The 7 Best Edinburgh Castle Tours & Tickets

1.Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5,540 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $51Our pick

Spend about 90 minutes on an English-language walking tour of Edinburgh Castle, with entry included and time afterward to explore its buildings on your own. Guides such as Joe, Sonia, Raj, and Valeria have led lively tours, though your guide will vary. The guided portion is outdoors, so dress for Edinburgh weather and bring time to stay inside the castle grounds afterward.

“This was my first time using a tour guide for anything and I must say that Sonia was phenomenal!! I didn’t think I would make it to the end of the tour because it was freezing, but Sonia made it well worth it! She was knowledgeable, funny and full of enthusiasm and I would honestly highly recommend her as a tour guide!!”

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2.Edinburgh Castle Guided Walking Tour in English

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5,214 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $52

Meet Little Fish Tours on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile for a guided walk to the castle, where your guide explains its history, grounds, dungeons, and Crown Jewels. Skip the entry line, then explore the castle buildings on your own. Guides such as Steph, Euan, Greg, and Koffe have earned praise for lively storytelling and humor.

“Graeme was an incredible guide, keeping adults and children of all ages engaged. His accent makes the tour even better!”

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3.Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle – Small Group Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,523 reviews · 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $70

Follow a guide along the Royal Mile, through narrow closes and old courtyards, past St Giles’ Cathedral and John Knox House, then up to Edinburgh Castle. The group is capped at 18, and the castle option includes a 45-minute introduction before free time. Guides have included Craig, Linda, Nicola, Marina, and Mally.

“Amazing tour guide and tour, Marina was well informed, so knowledgeable and made the tour fun, I thoroughly enjoyed the tour and would recommend attending sing this if you are visiting Edinburgh.”

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4.Edinburgh Castle Guided Tour – Tickets Included

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,211 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $51

Join a 90-minute guided walk from the Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle, with direct entry included. Guides such as James, David, Laura and Joe have brought the castle’s people and past to life with clear explanations and humor. The tour covers the grounds, then leaves you free to explore the buildings on your own.

“Guide was knowledgable and entertaining. He was accommodating and patient with the groups needs. Great time, even with a young child.”

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5.Edinburgh Castle & Royal Mile Walking Tour – Ticket Included

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 894 reviews · 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $65

Follow Edinburgh’s Royal Mile from the Mercat Cross and St Giles’ Cathedral to Victoria Street, the Grassmarket and Edinburgh Castle. A local guide covers the Old Town and the castle grounds, with admission included and time to explore the castle’s indoor exhibits at your own pace. Guides have included Paul, Mark, James and Zenon.

“Paul was a fantastic tour guide. He had terrific knowledge of Edinburgh's history and presented it with a lot of fun, humour and energy. We'd highly recommend him.”

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6.Edinburgh Castle Highlights Tour with Tickets, Map, and Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 362 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $58

Meet your guide by the David Hume Statue on the Royal Mile, then walk into Edinburgh Castle for a 90-minute tour of its defences, St. Margaret’s Chapel, Royal Palace, and Scottish Crown Jewels. Guides including John, Charlotte, and Sara have led lively, story-filled tours. Your ticket and map are included, and you can stay to explore after the guided visit.

“Great host! The tour was informative and the tour guide was a hoot. The weather was turning fast but he still made it fun and I would recommend this to anyone”

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7.Harry Potter Tour & Edinburgh Castle Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 340 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $102

Join a small group of up to 15 for a two-hour walk from Tron Kirk Market through the Royal Mile, Greyfriars, Victoria Street and other Harry Potter-inspired corners of Edinburgh. Guides such as Jackson, Hazel, Kirsty and Paul have led the route. Then use your included ticket to explore Edinburgh Castle on your own for about two hours.

“We are traveling in Scotland with the whole family, from my ten year old twins to my eighty year old parents, and everyone loved this tour. Our kids are Harry Potter diehards and Hazel was incredibly knowledgeable about the places and things that inspired JK Rowling in writing the books. But she also knows her Scottish History so even those in our group who don’t know Harry Potter learned and enjoyed. There’s a lot of walking which we loved. We went in the winter so it was chilly. Dress warmly if you do the same with lots of layers. There were so many surprises and delights packed into two hours.…”

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