Why CityAppTour?
Explore a city in 1 day
Stories from local guides
Pause whenever you want
Affordable
Stress-free navigation with audio guidance
English guide
Edinburgh's dramatic landscape, where the ancient volcanic Arthur's Seat watches over a city split between the medieval Old Town and Georgian New Town, creates a uniquely dual personality. The city that inspired Harry Potter with its winding closes and centuries-old taverns holds stories at every cobblestone turn, from the imposing Edinburgh Castle to the atmospheric Grassmarket.
These captivating narratives unfold through your headphones as you explore Edinburgh walking tours at your own pace. Local voices guide you through the city's contrasting architecture and rich literary heritage, allowing you to pause whenever a hidden courtyard catches your eye or when you need to sample some authentic Scottish shortbread.
Besides our self-guided tours Edinburgh offers many other ways to discover this magnificent city. Here are some suggestions that can enrich your visit:
Best Time to Visit
Edinburgh shines during the summer months (June-August) when daylight stretches until 10 pm, perfect for extended self-guided tours Edinburgh offers. August brings the famous Edinburgh Festival Fringe, transforming the city into a vibrant performance hub. For fewer crowds but still pleasant conditions, consider May or September when you can see Edinburgh without a guide and avoid the peak tourist rush.
Getting There
Edinburgh Airport connects to the city center via the Airlink 100 bus (£4.50) or tram (£6.50), both taking about 30 minutes. Edinburgh Waverley train station sits right in the heart of the city, making rail an excellent option for best tours in Edinburgh starting points. The compact city center means most Edinburgh sightseeing tours can be done on foot, though the comprehensive bus network helps with hillier sections.
Opening Hours and Holidays
Most attractions open around 9-10am and close between 5-6pm, with extended summer hours. Many museums offer free entry, including the excellent National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh shops typically open until 6pm (8pm on Thursdays), while pubs serve until midnight. Note that January 1st and 2nd are public holidays when many businesses close after Hogmanay (New Year) celebrations.
Comfort on the Go
Edinburgh's weather is famously changeable, so dress in layers and carry a waterproof jacket even on sunny days for comfortable Edinburgh walking tours. Wear sturdy shoes for the city's cobblestones and hills. Water fountains are available in major parks and some public buildings, but carrying a reusable bottle is recommended for how to see Edinburgh in one day efficiently.
Local Customs and Etiquette
Scots appreciate directness combined with politeness. Tipping is customary (10-15% in restaurants) but not mandatory. When visiting pubs, ordering at the bar rather than waiting for table service is the norm. If someone offers you a dram of whisky (never "whiskey" in Scotland), it's considered polite to at least try it – just remember to say "Slàinte!" (pronounced "slahn-ja") for "cheers."
Free walking tours exist in Edinburgh but operate on tips. CityAppTour offers a fixed-price route you can start the moment you arrive, covering the Old Town at your own speed on any day.
Behind every tour is a small team of historians, local storytellers and content creators with a passion for culture and heritage. We don't make generic guides, but personal narratives based on local knowledge, first-hand experience and historical research. That way you can be sure you won't hear clichés, but the real story of Edinburgh with its volcanic rock, its medieval closes and the literary tradition that made this city the most storied capital in Europe.
The eight unmissable experiences in Edinburgh are: Edinburgh Castle (the historic fortress on the volcanic rock at the top of the Royal Mile), the Royal Mile itself (the medieval spine of the Old Town running from the Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse), Holyrood Palace (the official Scottish residence of the monarch), Arthur's Seat (the 251-metre extinct volcano with panoramic views — a 90-minute return hike from the city centre), the Scottish National Museum (free entry, excellent coverage of Scottish history), Greyfriars Kirkyard (the atmospheric old cemetery that partly inspired J.K. Rowling), the Scotch Whisky Experience and the Georgian New Town — a UNESCO World Heritage streetscape.
Yes, the tour can be shared with the people you are travelling with. Check the app for the current sharing options and any available group discounts.
Two days is enough for a solid first visit but Edinburgh rewards more time. On day one: the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, Greyfriars Kirkyard and the Grassmarket. On day two: the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Arthur's Seat (allow 2 hours), the Scottish National Museum and the New Town including Princes Street Gardens. Three days adds the National Galleries, a day trip to Loch Lomond or St Andrews, or a deeper exploration of the Leith neighbourhood and the Royal Yacht Britannia.
The tour is written for adults, with content on Scottish history, the Jacobite rebellions and Edinburgh's literary connections. Children aged around 12 and up generally follow along well. Younger children can enjoy the walk — Edinburgh Castle and the closes off the Royal Mile tend to hold the attention of visitors of all ages.
Edinburgh is the only city in Europe where the medieval Old Town and Georgian New Town coexist side by side as a joint UNESCO World Heritage Site — two completely different urban forms separated by a valley with a public garden. It is the city where J.K. Rowling wrote Harry Potter in cafés that still stand. It is home to the world's largest arts festival (the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, every August). And it has a volcano in the city centre that you can climb in 90 minutes.
A CityAppTour audio tour lets you explore Edinburgh's Old Town entirely at your own pace. You can linger in Greyfriars Kirkyard, explore the closes off the Royal Mile, climb the castle esplanade at your own speed or stop in the Grassmarket for a coffee — without a group schedule. No booking required and the tour works offline from the moment you download it.
Plan around 2 hours for the walking tour through Edinburgh's historic Old Town. The route covers Edinburgh Castle esplanade, the Royal Mile, St Giles' Cathedral, Greyfriars Kirkyard, the Grassmarket and the key streets and closes (alleyways) of the medieval city — all at your own pace.
Yes, the tour works fully offline after downloading. Download it on Wi-Fi before you travel and you have access to all audio, maps and points of interest throughout the day without using any mobile data. Download it on Wi-Fi before you travel and you have access to all audio, maps and points of interest throughout the day without using any mobile data.
Every day at exactly 1pm, a cannon fires from Edinburgh Castle — a tradition that has been maintained since 1861. The One O'Clock Gun was originally fired to help ships in the Firth of Forth set their chronometers accurately. It is fired Monday to Saturday (not Sundays, Good Friday or Christmas Day). The sound carries across the entire city centre and is one of Edinburgh's most distinctive daily rituals. The best viewing spot is on the esplanade of the Castle or from Princes Street Gardens below.
Edinburgh's most iconic dish is haggis — sheep offal (heart, liver and lungs) mixed with oatmeal, onions and spices, traditionally served with neeps (turnip) and tatties (potato) and a dram of Scotch whisky. Beyond haggis, look for Cullen skink (a smoked haddock chowder), Scotch broth, tablet (a crumbly Scottish fudge), and shortbread. The city also has an excellent contemporary restaurant scene, particularly in Leith. Scotch whisky — Edinburgh has numerous specialist whisky bars — is the definitive local drink.
