Elegance & Enlightenment: The Story of Edinburgh’s New Town in Edinburgh - AdobeStock_394771537_Editorial_Use_Only.jpg
4.8

Elegance & Enlightenment: The Story of Edinburgh’s New Town

  • 2.5 hours
  • City Highlight Tours
  • Edinburgh
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Your local for this experience

Experience hosted by Withlocals

  • Private Tour
  • Carbon Neutral

Step into a world of symmetry, sophistication, and Scottish Enlightenment. From stately squares to sweeping city views, discover how Edinburgh’s New Town redefined the future with elegance and intellect. This tour reveals the stories behind the stones—and the ideas that changed a nation.

Destination
Edinburgh, Scotland
Category
City Highlight Tours
Duration
2.5 hours
Transport mode
Walking tour
Available languages
English
Included
  • Private guide
  • 1 Local snack or drink
  • All Withlocals tours are carbon neutral
Excluded
  • Entrance to attractions

6 reasons to book this tour

  • Dive into the intriguing history of Edinburgh
  • Get to know more about New Town
  • See main landmarks & their historical relevance
  • Enjoy a tour by the side of a history expert
  • Can be 100% personalized to your wishes
  • All your questions answered by your local host

What you can expect

Elegance & Enlightenment: The Story of Edinburgh’s New Town in Edinburgh - AdobeStock_394771537_Editorial_Use_Only.jpg

Edinburgh is full of elegance, ambition, and Enlightenment spirit—and on this private tour, your local host will guide you through the story of how the city reinvented itself with the creation of the New Town.

Through your host’s engaging storytelling and carefully selected stops, you’ll immerse yourself in the refined history of Edinburgh’s Georgian quarter. Discover how ideals of progress, reason, and beauty shaped this area—from sweeping crescents and neoclassical façades to the civic vision that made Edinburgh the “Athens of the North.” After all, isn’t it the spirit of innovation and imagination that gives a city its true character?

As you stroll through Edinburgh’s wide avenues, hidden gardens, and grand squares, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the city’s transformation in the 18th and 19th centuries. Explore the financial power and architectural order of St Andrew Square, the grandeur and political legacy of Charlotte Square, and end your experience with panoramic views and monuments on Calton Hill, where the city's Enlightenment dreams were cast in stone. From elegant design to philosophical revolution, you’ll see how the New Town helped define modern Scotland.

Your local host will bring this chapter of Edinburgh to life with passion, insight, and personal stories—from architectural gems to social shifts. Want to tailor the route or focus on a particular theme? No problem—your host will happily adapt the tour to your interests and make their Edinburgh, your Edinburgh.

This is the plan

Check out the plan below to see what you'll get up to with your local host. Feel free to personalize this offer with the host of your choice.

  1. Meeting point

    Meet at By the Melville Monument located in St Andrew Square Garden - Edinburgh to start your journey

  2. Itinerary

    This is what our experience could look like, but it’s not set in stone! Once you book, you can chat directly with your host to make small tweaks to suit your preferences.

  3. New Town

    Your history tour in Edinburgh will focus on New Town . Learn the impacts, insights and hear stories related to this historic event from your knowledgeable host. Discover the city as you retrace history and go in-depth on the effects this part of history has on Edinburgh

  4. Historical Highlights

    Check out main landmarks related to the theme of your history tour and connect their relevance through fantastic stories and facts from your expert local host

  5. Hidden Treasures

    During your tour, you’ll also uncover hidden gems that will show you a different perspective of history as you know it, something you can’t easily find in a history book!

  6. Storytelling Journey

    As you discover the historical side of Edinburgh, you’ll be able to go back in time thanks to the amazing stories and storytelling skills of your local host. Feel free to ask any questions and feel as if you are relieving history in the present time

  7. Make it yours

    Want to tweak the itinerary? Book directly & chat afterwards with your host to adjust highlights, skip stops, or make small changes to fit your preferences.

    Book risk-free: Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund.

    Need something special? Personalize your experience for more time, alternative locations or a completely tailored plan.

Flexible cancellation policy

  • Feel confident booking

    Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund. Even up to 7 days before your experience, you’ll receive a refund, minus the service fee.

  • Change of plans?

    Reschedule your experience to a date and time that works best for you.

  • Loved by travelers worldwide

    Simple and flexible – your plans, your way.

Withlocals experiences
are always

Private & personalizedNo strangers, just you. Fully customize your trip to your needs.
With a local expertFrom historical facts to the most up-to-date health regulations.
Without the crowdsExperiences designed to take you away from the crowds towards authentic local spots.

Other City highlight tours in Edinburgh

€41.36per person