4 Self-Guided Tours in Edinburgh, Compared

1.Harry Potter’s Edinburgh: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 42 reviews · 40 minutes to 1 hour (approx.) · from $11Our pick

Follow an English-language VoiceMap audio tour from Castlehill to the Elephant House, with stops near Edinburgh Castle, the Writers’ Museum, Victoria Street and Greyfriars Kirkyard. It takes about 40 minutes to an hour if you keep moving, but you can pause to explore. Download the audio, maps and location data for offline use.

“We absolutely loved this self-guided tour! The insider information, little tid-bits, and narration are fantastic! Great for adults and children; I highly recommend!”

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2.Highlights from Edinburgh’s Old Town: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.) · from $11Top rated

Walk from the Royal Scottish Academy to the Scottish Parliament with a VoiceMap audio guide and map. In about 90 minutes to two hours, you’ll hear about Old Town architecture and landmarks including St Giles Cathedral, Gladstone’s Land, and Riddle’s Court. The tour is in English, works offline, and comes with lifetime access. Bring your own phone and headphones.

“It was our first time using the app. Overall, the experience was relatively good. Sometimes it knew exactly where we were, but sometimes it didn't, which was a bit challening. This particular tour was very focused on the city's architecture, which I didn't recall from the description, so if you aren't as interested in that aspect of the city's history, you may want to try another tour.”

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3.A History of Witchcraft in Edinburgh: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $9Best value

Walk from the Palace of Holyrood to Castlehill with an English audio guide narrated by Kat. The route follows the Royal Mile, passing the Scottish Parliament, John Knox House, St Giles’ Cathedral, and Victoria Terrace. Hear stories about Scotland’s witchcraft history, the Wizard of West Bow, and the last witch of Scotland. Audio and maps work offline.

“I had a great time with the narrated tour by Kat. The facts were interesting but not overly dry and "textbook"-focused. Focused more on the storytelling aspect, which I really liked.”

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4.Highlights from the Royal Mile: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $19

Follow a self-guided VoiceMap audio walk from the Witches Well to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The English narration covers Castlehill, Lawnmarket, the High Street, and Canongate, with stories of Deacon Brodie, John Knox, St Giles Cathedral, and the Royal Mile’s darker past. Download the audio and map for offline use, then set your own pace.

“We loved the ability to set the pace and enjoy stopping to shop or take in scenery. Loved hearing all of the history”

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