City Essentials: First Day • 3 hours 5.0 (77)

Kickstart your trip to Edinburgh

The perfect 3-hour experience for your first day in Edinburgh. Get oriented and gain tips from your host to make the most of the rest of your visit.

Walking is undoubtedly the best way to see the city so bring a sturdy pair of shoes to deal with the cobbled streets!

What makes this experience special

Key highlights

  • Familiarize yourself with the best ways to navigate Edinburgh and orientate yourself with a host by your side
  • See the most famous attractions in the area you would like to explore
  • Ask any questions you have about exploring Edinburgh and where your host think you should visit
  • Get tip-offs on local favorites - from bars to markets and everything in between

What to know before you go

Here’s everything you need to know before your day unfolds.

3 hours
Fully tailored to your preferences
English Other languages may be requested

What’s included

Private and personalized experience
3 hours with a host
Walking experience
Hotel meet-up (available on request for central location)

What’s not included

Food and drinks
Tickets to any attractions
Transportation costs
Gratuities (optional)

Meeting point

Your hotel/apartment or any other central location

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience

What to bring

  • We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and carrying a light bag for your essentials.
  • Public transport may be used during the experience - please bring a travel card or small amount of cash for fares.

How your day could unfold

A flexible, unscripted experience designed entirely around your interests. Your host will adapt the day based on what excites you most

What you’ll do

Welcome to Edinburgh! Don’t worry about getting lost, looking lost, or feeling lost because one of our hosts has got you covered.

You will spend a few hours with them orientating yourself in this beautiful, antique city that just has so much to offer - from quirky bookshops to cozy pubs, and the poetry-inscribed streets in between.

Perched atop crags and blending seamlessly into its environment, Edinburgh has captured our hearts, and we know it will capture yours too!

With a little help from your host, you’ll be able to tell your lochs from your hillocks in no time. Let them show you the best ways to get around, or perhaps you’d prefer to take in a few of the city’s main attractions together?

Lord it over the city in Edinburgh Castle, strut your stuff down the Royal Mile, or simply just explore your neighborhood together, finding some obscure spots that make you giddy with excitement.

Whatever you like, this experience is about finding your feet in the highland’s heart and kickstarting your trip to Edinburgh.

1. Select a date
2. Select start time
3. Tailor your experience
Answer a few quick questions to help your host craft the perfect day tailored to you.
1. What’s your preferred hosting style?
2. How would you like the pace of your day?
3. What’s your walking comfort level?
4. Are you celebrating something special?

Real Stories, Real Connections

See our hosts and guests creating memories
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GYGZG3ZBVG32_host_Doug_Scott_Royal_Walk_Edinburgh

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recommended by 99% of travelers on google
recommended by 99% of travelers on tripadvisor
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What travelers think of this experience

Violaine, Jan 2025

Great moment with a great tourguide.

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Candice, Dec 2024

Laila was so lovely. It was so great to have a private tour and avoid all the crowds and see places we would never have known about. It was really interesting and I cannot recommend it enough.

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Lisbeth, Dec 2024

Fantastic inspiring walk with guide Doug Scott History and stories about life in Edinburgh old Town.

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Karen, Oct 2024

We had a limited time in Edinburgh and Calcedonio Riesi was our tour guide. His love of history and his city and country was evident as he gave us an engaging walk through Edinburgh -full of history, myths, and anecdotes. He offered suggestions for the remainder of our stay as well. Full of knowledge and energy, the time flew by as we talked centuries of royalty, history, renovations and progress. You can’t miss spending some time with Cal!

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Karen, Oct 2024

Cal made every effort to address our interests and engaged us in the history and present day of Edinburgh. We would highly recommend him for any tour…He has a great level of energy … he clearly loves his city, his country’s history and meeting people to share his passion and love of history.

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Judith, Oct 2024

Our morning with Andre exceeded our expectations. We booked our tour of Edinburgh at the very last minute but Andre reached out to us and put together the most perfect introduction to this amazing city. He showed us several sites we never would have found or understood without him ,and he made many recommendations which we appreciated and used on our own. He was always mindful of our needs, ( coffee, rest breaks etc. ) and made himself available for questions even after we parted. I feel as if we have made a friend in Edinburgh and would not hesitate to request him again. Best decision we ever made! Thank you, Andre!

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