Self-Guided Edinburgh’s Old Town Walking Audio Tour

Duration2h - 3h

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesEnglish

Private tourOnly your group will participate

Overview

Download GuideAlong’s self-guided audio walking tour of Edinburgh’s historic Old Town. Begin at the incomparable Victoria Street, poke around Greyfriars Kirkyard, and finish up near Edinburgh Castle.

Along the way, discover winding medieval streets, historic landmarks, stunning architecture, and - best of all - the hidden gems that inspired J.K. Rowling when writing the Harry Potter series.

Enjoy the freedom to explore offline at your own pace, spending more time at places that interest you and bypassing any that don’t.

Stories, tips, and directions play automatically based on your location
Travel at your own pace
Tour offline using GPS. No cell service or WiFi is needed
Suggested itineraries for half, full, or multi-day use
No time limits or expiry, and free updates
Like having a personal guide by your side on every step

Purchase one tour per person, or listen together by sharing headphones or a speaker.

What's included

Support: Toll free phone, chat and email
Easy To Use: Pre-download and tour offline
Trip Planners: In-app, web and PDF
Location Based: Stories, tips & directions that autoplay
Includes an app-based self-guided experience, so you do not need any in-person guide.
Buy once, use forever! No expiry, includes free updates
Flexible Routes: Suggested itineraries or create your own
GuideAlong (GyPSy Guide) Audio Tour: 35+ Points

Entry Fees, National Park Passes, Reservations

What to expect

Edinburgh Castle
10m

No trip to Edinburgh is complete without a journey through this ancient fortification. This castle has stood for centuries, and a walk through its sturdy walls is a walk through Scottish history.
George Heriot's School
15m

George Heriot’s School was one of the main inspirations for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The movies weren't filmed here, but it certainly does look like something out of the wizarding world.
15m

Step into the hauntingly beautiful Greyfriars Kirkyard, one of Edinburgh’s most iconic graveyards. With its cobbled pathways and weathered tombstones, this historic site is the final resting place for many notable figures and a key inspiration for J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. Look out for the grave of Thomas Riddell, which is believed to have influenced the name of Voldemort. A must-see for any Potter fan, Greyfriars offers a fascinating glimpse into Edinburgh’s past and its connections to the wizarding world.
St Giles' Cathedral
15m

This has been an active church, serving local congregants, for over 900 years. If you step inside the cathedral, you can see the sweeping arched ceilings and stained glass that will certainly make you feel like you’ve wandered into the Great Hall at Hogwarts.
15m

The Elephant House is commonly called the “birthplace of Harry Potter” since this is where Rowling would often come to sit and write while her daughter napped in the pram.
Victoria Street
15m

Some call this street the Diagon Alley of Edinburgh, and it’s easy to see why. The candy-colored shops, restaurants, and flats crowd around the winding street, making it one of the best shopping destinations in all of Old Town.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Includes an app-based self-guided experience, so there is no need to meet an in-person guide. Begin at the Covenanter’s Memorial on Grassmarket Street near Victoria Street. If arriving by bus, get off at the Grassmarket stop and walk toward West Bow.

End point

Includes an app-based self-guided experience, so there is no need to meet an in-person guide. Begin at the Covenanter’s Memorial on Grassmarket Street near Victoria Street. If arriving by bus, get off at the Grassmarket stop and walk toward West Bow.

Additional information

Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How to Access: After booking you’ll receive an email and text with instructions (search “Download Audio Tour”). Click the link in the email/text to sign in with your preferred Apple or Google account and redeem your voucher code ahead of time.
Download The GuideAlong App: Download the free app over WiFi or cellular data and sign in with the same Apple or Google account.
Download The Tour: Download the tour in the GuideAlong app under 'My Tours' over WiFi or cellular data.
Start The Tour: Open the tour in the GuideAlong app to preview the start locations, tour route and trip planner, or start the tour.
Location-Based Stories: Audio commentary plays automatically as you drive using your phone’s GPS chip. Wherever you are and whichever direction you’re going, you’ll hear the best stories and tips.
Flexible Travel Date: Tours are a one-time purchase with no expiry or date/time limit. If your plans change to a different day, there’s no need to change your travel date.
Tour at Your Leisure: With GuideAlong, you control the pace. Start, stop, and resume the tour any day, anytime, adapting it to your schedule.
Works Offline: No internet or cell service is required once the audio tour is downloaded to your phone, so you can relax and tour offline.
Technical Support: The GuideAlong support team is available daily by toll-free phone, online chat, and email.
Multi-Device Access: Everyone in your group can enjoy the tour on their own phone. Just share the same voucher code or setup link with each traveler in your booking. Each traveler can redeem it on one device.
For the best experience, please bring earphones or headphones so you can hear the audio clearly while walking. We also recommend carrying a fully charged phone or a portable power bank, as GPS and continuous audio use can drain the battery faster.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.