Edinburgh Old Town

Tourist attraction
★ 4.8 (70K+ reviews) • 10K+ booked
Step back in time and immerse yourself in the historic charm of Edinburgh Old Town, the oldest part of Scotland's capital city. With its preserved medieval street plan and Reformation-era buildings, this area is a treasure trove of cultural and historical significance. Together with the New Town and West End, it forms a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering visitors a unique glimpse into the past. Edinburgh, Scotland's capital city, is a must-see destination rich in history and things to do. Old Town Edinburgh, home to the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle, is the oldest part of the city with a unique character that captures the essence of Edinburgh. Explore the cobblestone streets and immerse yourself in the city's vibrant culture and history. Step into the enchanting world of Edinburgh's Old Town, where history, culture, and charm collide to create a truly magical experience. From the iconic Edinburgh Castle to the vibrant food and drink scene, this district is a treasure trove waiting to be explored. Discover the heart of the Scottish capital in the Old Town, where every cobblestone tells a story and every corner hides a secret.
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Edinburgh Old Town, Edinburgh, UK

The best of Edinburgh Old Town

Bucket-list experiences

Old Town and Underground Ghost Tour in Edinburgh

Old Town and Underground Ghost Tour in Edinburgh

Afternoon departure
English available
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
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★ 4.5 (4) • 50+ booked
£ 15.00
Edinburgh Dark Secrets of the Old Town Ghost Walking Tour

Edinburgh Dark Secrets of the Old Town Ghost Walking Tour

Evening departure
English available
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
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★ 4.7 (7) • 100+ booked
£ 15.95
Klook Pass Edinburgh

Klook Pass Edinburgh

Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 5.0 (2) • 50+ booked
From £ 52.00
£ 67.15
Klook exclusive
Old Town and Underground Historical Ghost Tour in Edinburgh

Old Town and Underground Historical Ghost Tour in Edinburgh

English available
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
Book now for today
£ 18.00
Evening Underground Ghost Tour in Edinburgh

Evening Underground Ghost Tour in Edinburgh

Evening departure
English available
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
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★ 3.7 (3)
£ 17.00
Edinburgh Castle to Arthur's Seat Private and Custom Walking Tour

Edinburgh Castle to Arthur's Seat Private and Custom Walking Tour

Private tour
Small group
English available
Private group
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
£ 84.70
Old Town Beer Tour in Edinburgh

Old Town Beer Tour in Edinburgh

Afternoon departure
Small group
English available
Instant confirmation
Book now for today
£ 45.89
Edinburgh Private Whisky Experience Tour with a Local Expert

Edinburgh Private Whisky Experience Tour with a Local Expert

Private tour
Small group
English available
Private group
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
£ 150.59
Edinburgh Private and Custom Food Tour with a Local Foodie

Edinburgh Private and Custom Food Tour with a Local Foodie

Private tour
Small group
English available
Private group
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
£ 173.59
Loch Ness Explorer Day Tour from Edinburgh
Klook's choice

Loch Ness Explorer Day Tour from Edinburgh

English available
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
Book now for today
★ 4.5 (54) • 1K+ booked
From £ 28.55
20 off
Sale
Edinburgh Castle Tour

Edinburgh Castle Tour

Bestseller
English available
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
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★ 4.6 (37) • 1K+ booked
£ 34.89
Glenfinnan, Fort William, and Glencoe Day Tour from Edinburgh

Glenfinnan, Fort William, and Glencoe Day Tour from Edinburgh

English available
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
Book now for tomorrow
★ 4.8 (35) • 600+ booked
£ 47.25
£ 63.00

Make it a getaway

InterContinental Edinburgh The George, an IHG Hotel

InterContinental Edinburgh The George, an IHG Hotel

Instant confirmation
★ 4.4 (1,004)
From £ 131.43
Dakota Edinburgh

Dakota Edinburgh

Instant confirmation
★ 4.6 (1,091)
From £ 67.41
Braid Apartments by Mansley

Braid Apartments by Mansley

Instant confirmation
★ 4.8 (571)
From £ 88.25
PREMIER SUITES Edinburgh Fountain Court

PREMIER SUITES Edinburgh Fountain Court

Instant confirmation
★ 4.6 (191)
From £ 76.76
ibis budget Edinburgh Park

ibis budget Edinburgh Park

Instant confirmation
★ 4.0 (1,001)
From £ 45.24
DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh Airport

DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh Airport

Instant confirmation
★ 4.3 (1,004)
From £ 63.96
Novotel Edinburgh Park

Novotel Edinburgh Park

Instant confirmation
★ 4.4 (1,001)
From £ 63.20
Edinburghhouse Hotel

Edinburghhouse Hotel

Instant confirmation
★ 3.1 (821)
From £ 33.48
Edinburgh Castle Apartments and Suites

Edinburgh Castle Apartments and Suites

Instant confirmation
★ 4.4 (387)
From £ 63.22
Grassmarket hotel

Grassmarket hotel

Instant confirmation
★ 4.2 (998)
From £ 63.27
£ 75.31
Leonardo Edinburgh City

Leonardo Edinburgh City

Instant confirmation
★ 4.4 (1,001)
From £ 74.02
Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh City West, an IHG Hotel

Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh City West, an IHG Hotel

Instant confirmation
★ 4.2 (998)
From £ 55.18

Trouble-free transport

Private Edinburgh Airport (EDI) Transfers for Edinburgh by GetTransfer

Private Edinburgh Airport (EDI) Transfers for Edinburgh by GetTransfer

Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 2.5 (2)
£ 51.25
Eurail Global Pass

Eurail Global Pass

Bestseller
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
Book now for today
★ 4.6 (2,492) • 80K+ booked
From £ 238.75
BritRail Pass for England, Wales and Scotland

BritRail Pass for England, Wales and Scotland

Bestseller
★ 4.8 (184) • 3K+ booked
From £ 116.95
BritRail Spirit of Scotland Pass
From £ 174.45

More to explore

Loch Ness, Glencoe & The Scottish Highlands Day Tour from Edinburgh

Loch Ness, Glencoe & The Scottish Highlands Day Tour from Edinburgh

English available
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
Book now for tomorrow
★ 4.4 (31) • 400+ booked
£ 49.30
£ 58.00
3-Day Isle of Skye, The Highlands & Loch Ness Tour from Edinburgh

3-Day Isle of Skye, The Highlands & Loch Ness Tour from Edinburgh

English available
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.6 (15) • 300+ booked
From £ 175.55
£ 220.00
The Scotch Whisky tour in Scotland

The Scotch Whisky tour in Scotland

English available
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
Book now for today
★ 4.7 (3) • New Activity
From £ 24.00
Palace of Holyroodhouse Ticket in Edinburgh

Palace of Holyroodhouse Ticket in Edinburgh

Bestseller
Instant confirmation
★ 4.7 (82) • 2K+ booked
£ 20.95
Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Day Tour from Edinburgh

Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Day Tour from Edinburgh

English available
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
Book now for tomorrow
★ 4.5 (35) • 600+ booked
£ 92.15
Jacobite Steam Train & the Scottish Highlands Tour from Edinburgh

Jacobite Steam Train & the Scottish Highlands Tour from Edinburgh

English available
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.6 (7) • 100+ booked
£ 151.20
20 off
Sale
Holy Island, Alnwick Castle & Northumbria Tour from Edinburgh

Holy Island, Alnwick Castle & Northumbria Tour from Edinburgh

English available
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 5.0 (4)
£ 55.00
Loch Lomond, Stirling Castle & the Kelpies Day Tour from Edinburgh

Loch Lomond, Stirling Castle & the Kelpies Day Tour from Edinburgh

English available
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
Book now for tomorrow
★ 4.5 (6) • 100+ booked
£ 45.90
£ 54.00
St. Andrews and Fishing Villages of Fife Day Tour from Edinburgh

St. Andrews and Fishing Villages of Fife Day Tour from Edinburgh

English available
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 5.0 (4) • 50+ booked
£ 54.00
Harry Potter Walking Tour in Edinburgh

Harry Potter Walking Tour in Edinburgh

English available
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
Book now for today
★ 4.7 (6) • 100+ booked
£ 16.00
Edinburgh: Luggage Storage

Edinburgh: Luggage Storage

Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
Book now for today
★ 4.3 (6) • 100+ booked
£ 7.00
Scottish Highlands, Whisky & Waterfalls Tour from Edinburgh

Scottish Highlands, Whisky & Waterfalls Tour from Edinburgh

English available
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
£ 79.20
20 off
Sale

Why people love Edinburgh Old Town

4.8 /5
70K+ reviews
Read all reviews
limkangwanmongkol ******
11 Jan
Rich the tour guide is very good! The scenery is extremely beautiful! The itinerary and hotel arrangements were great! The introduction was also very detailed along the way, with interesting little stories. It was also a very comfortable time to stop and rest along the way. The hotel was great.
wei *********
10 Jan
the tour guard, Aussie Mark has done a wonderful job in the whole trip, shared all funny and unique information about Isle of Skye, a place we will be going back again in future.
2+
Siu ********
29 Dec 2024
I recently had the pleasure of touring the Scottish Highlands with Timberbush Tours, and I must say it was one of the most memorable travel experiences I have ever had. The Highlands exceeded all expectations in their beauty, and Timberbush elevated the experience with their exceptional service. From start to finish, the journey was seamless, with well-timed breaks and attentive care from the team, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable experience. I’d like to give special recognition to our tour guide, whose professionalism and extensive knowledge truly enhanced the trip. Her storytelling and sense of humor added a unique charm, making the tour not only informative but also genuinely entertaining.
2+
Lorelisa **********
27 Dec 2024
It was a very insightful tour. The visuals and explanations are engaging and you get to learn about the different types of whisky produced here.
1+
Yu ********
25 Dec 2024
The Loch Ness tour offers amazing views. Spending time around the jetty is sufficient, as the cruise does not provide much additional value. The sandwich given out during lunch was quite good, complemented by extra snacks like chips and shortbread. Most notably, the guide shared valuable historical insights throughout the journey, making it an enriching experience.
Yu ********
25 Dec 2024
My recent tour of Holy Island, Alnwick, and Bamburgh Castle was a fantastic experience, despite my original Outlander tour being canceled. The guide was outstanding, skillfully navigating us to Holy Island in challenging weather. Holy Island's rich history and stunning views were captivating, while Bamburgh Castle's dramatic coastal setting left a lasting impression. The guide even dropped us closer to our accommodations. I highly recommend this tour for its rich history and beautiful landscapes.
Người dùng Klook
21 Dec 2024
A great trip to experience the highlands, a bit rainy, but all good. Reasonable tour price
Alfredo ********
20 Dec 2024
Hassle free tour, nice and comfy coach. Tim, our bus driver and tour guide was punctual, knowledgeable and helpful.
2+

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FAQs about Edinburgh Old Town

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What to know before visiting Edinburgh Old Town

Remarkable Landmarks and Must-Visit Sights

Royal Mile

Explore the iconic Royal Mile, the main street of the Old Town that stretches from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace. Wander through narrow closes and alleyways, visit St. Giles' Cathedral, the General Assembly Hall, and the National Museum of Scotland, and discover hidden underground vaults and passages.

Edinburgh Castle

Perched atop Castlehill, Edinburgh Castle offers breathtaking views and a wealth of history to explore. Don't miss the Dog Cemetery and St Margaret’s Chapel.

National Museum Of Scotland

Explore the rich tapestry of Scotland's history at the National Museum of Scotland, where ancient artifacts and interactive exhibits bring the past to life. From geology to the industrial era, this museum is a journey through time.

Street Layout

The picturesque street layout of the Old Town showcases the historic development of the city, with the castle perched on a rocky crag and the main street running down a ridge. Explore the unique 'crag and tail' landform and discover the evolution of Edinburgh's urban design.

Residential Buildings

Experience some of the world's earliest 'high rise' residential buildings in the Old Town, dating back to the 16th century. Learn about the Great Fire of Edinburgh in 1824 and the subsequent reconstruction that led to the creation of underground spaces and vaults.

Archaeology

Delve into the archaeological history of the Old Town through excavations that have uncovered medieval tenements, 12th/13th-century deposits, and evidence of the city's development over the centuries. Gain insights into the past through ongoing archaeological work in the area.

Culture and History

Old Town Edinburgh is steeped in history, with landmarks like Edinburgh Castle, St Giles' Cathedral, and Greyfriars Kirkyard. Explore the rich cultural heritage of the city through its architecture, museums, and historic sites.

Local Cuisine

Indulge in the flavors of Edinburgh's Old Town with popular dishes like small plates at Mother India's Café, delightful cakes at Lovecrumbs, and contemporary fine dining at Timberyard. From traditional Scottish fare to modern culinary creations, the local cuisine is a feast for the senses.