Town sites with a reasonable price, nice rooms and breakfast included.