Posted<\/strong>: 12\/4\/2023 | December 4th, 2023<\/p>\n I never get tired of visiting Edinburgh<\/a>. I love the enchanting cobblestone streets, the world-class whisky bars, the plethora of free museums, and arty vibe of the city (it\u2019s the inspiration for many, many writers). <\/p>\n It has been Scotland\u2019s<\/a> capital since the 15th century and has a history that stretches back millennia (humans have been in the area since 8500 BCE). There\u2019s an epic medieval castle, an ancient volcano, the historic Old Town, and the New Town (both of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites). <\/p>\n One of the best ways to soak it all up is by taking a walking tour. While ghost tours<\/a> are some of the most popular here (Edinburgh is supposedly one of the most haunted cities in the world), there are many other tours to experience, from bike tours to food tours to pub crawls. <\/p>\n Here\u2019s my list of the best walking tours in Edinburgh to help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most out of your stay!<\/p>\n This family-owned company specializes in a variety of tours of the vaults under the city (a labyrinth of tunnels that were first used as storage and workshop space for businesses in the early 17th century), and it\u2019s the only company to offer vault tours during the day<\/a>. Adult-only tours include the infamous Canongate graveyard and there are even vault tours designed for kids<\/a>. <\/p>\n Tours start at 20 GBP.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n City Explorers runs four different free walking tours daily. Start with the classic Edinburgh Free Tour, on which you\u2019ll see and learn about the main sights, including Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, and St Giles\u2019 Cathedral. There\u2019s also a free ghost tour, a free Harry Potter tour, and a free New Town tour as well. Just remember to tip your guide at the end!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \u00a0 Food is an important part of every culture. Scotland has all manner of interesting culinary delights, and the best way to learn more about them (while sampling a bunch) is by taking a food tour. Secret Food Tours offers the best one in Edinburgh. On their three-hour classic tour of Edinburgh\u2019s Old Town<\/a>, you\u2019ll try delicacies like haggis, creamy Scottish cheese, neeps, and tatties (and learn what those even are), as well as enjoy traditional Scottish tea.<\/p>\n If you want to try more local spirits, you can take the Secret Whisky, Gin, & Beyond tour<\/a>, which includes seven tastings of locally brewed and distilled liquors.<\/p>\n Prices start at 69 EUR.<\/em><\/p>\n To cover more ground and get out of town a bit, take a bike tour. A Wee Pedal has several different offerings, so you can see more of Edinburgh and its surrounding countryside on two wheels. The most popular tour is the 20-mile loop tour<\/a>, which circumnavigates the entire city. There\u2019s also a 12-mile version that goes out to the rugged coastline for a more off-the-beaten-path adventure.<\/p>\n While rides are taken at a meandering, comfortable pace, you can also rent an e-bike for an extra 15 GBP if you\u2019re not up for the challenge. You can also book special private tours, including one that ends at a brewery (tasting included), and a mountain bike tour. <\/p>\n Prices start at 65 GBP.<\/em><\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking to get genuinely creeped out, take a tour with City of the Dead. They offer several tours that go through the underground vaults<\/a>. City of the Dead is also the only tour company with access to the ominously named Black Mausoleum and Covenanter\u2019s Prison<\/a>, some of the most haunted places in the world. These spots are favorites of the Mackenzie Poltergeist, considered one of the world\u2019s best-documented supernatural entities, with hundreds of supposed encounters. It\u2019s one of my favorite tours in the city! <\/p>\n Prices start at 19 GBP.<\/em><\/p>\n One of TripAdvisor\u2019s Top 10 Things to Do in the UK, the Mountebank Comedy Walk, run by Daniel Downie, an award-winning stand-up comedian, is undoubtedly the most hilarious way to see Auld Reekie (an old nickname for the city). On this tour you\u2019ll laugh and learn not only about Edinburgh but all things Scottish, from culture to history to some famous (and infamous) people. And if you\u2019re lucky, Daniel\u2019s adorable dog Bonnie Prince might even join you.<\/p>\n Prices start at 22 GBP.<\/em><\/p>\n One of the biggest walking tour companies in the UK, See Your City offers several fun tours in Edinburgh. Their best (and most popular) is the Harry Potter walking tour<\/a>, on which you\u2019ll visit the places that inspired JK Rowling as she penned her famous series (and the caf\u00e9 where she did so). You\u2019ll even get sorted into your Hogwarts house and get to test your book and movie knowledge in a quiz to earn points. It\u2019s a super fun tour and a must for Harry Potter fans. <\/p>\n Other unique See Your City tours in Edinburgh include a Cheese Crawl<\/a> and a True Crime walking tour<\/a>.<\/p>\n Prices start at 16 GBP.<\/em> <\/p>\nBest Overall Tour<\/h5>\n<\/p>\n
Mercat Tours<\/h4>\n
Best Free Tour<\/h5>\n<\/p>\n
City Explorers<\/h4>\n
While those two are my top recommendations for tours in Edinburgh, here are a few more options to help you make the most of your time here:<\/p>\n1. Secret Food Tours<\/h3>\n
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n2. A Wee Pedal Bike Tour <\/h3>\n
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n3. City of the Dead Tours <\/h3>\n
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n4. Mountebank Tours <\/h3>\n
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n5. See Your City<\/h3>\n
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