Free, tip what you liked · ★ 9.5/10 (1,060 reviews) · on Civitatis
Quick answer
Yes. There are 2 free walking tours in Edinburgh listed here, bookable for free on Civitatis. The most reviewed is Edinburgh Free Tour: it meets at 369 High Street (Royal Mile), opposite St. Giles' Cathedral, lasts about 2h and is guided in English, rated 9.5/10 from 1,060 reviews.
Start times vary by date and are confirmed when you book.
Edinburgh is really two cities facing each other across Princes Street Gardens. The Old Town runs down the spine of rock from the castle to Holyrood Palace, packed with tall tenements and narrow alleys called closes. The New Town, planned in the 18th century, answers with wide streets and orderly squares. Together they are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and most of what visitors want to see is within a short walk.
The two free tours both stay in the Old Town. The main one starts on the Royal Mile opposite St Giles' Cathedral and heads to the Writers' Museum, Victoria Street, the Grassmarket and Greyfriars Kirkyard. The ghost tour meets nearby and follows the city's darker stories from the Mercat Cross through the closes and across North Bridge to Calton Hill.
Plan your visit to Edinburgh
What to see in Edinburgh
Edinburgh Castle sits at the top of the Royal Mile and holds the Scottish crown jewels; tickets are sold on the official castle website. Walk down the Royal Mile past St Giles' Cathedral to the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Scottish Parliament at the other end.
For a view over everything, climb Calton Hill in the evening or, if you have two hours and decent shoes, Arthur's Seat. The free national museums, including the National Museum of Scotland near Greyfriars, are good for rainy afternoons. The city's official tourism site, Forever Edinburgh, lists current events.
Getting around and when to go
The centre is walkable; trams run from the airport to the New Town and Leith, and buses cover the rest. May to September has the longest days and mildest weather, with August taken over by festivals. The month-by-month guide has more, and London and Dublin both have free tours if you are travelling on.
Good to know before you go
Pack layers and a waterproof whatever the forecast. Edinburgh weather changes quickly, and the wind on the Royal Mile can be sharp even in summer.
In August the Fringe and the other festivals fill the city. It is a great time to visit but accommodation costs much more; book months ahead.
Edinburgh Castle sells timed tickets online. Buy them before you go, especially in summer and during the festivals.
The Old Town is hilly and cobbled, with plenty of steps between levels. Good walking shoes make the closes and Victoria Street much easier.
Yes, two on Civitatis. The Edinburgh Free Tour covers St Giles', the Writers' Museum, Victoria Street, the Grassmarket and Greyfriars Kirkyard. The Edinburgh Free Ghost Tour covers the Mercat Cross, the Old Town closes, North Bridge and Calton Hill.
Where does the Edinburgh free tour start?
The main English tour meets at 369 High Street on the Royal Mile, opposite St Giles' Cathedral. The ghost tour meets at 190 High Street, next to Parliament Square. The exact point and how to recognise the guide are confirmed in your booking.
Is the Edinburgh ghost tour suitable for children?
The operator does not recommend it for children under five because of its dark themes, ghost stories and historical violence. Older children who enjoy spooky stories usually do fine.
Does the free tour go inside Edinburgh Castle?
No. Neither tour enters the castle, which needs its own ticket. The main tour covers the Old Town below it, with Harry Potter-related spots along the way.
How much should I tip on a free tour in Edinburgh?
There is no fixed amount. At the end you give the guide what you think the tour was worth, in pounds. Our tip calculator shows the usual range for the UK.
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