Admissions not included.
Your purchase is for 30-day access to our self-guided cell-phone tour. Tickets or entry fees
for museums, historic sites, and other attractions are sold separately.
This curated ‘greatest hits’ walk pulls together standout stops from our Royal Mile, Enlightenment, and haunted routes into one seamless circuit. From castle ramparts and spires to kirkyards, closes, classic taverns, abbey ruins, and the royal palace, you’ll see the essential Edinburgh back-to-back without guesswork. With narration, GPS guidance, and local tips, it’s one of the smartest ways to experience the city’s core history and atmosphere in a single, memorable route.
Highlights
Edinburgh Castle — fortress on volcanic rock; discover royal apartments, sieges, and the daily One O’Clock Gun.
St Giles’ Cathedral — High Kirk with crown spire; see how faith, politics, and the Reformation shaped Edinburgh here.
Greyfriars Kirk — kirk and kirkyard of Covenanters and legends; walk among stones that inspired stories of loyalty and ghosts.
Palace of Holyroodhouse — working royal residence at the Mile’s end; step into rooms tied to Mary, Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie.
Holyrood Abbey — romantic ruins beside the palace; trace how abbey, court, and storm damage left this shell of carved stone.
Royal Mile (High Street) — Edinburgh’s main historic street; follow closes and façades that turned a ridge into the city’s civic spine.
Writers’ Museum — townhouse devoted to Burns, Scott, and Stevenson; find manuscripts, portraits, and tales of how their words traveled.
Grassmarket Square — hollow below the castle; learn how markets, inns, and gallows made this a stage for crowds and executions.
Victoria Street (West Bow) — curving, colorful lane; explore shops and arches on the street that links old markets with modern cafés.
The World’s End — tavern at the old city boundary; hear how walls, crime stories, and local lore gave this pub its name.
Mary King’s Close — buried Old Town street under the Royal Mile; step into cramped rooms where plague stories and real families once lived.
Scottish Parliament — modern parliament opposite Holyrood; see how bold architecture frames today’s debates on Scotland’s future.
All this, plus additional "hidden gems," expertly brought to life through our virtual guides....with rich, vivid history, local stories, and unmatched knowledge you will not find elsewhere. Even better, no tipping required!
Distance: ~2.5 miles (4 km) • Time: 2.5 hours • Stops: 12+ • Terrain: Slopes, cobblestones, castle steps, kirkyards, closes
Shaded area = approximate tour area
What you’ll experience
GPS location tracking — see your current location on the map.
Virtual Tour Guides — Detailed narration at each stop & answers to common questions.
Vast local knowledge — history, legends, and insider spots.
Local weather updates — stay prepared as you explore outdoors.
A “Free Roaming” adventure — start anywhere, wander at your pace.
What exactly unlocks when I buy?
You’ll get the full tour map with hot-air balloon markers (our map pins), our suggested walking path for orientation, detailed stories and site info, narration, and tons of local tips. Your purchase gives you unlimited access for 30 days via a private link. It runs right in your mobile browser — no installs, no storage — just open and go.
How do I start the tour?
Open your private tour link on your phone and tap the compass icon on the map to show where you are. Simply walk to the nearest stop and tap its marker to start the story. Then just visit any other stops you like, in any order, at your own pace.
How does a SmartWalkTour differ from a traditional tour?
It’s your pace, your path. No buses or group schedules. No tour guide tipping. Explore freely with on-map markers, narration, and an optional suggested path for big-picture orientation. Pause for a café, browse a shop, and pick up where you left off anytime — your guide is always in your pocket.
Screenshots from an actual tour. (Key West example)
Swipe or scroll to see more →
Multiple tour stopping points. Start at any one, then tap the hot air balloon for detailed tour guide information.Virtual tour guides share rich stories at every stop, with Q&A and helpful links.Always know the local weather and plan your walk comfortably.Discover more tours nearby—walkable options to keep exploring.Four map styles, live GPS, and a suggested path you can toggle on/off.Helpful information is built in, plus links for even more detail.In app tips, FAQs, Local festivals and events. Maps show a wealth of detail, with public restroom locations.Direct links to attractions for hours, tickets, and more.
