Edinburgh Private Day Guided Tour in a Minivan

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Walk the historic mile linking Castle and Palace. Lined with landmarks, shops, and tales, it forms the vibrant spine of the Old Town.

   30 min

2. Rising high above the Old Town on Castle Hill, Edinburgh Castle stands as one of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks. Step inside its ancient walls to uncover the stories that have shaped the history of Edinburgh, Scotland, and Britain. Discover the elegant Royal Apartments, the historic Great Hall, and St Margaret’s Chapel, the oldest surviving structure in the city. A tour of the castle can be included in the tour as per your preferences, depending on timing.) or (drive by and drive through).

   1 h

3. Explore medieval closes and towering tenements. Discover stories of plague, fire, and innovation shaping a city that influenced urban planning worldwide.

   20 min

4. Admire elegant Georgian streets built to ease overcrowding. A vision of Enlightenment ideals, its symmetry and grandeur showcase ambitious 18th-century planning.

   20 min

5. The St. Giles Cathedral: The current church building dates from the 14th century onwards and its distinctive crown steeple is one of Edinburgh's best-known landmarks. The church's role in the Scottish Reformation and the Covenanters’ Rebellion has led to its being called "the Mother Church of World Presbyterianism". Alongside housing an active congregation, the church is one of Scotland's most popular visitor sites, welcoming over a million visitors in 2018.

   10 min

6. Stroll a narrow vennel passage to frame perfect castle views. These historic alleyways weave through the city, revealing dramatic perspectives and hidden corners.

   10 min

7. Discover the monarch’s Scottish residence. Its grand courtyard and historic chambers reflect royal tradition, with the Queen’s Gallery displaying treasures beside the palace.

   10 min

8. See the extinct volcano towering above the city. Drive Queens Drive for sweeping panoramas across Edinburgh and beyond to distant hills and sea.

   10 min

9. Meet Edinburgh’s most faithful dog and hear the touching story that made him a global symbol of loyalty.

   5 min

10. Discover one of the world’s oldest surgical museums, home to fascinating — and sometimes shocking — exhibits from medical history.

    15 min

11. Visit this charming riverside town. Admire the iconic Victorian Forth Rail Bridge and the striking modern Queensferry Crossing spanning the Firth of Forth.

    1 h

12. Wander this tranquil riverside enclave below Dean Bridge. Cross the Water of Leith and enjoy picturesque architecture in one of Edinburgh’s hidden gems.

    20 min

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 45 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

How it compares in Edinburgh

• Its from-price is 193% above the median of the 144 city tours we list in Edinburgh.
• It is longer than most of them.
• By number of reviews it ranks 27 of 144.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Edinburgh

Edinburgh, Scotland's capital, rises on volcanic hills, with a castle on a crag, a medieval Old Town and an elegant Georgian New Town.

Edinburgh Castle crowns Castle Rock and keeps the Honours of Scotland, the Scottish crown jewels. From there, the Royal Mile runs downhill through the Old Town, past St Giles' Cathedral and a warren of narrow closes, to the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Scottish Parliament. Arthur's Seat, an ancient volcano, rises above the palace with sweeping views.

Top-ranked sights in Edinburgh: Royal Mile, Edinburgh Old Town, Edinburgh Castle.

See all 1253 experiences in Edinburgh