The 8 Best Self-Guided Tours in Edinburgh

1.Harry Potter’s Edinburgh: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 42 reviews · 40 minutes to 1 hour (approx.) · from $11Our pick

Use the VoiceMap app to follow an English-language, self-guided walk from Edinburgh Castle to the Elephant House. In 40 minutes to an hour, you’ll hear how the city influenced Harry Potter, pass Victoria Street’s themed shops, visit famous names in Greyfriar’s Kirkyard, and pause whenever you like.

“I enjoyed the tour. It was a wealth of information. I learned so much. One thing I did. It understand is why walk to the top of Candlemaker Row to go through the main entrance of the cemetery. Then walk down to the other gate (that we just passed), just to stand and look around. Then walk back up the hill to start the tour. Too much up and down for an overweight person. Also, Elephant house is closed due to fire. But will reopen and they saved the actual table JK wrote out. Stay tuned.”

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2.Ghosts of Edinburgh: Bloody Past Exploration Game and Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 25 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $7Best value

You explore Edinburgh without a physical guide, following a mobile game from the Mound through the Castle, St Giles’, Mary King’s Close, Greyfriars, the Grassmarket, and other historic stops. Solve location-based clues, pause whenever you like, and play offline in English. It suits families and private groups who enjoy puzzles more than a scheduled walking tour.

“App was rubbish Took ages to load in to account By the time it happened it was soo late at night Waste of money”

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3.Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 13 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $12

Use the Pandemic Tours app for a self-guided walk through Edinburgh’s Harry Potter landmarks. Jule’s recorded guide leads you from Greyfriars Kirkyard to Victoria Street, Edinburgh Castle, New College, the Balmoral Hotel, and City Chambers. You get three weeks of access, GPS directions, photos, videos, and time to stop for shops, coffee, and pictures.

“Overall a thorough tour with some very interesting information! Easy to follow and an easy path. Some parts need updating though - a couple points of interest have shut down or aren’t there anymore.”

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4.Edinburgh Old Town Private Self-Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $12Top rated

Use the app to follow Jule’s human-recorded audio guide through Edinburgh’s Old Town. Over two to three hours, you’ll trace the Royal Mile, hear stories about John Knox and David Hume, visit St Giles’ Cathedral, Grassmarket, Edinburgh Castle, the Writers’ Museum, and finish near Deacon Brodie’s Tavern. Entry fees are extra.

“Unable to do due to weather - really wish we could have explore at are own pace but definitely will on our next adventure here.”

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5.Highlights from Edinburgh’s Old Town: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.) · from $11

Follow a self-guided VoiceMap walk from the Royal Scottish Academy to the Scottish Parliament. In about 90 minutes to two hours, you’ll hear Edinburgh’s architectural and social story while visiting Princes Street Gardens, the Royal Mile, Riddle’s Court, St Giles Cathedral, and John Knox House. Audio and maps work offline in English.

“It was our first time using the app. Overall, the experience was relatively good. Sometimes it knew exactly where we were, but sometimes it didn't, which was a bit challening. This particular tour was very focused on the city's architecture, which I didn't recall from the description, so if you aren't as interested in that aspect of the city's history, you may want to try another tour.”

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6.A History of Witchcraft in Edinburgh: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $9

Use the VoiceMap app to follow an English-language audio walk from the Palace of Holyrood to Castle Hill. Along the Royal Mile, hear about Bake House Close, John Knox, St Giles’ Cathedral, Major Thomas Weir, torture methods, and Scotland’s last witch. Download the audio, map, and route for offline use.

“I had a great time with the narrated tour by Kat. The facts were interesting but not overly dry and "textbook"-focused. Focused more on the storytelling aspect, which I really liked.”

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7.Edinburgh City of Wizards Exploration Game and Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3 reviews · from $8

Follow Eladora through Edinburgh on a self-guided phone game that mixes a walking tour, scavenger hunt, and outdoor escape room. Start at City Chambers, pass Riddle’s Close, Grassmarket, Edinburgh Castle views, and Greyfriars Bobby, then finish at the Old Medical School. Allow 50 to 90 minutes and use the app’s invite-a-friend feature for separate phones.

“The adventure was fun, the only negative comment would be that I purchased four tickets to be able to put on four different phones, and with the link we were sent, we were only able to put it on one phone.”

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8.Highlights from the Royal Mile: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $19

Follow a self-guided VoiceMap audio walk from the Witches Well beside Edinburgh Castle to Holyroodhouse. In about an hour, hear stories of witch burnings, Deacon Brodie, John Knox, Mary Queen of Scots, brutal punishments, and old Royal Mile landmarks. You’ll need your own smartphone and headphones, but you can stop, shop, and explore on your schedule.

“We loved the ability to set the pace and enjoy stopping to shop or take in scenery. Loved hearing all of the history”

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