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Edinburgh Royal Mile Alleyway Tour

New To The Site! Edinburgh, Scotland
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from US$21.90 per person

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One of our favorite alleys. Where will it lead?
A small garden surrounded by history.
Well-known Tolbooth from Canongate.
Still don't know who Deacon Brodie was?
James Court, must-see stop on the alleyway tour.

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2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
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Instant confirmation

Overview

Explore the Royal Mile and its secret alleys on a journey where history comes to life. From the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle, enter the old closets, narrow passages full of history, until you reach the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Visit iconic landmarks such as Bakehouse Close, Dunbar’s Close or James Court, as we discover the lives of key figures such as Allan Ramsay, David Hume or Patrick Geddes.

You will also explore gardens hidden among the stone, small oases in the heart of historic center. An ideal experience for those looking to discover the most authentic and surprising side of Edinburgh.

What's Included

  • Two and a half hour guided tour of the alleys of the Royal Mile of Edinburgh

    Meeting Location

    Meeting point

    Upper Bow
    Edinburgh EH2JN, UK

    Show on Google Maps

    Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

    End point

    Horse Wynd
    Edinburgh EH99 1SP, UK

    The tour ends in front of the Scottish Parliament, just in front of Holyroodhouse Palace and Holyrood Abbey.

    What To Expect

    Royal Mile

    During the tour, travellers will tour Edinburgh’s iconic Royal Mile from the Castle Esplanade to the Scottish Parliament. Along the way, you will explore some of the city’s most fascinating and hidden alleys, known as closets, which hold centuries of history.
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    1 minute • Admission Ticket Free

    Castlehill

    Explore Castle Hill with us and delve into some of its alleys, such as Castle Wynd, Ramsay Gardens or Boswell's Court.
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    30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Lawnmarket

    We continue down the Royal Mile; this second section of the iconic street is known as Lawnmarket, where we will explore old closets such as Riddle's Close, Brodie's or Lady Stair's Close.
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    30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    High Street

    We already enter the third of the streets that make up the Royal Mile: High Street. Here you will discover alleyways such as Byre's Close, Old Fishmarket Close and Covenant's Close, as you walk past historic sites such as St Giles Cathedral or City Hall.
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    45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Canongate

    We finish the tour by going to the last section of the Royal Mile: Canongate. In this area we will enter historic alleys such as Bakehouse Close, South Gray's Close or White Horse Close. Finally, we will conclude the tour in front of the Scottish Parliament and the Abbey and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
    Read more

    44 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Show 3 more stops

    Additional Info

    • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 25 travelers

    Frequently Asked Questions

    (7)

    Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Edinburgh Royal Mile Alleyway Tour?

    A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (BST).This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund. Read more Apr 2025

    Cancellation Policy

    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

    Still have questions?

    We're here to help.
    Activity code: C-5560154P2


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    Frequently Asked Questions (7)

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Boat Tours customers.

    Filter by:

    Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Edinburgh Royal Mile Alleyway Tour?
    A:
    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
    • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
    • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
    • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
    • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (BST).
    • This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
    Apr 2025
    Q: What's included in the price?
    A:
    The following is included:
    • Two and a half hour guided tour of the alleys of the Royal Mile of Edinburgh.
    Apr 2025
    Q: What is the weather cancellation policy?
    A:

    This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

    Apr 2025
    Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
    A:

    There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..

    Apr 2025
    Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
    A:

    If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

    If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

    Apr 2025
    Q: Is this an accessible tour?
    A:

    Accessibility information for the Edinburgh Royal Mile Alleyway Tour is as follows:

    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    Apr 2025
    Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
    A:

    Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Edinburgh Royal Mile Alleyway Tour will be included in your confirmation email from City Boat Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

     

     

    Mar 2024

    What's Included

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    • Two and a half hour guided tour of the alleys of the Royal Mile of Edinburgh

    Additional Info

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 25 travelers

    Report Product Issue

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    Lowest Price Guarantee

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    We guarantee the lowest price on all the tours available to book on our site. We'll refund the difference if you find the exact tour cheaper online until 48 hours before your tour starts.

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    • The lowest price guarantee is available to any customer who makes a qualifying purchase through our website. The qualifying purchase must be a minimum of US$20 (or equivalent).
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    • If you find a lower retail or prepaid rate for the same tour, offered on the same date, time and priced in the same currency as your original purchase, on any other website between the time you book on City Boat Tours and 48 hours before your trip starts, we will refund the difference.
    • The lowest price guarantee does not apply where a lower overall price is found by breaking down the purchased tour into one or more parts sold separately.
    • City Boat Tours reserves the right to verify the lower price details. Examples of acceptable forms of verification include a web screenshot or a web address.
    • All refund decisions will be made at the sole discretion of City Boat Tours.

    Free Cancellation

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    100% refund
    No refund

    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

    • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
    • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
    • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
    • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (BST).
    • This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
    • This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

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    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

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