Magpie
4.8(6,673 reviews)

Edinburgh Castle Guided Tour

From£41
1 hour
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

About this activity

Experience Edinburgh's rich history with a guided tour of its iconic castle, featuring skip-the-line entry and expert insights into its storied past.

Highlights

  • Skip-the-line entry to Edinburgh Castle
  • Expert guided walking tour
  • Access to all castle exhibits and attractions
  • Explore the Royal Palace and St. Margaret's Chapel
  • Enjoy panoramic views of Edinburgh from the castle ramparts

Full description

Step into Scotland's past with a guided tour of Edinburgh Castle, perched atop Castle Rock. Skip the lines and delve into centuries of history as your expert guide brings tales of royalty, battles, and legends to life. Wander through the Royal Palace, stand in awe at St. Margaret's Chapel—the city's oldest surviving building—and gaze upon the Scottish Crown Jewels. From the castle's ramparts, take in breathtaking panoramic views of Edinburgh's Old and New Towns, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This tour offers an immersive journey into Scotland's rich heritage, making it a must-do for history enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.

Included / Excluded

  • Skip-the-line entry to Edinburgh Castle
  • Expert guided walking tour
  • Access to all castle exhibits and attractions
  • Food and beverages

Meeting point

Start Location

Unknown location

Important information

Know before you book

  • The tour operates in English; ensure you understand the language for full comprehension.
  • Photography is allowed, but tripods and professional equipment may be restricted.
  • The castle is wheelchair accessible, but some areas may be challenging to navigate.

Know before you go

  • Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven terrain.
  • Bring a camera to capture the stunning views and historic sites.
  • Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly, as parts of the tour are outdoors.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 1 days before the activity starts

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Accessibility

  • Stroller Accessible

Good to know

  • 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.

Traveler reviews

4.8
6,673 reviews
5
5,991
4
369
3
153
2
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94

Fantastic tour

Fantastic tour. Our tour guide Gavin provided great information and also presented it with a great sense of humour. Thank you would highly recommend.

ianhT6238TBSep 1, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Castle

Glen was a delightful guide and we appreciated the fact that it wasn't a huge tour group also. I have never used TripAdvisor before but will again. Full marks to Glen

karencB7464QQSep 1, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Great tour

Fantastic Tour. Ignas was our guide and he was so passionate about supplying information and his knowledge was immense.

Andrew_CSep 1, 2026VIATOR

Great guide at a place filled with amazing history!

Jen was great! She knew a ton of history and shared it with humor, while also fielding random questions with solid answers. Thanks for showing us around your castle, Jen!

A7333EGbeckymAug 31, 2026TRIPADVISOR

A fun trip through Edinburgh Castle history.

Joe was a great guide. I'm hearing impaired. His diction was clear and I had no problem following what he said. His stories were entertaining and very informative. The tour was a good choice.

J4759VPwilliamrAug 31, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Additional information

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.
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