ITINERARIES
Check out our suggested itineraries to help you make the most of your visit. Whether you have an hour to spare or you're visiting Auld Reekie for a whole weekend, we have some great suggestions for you.
Just tell us how long you have to spare in Edinburgh and let us be your guide...
2 DAYS IN EDINBURGH
If you have two days to explore Edinburgh we recommend The Royal Edinburgh Ticket, which includes entry to Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse and Royal Yacht Britannia as well as 48 hours unlimited travel on 3 City Tours...
48 Hours on our 3 Tours
ENTRY TO 3 MAJOR ATTRACTIONS
- Edinburgh Castle
- The Royal Yacht Britannia
- Palace of Holyroodhouse
Edinburgh Castle
The Royal Yacht Britannia
Palace of Holyroodhouse
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Begin your adventure with The Royal Edinburgh Ticket on board an Edinburgh Tour to explore Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns with a live Guide.
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Once back at Waterloo Place, switch to a CitySightseeing Edinburgh tour and hop off at the Lawnmarket for Edinburgh Castle - make sure you've booked your time slot with our ticket sellers.
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Take your time discovering Edinburgh Castle and the fabulous views from Castle Rock. Look out for highlights including the Great Hall and St Margaret’s Chapel. If you’re there at lunchtime, listen out for the One o’clock Gun.
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Hop back on board a CitySightseeing Edinburgh tour and immerse yourself in the historic Old Town.
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Head down to Our Dynamic Earth and alight here. Either buy a discounted ticket for entry from your driver if you wish to go in, or take the time to explore Holyrood Park.
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Walk across to the Palace of Holyroodhouse and explore The King's official residence in Scotland. Look out for highlights including the State Apartments, Historic Apartments and Holyrood Abbey.
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Board a Regal Tour to see something of Edinburgh’s Georgian New Town before hopping off at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. See plants and trees from all over the world, and enjoy a stroll in the beautiful gardens for free. The cafes and shops offer a fine selection of refreshments if you so wish.
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Hop back on board a Regal Tour, taking you to Newhaven and Leith where you’ll see Edinburgh’s very own coastline. Royal Yacht Britannia is docked in Leith so hop off here and explore the Royal Yacht for yourself. Highlights include the State Apartments, the Crew’s Quarters and the Royal Deck Tea Room.
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If you like shopping, stay a little longer at Ocean Terminal shopping centre
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Hop back on a Regal Tour to return to the city centre.
-
Begin your adventure with The Royal Edinburgh Ticket on board an Edinburgh Tour to explore Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns with a live Guide.
-
Once back at Waterloo Place, switch to a CitySightseeing Edinburgh tour and hop off at the Lawnmarket for Edinburgh Castle - make sure you've booked your time slot with our ticket sellers.
-
Take your time discovering Edinburgh Castle and the fabulous views from Castle Rock. Look out for highlights including the Great Hall and St Margaret’s Chapel. If you’re there at lunchtime, listen out for the One o’clock Gun.
-
Hop back on board a CitySightseeing Edinburgh tour and immerse yourself in the historic Old Town.
-
Head down to Our Dynamic Earth and alight here. Either buy a discounted ticket for entry from your driver if you wish to go in, or take the time to explore Holyrood Park.
-
Walk across to the Palace of Holyroodhouse and explore The King's official residence in Scotland. Look out for highlights including the State Apartments, Historic Apartments and Holyrood Abbey.
-
Board a Regal Tour to see something of Edinburgh’s Georgian New Town before hopping off at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. See plants and trees from all over the world, and enjoy a stroll in the beautiful gardens for free. The cafes and shops offer a fine selection of refreshments if you so wish.
-
Hop back on board a Regal Tour, taking you to Newhaven and Leith where you’ll see Edinburgh’s very own coastline. Royal Yacht Britannia is docked in Leith so hop off here and explore the Royal Yacht for yourself. Highlights include the State Apartments, the Crew’s Quarters and the Royal Deck Tea Room.
-
If you like shopping, stay a little longer at Ocean Terminal shopping centre
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Hop back on a Regal Tour to return to the city centre.
1 DAY IN EDINBURGH
If you have a whole day to explore we recommend you buy a Grand 24 ticket, giving you unlimited travel for 24 hours on The Regal Tour, The Edinburgh Tour and CitySightseeing Edinburgh. With access to these 3 City Tours you can discover...
Make a day of it exploring with Edinburgh Bus Tours - you’ll see the city, enjoy unbeatable views from the top deck and have plenty of opportunity to sample a range of Edinburgh’s foodie delights.
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Breakfast in the Old Town. Set off on board a green Edinburgh Tour from Waterloo Place. Take in panoramic views of the Old Town from Regent Road while listening to a specially trained guide in English before hopping off on the Canongate to discover a range of artisan bakeries. There you’ll discover some great options for breakfast/ brunch with all the atmosphere and charm of the Old Town. For coffee drinkers, the standards are high so this is a good area to get your morning fix. Plus there are plenty of good shops should you wish to take an authentic Scottish foodie treat home.
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Lunch in the Grassmarket. Hop back on board an Edinburgh Tour and let us show you the rest of the Old Town while hearing all about it from your guide, including the infamous Grassmarket where Edinburgh’s public hangings took place. Don’t let its historical reputation put you off; if you’re looking to hop off for lunch there are some fantastic pubs and cafes offering a range of Scottish and international cuisine.
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Fresh seafood on Edinburgh’s Coast Line. For seafood lovers we recommend joining a Regal Tour that heads to Edinburgh’s coastline. Hop off for a coffee in Canonmills where you can choose from a range of locally run venues, and/ or hop off at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh for a stroll. Hop back on board a Regal Tour and discover Newhaven. Hear about its fishing history with our multi-lingual commentary and hop off to discover some of the freshest seafood in the city. Next along the coast is Leith - home to some of Edinburgh’s most highly acclaimed Michelin Star restaurants so is a great option for fans of fine dining. As well as restaurants, Leith offers a wealth of good cafes and bars. If you decide to make an evening of it and miss the last Regal Tour back to the city centre, Lothian Buses will bring you back on board a service 11 or 34 bus.
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Some of the best deals in town. For those who wish to sample Edinburgh’s food and drink without breaking the bank, check out our list of exclusive discounts that Edinburgh Bus Tours ticket holders can access.
-
Jump on an Edinburgh Tour for an introduction to Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns with a live Guide.
-
At Waterloo Place, meet a CitySightseeing Edinburgh tour and head to the Lawnmarket for Edinburgh Castle (don’t forget to buy your ticket from your Driver or Ticket Seller in advance for guaranteed entry).
-
Take your time discovering Edinburgh Castle and the fabulous views from Castle Rock. Look out for highlights including the Great Hall and St Margaret’s Chapel. If you’re there at lunchtime, listen out for the One o’clock Gun. Allow between 1.5 and 2 hours for your visit. Head back to Waterloo Place, by tour bus or by foot.
-
From Waterloo Place, hop on a Regal Tour. Let the Regal Tour take you further afield to Leith where Royal Yacht Britannia is docked. On board you’ll see Edinburgh’s coastline before returning to the city centre.
-
Board a Regal Tour for an introduction to Edinburgh’s Georgian New Town before hopping off at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. See plants and trees from all over the world and enjoy a stroll in the beautiful gardens. The cafes and shops offer a fine selection of refreshments if you so wish.
-
Hop back on a Regal Tour, taking you to Newhaven and Leith where you’ll see Edinburgh’s coastline. Royal Yacht Britannia is docked in Leith so why not hop off and take a couple of hours to explore the Royal Yacht for yourself. Don’t forget to show your Edinburgh Bus Tours ticket upon arrival – you’ll enjoy 10% off the admission price if you do.
-
Hop back on board a Regal Tour to return to the city centre.
-
From Waterloo Place, let an Edinburgh Tour tour show you Edinburgh's Old Town with commentary from a specially trained guide in English. There you will find various opportunities to hop off and purchase souvenirs from a range of shops.
-
For contemporary clothing, hop off a city tour in the New Town, or take a short walk from Waterloo Place to George Street and Princes Street.
Make a day of it exploring with Edinburgh Bus Tours - you’ll see the city, enjoy unbeatable views from the top deck and have plenty of opportunity to sample a range of Edinburgh’s foodie delights.
-
Breakfast in the Old Town. Set off on board a green Edinburgh Tour from Waterloo Place. Take in panoramic views of the Old Town from Regent Road while listening to a specially trained guide in English before hopping off on the Canongate to discover a range of artisan bakeries. There you’ll discover some great options for breakfast/ brunch with all the atmosphere and charm of the Old Town. For coffee drinkers, the standards are high so this is a good area to get your morning fix. Plus there are plenty of good shops should you wish to take an authentic Scottish foodie treat home.
-
Lunch in the Grassmarket. Hop back on board an Edinburgh Tour and let us show you the rest of the Old Town while hearing all about it from your guide, including the infamous Grassmarket where Edinburgh’s public hangings took place. Don’t let its historical reputation put you off; if you’re looking to hop off for lunch there are some fantastic pubs and cafes offering a range of Scottish and international cuisine.
-
Fresh seafood on Edinburgh’s Coast Line. For seafood lovers we recommend joining a Regal Tour that heads to Edinburgh’s coastline. Hop off for a coffee in Canonmills where you can choose from a range of locally run venues, and/ or hop off at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh for a stroll. Hop back on board a Regal Tour and discover Newhaven. Hear about its fishing history with our multi-lingual commentary and hop off to discover some of the freshest seafood in the city. Next along the coast is Leith - home to some of Edinburgh’s most highly acclaimed Michelin Star restaurants so is a great option for fans of fine dining. As well as restaurants, Leith offers a wealth of good cafes and bars. If you decide to make an evening of it and miss the last Regal Tour back to the city centre, Lothian Buses will bring you back on board a service 11 or 34 bus.
-
Some of the best deals in town. For those who wish to sample Edinburgh’s food and drink without breaking the bank, check out our list of exclusive discounts that Edinburgh Bus Tours ticket holders can access.
-
Jump on an Edinburgh Tour for an introduction to Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns with a live Guide.
-
At Waterloo Place, meet a CitySightseeing Edinburgh tour and head to the Lawnmarket for Edinburgh Castle (don’t forget to buy your ticket from your Driver or Ticket Seller in advance for guaranteed entry).
-
Take your time discovering Edinburgh Castle and the fabulous views from Castle Rock. Look out for highlights including the Great Hall and St Margaret’s Chapel. If you’re there at lunchtime, listen out for the One o’clock Gun. Allow between 1.5 and 2 hours for your visit. Head back to Waterloo Place, by tour bus or by foot.
-
From Waterloo Place, hop on a Regal Tour. Let the Regal Tour take you further afield to Leith where Royal Yacht Britannia is docked. On board you’ll see Edinburgh’s coastline before returning to the city centre.
-
Board a Regal Tour for an introduction to Edinburgh’s Georgian New Town before hopping off at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. See plants and trees from all over the world and enjoy a stroll in the beautiful gardens. The cafes and shops offer a fine selection of refreshments if you so wish.
-
Hop back on a Regal Tour, taking you to Newhaven and Leith where you’ll see Edinburgh’s coastline. Royal Yacht Britannia is docked in Leith so why not hop off and take a couple of hours to explore the Royal Yacht for yourself. Don’t forget to show your Edinburgh Bus Tours ticket upon arrival – you’ll enjoy 10% off the admission price if you do.
-
Hop back on board a Regal Tour to return to the city centre.
-
From Waterloo Place, let an Edinburgh Tour tour show you Edinburgh's Old Town with commentary from a specially trained guide in English. There you will find various opportunities to hop off and purchase souvenirs from a range of shops.
-
For contemporary clothing, hop off a city tour in the New Town, or take a short walk from Waterloo Place to George Street and Princes Street.
HALF A DAY IN EDINBURGH
If you have a spare morning we recommend you purchase a Grand 24 ticket. With access to all 3 City Tours you can...
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Hear tales of Edinburgh’s Old Town from an expert Guide on board an Edinburgh Tour. Hop off at the Lawnmarket for incredible views from the Castle’s Esplanade.
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Hop on board CitySightseeing Edinburgh at the Lawnmarket and visit the National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street before enjoying a different view of the Canongate.
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Take the time to explore Holyrood Park from the bus stop at Our Dynamic Earth. Let a CitySightseeing Edinburgh tour pick you up from Our Dynamic Earth before showing you the stunning panoramic view of Edinburgh's Old Town from Regent Road.
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Hop off at St Andrew Square and head to the Mound for a look at the Scottish National Gallery and to explore Princes Street Gardens.
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Start the day at Waterloo Place and join a Regal Tour. Take in the sights from the top deck, including St Andrew Square and Canonmills.
-
Hop off if you fancy a walk around the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and enjoy views towards Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town.
-
Hop back on board a Regal Tour and explore Edinburgh's coastline at Newhaven and Leith. Hop off for the Royal Yacht Britannia and/ or enjoy one of the many fine eateries in that area - The Shore is something of a haven for foodies.
-
Hop back on board a Regal Tour to return to the city centre.
-
Hear tales of Edinburgh’s Old Town from an expert Guide on board an Edinburgh Tour. Hop off at the Lawnmarket for incredible views from the Castle’s Esplanade.
-
Hop on board CitySightseeing Edinburgh at the Lawnmarket and visit the National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street before enjoying a different view of the Canongate.
-
Take the time to explore Holyrood Park from the bus stop at Our Dynamic Earth. Let a CitySightseeing Edinburgh tour pick you up from Our Dynamic Earth before showing you the stunning panoramic view of Edinburgh's Old Town from Regent Road.
-
Hop off at St Andrew Square and head to the Mound for a look at the Scottish National Gallery and to explore Princes Street Gardens.
-
Start the day at Waterloo Place and join a Regal Tour. Take in the sights from the top deck, including St Andrew Square and Canonmills.
-
Hop off if you fancy a walk around the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and enjoy views towards Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town.
-
Hop back on board a Regal Tour and explore Edinburgh's coastline at Newhaven and Leith. Hop off for the Royal Yacht Britannia and/ or enjoy one of the many fine eateries in that area - The Shore is something of a haven for foodies.
-
Hop back on board a Regal Tour to return to the city centre.
1 HOUR IN EDINBURGH
If you're short of time, why not board an Edinburgh Tour with a live guide, or CitySightseeing Edinburgh with audio commentary for the city’s highlights.
On board our CitySightseeing Edinburgh tour, you can hear about Edinburgh in nine languages, and your children will love our Horrible Histories commentary by Terry Deary.
If you want to explore both Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns, check out the Edinburgh Tour. Our specially trained Tour Guides will keep you entertained with fascinating tales of Edinburgh, past and present. Highlights include Edinburgh Castle, The Georgian Architecture of Edinburgh’s New Town and National Museum of Scotland.
Please note
All itineraries assume the starting point of Waterloo Place. Edinburgh Bus Tours advises you check all individual attractions and places of interest for their opening times and booking procedures before visiting. We do not accept responsibility if our suggestions are not available.
