4.9
Highlights & Hidden Gems of Edinburgh
- 3 hours
- City Highlight Tours
- Edinburgh
Choose one of 13 locals available
Experience hosted by Alice, Alec & other locals
- Private Tour
- Carbon Neutral
- Destination
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Category
- City Highlight Tours
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Transport mode
- Walking tour
- Available languages
- English, Español, Dansk, Svenska
- Included
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- Private Guide
- 1 Local Drink or Snack
- All Withlocals Tours are Carbon Neutral
- Excluded
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- Entrance to attractions (The inside of the Edinburgh Castle is not visited on this tour)
6 reasons to book this tour
- Explore the best of the city in only 3 hours
- Spot classics like Grassmarket & Edinburgh Castle
- Discover hidden gems away from the tourist paths
- Experience the city from a local’s perspective
- Can be 100% personalized to your wishes
- Privately guided by a local expert
What you can expect
Edinburgh, is a magical place! And with the local host of your choice, you are going to experience it all. So get ready; culture, history, and local lifestyle await!
Dive into the origin of Edinburgh as you see the city’s main landmarks like Grassmarket, Edinburgh Castle (from the outside) and Greyfriars Kirkyard. And how about the hidden gems? Oh, you’re in for a surprise! Every host has its own story to tell, so pick your favorite, and you’ll discover the city through their eyes. Experience their Edinburgh to the max based on their passions and expertise. They’ll make sure you have fun enjoying a unique and local perspective of Edinburgh.
Want to take a break? Leave it up to your host! This is the perfect opportunity to visit that special eatery where only the locals come and your chance to enjoy a local treat hand-picked by your host. Feel free to ask your host more about their life in their city or get recommendations about the top things to do in Edinburgh. Remember, the locals know best.
The best part of any city tour is definitely the unique stories. Everybody has a story to tell, especially your host. Each one of the local hosts has a different background ranging from arts to history. They can’t wait to share their knowledge with you and exchange ideas and perspectives! Feel like changing the route a bit? No problem, the hosts will be happy to personalize the tour to your wishes and make their Edinburgh, your Edinburgh!
Choose your local
Get to know these 13 passionate locals, each bringing unique perspectives and talents. Choose your favorite, check their availability, and book to create an unforgettable adventure tailored to you.
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Alice
The Friendly Storyteller
5.0165 reviewsEnglish -
Alec
The Talk o’ the Toon
4.981 reviewsEnglish -
Niamh
The fun and dynamic storyteller
5.018 reviewsEnglish -
Chris
Entwined in the fabric of Edinburgh, history and present.
5.05 reviewsEnglish -
Monica
The Scottish Celebrant
5.0106 reviewsEnglish -
Xavier
The Singing Storyteller
5.026 reviewsEnglish・Español -
Laura
The Community Lover
4.979 reviewsEnglish -
Russell
The Passionate Patriot
5.014 reviewsEnglish -
Joe
The Friendly Local Lad
5.012 reviewsEnglish -
Gains
Your Local Historian
4.64 reviewsEnglish -
Neil
Let me share my passion for Edinburgh with you!
5.06 reviewsEnglish -
Svend-Erik
The Lively Storyteller
4.961 reviewsEnglish・Dansk・Svenska -
GJ
The Enthusiastic, Entertaining Local
5.07 reviewsEnglish
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.
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Meeting point
Meet at In front of Cafe Edinburgh - Edinburgh to start your journey
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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.
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City Highlights
See from Grassmarket, Edinburgh Castle, Greyfriars Kirkyard and other landmarks and must-sees of the city. Your local host will take you to the main spots in town so you can get the perfect overview of what makes Edinburgh so unique -
Hidden Gems
Along the way, your local host will show you treasures hidden in plain sight that only the locals know about. Get to know the city through a different perspective, the local way, and discover places and stories that not many tourists experience -
Magical Storytelling
Behind every landmark and every stop, there’s a story, and your local host is ready to tell it all. Get ready to listen to incredible stories, one-of-a-kind insights, and fun facts only a knowledgeable local would know! -
Special Treat
Follow your host to one of their favorite eateries for a snack or a drink beloved by the locals. Take a break and catch up with your new local friend and get the answers to all your travel questions -
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
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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.
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Change of plans?
Reschedule your experience to a date and time that works best for you.
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Loved by travelers worldwide
Simple and flexible – your plans, your way.
Reviews from guests
Beth🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
2 June 2025
Chris was such a great guide around Edinburgh! He is very knowledgeable and led us to places we would have never found. We learned a lot and had laughs along the way. I wouldn't hesitate booking with him again!Chris was a fantastic tour guide!
Kathleen🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
30 May 2025
Neil gave my husband and me a stellar tour of Edinburgh. He was interesting, informative and so very knowledgeable, particularly of the history and literature of Scotland. Neil is, as well, a funny, smart, engaging person and made our visit a memorable one. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide. A perfect day with Neil
Susan
(About local )
24 May 2025
Alice is a masterful storyteller. She effortlessly communicated fascinating information on Edinburgh's places and people. Additionally. Alice was approachable and a joy to spend time with. Highly recommend!!Top notch tour.
Bill🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
22 May 2025
Lovely afternoon of local stories and knowledge. Alice was very personable and we enjoyed her company very much. Three hours flew by. Love Alice and love Edinburgh. Thank youLots of fun and stories too!
Jessica🇮🇹 Italy
(About local )
22 May 2025
Great introduction to Edinburgh,
Lila🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
20 May 2025
Alice was prompt at the meeting point. Her tour is easy going, and her storytelling brings Edinburgh’s history alive.
We enjoyed and actually remember the stories. If you want a fun approach to learning about Edinburgh’s characters, this is a great tour.Fun tour and learning experience
Diana
(About local )
16 May 2025
Alec was an excellent guide who tailored his tour according to our interests. Personable , Knowledgeable, and well paced. As usual, WithLocals offers great private tours. Thank you, Alec Walking Edinburgh with Alec
Dot🇬🇧 United Kingdom
(About local )
15 May 2025
Had a fantastic afternoon with Russell. Took us to the main sights but lots of nooks and grannies too. Great knowledge of the city and those who have made it what it is today. Three hours flew by!Great Day
Christa🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
15 May 2025
Alice was an absolutely wonderful guide! She captivated us with the stories she shared. All four adults in our group talked about how great she was for days afterwards and how much we enjoyed her walking tour. I would highly recommend booking an experience with Alice! A wonderful experience in Edinburgh!
Laura🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
14 May 2025
Laura was a fun and delightful guide. She shared stories and insights, history and chuckles. A very fun and informative time together.Fun and fascinating!
Shantel🇨🇳 China
(About local )
13 May 2025
She is very patient with children, answers all questions seriously, and is enthusiastic throughout the journey, making it a very enjoyable trip.
She’s really nice and knowledgeable.
Pat🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
13 May 2025
It was such a pleasure being with Laura for our Edinburgh walking tour. Laura is a gem! We so enjoyed Laura’s insights, historical knowledge, and love of Edinburgh through lovely inspired stories and interesting facts. We all wholeheartedly recommend Laura for your guide and wish she was with us through our other journeys just as a fun friend.New Bestie
Judi & Jim🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
11 May 2025
We thoroughly enjoyed our private tour with Monica. She regaled us with stories and made history come alive. She lead us to the main sights and took us off the beaten track. She was a quick study of our interests and personalized her presentation for us. Consequently, our Edinburgh visit will be memorable. An Enlightening and Enjoyable Day
Kari🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
9 May 2025
We had a fabulous tour of Edinburgh with Joe. He reached out before the tour to find out our interests and to ask if there was anything in particular we wanted to see. He told us about the history of Edinburgh and stories about some of its characters! He showed us some great places off the beaten path. Not to mention he shared some great recommendations. Highly recommend Joe! Thanks Joe!Great tour with Joe!
David and Karen🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
7 May 2025
We thoroughly enjoyed our Edinburgh walking tour with Neil. Having grown up in the city, Neil was a wealth of information on the history of Edinburgh and Scotland in general. He showed us unique places in the city that the larger group tours were sure to overlook. Neil also provided extra information and insights that helped with our trip both before and after the walking tour. We highly recommend anyone that is looking for a great tour of Edinburgh to strongly consider booking with Neil and WithLocals!Great Tour with Neil
tish🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
5 May 2025
I always take the time to look at all of the tour guides available for the time of day and the day that I would like to go on a tour in the city I’m in. All of the tour guides seem to have good qualities so it’s a little tricky to pick the right one, but if you pick Alice, you won’t be sorry. I think Alice’s best quality was her storytelling ability. She’s very professional, friendly and knowledgeable. I enjoyed her company very much. She really knows a lot about Edinburgh. If you select her as your guide for the city, you will not be sorry. Thank you Alice for showing us your city! Select Alice for Edinburgh tour guide
Marcus🇩🇪 Germany
(About local )
4 May 2025
Thank Alice for the great stories, history and Insider knowledge about Edinburgh. We learned a lot.
We can highly recomment the three hours tour.
We would do it everytime again. a lot with nice stories, everytime again
Anita
(About local )
3 May 2025
We enjoyed every minute of our three-hour tour with Alice. She told us many interesting And historica facts And showed us around in a passionate way. Definitely worth asking Alice to be your guide. 10 points.
Lovely storyteller!!
Nadia🇳🇱 Netherlands
(About local )
2 May 2025
Thank you Alice for the lovely tour we did through the city. She is an amazing storyteller. We’ve learned so much about the history of the beautiful Edinburgh. I promised myself to go back and back you again! Thank you!
Ron
(About local )
1 May 2025
Thanks, Russell, for sharing Old Town Edinburgh with us! The tour gave us a better sense of Edinburgh's history, spanning must-see sites like the castle to quirky gems that we would never have discovered on our own. What truly set this experience apart was the personal touch: Russell tailored the tour to our interests, made great recommendations for the rest of our stay, and even shared some favorite local spots that weren’t in any guidebook. We left not only with a deeper appreciation for Edinburgh, but also with a stronger sense of connection to the place and its people.Old Town Edinburgh with a personal touch
Margaret🇩🇪 Germany
(About local )
29 April 2025
Our personal tour of Edinburgh with Alice was nothing short of fantastic. She’s got that rare gift of blending history with humor — one minute we were learning about the scandals of the time , next we were laughing about medieval mishaps. Her storytelling made the city come alive; it felt less like a tour and more like time-traveling with a witty local friend. We saw hidden gems, heard tales you won’t find in guidebooks, and even learned how manage to avoid many stairs!! If you’re looking for a guide who’s fun, informative, and full of character — Alice is your person!Fantastic time!
Alma🇱🇹 Lithuania
(About local )
27 April 2025
A truly unexpected treasure - don't even think of going for someone else. You want a tour with G to discover the higlights and most fascinating parts of history of Edinburgh - you couldn't possibly find someone who's as passionate, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, smart, authentic and witty, and who keeps one thoroughly engaged and focused, and wishing to come back for more. Me and my friends from various backgrounds have had a lot of guided tours across the globe and could only agree this was the best one we ever had. Thank you, G ! HUGELY RECOMMENDED. The Best Tour Guide one could possibly get
Ki Jin🇸🇬 Singapore
(About local )
24 April 2025
We had a wonderful walking tour of Edinburgh with Gains. He took us to interesting places within the city which are not popularly visited. He was patient, kind and understanding and adapted the tour according to our interests Interesting and informative tout
Meghan
(About local )
21 April 2025
My husband and I had a wonderful morning with Monica exploring various parts of Edinburgh. This city is stunning and Monica made it even better. We learned about the early beginnings of Edinburgh as well as current times. Monica was engaging, funny, and full of great stories. She also gave us terrific recommendations for things to see and places to eat. We took her advice and had lunch at the Cannonball Pub by Edinburgh Castle right after the tour. And we can’t wait to take the tram to Leith that she told us about. We highly recommend Monica to get a terrific flavor of Edinburgh and learn a bit, too. Perfect tour of Edinburgh
Anke🇩🇪 Germany
(About local )
19 April 2025
Thank You for guiding us through the wonderful city! We enjoyed it very much!Perfect tour!!
Clare
(About local )
17 April 2025
Despite cold, wet weather we had a great time with Alice. Knowledgeable, amusing and a great story teller who gave us insight into the history of Edinburgh that you simply can’t get on your own. Well worth it.Great tour with Alice
Bronwynne🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
12 April 2025
What a personable, knowledgeable guide! He made history come alive and ended the tour with a cherry on top - the old Parliament building was just stunning! Haven’t had such a good time since the pigs ate my little brother - choose this gentleman for a wonderful tour…Gifted storyteller
Judy🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
2 April 2025
We really enjoyed Gaines’s discussion of Scottish history and being shown various historical sites. If you want to nerd out about history and its relevance to the world today, Gains is your guy!A real historian’s tour!
Steven
(About local )
2 April 2025
Joe is both friendly and has great knowledge, we really enjoyed the experience.
We were a mixed group of Edinburgh locals and new to Edinburgh, and he kept us all engaged throughout. Great way to spend an afternoon
Sophie
(About local )
22 March 2025
G from the off set, thrilled us with amazing stories of Scottish history, and the people who have shaped the city it is today. We would 100% recommend a tour with G. Master storyteller
Unknown
(About local )
14 March 2025
Alice was extremely knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and tailored the tour to our interests. She was a great storyteller and made the past come alive. Highly recommend. Top-flight guide brings the past to life
miranda
(About local )
24 February 2025
Konrad
(About local )
16 February 2025
We definitely recommend a private tour with Alec for the first moment you arrive in Edinburgh. We enjoyed the whole tour from the first moment and it was a great start to our long weekend. It was very informative and interesting. It was lovely to hear all the stories from Alec. Awesome way to know the city
Alan🇮🇪 Ireland
(About local )
9 February 2025
Very informative and thought provoking tour with Alec. Lots of history (naturally) laced with plenty of good humour. Real privilege getting to see the Thistle Chapel in St Giles Cathedral.Edinburgh Old Town Tales
Maria🇬🇧 United Kingdom
(About local )
2 February 2025
We had an absolutely fabulous tour of Edinburgh with Alec. We saw all of the key sights in the old town which is beautiful. Alec was extremely knowledgeable and was full of stories which were enlightening and funny! Alec was a pleasure to spend our afternoon with and we would highly recommend him as a tour guide. Thank you so much.Cannot recommend Alec enough
Tania🇨🇦 Canada
(About local )
28 January 2025
We had a wonderful time on The Hidden Gems of Edinburgh Tour with Alice as a family of 4 with 2 school age kiddos. Alice told wonderful and engaging stories for everyone while taking us around to local spots! We would definitely suggest her for a tour.Fun Family Tour
Melonie🇬🇧 United Kingdom
(About local )
12 January 2025
Our time in Edinburgh was really special thanks to Alec. In our short time together, he shared many of Edinburgh’s hidden gems and interesting historical stories. We would never have learned all of the neat things he shared roaming Edinburgh on our own. We can’t say enough great things about Alec and his fun, energetic personality. We will be back to tour with Alec again!Edinburgh with a pro!
Pooja🇬🇧 United Kingdom
(About local )
21 December 2024
My husband and I had a great time exploring Edinburgh with Russell and hearing all about the key landmarks and history of the city - Russell was very knowledgeable and was able to answer all of our questions. We even stopped off at a local pub and enjoyed a drink together 🍻
I would recommend booking with Russell if you want to have a great time while learning all about this beautiful city!Brilliant tour with Russell!
Unknown
(About local )
5 November 2024
Our tour with Laura was wonderful! She was so kind and had a lot of wonderful things to show us. We loved the historical context she added to our tour as well! Wonderful tour with Laura!
Estelle🇬🇧 United Kingdom
(About local )
27 October 2024
Alice was a fantastic tour guide and very engaging. We very much enjoyed our tour with her and learning about this wonderful city. Her stories were captivating and she has a lovely way about her. Would definitely recommend Alice!A great tour of the lovely Edinburgh
lynda🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
25 October 2024
Alec was an amazing historian and story teller. He exposed us to areas and stories we would most definitely have missed. The city tour was diversified and Alec was accommodating, adapting the tour to our mobility concerns. 10+++Fantastic Edinburgh city tour
Mark🇬🇧 United Kingdom
(About local )
25 October 2024
6y5ywzrcby
(About local )
22 October 2024
My husband and I had an amazing tour with Monica in late September. She was very personable and we felt like old friends fairly quickly. Her knowledge of the City and history was perfect. She gave wonderful recommendations for things to do and places to eat/drink for the rest of our stay, and they all turned out to be perfect. One of her pub recommendations was so good that we went there a few times over the course of the week. We’d absolutely recommend Monica for anyone looking for a good walking tour.We had a wonderful tour with Monica!
Gabrielle🇩🇪 Germany
(About local )
16 October 2024
Alice is an exceptional guide and storyteller, truly one of the best we've ever had. Her charming and engaging personality, combined with her impressive knowledge and storytelling abilities, made our tour of Edinburgh an unforgettable experience. Alice's captivating tales of the city's rich history and folklore brought the streets and landmarks to life, leaving us with a profound appreciation for the city. Her witty and humorous delivery kept us entertained throughout the tour, making it an absolute delight. We highly recommend Alice to anyone seeking an authentic and immersive Edinburgh experience. Her passion for the city is contagious, and she has a remarkable talent for making every step feel like a journey through time.Edinburgh's Amazing Guide and Storyteller
Denice
(About local )
15 October 2024
Alice was a funny, engaging, charming guide for my husband and I. We interacted extremely well and loved her storytelling finesse. We peppered her with many questions and she was up to the challenge. We probably kept her from showing us a few things but we didn't mind. You'll love her enthusiasm. Delightful in every way
Birgitta🇩🇪 Germany
(About local )
13 October 2024
My daughter and I had a lovely time with Alec despite the not so welcoming weather (rain and hail). He had answers to all our questions and was pleasant to listen to. He was very knowledgeable with a good sense of humor. We highly recommend him.Fun and knowledgeable tour
Rebecca🇬🇧 United Kingdom
(About local )
9 October 2024
Xavier was a patient and charming guide. We were a group with mixed abilities and he was flexible and accommodating. We appreciated his use of multimedia while touring and by pointing out things we would have missed otherwise. He is knowledgable about so many aspects of the city. All members of the party would happily recommend Xavier as a guide!Auld Lang Syne
Jeffrey🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
30 September 2024
We had a wonderful tour with Svend on the morning of Sept 17. We were staying at the Hilton, so it was less than a 2 minute walk to the start of the tour. We've been to Edinburgh before, but Svend showed us things and told us stories that we had never heard or seen before. We spent 3 days in Edinburgh and based on all the great new information he provided us we need to plan another trip. We walked up most of the Royal mile, stopping off at several of the closes with good stories in each. We then went up to see Bobbie the dog and went into Greyfriars church yard. We ended up at the National Museum where the tour ended at the milleninum clock. The best part was that Svend modified the tour on-the-fly based on our conversations during the tour. I cannot recommend him high enough.Best tour we've ever had
Mona🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
29 September 2024
Alec was a few minutes late but all was forgiven when it was because the King was in town (and last minute road closure) as his procession went right past the meeting point!
Alec was a informative, intelligent, articulate and funny- a good time was had by the 3 of us!Excellent time!
Vincent🇨🇦 Canada
(About local )
23 September 2024
Niamh has an engaging personality and is an incredible story teller. We learned many dark and odd secrets of Edinburgh’s most famous characters. As a local, she has more inside knowledge and experiences than most. Added bonus - she has a beautiful voice as she sang a folk song during our walk. Wonderful Day
Withlocals experiencesare 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.
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