Guided Tours

Edinburgh Castle Guided Tour with Entry Tickets

4.8/5(426)

Billy R

Couple

Verified booking

Last week

Joe was a great guide. He had a really interesting story to tell about the castle and good insights for the highlights to see if we were limited in time. He also recommended a good pub for a meal. We took his advice and he was right. He was entertaining and informative and we got a lot out of the visit because of that.

Frank J

Couple

Verified booking

Last week

Loved the outing of the Edinburgh Castle. Our tour guide cabin,Gavin, was incredible. Gavin's knowledge oh the history of the castle and the stories he shared brought the story of the castle and the people alive. Thank you, Gavin.

Daniel G

Group

Verified booking

Last week

The castle's amazing history is well known. But the brilliant guidence fro Melanie (she is Canadian I think) took the experience to a whole other level. Best tour guide Ive ever had anywhere

Helen W

Solo

Verified booking

3 days ago

Our Guide, Charlie, was very informative about historical relevant events and threw in some amusing tidbits as well. He is the reason for my 5 star rating.

Mr Iain C

Couple

Verified booking

3 weeks ago

Mark was an excellent guide for our tour. As a historian he had a wonderful ability to inform on facts, figures and dates with incredible clarity. He was very knowledgeable and engaging with our group which made it very enjoyable as well as engaging. Thank you Mark. Edinburgh itself is an absolute gem and the tour could easily have lasted the whole day. So much to see.

Aaron E

Couple

Verified booking

3 weeks ago

Our guide was Australian David. He was a very informative, interactive guide with our group, always engaging with and getting the group to engage with him. Whoever get to go on a tour with Aussie David is sure to have a great time. Top marks to him.

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, an expert Spanish, Italian, French or German guide, an express guided tour or a small-group Royal Mile guided walking tour.

Entry to Edinburgh Castle

Guided tour of the Castle

Expert local English-speaking guide

Edinburgh city audio tour (digital app) in English, French & German

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

Free time for independent exploration of Edinburgh Castle

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

Additional paid upgrades:

1.5-hour extended guided tour of Edinburgh Castle

Expert Spanish, French, Italian or German-speaking guide

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

Small group of max. 20 guests

Headset and mobile device

Edinburgh Castle internal audio guide (£3.50)

Transportation

Gratuities

These tickets can't be cancelled. However, they can be rescheduled up to 72 hours before the experience begins.

426 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 46 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Mr Iain C
Couple
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
Mark was an excellent guide for our tour. As a historian he had a wonderful ability to inform on facts, figures and dates with incredible clarity. He was very knowledgeable and engaging with our group which made it very enjoyable as well as engaging. Thank you Mark. Edinburgh itself is an absolute gem and the tour could easily have lasted the whole day. So much to see.
Billy R
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
Joe was a great guide. He had a really interesting story to tell about the castle and good insights for the highlights to see if we were limited in time. He also recommended a good pub for a meal. We took his advice and he was right. He was entertaining and informative and we got a lot out of the visit because of that.
Aaron E
Couple
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
Our guide was Australian David. He was a very informative, interactive guide with our group, always engaging with and getting the group to engage with him. Whoever get to go on a tour with Aussie David is sure to have a great time. Top marks to him.
Frank J
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
Loved the outing of the Edinburgh Castle. Our tour guide cabin,Gavin, was incredible. Gavin's knowledge oh the history of the castle and the stories he shared brought the story of the castle and the people alive. Thank you, Gavin.
Elizabeth K
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
Due to traffic & parking issues we were late arriving for our time slot. Non the less the staff worked with us so we were at least able to get into the castle to wander around - much appreciated.

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.

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.

Expert guides: Opt for an expert Spanish, Italian, French or German speaking guide for better insights in the language of your choice.

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.

Some areas may be temporarily unavailable for visit.

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.