Britain · CITY TOURS IN EDINBURGH
There is always one day too few. These 15 city tours in Edinburgh earn the slot, priced and timed so the decision takes minutes.
Review of Edinburgh’s 24-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour, with route details, family value, audio commentary, tips, and honest drawbacks.
“It’s good as the usual bus tours where you can make your own itinerary, we just found it to be a bit short route.”
Cruise beneath Edinburgh’s Three Bridges, spot seals and seabirds, and decide if Inchcolm Island is worth the extra landing fee.
“I had so much fun and even saw seals. The tour was very informative and learned a lot. Plan for extra time to walk around Queensferry!”
Explore Edinburgh’s South Bridge Vaults and Covenanters’ Prison on a funny, spooky 1-hour-45-minute tour for history and ghost-story fans.
“We started off well enough, and the guide was accommodating towards a guest who needed to back out of the initial underground vaults. Our group had about 5 or 6 older adults that were a bit challenged to keep up with the guide in the rain, with slick sidewalks and stair. The weather wasn’t his fault but he just walked so fast.q He told interesting tales but they were often a bit disjointed. For a tour due to end by 21:30-21:45, he kept us out in the chilly rainy, damp at Greyfriars until 22:15, which is when we just walked away. We could no longer see anything. Just went on…”
Review of the Maid of the Forth cruise from Queensferry, with bridge views, wildlife, Inchcolm Island, practical tips, and value advice.
“can highly recommend!! especially for the ones who are interested in bridges :) 😀”
Cruise from Queensferry to Inchcolm Island for abbey ruins, Forth Bridge views, wildlife, beaches, and a relaxed three-hour escape.
“We enjoyed our trip to Inchcolm Island. Just wished we had more time to explore more. The time just flew by.”
Big Bus Edinburgh review covering stops, routes, commentary, timing, price, value, and practical tips for choosing this open-top city tour.
“Drivers should tell you if the stop u get off at the exhibit is closed! It’s a waste of tourist time on holiday”
Review of the Queensferry cruise to Inchcolm Island, with bridge views, abbey history, wildlife, costs, practical tips, and honest drawbacks.
“We had a very informative cruise. Great helpful staff. Inchcolm island definitely worth a visit. Again, Great staff. Well done to all involved.”
Explore Edinburgh’s haunted underground vaults, hear grim local history, and choose a daytime or nighttime tour with an expert guide.
“A very well organized and entertaining tour. Heather did an amazing job portraying the history of Edinburgh and what it was like to live in the vaults”
Cycle from Edinburgh’s canals and parks to Portobello Beach and Leith on a small-group e-bike or bicycle tour.
“My wife and I had a great time - neither of us had spent much time on E-bikes - but our guide Ricky was very helpful in getting us all adjusted and comfortable prior to heading out. I would definitely recommend using the ebike - as there are sections going uphill where this comes in handy. Ricky was highly engaging and entertaining (with his little dog Lucy in tow) - and made for a great guide. Not easy I’m sure leading a dozen people of various skill levels through the streets of Edinburgh and then into more remote areas - but he manages to do it well and was a…”
Review of the 90-minute Firth of Forth cruise from Queensferry, with bridge views, wildlife, Inchcolm Island, costs, tips, and practical advice.
“Nice place and nice ride. We have the chance to see Animals and islands. Bridges and Scotland/Edinburgh history.”
Explore Edinburgh’s Greyfriars Kirkyard on a small-group night tour filled with dark history, ghost stories, humor, and practical tips.
“Our guide, Ross, was spectacular, engaging, and full of dark humor. It was a very fun tour where we learned many anecdotes we didn’t know about Edinburgh, as well as terrifying stories from different spots around the city, with the cemetery as the main highlight. We had a great time, and it’s an experience we highly recommend if you want to enjoy yourself while discovering the darker side of the city.”
Learn better phone photography while exploring Edinburgh’s castle, closes, cathedral, and legends on this friendly one-hour walking tour.
“I loved this experience!! I learned so much. Thank you for helping me to elevate my photography. Highly recommend.”
Review of Edinburgh’s Big Bus city and Britannia routes, with 48-hour access, stop-by-stop tips, costs, drawbacks, and booking advice.
“We always book the hop on hop off bus to explore the city. We had the two tours. Both where very nice.”
Explore Edinburgh’s haunted South Bridge Vaults with expert guides, ghost stories, and real accounts in a small, atmospheric daytime tour.
“On March 19th, 2025, our small lovely group led by charismatic guide Joshua descended into the dark and mysterious vaults of old Edinburgh. I was rather sceptical - until Joshua started telling us his bone-chilling stories, in the complete darkness, illuminated only by the faint light of a lantern. I still get goosebumps when I remember that strange sensation of being in the presence of something dead and ghostly! The frightening reality of the past intertwined with horror. A brilliant and fascinating tour, played out like a small performance. Bravo, Joshua! For the first time in many years, I went to bed that night with the lights on!”
Review of Edinburgh’s private four-hour city tour, with hotel or port pickup, local guides, Royal Mile sights, access tips, and value advice.
“Had a wonderful time exploring the City of Edinburgh with our excellent guide Alan!! Thank you for bringing Edinburgh up close and personal!!”
Pick a city, a castle or a coastline.
