
Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 6,969 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket worth booking?
Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket is a 1.5-hour experience in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, from $56 per person. It scores 89 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 6,969 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 89 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (6,969)
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- From
- $56 per person
Scotland’s second-most-popular tourist attraction as you learn about the bloody history including stories of the kings and queens who lived in this castle. There is evidence of a fort here for almost 3000 years, and it has been a royal castle since at least King David I’s reign in the 12th century. The Scottish monarchs continued to use it until 1633, and even saw the birth of King James VI within its walls. Your tour will begin on the Royal Mile, then take you to the castle, where you will hear your guide talking about the origins of the castle and its sieges. Once inside the castle walls, the guide will take you through the different parts of the fortress and tell you its fascinating history. Inside the complex, you will find three museums, two prisons, a canine cemetery, the Chapel of Saint Margaret, the National Monument to the fallen of Scotland, the Great Hall, and a Royal Palace.(ENTIRE TOUR WILL REMAIN OUTDOORS; buildings are not accessible during the tour.)
What you get
About this experience
Scotland’s second-most-popular tourist attraction as you learn about the bloody history including stories of the kings and queens who lived in this castle. There is evidence of a fort here for almost 3000 years, and it has been a royal castle since at least King David I’s reign in the 12th century. The Scottish monarchs continued to use it until 1633, and even saw the birth of King James VI within its walls. Your tour will begin on the Royal Mile, then take you to the castle, where you will hear your guide talking about the origins of the castle and its sieges. Once inside the castle walls, the guide will take you through the different parts of the fortress and tell you its fascinating history. Inside the complex, you will find three museums, two prisons, a canine cemetery, the Chapel of Saint Margaret, the National Monument to the fallen of Scotland, the Great Hall, and a Royal Palace.(ENTIRE TOUR WILL REMAIN OUTDOORS; buildings are not accessible during the tour.)
What's included
Included
- Admission ticket to Edinburgh Castle
- Guided tour of Edinburgh Castle
Not included
- Pet Not allowed. Only guide dog.
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Edinburgh Castle
Explore one the most important fortresses in the history of Scotland. Walk inside the castle for 1 hour and 10 minutes to enjoy the wonderful royal palace, where Mary Queen of Scots once lived, and admire the Great Hall of the 16th century where parties and feast took place. After the exploration with a guide, you can spend a free time inside the castle until closing time
60 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Edinburgh
Meet in front of the entrance to Advocates Close, opposite (St. Giles’ Cathedral) . Look for the black umbrella with the tour provider's yellow logo.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Tour end inside Edinburgh Castle
Options you can book
Spanish Tour
Spanish Tour : We also have the Edinburgh Castle tour in Spanish, every day at 10am and 1:30 p.m.
Tour du Château d'Édimbourg
Italian Tours
German Tour
We also offer the Castle Tour on Thursdays and Saturdays
Edinburgh Castle Tour, English
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, en, it, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Scotland City Tours - Somos Escocia
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Please note in poor weather conditions the tour will remain outdoors as access to the castle buildings is not available for tour groups
- Tour will be inside the castle walls, but outdoors, with free time after the tour to to explore the castle an to go inside every building (Museums, Royal Palace, prisons, and much more). We can not access those buildings during the tour, but the tour will still be carried out within the castle grounds.
- The castle is a complex of buildings, not a single building.
- On this tour you will be guided around Edinburgh castle, with specific stops assigned by the castle authorities.
- Bags over 30L in volume are not allawed inside the castle.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 6,962 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Traveler reviews
6,962 verified traveler reviews for Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Excellent tour
Was a great experience - Joe was fantastic
via Tripadvisor
Great site to visit
Spectacular site to visit but we could have done it on our own; tour guide was nothing special.
via Tripadvisor
So worth it!
Raj our guide was fantastic. His knowledge and passion of the history of Edinburgh castle, Mary Queen of Scott’s and history of Scotland & the British I would rate as 10/10! Thank you for a wonderful experience.
via Tripadvisor
Raj was a wonderful...
Raj was a wonderful articulate guide who was thoughtful and a proper historian. Enjoyed the presentation very much.
via Viator
Discovering Edinburgh Castle
Joe was Very Knowledgeable Never felt rushed through- he spent time & was very informative Would definitely recommend Joe !!!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 2,439
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Who runs this experience
Operated by Scotland City Tours - Somos Escocia, who run 4 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 84.2 and 2 in the 90+ Club.
See everything Scotland City Tours - Somos Escocia runsWhy this scores 89
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Edinburgh.
How much does Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket cost?
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Prices start at $56 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Edinburgh usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket take?
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Plan for about 1.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Edinburgh is not rushed.
Is Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 89 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 6,969 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Edinburgh, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket?
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Around 2,439 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Edinburgh can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Edinburgh and add a light layer if any part of the 1.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Edinburgh within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Edinburgh?
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On Outty we rank every Edinburgh experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include The Chocolatarium Chocolate Tour Experience in Edinburgh, The Mountebank Comedy Walk of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Old Town: Historical Guided Walking Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Edinburgh?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Edinburgh?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket?
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Included: Admission ticket to Edinburgh Castle; and Guided tour of Edinburgh Castle. Not included: Pet Not allowed. Only guide dog; and Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket?
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Meet in front of the entrance to Advocates Close, opposite (St. Giles’ Cathedral) . Look for the black umbrella with the tour provider's yellow logo. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket offered in?
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It is offered in German, English, Italian, French and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket?
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Across 6,969 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Several reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
What booking options are available for Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket?
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There are 5 options to choose from, including Spanish Tour, Tour du Château d'Édimbourg, Italian Tours, German Tour. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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