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Edinburgh Castle

The Esplanade, Edinburgh, EH1 2NG

• 0131 225 9846

Tickets often sell out far in advance, especially over the summer months. Book your tickets online in advance for the best price and to guarantee entry.

Tickets are free for members, but book online to guarantee entry.  Not a member?   Join now  to start enjoying the benefits

Standard Admission Tickets

• Standard admission tickets
• Historic Scotland Members
• Explorer Pass ticket holder 
• Carers tickets 

Pre-book an official guided tour of the castle and hear from one of our knowledgeable guides along the way with our audio tour guide system.

• English Heritage
• Manx Members
• SITOA card holders 
• current members of the British Armed Forces (with valid MOD 90 card)

Explorer Passes

An Explorer Pass, valid for 14 consecutive days, is a great way to explore our iconic sites.

Travel Trade and Group Bookings

Edinburgh Castle offers a range of private experiences. If you're interested in an out-of-hours, private tour of Edinburgh Castle, find out more about our exclusive travel trade tours .

Contact our Admissions & Sales Team if your business plans to send individuals or groups to our attractions on a regular basis. 

Private Events at Edinburgh Castle

Are you looking for the perfect place to hold a private event? Hire Edinburgh Castle for your wedding or hire the castle for your next corporate event .

Didn't find everything you need?  Read our visitor FAQs

What's on at Edinburgh Castle

Afternoon Tea Experience

Tuesday 2 April 2024

Opening times

Tickets often sell out far in advance, especially over the summer months. Book your tickets online in advance for the best price and to guarantee entry. 1 Apr to 30 Sept: Daily, 9.30am to 6pm (last entry 5pm) 1 Oct to 31 Mar: Daily, 9.30am to 5pm (last entry 4pm)

Official Edinburgh Castle Website

Edinburgh castle statements of significance, edinburgh castle on scran.

Browse images on our online learning resource.

Edinburgh Castle on Canmore

Detailed information on our online catalogue of Scotland's heritage.

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Edinburgh Castle

© Little Fish Tours

Edinburgh Castle: Skip The Line - Guided Tour

This engaging castle tour enables you to skip the line into Scotland's most iconic fortification. The 90-minute tour will cover the 3,000-year history of Edinburgh Castle and the significant role it has played in shaping Scotland.

This walking tour lets you skip the line and go straight into and through Edinburgh’s must see attraction and its 3000 years of history.

From the birth of King James VI to the many sieges it has withstood, Edinburgh’s fortress is full of history and surprises.

See the One o’clock Gun, Mons Meg and even The Crown Jewels in Edinburgh’s #1 attraction.

After the tour, guests will be allowed to wonder The Castle on their own time until it closes.

From £29 per adult

Departure days.

• W Wednesday

January — December

Contact details

• View tour details
• [email protected]

Tour information

• Edinburgh - City Centre

Tour prices

From £29 Per Adult £22.20 Per Child £25.60 Concession

Prices are subject to change depending on season

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Tour gallery

Tour company information

Little fish tours.

Little Fish Tours offers various walking tours of Edinburgh leaving daily. These include free tours on a tips only basis, Edinburgh Castle tours, Whisky and Folklore evenings and private tours. Our small, locally founded company works with only the best tour guides in order to offer Edinburgh in an informative yet entertaining way. We believe Edinburgh has an incredible history, so we present it with the flair and enthusiasm it deserves. We’re very proud of the excellent quality of our walking tours in Edinburgh. Don’t take our word for it, check out our near flawless TripAdvisor reviews.

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Opening times

Office Open: 9.30-5.30 daily Walking Tours Run: 10.30am, 1.30pm Castle Tour Runs: 1.30pm Whisky & Folklore Evening Runs: 5pm

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History and Tales - Edinburgh's Old Town

Departs: Edinburgh - City Centre, Edinburgh

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£29pp

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Edinburgh Castle Scotland

Visiting the castle in edinburgh scotland - entry tickets & tours.

On top of Castle Rock is the famous Edinburgh Castle with Mons Meg and the One o'Clock Gun. Museum info, book tours, opening times and entry tickets for visiting the historic castle in Scotland's capital.

Edinburgh Castle: an important historical landmark

When you visit the Scottish capital Edinburgh , a visit to Edinburg Castle is a must do. It is one of the most famous buildings in the UK, the oldest part of which dates back to the twelfth century. However, a large part of the buildings date from the 17th century, when Edinburgh Castle no longer served as a royal palace, but as a garrison castle. This link with the military has preserved the castle ; the Regimental Museum and the National War Museum are still housed in Edinburgh castle. You can also find other buildings and museums in the castle, such as the Royal Palace, where the jewels of the Scottish royal house are displayed and you can find the coronation stone, the Stone of Scone.

History of the castle in Scotland

Edinburgh Castle has a rich history and is located on the volcanic Castle Rock , so the castle had a strategic position. The first structures of which the fort consists were built in the twelfth century and many historians believe that Edwin of Northumberland was the founder of the castle. St Margaret's Chapel dates from these early days of the castle. From the twelfth century part of the castle was used as a prison and in 1510 the Great Hall was built by order of King James IV. Edinburgh Castle also played a role in important conflicts between Scotland and England, such as the Scottish War of Independence in 1300 and the Jacobite Rebellion of 1746. According to various studies, the castle has been besieged no less than 26 times, making it one of the most besieged castles in the United Kingdom.

Visit Edinburgh Castle

There are several ways to visit Edinburgh Castle. You can visit the castle at your own pace. There are also several guided tours that depart daily through the castle. You can also visit the castle through an audio guide. Whichever way you choose, be sure to see the highlights of Edinburgh Castle, as these are well worth it. A visit to Edinburgh Castle takes an average of two to three hours and it is due to capacity highly recommended to book your tickets in advance . There is a catering facility in the castle.

The Great Hall

The Great Hall was commissioned by King James IV and completed in 1511. The Great Hall is characterized by its wooden ceiling, which rests on stones carved into heads and Scottish symbols, such as the thistle. Visit the space, where the great banquets and affairs of state took place. When Cromwell's army captured the castle in 1560, he converted the Great Hall into barracks for his soldiers and later into a military hospital. The Great Hall has today been restored to its original state and displays arms and armor to the public.

Thee Royal Palace

The Royal Palace is the building where the Scottish kings and queens of the Stuart family have resided for centuries. Mary, the Queen of Scots, gave birth to her son James VI here. King Charles I was the last king to live here. The Royal Palace is located on the Crown Square. The Royal Palace suffered considerable damage from the Lang Seige of 1617, but it was rebuilt inside and out to its current state. In the Royal Palace you will find the Honors of Scotland, the Scottish Crown Jewels and the famous Stone of Destiny aka the Stone of Scone, in the Crown Room of Edinburgh Castle .

St. Margaret’s Chapel

St Margaret's Chapel for the Royal Family is the oldest building in Edinburgh Castle . King David I built the chapel for his mother Margaret, who died in the castle in 1093. Today, St. Margaret's Chapel is open to visitors, but marriages are still held in this chapel. The graceful arches are still in their original state, while the stained-glass windows, for example, have been renewed.

Another highlight is the, for that period, advanced cannon Mons Meg , which is named after the Belgian place where this cannon was manufactured. In 1457 the cannon was given to King James II. The weapon weighed no less than six tons and was capable of firing a cannonball of one hundred and fifty kilograms for 3.2 kilometers. In 1681 the barrel of the cannon cracked and it was no longer fired. In 1829 the gun returned to Edinburgh after being away from Scotland for seventy-five years.

Tour of the museums in the castle

Edinburgh Castle can be called a museum in itself; nowadays it houses a number of well-known museums , such as the National War Museum , the Royal Scots Museum and the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum . The latter two are collectively referred to as the Regimental Museums. The different museums are included in your ticket of Edinburgh Castle.

Festivals at Edinburgh Castle

From time to time, a number of high-profile events also take place at the Scottish castle. Concerts are held annually in the castle during the summer during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe . The One O'clock gun is fired daily at exactly 1 o'clock and every year the square in front of Edinburgh Castle is also used for the Military Tattoo .

Do you want to visit Edinburgh Castle?

Important! Before you could buy Edinburgh Castle tickets at the box office, but since covid it is highly recommended to book tickets online due to limited capacity. The price of your ticket depends on which way you visit Edinburgh Castle: independently, with an audio guide or with a guide.

Where is the castle in Edinburgh?

Edinburgh Castle is located on top of Castle Rock and is the starting point of The Royal Mile in the Old Town of Edinburgh Scotland in the UK.

Most visited attractions

Top 20 Things to do in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Castle & Tickets

Excursions in Scotland

There are many ways to experience Edinburgh Castle. Go straight to an exciting part, follow an itinerary, or allow an audio guide to show you around.

Explore the castle's highlights

Some of your favourite highlights will be open to visit including the Great Hall, St Margaret’s Chapel and the One o’clock Gun. Please visit the individual pages which detail which areas will be open or closed to visitors.

Fight for the Castle

The Great Hall

Follow an itinerary.

Pick a route around Edinburgh Castle based on how much time you have to spare or what interests you most.

• Portcullis Gate
• Argyle Battery
• Lang Stairs
• and much more...

Military March

• Fight for the Castle - Argyle Tower

Eat at the castle

Make a quick pit stop for snacks as you tour Edinburgh Castle. Or come to the castle for a meal that’s an event in itself.

The Tea Rooms

Nestled at the top of the castle in Crown Square, The Tea Rooms is a stylish and elegant place

Redcoat Café

Enjoy a light snack or hearty meal with amazing views on the side

Find your way around the castle

Follow an itinerary, hire an audio tour or allow our expert guides to show you around.

Download a map

Edinburgh Castle covers a lot of ground. Take a look at our orientation map to see where the main attractions are and decide what to visit first. You can also pick up a free copy of the map when you arrive at the castle.

Visiting more than one location?

Why not consider our Membership or Explorer Pass. We offer a range of options to suit everybody, with access to all open Historic Scotland sites for free.

15 Best Tours in Edinburgh [2024]

Boasting a UNESCO World Heritage site, one of the most iconic castles on earth, elegant Georgian architecture and much more, the Scottish capital surely belongs on everyone’s bucket list. If you want to discover this enchanting city, then booking the best tours in Edinburgh is an easy and enjoyable way to do exactly that. 

This guide to the best Edinburgh tours is here to help you choose which tours you should take. From foodie or whisky tasting experiences to spooky, Harry Potter and hop-on hop-off tours, there really is so much scope in this stunning city. 

Edinburgh Castle Tour: Fast-Track Guided Tour in English

Rating: 5⭐ | Price: $$ | Duration: 1.5 hours

Booking an Edinburgh castle tour can really help you make the most of visiting this famous location. I t also includes skip-the-line entry to save you precious time . 

The experience commences with a walk up the Royal Mile, before taking your guided tour of the famous fortress. This includes explanations of the castle dungeons, the iconic one o’clock gun salute and the Argyle Battery. 

→ Click here to check prices and availability

Edinburgh: Underground Vaults Tour

Rating: 4.5⭐| Price: $ | Duration: 1 hour

If the best underground tour in Edinburgh is what you want to find, check out this spooky tour of the city’s ancient underground vaults. It’s said that ghosts lurk here beneath the Old Town, and during the one hour tour your guide will regale you with gory tales about witchcraft and historic murders in the area.

Exploring the South Bridge vaults puts an entirely new spin on things, so don’t miss this if you want to see a different side to this elegant city!

Edinburgh: The Dark Side Walking Tour

Rating: 5⭐ | Price: $ | Duration: 2 hours

Another of the more quirky Edinburgh tours is this Dark Side walking tour. Expect to hear all about Burke and Hare, the city’s most notorious murderers, as well as the trials and even burnings that witches once endured. The practices of grave robbing and body snatching, plus stories of real life vampires and cannibals, are also discussed.

Sites visited during the tour include narrow, twisting alleyways, Calton Hill, the Old Calton Burial Ground, one of Edinburgh’s chilling cemeteries or Canongate Kirkyard cemetery. The tour finishes at a local pub near the Royal Mile where you can purchase a beverage to steady your nerves!

Edinburgh: Comedy Horror Ghost Bus Tour

Rating: 4.5⭐ | Price: $ | Duration: 1 hour

If all that after-dark activity sounds a little too gruesome for your tastes, then the best ghost tour in Edinburgh to book might be a more light-hearted comedy horror trip. Your conductor will share tales of ghosts, murder, grave robbings and victims of the plague as you ride around town.

The tour takes you through both the ancient Old Town and the Georgian New Town. It all takes place aboard a restored and black-painted vintage double decker bus. This was the sole survivor of the Necropolis Bus Company fleet, following a rather mysterious 1967 fire. This is a fun, light-hearted tour and a perfect option if you’re travelling with teenagers!

Edinburgh: Old Town History and Tales Walking Tour

Rating: 4.8⭐ | Price: $ | Duration: 2 hours

This highly rated city tour of Edinburgh allows you to truly explore a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the safe hands of your knowledgeable tour guide, you’ll stroll along the twisting streets of the historic Old Town.

Expect to be enjoyably entertained throughout this tour, as your guide shares all the stories you’ll want to hear about the Scottish capital. Sights to see include the old pubs of Grassmarket, places that inspired J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, St. Giles Cathedral and more. 

Original Harry Potter Locations Tour

Rating: 5⭐ | Price: $$ | Duration: 2 hours

Should you be seeking fun Edinburgh tours for the whole family, this Harry Potter locations tour could be spot-on. As well as sites associated with the books and movies about the boy wizard, you’ll also visit key Edinburgh landmarks such as Princes Street, the Old Town and the castle.

J. K. Rowling wrote much of the books in Edinburgh, and during the tour you’ll see sights that inspired her works. These include the Castlehill graveyard that doubles as Voldemort’s final resting place, and winding lanes that Diagon Alley was based on. 

Edinburgh: JK Rowling’s Edinburgh & the Writing of Harry Potter

Rating: 5⭐ | Price: $$ | Duration: 4.25 hours

Another contender as best walking tour in Edinburgh for a Harry Potter fan is this magical guided tour with Sam. Discover the many Edinburgh locations that inspired JK Rowling. You’ll also get the chance to find out which Hogwarts house you’d be placed in. As well as whether you’re a muggle, a squib or a pure-blood witch or wizard. 

It’s worth noting that this is a long tour lasting over 4 hours so if you’re short on time or prefer a shorter walking tour, check out the other Harry Potter tour listed above.

Edinburgh: Comedy Walking Tour with Professional Comedian

Rating: 4.9⭐ | Price: $ | Duration: 2 hours

This walking tour led by a professional comedian has to be among the most entertaining tours in Edinburgh. Setting out from the Monkey Barrel Comedy Club in the Old Town, you’ll learn all sorts of fun local facts and trivia during the two hour walk.

Expect some swearing, adult humour and a strong Scottish accent from your guide, which is why this tour is intended for over-16s only. If you want to know why the gun salute takes place every day at one o’clock or other city facts, this could be your chance to find out. This recent review says it all:

“BEST SIGHTSEEING TOUR EVER! Seriously guys, if you’re thinking about booking any of the walking tours through Edinburgh, THIS ONE is the one to go for! Daniel is not only incredibly funny, but also really knows his Scottish History!”

Edinburgh: 24-Hour Family-Friendly Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

Rating: 4.5⭐ | Price: $ | Validity: 1 day

As with many cities across the world, some of the best tours of Edinburgh are jump-on, jump-off bus tours where you can travel when you please. This one is especially family friendly, and tickets are valid for 24 hours. 

With stunning city views throughout, this tour allows you to see places like the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, Grassmarket, the New Town, Castle Rock and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. You can hop off whenever you like to explore further, before boarding another bus to take you somewhere else. 

Edinburgh: Royal Attractions with Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours

Rating: 4.8⭐ | Price: $$ | Validity: 2 days

Royal Edinburgh is the focus for this hop-on, hop-off bus tour. Tickets include three fast-track entrance tickets for the Royal Yacht Britannia, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Edinburgh Castle as well as flexible transport for up to 48 hours.

To simplify things even further, your pass includes use of buses operated by three different hop-on-hop-off bus tour companies. These are Edinburgh Tour, Majestic Tour and Edinburgh City Sightseeing.

Edinburgh: The Scotch Whisky Experience Tour and Tasting

You simply cannot come to Edinburgh as an adult without sampling the famous Scottish tipple! This whisky tasting and tour allows you to do exactly that. Your guide will also teach you about the five Scottish whisky-making regions. 

Comprising close to 3,500 bottles, one of the largest whisky collections on the planet also forms part of this tour. Single malt and blended whisky tastings are also included, and you’ll also get a crystal tasting glass to keep as a souvenir. 

Edinburgh: Whisky Tasting with History and Storytelling

Another option for whisky lovers! If you’re looking for something to do in Edinburgh during the evening, how about this whisky tasting experience? It includes local history and folklore tales, so you can learn about the city while sipping for single malts.

The tour takes place on the atmospheric Royal Mile, after meeting your guide at the aptly-named Hot Toddy. With the whole of the first floor reserved for your group, there’s plenty of space to stretch out in while learning about Scottish whisky production. You’ll also sample four distinctive single malts from different distilling regions of Scotland. You can also choose to do the tour with no drinks included.

Edinburgh: 3-Hour Guided Secret Food Tour

Rating: 4.8⭐ | Price: $$ | Duration: 3 hours

Whether you’re searching for unusual tours in Edinburgh because you’re a second-time visitor or because you really like to get under the skin of a city, this secret food tour can tick that box. Lasting for three hours, you’ll make half a dozen stops to sample Scottish delicacies.

Food and drinks to taste during the tour include haggis, neeps and tatties (mashed swede and potatoes), local cheeses, scones with butter and jam, gin and of course single malt whisky. The secret dish might also tickle your tastebuds. 

Edinburgh: Silent Disco Adventure Tour

Rating: 5⭐ | Price: $ | Duration: 1 hour

If you want to experience Edinburgh in a truly unique way, then surely this Silent Disco tour is unbeatable! It’s not for shy and retiring types, though, as you’ll need to sing and dance your way through the city streets.

Moving through the historic Scottish capital to hits from several decades, you’ll pass lots of famous landmarks en route. It’s a different way to see the city, that’s for certain. 

Edinburgh: Chocolatarium Tour, Tasting & Chocolate Making

Rating: 5⭐ | Price: $ | Duration: 1.5 hours

A tour of Edinburgh’s Chocolatarium also provides visitors with something different to do while visiting the city. During the 90 minute experience you’ll discover how chocolate is produced, from South American cacao plantations to the finished bars available from Scottish chocolate makers.

You can even make your own chocolates, including the flavours of your choice, as part of the tour. Sampling Scottish and global chocolates is also included, with options ranging from chilli to whisky. I took my daughter here for something a little quirky to do together and we had such a fantastic time!

Whether you prefer the idea of dancing and singing your way through the streets, laughing until your sides split or visiting a Chocolatarium, we hope you’ve enjoyed discovering 15 of the finest Edinburgh city tours!

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Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour With Entry Ticket

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