Edinburgh: Full-Day Walking Tour, Castle & Hidden Closes｜United Kingdom

A full day on foot through both halves of Scotland's capital, from the medieval Old Town to the elegant Georgian New Town, which together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We begin at Edinburgh Castle, perched on an extinct volcano and at the heart of Scotland's royal and military story for almost a thousand years. Arriving at opening time lets you explore the Crown Jewels and the castle's ramparts before the crowds. Granny's Green Steps then lead quietly down to the Grassmarket, once the city's place of public execution and now a lively square lined with historic pubs. From there, the colourful curve of Victoria Street climbs back up to the Royal Mile and St Giles' Cathedral, whose famous crown spire has marked the skyline for over 500 years.

Advocate's Close, one of the Old Town's most atmospheric passageways, carries us down towards Princes Street Gardens and into the New Town, where the grand Georgian streets of George Street and St Andrew Square show a completely different side of Edinburgh. Next comes Calton Hill, where the National Monument and Nelson Monument frame sweeping views over the city, the Firth of Forth and Arthur's Seat. Jacob's Ladder, a hidden stairway carved into the hillside, brings us down to Canongate Kirkyard, the resting place of economist Adam Smith. The day ends at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the King's official residence in Scotland and once home to Mary Queen of Scots.