Top things to do near Edinburgh Castle

What to bring

• Bring a valid photo ID if requested at the entrance.
• Download the audio app before reaching the meeting point to dodge any network glitches at the location. Simply scan the QR code on your voucher and follow the instructions to download the Vox City app and the city map in your preferred language. If you encounter any problems, contact customer@voxcity.com or contact customer support live 24/7 through the website.
• Carry your earphones for an immersive audio guide experience.

What’s not allowed

• Luggage, large bags, and bags over 30L in volume are not permitted inside Edinburgh Castle.
• Due to venue restrictions, your pets are not permitted.
• Drones are strictly prohibited on the premises.
• Access to the roof is not permitted in poor weather conditions.

Accessibility

• The experience is not fully wheelchair-accessible due to uneven terrain and steps within the castle grounds and surrounding areas.

Additional information

• The guided tour takes place outdoors around Edinburgh Castle. Entry to interior buildings is not included during the guided portion, but you may explore them independently after the tour.
• Specific stops during the tour are assigned by castle authorities and may vary.
• Minors must be accompanied by an adult to join the tour.
• Please arrive at the meeting point at least 10-15 mins before your scheduled start time.
• If Edinburgh Castle is unexpectedly closed on the day of your visit, tickets to Holyrood Palace will be provided instead if available.
• Meeting points may vary by tour. Ensure you check your booking confirmation for details.
• Please note the Honours of Scotland (Crown Jewels) will be closed from January 12 to Easter in 2026.

Inclusions #

• Entry to Edinburgh Castle

• 45-min express guided tour of Edinburgh Castle (outside the castle)

• Free time for independent exploration of Edinburgh Castle

• Expert local English-speaking guide

• Edinburgh city audio tour (digital app)

• 15% discount on Edinburgh Gin Distillery experiences (subject to availability; see voucher for details)

Additional paid upgrades:

• 1.5-hour extended guided tour of Edinburgh Castle

• 2.15-hour guided tour of Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile

• Small group of max. 20 guests

Exclusions #

• Headset and mobile device

• Edinburgh Castle internal audio guide (£3.50)

• Transportation

• Gratuities

Please click here for detailed route maps and boarding points. You can join the tour at any stop and hop on and off for the duration of your ticket.

Hop-on Hop-off Route - Classic Tour (Red Route) Glide down the red route through the heart of Edinburgh, effortlessly connecting you to historic Old Town gems and the fascinating Dynamic Earth centre. Popular stops: Historic Grassmarket, Edinburgh Castle, Old Town, Royal Mile

Hop-on Hop-off Route - Edinburgh Tour (Green Route) Take a captivating deep dive into the city's unique history and culture with an engaging, live English-speaking guide on board, hitting all the major central landmarks! Popular stops: Georgian New Town, Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse

Hop-on Hop-off Route - Regal Tour (Blue Route) Sail through Edinburgh's royal history and maritime charm! This fantastic route takes you from the majestic Palace of Holyroodhouse out to the stunning Royal Yacht Britannia in Leith. Popular stops: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Royal Yacht Britannia, Palace of Holyroodhouse

Inclusions #

Royal Attractions

• Entry to 3 royal Edinburgh attractions (see details here)

• Entry to Edinburgh Castle

• Entry to Royal Yacht Britannia

• Entry to Palace of Holyroodhouse

• Audio guide in 30 languages at the Royal Yacht Britannia

• Audio guide in 9 languages at the Palace of Holyroodhouse

Edinburgh Hop-on Hop-off

• 48-hour unlimited hop-on hop-off tour

• Access to City Sightseeing (Red), Edinburgh Tour (Green), and Regal Tour (Blue) routes (route details here)

• Audio guide in English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Japanese, Russian, Chinese & Portuguese (Red & Blue routes)

• Horrible Histories children’s commentary on City Sightseeing (Red)

• English-speaking guide (Green route)

• Headphones provided (Red and Blue routes)

• Mobile app with a detailed map and live bus tracking

What’s not allowed Royal Attractions

• Bags larger than 30L, including large backpacks, rucksacks, and suitcases, are not permitted inside Edinburgh Castle.

Accessibility Royal Attractions

• Some areas of Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse are wheelchair accessible.
• The Royal Yacht Britannia experience is fully wheelchair accessible.

Edinburgh Hop-on Hop-off

• The hop-on hop-off buses are wheelchair accessible.
• Foldable mobility scooters are permitted if stored as luggage.
• Guide dogs and pet dogs are welcome on board.

Additional information Royal Attractions

• The Palace of Holyroodhouse is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, except from 25 May to 8 September 2025, when it is open daily.
• The Palace is closed from 26 June to 4 July 2025. During this time, Royal Edinburgh Ticket holders will receive entry to The King’s Gallery and a complimentary Palace guidebook instead.
• Entry to Edinburgh Castle is guaranteed. When you redeem your prepaid voucher, you’ll choose from available entry time slots. This cannot be booked in advance. A dedicated ticket allocation is reserved for Royal Edinburgh Ticket holders, even if the Castle’s official website shows sold out.
• Your ticket allows you to visit Edinburgh Castle and Royal Yacht Britannia within 48 hours of voucher validation. The Palace of Holyroodhouse can be visited outside this 48-hour window if needed.
• The 48-hour validity begins once your voucher is validated. You’ll receive a Royal Edinburgh Ticket with tear-off sections for Britannia and the Palace, plus a tour ticket for bus access. Your Edinburgh Castle entry slot is reserved at that time.
• Children aged 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult or senior visitor during their visit.

What's not allowed

Edinburgh Castle

• Luggage, large bags, and bags over 30L in volume are not permitted inside Edinburgh Castle.
• Pets are not allowed, except for registered service animals.
• Drones are strictly prohibited on the premises.
• Access to the roof is not permitted in poor weather conditions.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

• Bags larger than 45cm × 20cm × 30cm are not allowed in this experience.
• Due to venue restrictions, pets cannot tag along for this experience.
• Photography is strictly not allowed inside the State Apartments.
• Smoking, including e-cigarettes, is not permitted in the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
• In consideration of other visitors, mobile phones must be switched off inside the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Accessibility

Edinburgh Castle

• The experience is not fully wheelchair-accessible due to uneven terrain and steps within the castle grounds and surrounding areas.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

• This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible, except in some parts of Mary, Queen of Scots' rooms.
• Your guide dogs are welcome at the venue.
• Concessionary rates for disabled visitors and a complimentary companion ticket are only available to book directly with Royal Collection Trust.

Additional information

Edinburgh Castle

• The guided tour takes place outdoors around Edinburgh Castle. Entry to interior buildings is not included during the guided portion, but you may explore them independently after the tour.
• Specific stops during the tour are assigned by castle authorities and may vary.
• Minors must be accompanied by an adult to join the tour.
• Please arrive at the meeting point at least 10 mins before your scheduled start time.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

• As the Palace of Holyroodhouse is a working royal palace, security and opening arrangements may be subject to change at short notice.
• You may be subject to security checks. Some items may have to be checked in and reclaimed at the end of your visit.
• For safety and security reasons, a one-way route operates inside the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
• The palace is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
• Last admission time is 3:15pm.
• Under 5s must be booked with a paid ticket.
• The tour is only available when the Palace is closed to other visitors.
• Please arrive at least 15 mins before your scheduled tour time.

Inclusions #

Edinburgh Castle

• Entry to Edinburgh Castle

• Guided tour of Edinburgh Castle

• Expert local English-speaking guide

Palace of Holyroodhouse

• Entry to Palace of Holyroodhouse

• Multimedia guide in 9 languages

Additional paid upgrades:

Palace of Holyroodhouse

• 2-hour guided tour of Palace of Holyroodhouse

• Expert English-speaking guide

• Complimentary guidebook

• Small group of max. 25 guests

Exclusions #

Edinburgh Castle + Palace of Holyroodhouse

• Transport

• Food and drink

Uncover wizarding secrets on a guided Harry Potter tour of Edinburgh, then explore its historic castle.

• Everything you get: A 2-hour, small-group Harry Potter-themed walking tour, entry to the iconic Edinburgh Castle, and a local guide.
• Why choose this: Perfect for Potter fans and explorers, this tour offers access to iconic Harry Potter locations and Edinburgh’s rich history in a personalized setting.

Inclusions #

• 2-hour Harry Potter-themed walking tour in Edinburgh

• Entry tickets to Edinburgh Castle

• Small group tour

• Local guide

Exclusions #

• Food & Drinks

• Hotel pick-up & drop-off

What to bring

• Bring drinks and snacks, as food and beverages are not included.

What’s not allowed

• Pets are not permitted, except for registered service animals.
• Large bags, rucksacks and suitcases (30L or over) are not allowed inside Edinburgh Castle for security reasons.

Accessibility

• This experience is not wheelchair accessible due to uneven surfaces and steps along the walking route and within Edinburgh Castle.

Additional information

• The meeting point is outside Tron Kirk market, opposite Bella Italia on the Royal Mile. The nearest train station is Waverley Station, a 10-minute walk away.
• Please arrive at the meeting point at least 10 minutes before the scheduled start time.
• The tour operates in all weather conditions, so please dress appropriately.
• Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Inclusions #

• 90-mins walking tour of Royal Mile and Old Town

• Entry to Edinburgh Castle

• 45-min introduction to Edinburgh Castle

• Live English-speaking guide

• Exclusive multi-sensory experience delivered through TourTalk audio devices

Exclusions #

• Transportation between attractions

• Food and drinks