Guided Tours

Edinburgh Castle Guided Tour

Name: Edinburgh Castle Guided Tour
Start: 2026-03-16T12:15:00
End: 2026-03-16T13:45:00
Location: Edinburgh

Edinburgh Castle stone facade with archway on guided walking tour.

Family exploring Edinburgh Castle courtyard, Scotland.

Visitors walking towards the Esplanade Entrance of Edinburgh Castle, Scotland.

Prisoner hammocks inside Edinburgh Castle's war room.

Duration

1 hr 30 min - 2 hr 15 min

Open today

9:30am - 5:00pm

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Audio guide

Enhance your experience with multilingual audio guide

Guided tour

4.8/5

(220)

George

Feb 2026

Verified booking

Linda was brilliant at giving insight and making it a fun and memorable experience. She went above and beyond to answer questions and make the day enjoyable. The tour was done really well with it starting outside the castle and touring through the castle walls and Linda finding quiet locations to give information so we could all hear. Would definitely recommend.

Catelin

Dec 2025

Verified booking

Guide for Edinburgh castle was great (Joe)! Very funny, knowledgeable and good at keeping the group contained and moving! The only things I would change is add a QR code to the ticket because printing it made it difficult as well as just explaining on the website that the guide could not take you inside the castle due to space restrictionand you had to do that yourself. Overall, a nice time at both locations!

Alasdair

Jan 2026

Verified booking

Holyrood Palace tour was awesome, The Castle guided tour under the guidance of Gavin was even better. Gavin was very knowledgeable and funny. Only downside to Castle tour was an overseas couple who were sharing their tour with FaceTime or similar, talking and being a nuisance when Gavin was speaking. Very rude and the only negative to a great day. Thank you.

Tao

Dec 2025

Verified booking

Our guide Mark was fantastic! He is knowledgeable and passionate about the Scotland and England history!he made us proud by Edinburgh's history and its culture. We will definitely recommend him to our friends who are planning to have a trip to Edinburgh!

Stephen

Dec 2025

Verified booking

The ture guide was knowledgeable and accommodating. She made sure that everyone made it to the tour. Then she took is aside to set the seen and add to the mindset of the time period.she also involved the tourists in the story for the fun of it.

Sebnem

Oct 2025

Verified booking

The Guide was English really clear to understand. He gave clear instructions about the tour and what was coming up. The story of the castle was great. Raj, explained all about the 7 mile and the castle at the bottom. Best of all he was humorous and tactful. I would recommend this tour to everyone who goes to Edinburgh Castle.

Explore Edinburgh Castle (exterior) with a local English-speaking guide and hear fascinating tales of royalty, sieges, and legendary events in just 45 mins.

See the Great Hall, St. Margaret’s Chapel, the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh, and marvel at Scotland’s Crown Jewels independently after the guided tour.

Stand atop Castle Rock to soak in sweeping views of the city and uncover hidden treasures with your included Edinburgh city audio tour on your own digital app.

Upgrade for a longer 1.5-hour guided tour, or a small-group Royal Mile guided walking tour with skip-the-line entry to the castle.

Entry to Edinburgh Castle

45-min express guided tour of Edinburgh Castle (outside the castle)

Free time for independent exploration of Edinburgh Castle

Expert local English-speaking guide

Edinburgh city audio tour (digital app)

Additional paid upgrades:

1.5-hour extended guided tour of Edinburgh Castle

2.15-hour guided tour of Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile

Skip-the-line entry to Edinburgh Castle

Small group of max. 20 guests

15% discount on Edinburgh Gin Distillery experiences (subject to availability; see voucher for details)

Headset and mobile device

Edinburgh Castle internal audio guide (£3.50)

Transportation

Gratuities

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

220 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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Guests from United States, Canada, Australia and over 40 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Patricia
Mar 2026
Verified booking
We enjoyed our Royal Mile Walking Tour and Castle visit. The weather was amazing and our tour guide did a great job telling us about the history of the area. Highly recommend this tour!
Ian
Mar 2026
Verified booking
Our guide Linda was fantastic! So knowledgeable about the history of The Royal Mile and the castle. Really enjoyed the experience and would highly recommend.
Grillier
Mar 2026
Verified booking
Linda is a very good guide. Very knowledgeable ands very enthusiastic. We truly enjoyed the tour with her
Vanessa
Mar 2026
Verified booking
The tour was lovely! Our guide Ross was very knowledgeable as well as funny.
Kennneth
Mar 2026
Verified booking
Ben was great very knowledgeable Fun tour

Walk back in time with a 45-min express guided tour of Edinburgh Castle, the fortress where Scotland’s royalty once lived.

Getting started

Meet your guide at the meeting point indicated on your booking voucher. After check-in, join your group for the walk to the castle entrance, where your guide will introduce the route and key highlights.

What to expect

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle crowns Castle Rock as a powerful symbol of Scottish heritage. For centuries, it has stood witness to pivotal moments in the nation’s history. Today, it offers visitors a vivid window into Scotland’s storied past.

Features:

The Great Hall: Step inside the grand hall where monarchs, including Mary, Queen of Scots, once hosted feasts and gatherings.

Royal Palace: Visit the former royal residence and discover its role in the lives of Scotland’s kings and queens.

St. Margaret’s Chapel: See Edinburgh’s oldest surviving building, dating back to the 12th century.

Royal Mile: Walk the Royal Mile, the historic street linking Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, lined with centuries-old buildings, shops, and landmarks.

English-speaking guide: Gain insights, get personalised attention, and clarify your doubts from your expert guide.

Audio tour: After your guided tour and independent exploration of the castle, learn more about the city with an insightful audio tour, available on a digital app.

Extras

Extended tour: Want more insights on a longer tour? Choose the extended 1.5-hour tour for a more comprehensive experience.

Skip-the-line entry: Save time by skipping the long queues to Edinburgh Castle.

Royal Mile walking tour: Go on a guided walking tour of the most famous street in Edinburgh.

Small-group: In a small-group setting of just 20 guests, you get a better chance to learn in-depth about the castle and get your questions answered in more detail.

Edinburgh Castle

Monday	9:30am - 5:00pm	last entry 4:00pm
Tuesday	9:30am - 5:00pm	last entry 4:00pm
Wednesday	9:30am - 5:00pm	last entry 4:00pm
Thursday	9:30am - 5:00pm	last entry 4:00pm
Friday	9:30am - 5:00pm	last entry 4:00pm
Saturday	9:30am - 5:00pm	last entry 4:00pm
Sunday	9:30am - 5:00pm	last entry 4:00pm

What to bring

Bring a valid photo ID if requested at the entrance.

Download the audio app before reaching the meeting point to dodge any network glitches at the location. Simply scan the QR code on your voucher and follow the instructions to download the Vox City app and the city map in your preferred language. If you encounter any problems, contact customer@voxcity.com or contact customer support live 24/7 through the website.

Carry your earphones for an immersive audio guide experience.

What’s not allowed

Luggage, large bags, and bags over 30L in volume are not permitted inside Edinburgh Castle.

Due to venue restrictions, your pets are not permitted.

Drones are strictly prohibited on the premises.

Access to the roof is not permitted in poor weather conditions.

Accessibility

The experience is not fully wheelchair-accessible due to uneven terrain and steps within the castle grounds and surrounding areas.

Additional information

The guided tour takes place outdoors around Edinburgh Castle. Entry to interior buildings is not included during the guided portion, but you may explore them independently after the tour.

Specific stops during the tour are assigned by castle authorities and may vary.

Minors must be accompanied by an adult to join the tour.

Please arrive at the meeting point at least 10-15 mins before your scheduled start time.

If Edinburgh Castle is unexpectedly closed on the day of your visit, tickets to Holyrood Palace will be provided instead if available.

Meeting points may vary by tour. Ensure you check your booking confirmation for details.

Please note the Honours of Scotland (Crown Jewels) will be closed from January 12 to Easter in 2026.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.