Iconic Sights & Hidden Gems • 2 hours 5.0
(80)

A royal walk: Edinburgh Castle to Arthur’s Seat

Walk around the beautiful Old Town and the streets surrounding Edinburgh Castle admiring incredible architecture and discovering hidden gems.

Walking is undoubtedly the best way to see the city so bring a sturdy pair of shoes to deal with the cobbled streets!

What makes this experience special

Key highlights

  • Meet a local host outside Edinburgh Castle and take a walk to Arthur’s Seat
  • Discover the heart of the city and explore the historic Old Town
  • See some of the city’s most popular attractions along the bustling Royal Mile
  • Get a bird's-eye view of the city from the summit of Arthur’s Seat
  • Have a helpful host on hand to share insider tips and recommendations for the rest of your trip

What to know before you go

Here’s everything you need to know before your day unfolds.

2 hours
Fully tailored to your preferences
English Other languages may be requested

What’s included

Private and personalized 2-hour tour
Can pick-up from your accommodation (if within reasonable distance)
Walking tour

What’s not included

Food and drinks
Any tickets to attractions
Gratuities (optional)
Transportation to/ from meeting point
Public/private transportation during the tour

Meeting point

Outside Edinburgh Castle

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience

What to bring

  • We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and carrying a light bag for your essentials.
  • Public transport may be used during the experience - please bring a travel card or small amount of cash for fares.

How your day could unfold

A flexible, unscripted experience designed entirely around your interests. Your host will adapt the day based on what excites you most

What you’ll do

You’ve just spent some time in the city’s most famous attraction, Edinburgh Castle – now it’s time to meet up with a local host and see what Edinburghers get up to in Auld Reekie.

You’ll be guided from the Castle through the charming Old Town, a historic district that’s home to many of the city’s top entertainment spots, from traditional Scottish restaurants to modern museums (and many quaint, cobbled streets that inspired Harry Potter).

You could grab a humble cheese toastie and a moment of peace away from the crowds at Dunbar’s Close, a 17th-century-style secret garden, then stroll slowly up a winding trail to Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano and a tranquil oasis far from the crowds.

1. Select a date
2. Select start time
3. Tailor your experience
Answer a few quick questions to help your host craft the perfect day tailored to you.
1. What’s your preferred hosting style?
2. How would you like the pace of your day?
3. What’s your walking comfort level?
4. Are you celebrating something special?

Real Stories, Real Connections

See our hosts and guests creating memories

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Kim Sep 2025

Our experience with Colin was great. He communicated well and we saw and learnt a lot. Highly recommended.

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Keith Sep 2025

Gwen is a great Host!!

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Keith Sep 2025

Gwen was the best and on the trip we learned about all of the specialized tours she does as well. My wife and I would highly recommend Gwen to host the variety of tours she offers.

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Danielle Marie Jun 2025

Covered all the big sites in the area, a great way to check off the boxes

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Lauriaselle May 2025

Wonderful introduction to the city and its history. Loved the combination of well known sites and lesser known hidden gems. Thank you Doug for a fantastic day.

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Wendy Feb 2025

Gee was attentive to our interest and made a great effort. We were impressed by his knowledge and how he made history come alive during the tour. Thanks to Gee’s tips , we manage to find Best Buys that are made in Scotland only and also find delicious food . He also suggested to us several attractions. These attractions were useful to our understanding of Scotland . I am also grateful for the great photo shots he took for us ! Thank you , Gee ! Keep up the good work !

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