Edinburgh
Must see Edinburgh with a local
Iconic Sights & Hidden Gems • 8 hours
5
(93)
Must see Edinburgh with a local
See some of Edinburgh's top sites in a day, from the Royal Mile to Calton Hill, and a sprinkle of hidden gems on an experience fully tailored to you.
What makes this experience special
Key highlights
- Get to know Edinburgh’s highways and byways with your host
- See the most iconic attractions in one day
- Your host will design a unique experience for you which takes in the highlights and caters to your interests
- Discover the main sites as well as some hidden gems that are tucked away nearby
- Eat delicious Scottish dishes at places that are loved by locals, like a popular neighbourhood street food market, an eatery or pub
- Get recommendations from your host about places to visit for the remainder of your trip
What to know before you go
Here’s everything you need to know before your day unfolds.
8 hours
Fully tailored to your preferences
English Other languages may be requested
What’s included
Private and personalised experience
8 hours with a host
Walking experience
Hotel meet-up (available on request for central location)
What’s not included
Food and drink
Tickets to any attractions
Transportation costs
Gratuities (optional)
Meeting point
Your hotel/apartment or any other central locationCancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experienceWhat 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 mostWhat you’ll do
A full day in Edinburgh, you lucky thing! Reminiscent of an old tapestry, the capital is abundant with history (that every barman can tell you about), full of folklore, and perches seamlessly atop the crags of its natural landscape.
You’ll follow your Edinburgh host through the city’s antique streets, absorbing every ounce of its rich heritage.
Perhaps you’d like to see some of the city’s famous attractions, like Edinburgh Castle, the Scott Monument or walk the Royal Mile before heading to a cozy pub for a wee dram or two with your host? For a stunning view of Old Town, why not climb Arthur’s Seat?
With your host by your side, you’ll be able to tackle the city as a local might, falling into (or out of) pubs, visiting markets, frequenting bookstores, and navigating the most obscure crooks of the oldest neighborhoods. Like a good book, you’ll want to discover this charming city over and over again!
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
17,500+ 5-Star Reviews and Counting
Trusted and recommended by travelers worldwide, including 99% on Google and TripAdvisor.
recommended by 99% of travelers on google
recommended by 99% of travelers on tripadvisor
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What travelers think of our Edinburgh experiences
June 2025
We easily met Gee in Waverley Station, our meeting point. After a short introduction we started an interesting walking tour that he adapted to our interests and wishes. He is a great storyteller and showed us lot of hidden gems and remarkable details in and on the Edinburgh streets. We had a nice lunch in The Last Drop. We concluded our tour, that covered all the main places of interest, with a good beer in a beautiful pub. He made our visit to Edinburgh one of the highlights on our cruise.
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June 2025
We easily met Gee in Waverley Station, our meeting point. After a short introduction we started an interesting walking tour that he adapted to our interests and wishes. He is a great storyteller and showed us lot of hidden gems and remarkable details in and on the Edinburgh streets. We had a nice lunch in The Last Drop. We concluded our tour, that covered all the main places of interest, with a good beer in a beautiful pub. He made our visit to Edinburgh one of the highlights on our cruise.
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Lauren
Mar 2023
Tom had great knowledge of the area, fun stories/antidotes and easy to talk with! Tom by himself made up for the previous guide canceling on us last minute. I would schedule another tour with Tom, given the chance! We are still disappointed about the last minute cancellation, as it would have been an even better experience if we had Tom’s recommendation for the remainder of our time in Edinburgh.
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Mary
Aug 2022
I just had an absolutely spectacular six hours with Gwen. I gave her my vague preferences and a mention of my interest in the medical history of Edinburgh, and she turned that into a jam-packed day of new adventures and experiences. By my second hour in I got visibly excited every time Gwen said she had another "hidden gem" for me to see, because those finds were so consistently interesting and enriching. She is clearly someone who takes her role very seriously, and I couldn't have asked for a better companion for the day. 5 stars.
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Molly
Jul 2022
Gwen did a great job of showing me lots of places in old town I would have missed on my own and was solicitous of my welfare with the many steps, cobbles and crosswalks without lights. I had a wonderful time. It was a great introduction to Edinburgh, and she made some suggestions of places for me to see tomorrow.
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Camilla
Jul 2022
My mother is a very active octogenarian who wanted to tackle the Royal Mile and Gwen was so attentive and receptive to her needs and limits. We really enjoyed her customized tour with personal entertaining anecdotes about the places on and just off the beaten path. Getting to visit with a local made our trip so much better. Thank you Gwen.
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