Top Things To Do In Edinburgh

Tailoring each experience to your wishes by locals who love their city

Tourists enjoying the views of Edinburgh below from Arthur's Seat

Top things to do in Edinburgh

From exploring cool neighborhoods to eating with the locals to seeing iconic sites, these are some of our favorite experiences

Discover secret Edinburgh
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Edinburgh Discover secret Edinburgh

From a secret village to a roof top terrace with spectacular views of the city, your host will unlock the hidden gems you would miss on your own

$104.12 per person

3 hours

  • (56)

Explore Edinburgh's landscapes
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Edinburgh Explore Edinburgh's landscapes

Explore Edinburgh’s stunning natural surroundings from trails up Arthur’s Seat to catch sight of the city from above, to the windswept coastal paths.

$130.15 per person

4 hours

  • (42)

Day trip to south Queensferry
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Edinburgh Day trip to south Queensferry

Take a day trip from Edinburgh to this charming harbour town and explore the quaint town center full of quirky shops and independent boutiques.

$330.17 per person

8 hours

  • (81)

Edinburgh whisky experience
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Edinburgh Edinburgh whisky experience

Stroll through the historic Old Town with a fellow whisky-lover, stopping to try four whiskies from Scotland’s major whisky-producing regions.

$144.54 per person

3 hours

  • (55)

Half day in Edinburgh with a local
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Edinburgh Half day in Edinburgh with a local

4 hours tailored to what you want to see and do. So whether it's ticking off main sites or discovering hidden gems, it's up to you and your host!

$130.15 per person

4 hours

  • (134)

A night in Edinburgh with a local
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Edinburgh A night in Edinburgh with a local

Explore beautiful Edinburgh after dark, guided by your host! From walking along the Royal Mile to mingling with the locals at a bar, it's up to you!

$150.7 per person

4 hours

  • (84)

Edinburgh arts and culture experience
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Suggested product owner City Unscripted Original

Edinburgh Edinburgh arts and culture experience

Explore the internationally renowned arts scene in Edinburgh and immerse yourself in its rich culture with an art-savvy host.

$104.12 per person

3 hours

  • (77)

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Tourists enjoying the views of Edinburgh below from Arthur's Seat

Wondering what to do in Edinburgh?

Edinburgh is so perfectly intertwined with its landscape that it seems to have sprouted naturally from the ground. Draped elegantly across undulated hills and overlooking the sparkling sea, the Scottish capital shows off without even trying. In this stunning cityscape that demands exploration, amazing things to do in Edinburgh are around every cobbled corner. Whether you’re the type of traveler who wants to marvel at one architectural feat after the other, taste the very best of Scotland’s humble toasties and haggis, or soak up the city’s centuries-old high culture, art, and literature, the things to do in Edinburgh will keep you coming back for more.

Meet some of our Edinburgh local hosts

A tourist taking photos of Edinburgh's cityscape from the top of Arthur's Seat

A stunning cityscape

Few places in the world are as beautiful as Edinburgh. The Scottish capital’s charm isn’t just owing to its picturesque jumble of historic buildings, but to the gorgeous natural landscape it’s sprouted from. The things to do in Edinburgh spotlight just how lovely the city is. Razor-thin cobblestone alleys wind between breathtaking Gothic architecture and towering spires, and lamplit streets lined by medieval tenements exist under the watchful eye of a 900-year-old castle perched atop an extinct volcano. You’d be forgiven for thinking you’d stepped into the pages of a storybook.

Tourists walking along Victoria Street in Edinburgh with a local guide

Art for the ages

The art and culture scene in the city is ripe for exploration – many things to do in Edinburgh reveal a city that inspires creativity in all its forms. You could visit contemporary spaces like the Ingleby Gallery, or simply stroll the streets of Leith and discover its renowned street art scene. Edinburgh is also a literary icon, and its storytelling heritage is tangible in the Old Town, where you could explore the Scottish Storytelling Centre and look out for poems inscribed into the pavements. Whatever you decide, the things to do in Edinburgh will surprise and delight all lovers of art.

Tourists enjoying al fresco dining at a Scottish pub in Edinburgh with a local guide

The best of Scottish food

There’s no better place to indulge in authentic Scottish cuisine than right here in its capital city – and, luckily, some of the most memorable things to do in Edinburgh involve food in one way or another. The cuisine is hearty, homely, and incredibly delicious – perfect for those atmospheric rainy days the city is so famous for. From cozy cafés serving shortbread or scones slivers of salmon at a local market, Scottish food can’t help but make you feel good. Of course, one of the best things to do in Edinburgh is tasting its iconic haggis, washed down with a dram of single malt whisky.

Edinburgh travel tips and inspiration from our Travel Magazine

Find essential city info, travel tips and the best things to do in Edinburgh and around the world recommended by our local hosts

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Latest reviews from our guests

    Andre was wonderful! We learned so much in this private walking tour. He made sure we were near the castle at 1 since my daughter wanted to hear and see the cannon. He showed us the clock that has all the different things in it. He made 6 hours go by quickly.

    6 April 2026

    Stephanie L

    With Richard we had a great experience with in Edinburgh. What stood out immediately was how well-structured and efficient the tour was no wasted time, but never felt rushed. Richards combined strong historical knowledge with engaging storytelling, which made the city feel alive rather than just a series of landmarks. He was also very good at reading us a family so adjusting pace, answering questions thoughtfully, and adding small details you wouldn’t get from a typical scripted tour. Overall, this was a high-quality experience and easily one of the better city tours I’ve done. I would recommend it to anyone visiting Edinburgh who wants more than just surface-level information.

    5 April 2026

    Ayhan S

    Alice was phenomenal! If I could leave her 50 stars I absolutely would! We were captivated by her stories and the choices she made for us were perfect! We asked to get out of the busy tourist areas and see things off the beaten path. She did exactly that! She even chose a local pub that was wonderful. It was here that she wrapped up our tour with a few final stories and personal experiences. Request Alice and you will have such a unique and truly enjoyable experience!

    25 March 2026

    Robin L

    Calcedonio gave us a great tour of Edinburgh. He gave us wonderful background on the history, architecture and growth of Edinburgh over the years. Calcedonio was very passionate about Edinburgh, welcomed questions and made recommendations. He was also very flexible to our requests. Well worth the experience and very reasonable.

    20 March 2026

    Julie V

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