Edinburgh tours

Some of the best places to visit on any trip to Edinburgh include:

• Edinburgh Castle. No Edinburgh trip is complete until you see this centuries-old stone fortress, home to years of history, famous crown jewels, and incredible views.
• The Royal Mile in the Old Town. With all the historic architecture and authentic pubs and shops, it’s no surprise that this is a UNESCO World Heritage site—and one of the most popular places to visit on Edinburgh tours. It starts on the slope of an extinct volcano and continues to must-see spots. (think: Parliament, churches, and museums.)
• The Georgian-style New Town. Another UNESCO-listed site, this is the opposite of its older counterpart. It’s much more modern with chic bars and exciting shops.

As you’re planning a tour to Edinburgh, be sure to look at the less famous sites, too. Some interesting things to do include:

• Hiking to Calton Hill, Arthur’s Seat, or the Sir Walter Scott Monument for indescribable views.
• Shopping Armchair Books, a quirky bookstore with photo-worthy walls completely lined with books.
• Sipping coffee at the Elephant House, where J.K. Rowling wrote the majority of the first two Harry Potter books.
• Going on a ghost tour to learn about all the spookiest sites at night.
• Hopping aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia, once Queen Elizabeth II’s floating palace, to see how the Royal family and the ship’s crew lived and worked.

Traveling to Edinburgh is great any time of year. With something going on every month, as well as fairly mild weather, every one of our Edinburgh tour packages brings a unique experience. For example:

• May means spring weather, beating the summer rush, and daylight until 10pm.
• August features the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, with performances by the British Armed Forces, Commonwealth, and international military bands.
• August also brings the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the largest theater festival in the world.
• October has the Samhuinn Fire Festival, where spooky-seekers enjoy Halloween night on tours of Edinburgh.
• December overflows with magical Christmas markets to get you in the holiday spirit.

• Haggis. It may not seem appetizing at first, but no Edinburgh trip is complete without trying this traditional dish made from sheep organs. It has a peppery flavor, a texture similar to crumbled sausage, and is most often served with neeps and tatties (mashed turnip and mashed potato).
• Cullen sink. Ask almost any Scottish person, and they’ll say they love this creamy soup made from smoked fish and potatoes.
• Salmon. Scotland is home to some of the world’s best salmon, thanks to its proximity to the Atlantic and surrounding lochs.
• Pizza crunch. A battered and deep-fried pizza that may not be healthy, but is certainly tasty.
• Scottish shortbread. The first printed recipe for this sweet biscuit dates all the way back to 1736. Legend has it Mary Queen of Scots loved it with caraway.

The weather can change at the drop of a hat, so if you’re wondering what to pack for a tour in Edinburgh, bring lots of layers. It can get windy and cold, even in the summer, and of course Scotland is known for its rain storms, so bring a raincoat and umbrella, too.  

The currency is the pound sterling, and you’ll want to keep some cash on you for local markets and food shops as you set out on one of our Edinburgh tours. For other tips, check out our Travel Guide to Edinburgh.

When you choose Edinburgh guided tours, you get the luxury of being escorted to all of the top sites, without having to do any of the planning. Plus, you won’t have to worry about transportation. Our Edinburgh group tours, like Edinburgh & the Castles of Scotland, include carefully curated trips and excursions, alongside days of free time to explore on your own.