Things to do in
Princes Street Gardens

Princes Street Gardens: Our most recommended tours and activities

Edinburgh: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Pass with 3 City Tours

Edinburgh: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Pass with 3 City Tours

Save money and explore Edinburgh at your own pace with a 3-route hop-on hop-off bus tour ticket. Pick from a ticket that lasts for 24 or 48 hours. Explore the city with stop options like Grassmarket, Edinburgh Castle, National Museum of Scotland, and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Hop aboard and embark on your city adventure. Contrast the Old and New Towns, see the royal attractions of Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Yacht Britannia (entrances not included). Live guides provide English commentary on the Edinburgh Tour, while audio guides are available in up to 9 languages on the City Sightseeing Tour and the Majestic Tour. Hop on and off as often as you like at dozens of attractions, and enjoy unique, scenic views from the open-top upper decks. City Sightseeing Tour: Hear about the people and events that shaped Edinburgh, from the cramped conditions of the Old Town to spacious Holyrood Park, on a classic sightseeing tour in 9 languages. Enjoy Terry Deary’s Horrible Histories with the on board Horrible Histories Children’s Channel - history with all the gory bits left in! • Hanover Street • Princes Street Gardens • St. John’s Church • Grassmarket • Johnston Terrace • Edinburgh Castle • National Museum of Scotland • Museum of Childhood • Scottish Parliament • Our Dynamic Earth • Palace of Holyrood House • Burns Monument Edinburgh Tour: Enjoy the best views aboard an open-top bus, as live commentary in English brings Edinburgh’s history to life. Explore the Old Town and Georgian New Town, hopping off at 9 strategic stops. • Hanover Street • George Street • Charlotte Square • The Mound • Lawnmarket • Grassmarket • Our Dynamic Earth • Scottish Parliament • Canongate Kirk Majestic Tour: Leave the city center and head to the coast at Newhaven, with stops for the Royal Botanic Garden and Royal Yacht Britannia. This multi-language tour offers commentary through headphones in English, Gaelic, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese and Russian. Return via the Palace of Holyrood House and the Canongate section of the Royal Mile. • Hanover Street • George Street • Royal Botanic Gardens • Ferry Road • Newhaven Harbour • Cruise Terminal • Ocean Terminal (Royal Yacht Britannia) • Leith Mills • Elm Row • Queen Mary’s Bath House • Queensberry House • Canongate Kirk

Edinburgh: 3-Hour Guided Walking Tour

Edinburgh: 3-Hour Guided Walking Tour

Discover Edinburgh’s historical, cultural, and architectural heritage on a small and intimate walking tour guided by one of the most knowledgeable locals possible. The tour starts at the Usher Hall in Lothian Road Stuart or Richard Usher, of Scotland's famous and historic House of Usher, or professional historians Dr. Alison Duncan or David Forsyth, or one of our other distinguished guides, will guide you through this beautiful city. You’ll see many of the city’s highlights, including Usher Hall and Edinburgh Castle (Please note, you do not go inside the Castle). You’ll walk along the Royal Mile, view St. Giles Cathedral, and visit several of Edinburgh's famous landmarks. Your guide has an extensive knowledge of Edinburgh's history and architecture and the many famous people that the city has produced over the centuries. They will share their knowledge with you in an informative, personable, and enjoyable manner. Have no fear, as it won't all be serious stuff. You will visit the Grassmarket, a place of thriving activity where street performers and buskers abound and which is home, since the 1400s, to merchants and street traders. You will see and hear about all of the main attractions of this glorious city.

Edinburgh: History Lovers Old Town Walking Tour

Edinburgh: History Lovers Old Town Walking Tour

Start your tour in front of the statue of Sir James Young Simpson. Walk through the Princess Street Gardens and admire their beauty while learning about their dark secrets. Stop at Ross fountain to enjoy some stunning views of Edinburgh Castle. Then, take a walk past a series of monuments dedicated to historical wars and battles. Next, delve into the hidden alleyways of the Royal Mile. The Royal Mile was the spine of the Old Town, where people congregated, traded, and battled. After strolling down the picturesque Victoria Street, move on to the historic Grassmarket. This is one of the places where public executions took place in the city. Find out about some of the individuals who were punished here. Move on to Greyfriars Kirkyard, the burial ground for many famous and infamous historical figures. Then, walk along George IV Bridge and see the spots where some of the Harry Potter stories were written. Finish off your tour with a visit to Parliament Square and the High Street. Learn about about kings and rebel queens, feared religious leaders, and Scotland's national animal: the unicorn.

Edinburgh City: Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour

Edinburgh City: Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour

Download an MP3 audio guide and explore Edinburgh's famous attractions at your own pace. See Edinburgh Castle, the Princes Street Gardens, the Royal Mile, Tolbooth Kirk, the George IV Bridge, Edinburgh City Chambers, Tron Kirk, and the Scottish Parliament Building. Begin your tour at Edinburgh Castle (entry not included), a building that dates back to the 12th century. See the Scottish Crown Jewels, the magnificent St Giles' Cathedral, Mary King's Close, and walk past underground alleys with a layered history. Drop by at Deacon Brodie's tavern and try Edinburgh's best haggis, a national delicacy immortalized in poetry by Robbie Burns (the National Bard of Scotland). 

Edinburgh: Private Guided Walking Tour

Edinburgh: Private Guided Walking Tour

Discover Edinburgh’s historical, cultural, and architectural heritage on a small and intimate walking tour. You’ll see many of the city’s highlights, including Edinburgh Castle. Walk along the Royal Mile to St. Giles Cathedral, and visit several of Edinburgh's famous landmarks.  Your tour guide has extensive knowledge of Edinburgh's history and architecture and the many famous people that have called the city home over the centuries. On the 3-hour tour the guide will tell you about the Scottish capital in an informative, personable, and enjoyable manner. Typically you’ll see Princes Street and Princes Street Gardens, the Scott Monument, George Street, Charlotte Square, and other important sites.

Edinburgh: Royal Mile Scottish Enlightenment Walking Tour

Edinburgh: Royal Mile Scottish Enlightenment Walking Tour

We begin at St Giles Cathedral then work our way through Edinburgh's Old Town, ending up at Calton Hill, East End of Princes Street. On our way the statues and landmarks have their story to tell about the Scottish Enlightenment and some of the important people involved - not just the contribution they made but what kind of people they were. Some of the stories are funny, others surprisingly different to what you might expect. CULLODEN AND THE ENLIGHTENMENT 1600 men died at the Battle of Culloden, 1500 Jacobites, 100 fighting for the Duke of Cumberland. On the Jacobite side, around half were Scottish Clansmen, the others mostly Irish, Welsh and French. Find out what why this slaughter near Inverness took place and how it relates to the context of the Scottish Enlightenment. Was it a battle between two Royal Families, two Dynasties, two religions, two countries…all will be revealed on our Tour?! We touch lightly on topics which Scotland became famous for during the Enlightenment period: philosophy, economics, literature, architecture, education, medicine. It's great exercise for the brain and body too, but nothing too academic or tiring. However a reasonable degree of fitness is required as we will walk fairly quickly and eventually climb Calton Hill. Toilet facilities are available half way and at the end, but please go easy on the tea and coffee before we begin. Also, dress for the weather conditions, with waterproof coat if necessary and good walking shoes. At the end of our Tour you are free to explore further from Calton Hill onwards.

Edinburgh: City Highlights Private Guided Walking Tour

Edinburgh: City Highlights Private Guided Walking Tour

Discover Edinburgh’s historical, cultural, and architectural heritage on a small and intimate walking tour guided by one of the most knowledgeable locals possible. Stuart or Richard Usher, of Scotland's famous and historic House of Usher, or professional historians Dr Alison Duncan and David Forsyth, will guide you through this beautiful city. You’ll see many of the city’s highlights, including Usher Hall and Edinburgh Castle (exterior). You’ll walk along the Royal Mile, view St. Giles Cathedral (exterior), and visit several of Edinburgh's famous landmarks. Your guide has an extensive knowledge of Edinburgh's history and architecture and the many famous people that the city has produced over the centuries. They will share their knowledge with you in an informative, personable, and enjoyable manner. Have no fear, as it won't all be serious stuff. You will visit the Grassmarket, a place of thriving activity where street performers and buskers abound and home, since the 1400s, to merchants and street traders. Discover John Knox's House & Scottish Storytelling Centre Also, you will see Princes Street, Princes Street Gardens, the Scott Monument, George Street and St Andrews Square. As an added perk, customize the tour to your liking and you can be met at your city-centre hotel and finish the tour at a destination of your choice.

From Glasgow: Private Day Trip to Edinburgh with Transfers

From Glasgow: Private Day Trip to Edinburgh with Transfers

Experience the best of Edinburgh with our Private Full Day Tour from Glasgow. This tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the history, culture, and beauty of Scotland's capital city. Start your day with a scenic drive from Glasgow to Edinburgh, with a knowledgeable guide providing commentary along the way. Once in Edinburgh, explore the Royal Mile, visit Edinburgh Castle, and marvel at the stunning views from Arthur's Seat. Enjoy a traditional Scottish lunch before heading to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, where you can wander through the beautiful gardens and see where the Queen resides when in Scotland. End your day with some free time to explore on your own before heading back to Glasgow. Our private transfer will drop you off at your hotel or a central location of your choice. With this private tour, you'll have the flexibility to customize your itinerary and the personalized attention of your guide. This is the perfect way to experience the best of Edinburgh in a single day.

Edinburgh City Tour

Edinburgh City Tour

Make the most of your time in Scotland. We can collect you from your hotel or apartment and even if you arrive by cruise ship we can offer you a private shore excursion of Edinburgh. Enjoy convenient pickup and drop-off directly from the cruise port, travel at your own pace, we can offer an itinerary to suit all. we can include Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street Gardens, the Royal Yacht Britannia, and the Palace of Holyrood. Arthur’s Seat, Carlton hill, Scottish parliament. Royal mile. This tour would also let you see Edinburghs new town.

Edinburgh’s Enchanted Christmas Walkabout

Edinburgh’s Enchanted Christmas Walkabout

Step into the magic of Edinburgh’s Enchanted Christmas Walkabout. Start at Waverley Station, your gateway to a winter wonderland. Admire twinkling lights at Princes Street Gardens. Feel the cheer of the bustling Christmas Market. Marvel at the Gothic Scott Monument, standing tall against the skyline. Stroll along the festive Royal Mile, steeped in history. Capture stunning views from Edinburgh Castle’s esplanade. Explore the unique shops in Grassmarket. Wander Victoria Street, said to inspire Diagon Alley. Uncover literary gems on George IV Bridge. Immerse yourself in Scotland’s saga at the National Museum. Experience the joy of Scottish Christmas, creating your own story!

14 activities found
Sort by:

Go beyond Princes Street Gardens

Explore all

Top Attractions in Edinburgh

Things to Do in Princes Street Gardens

Cities in Scotland

Other Sightseeing Options in Princes Street Gardens

Want to discover all there is to do in Princes Street Gardens? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Princes Street Gardens

Overall rating

2.1
(19 reviews)

This was an amazing tour. Our tour guide was extremely passionate and knowledgeable over the history of the city. 10/10 would recommend to anyone visiting the city!

Allison was amazing. She is one of the most knowledgeable guides I’ve ever had. I felt like I was in college with my professor.

Steuart was engaging and many stories to tell. Would have loved to hear even more history and moved faster

Douglas was very knowledgeable and passionate about Edinburgh history. would definitely recommend!

Frequency of buses allowed us to make the most of our time.