Guided tour

Edinburgh: Old Town and Underground Historical Tour

Activity provider: City of Edinburgh Tours
Guided tour

Edinburgh: Old Town and Underground Historical Tour

Activity provider: City of Edinburgh Tours
Likely to sell out

From US$ 18.34 per person

Likely to sell out

Join a local published historian around Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile and visit its underground vaults. Learn about some of Edinburgh’s fascinating history, literary heroes, infamous criminals and the battles that shaped the city into what is today.

About this activity

Free cancellation
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Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 1.5 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English

Experience

Highlights
  • Be led around Edinburgh's Old Town by a local published historian
  • Gain exclusive access into Edinburgh's Underground Vaults
  • Explore Edinburgh's long and fascinating past
  • Visit some of the Old Town's hidden closes and historical sites
  • Enjoy our professional, informative and engaging tour
Full description

Immerse yourself in the history of Edinburgh on a guided city walking tour. Trace the origins of the city as you explore the Royal Mile, the underground vaults, and Old Town, with stories hidden behind every turn.

The historical tour begins at the Old Police Box on Edinburgh's Royal Mile, where you will be met by a local historian and proceed straight into the Underground Vaults. Edinburgh's Underground is over 400 years old and is full of fascinating history, all of which the guide will share with you. After visiting the Underground Vaults, your guide will take you all around Edinburgh's Royal Mile and Old Town, visiting some hidden closes and other spots of historical significance. Delve into parts of Edinburgh that you did not know existed, mostly off the tourist trail.  Hear that the first skyscrapers in the world were built in Edinburgh, discover the identity of the local criminal who became the inspiration for Jekyll and Hyde, and learn where the phrase "Black Market" came from.

Find out where Ebeneezer Scrooge is buried – yes, really – and how Edinburgh University worked closely with the serial killers, Burke and Hare. Edinburgh’s history is long and fascinating, made even more special when told by your enthusiastic, passionate, and local guide. 

Includes
  • Expert guide
  • Entry into Edinburgh's Underground Vaults
  • Food
  • Tips
Not suitable for
  • Children under 5 years
  • People with mobility impairments
  • Wheelchair users

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

• Meet opposite Starbucks at 124a High Street

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Important information

What to bring

  • Comfortable shoes
  • Weather-appropriate clothing

Know before you go

  • Entry into the Underground involves walking down eight steps.
  • Please note that the minimum age for this tour is 5 years old.
Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.5 /5

based on 507 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.7/5
  • Value for money
    4.5/5
  • Service
    4.4/5
  • Organization
    4.3/5

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Star rating:

This experience was very informative! My partner and i just added it as a last minute thing in our itinerary, but ended up to be a worth it walking tour. Our Guide Faye explained history really well and she had a really bubbly personality made the tour fun and more engaging. Will definitely recommend this with our friends and family.

March 25, 2023

The Edinburgh underground historical tour we did today was incredible! Learning about the history of Edinburgh was super interesting. Big shout out to our tour guide Alistair. He made it so much fun with his quirky humour and knowledge! Alistair was easy to listen to and we thank you for making it a fun tour HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!

March 25, 2023

The underground vaults were really amazing, very spooky, the evening tours must be very creepy! The historic tour was very historically informative and graphic but we did have the best guide in Edinburgh! Alastair was absolutely amazing, his knowledge was astounding! Loved it.

March 25, 2023

Product ID: 73775