Edinburgh Tours
The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour
4.5
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The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour

By City of Edinburgh Tours
Recommended by 92% of travellers
92% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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About
At street level, Edinburgh is a peaceful and pretty city—but the subterranean tunnels below tell an entirely different story. On this ghostly walking tour, explore historic sites including Greyfriars Kirkyard and St. Giles’ Cathedral with your enthusiastic guide, and hear chilling tales of murder and revenge. Delve down into underground caverns normally closed to the public, and learn of Edinburgh’s grim and gruesome past.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 5-99, max of 30 per group
Duration: 1h 15m
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More

Highlights
  • Explore Greyfriars Kirkyard and St. Giles’ Cathedral with your guide
  • Visit subterranean caves and tunnels normally closed to the public
  • Uncover underground vaults deep below the streets of Edinburgh
  • Listen as your guide shares tales from Edinburgh’s gruesome past

  • 75 Minute evening walking tour of Edinburgh’s Old Town and South Bridge vaults.
  • Guide plays a real, distinct and infamous character from Scotland’s history.
  • Walk through the Old Town’s distinctive closes, wynds and secluded squares.
  • Visit the world-famous, eerie, unforgettable Greyfriars Kirkyard.
  • Hear terrifying stories of hauntings, murders, executions and cannibalism.
  • 6.45pm Evening tour is suitable for families.
  • Travel back in time and descend into our section of underground street.
  • Entry/Admission - Edinburgh Old Town
What's not included
  • None
  • No under 5s

When darkness falls over Scotland’s ancient capital, make your way to the historic Royal Mile to meet your guide and begin your underground ghost tour. Follow your guide through Old Town’s shadowy lanes and cobbled courtyards, and take in top attractions including Greyfriars Kirkyard—considered to be one of the most haunted cemeteries in the world—and St. Giles’ Cathedral. Along the way, hear haunting tales of crime and punishment dating back through the centuries, and keep watch for otherworldly sightings of ghosts and ghouls. Next, head down into Edinburgh’s subterranean caverns with your guide. Discover 18th-century archways, hidden doorways, and underground vaults, and hear spine-tingling tales from beyond the grave. When your time in the undergrounds tunnels comes to an end, return to the Old Town to conclude your walking tour.

Start:
  • 124 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1QS, UK
    Old Police Box by starbucks
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    • Not wheelchair accessible
    • Service animals allowed
    • Near public transportation
    If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 36194P8

    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
    • Most travellers can participate
    • guests should arrive 10 minutes prior to tours
    • This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travellers

    • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

    If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 36194P8

    From
    €20.57
    per adult
    Select date and travellers
    Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.

    Similar experiences

    Itinerary
    • 124 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1QS, UK
      Old Police Box by starbucks
    • 1
      Experience the Old town's wynd's and closes Visit the most haunted graveyard in Edinburgh Explore the Edinburgh Vaults beneath the city's streets
    About the operator
    Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
    • City of Edinburgh Tours
      9,623
      Edinburgh, Scotland
    • nickhL415YG
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      A great evening.
      Our guide Helen Duncan was incredible. She said she’s only been on the job for 3 weeks but you’d never know. She was knowledgeable, had great energy, and kept my attention 100% of the time. I’d be happy to take another tour.
      Written 20 September 2024
    • Shanelukemurphy12
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Great tour. Great tour guide
      Helen was amazing highly recommend . Spooky and historical with a bit of comedic effect. Also very kind and looked after one of the girls that didn't feel well.
      Written 20 September 2024
    • johnnyrA8600XY
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      A fun walk of terror
      A great combination of unfortunate history, paranormal activity, and good storytelling. Got to explore up, under, and all around the Royal Mile. Helen Duncan was a wonderful guide!
      Written 20 September 2024
    • R7600YRedh
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Must See Underground Tour of Edinburgh
      Lafayette was an amazing guide and made it so personal and intriguing!!! We would highly recommend him and the tour!!! If you are in Edinburgh- book this trip and make sure you go at a time when night falls!
      Written 19 September 2024
    • 234suzys
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Underground Tour Of Old Edinburgh
      A fascinating insight into the history of the underground tunnels with a highly enthusiastic and entertaining host. Brandon was very thorough and informative throughout.
      Written 19 September 2024
    • juanitah317
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Great history
      We really enjoyed the history provided by Emilia. It's refreshing to hear about the lives and struggles of regular people. Their stories are moving and fascinating. And getting to see parts of Edinburgh that you wouldn't normally see was fun.
      Written 18 September 2024
    • savithr2024
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      The Edinburgh: Evening Underground Ghost Tour is a great tour!
      Did our tour with Maggie Dickson. She was captivating and knowledgeable; a great storyteller! We really enjoyed the tour and do not regret having booked tickets here. Maggie really welcomed us on our first trip and your in Edinburgh. Thanks Maggie
      Written 18 September 2024
    • V4290DFlo
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      An eerie and fascinating experience
      A brief tour packed with historical spooky stories and fun gimmicks. We were in excellent hands with our local guide, Merry Andrew, who was entertaining, knowledgeable and had a few tricks up her billowy sleeve. A eerie, fascinating experience!
      Written 18 September 2024
    • AnmolLoonia14
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Scary and engaging!
      Merry Andrew took us through town and the vaults through a 60 min spooky and fun ride through Edinburgh’s dark and depressing past! She is fun, vivacious and I would really recommend the tour.
      Written 18 September 2024
    • DaGriffNash
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Edinburgh Ghost Tour
      Highly insightful and entertaining. Good amount of history with comedy sprinkled in along the way. James Douglas was fun to tour with!
      Written 17 September 2024
    • aheath123
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Fascinating afternoon
      A really great tour, with interesting stories about what we were seeing. At school I hated history, this was the opposite and made me actually remember what was being said. Louise has great charisma and it was a really fascinating tour, thank you!
      Written 17 September 2024
    • cindymB8875WL
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      A fascinating glimpse into the city’s rich history and hidden secrets.
      The Old Town Historical and Underground Tour is a must-do for anyone visiting Edinburgh. Brandon was my tour guide. He is enthusiastic about his job and offered a perfect blend of history & humor. Whether you’re a history buff or just looking for a unique way to explore the city, this tour will not disappoint. The stories are fascinating, and the underground vaults add a unique element that you won’t find on other tours. Highly recommended!
      Written 16 September 2024
    • H8020UNjamesl
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      A Unexpectedly Fun History Lesson
      The underground is incredibly cool and creepy, but you can definitely see the history. Going to the old city and seeing the graves was a fun bonus of the experience. The guide, Brandon, was incredibly knowledgeable and excited about everything we were seeing and had a lot of fun extra insights.
      Written 16 September 2024
    • Jorge F
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Frighteningly good
      "Helen Duncan" took us on a fabulous ghost tour on the 9th of September. We were surprised to find out she'd only been taking tours for 3 weeks - she was such a natural! There were plenty of scary moments and we really enjoyed the experience. Highly recommend.
      Written 16 September 2024
    • sofiahO2243WF
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Best tour in Edingburgh
      The most fun tour we have been on, we laughed the entire time. The guide was super good and you could tell he liked his job!!
      Written 16 September 2024
    See all 9,623 reviews
    These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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    4.5
    4.5 of 5 bubbles4,752 reviews
    Excellent
    4,058
    Very good
    356
    Average
    116
    Poor
    98
    Terrible
    124

    Simon A
    Appleton, WA6 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We booked on as a family, two adults, one being disabled with limited mobility on a mobility scooter and one teenage boy. Agnus couldn't of been any better as a tour guide, both as a guide and also accommodating me on a mobility scooter. She was thorough with her information and being in her role as a woman in the mid eighteenthcentury. At all times, Agnes followed and had us all following social distancing and also wore a face mask, we too all had to wear a mask and sanitise our hands. The tour is brilliant going through information on both the places and people who were involved in the rich history of Edinburgh.
    Written 6 August 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Rhea Z
    3 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Mar 2020 • Couples
    Let me start by saying that the weather was too cold and too wet (raining all the time) for my liking, and parts of the tour are over ground. However, Nell (our guide) made her best to keep us entertained, and tried to find roofs where we can stand under. I enjoyed the tour, especially the cemetery part. Nell was also very witty with her jokes whenever something unexpected happened around us.
    Written 17 March 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    JannaiMcC
    28 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jan 2020 • Family
    Dr Knox was our tour leader and did a great job for the 20 odd on the tour (fully booked for New Years Day!!)
    My 14 year old was delighted with the tour, being able to creep around a graveyard and explore old damp vaults.
    A great walk about Edinburgh’s Old Town with a tour guide who gives you plenty of information, doesn’t walk too fast and answers all the questions you can ask.
    The only thing I would do differently would be to go on a quieter night with a much smaller group - we didnt realise New Years Day was the busiest of the year, but that’s no ones fault!
    We loved the gory stories, horrible history and urban legends surrounding Edinburgh
    Written 2 January 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Jaxtas
    Leeds, UK5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jul 2020 • Family
    We were a family group of 6 and Agnes was our tour guide. She was great at telling the stories and falling in and out of character, we loved that. The t.our ran a bit over because of the new safety briefings and there was one place we couldn’t go in but could still look and take pictures. Hand sanitizer in and out of the entrance to the underground, we felt very well looked after and in safe hands. We had to wear masks in the underground too.
    Written 26 July 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    JessWebb1403
    Edinburgh, UK5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Oct 2020 • Couples
    This is the second ghost tour I have been on in Edinburgh and it’s definitely the best! Agnes (Natalie) was a great storyteller, interacted with the audience well and it was great to see three different spots in Edinburgh.

    I’m quite claustrophobic (but keep signing up to things and forgetting I can’t be in small spaces!) and was about to have a panic attack at the entrance to the vaults. My girlfriend mentioned that I’m claustrophobic to Agnes who was really inclusive and understanding and went out of her way to ensure that I was able to be included in the tour and could still hear the stories while also seeing an entrance/exit and the size of the room.

    In the past I’ve been on tours where I’ve had to shut up and put up and it’s given me some serious panic attacks and quite bad experiences that have stuck with me for days / weeks. Having a tour guide who was understanding and inclusive was above and beyond anything I would have expected. I could not recommend Agnes and the tour enough!
    Written 26 October 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Izabella E
    Fredericia, Denmark2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Went on the late tour.
    It was My friends first time ind Edinburgh, and I wanted to surprise her with a tour in the vaults.
    Our guide James was a great storyteller, bringing laughs and spoons to the group.
    He knew a bunch and interacted great with the group.
    We were highly entertained!
    Written 19 January 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Rich W
    Worksop, UK5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jun 2021
    We were on the 7.45pm tour on Thursday 3rd June. John the Scientist was our guide and to be fair was absolutely excellent. He was very engaging, really involved everyone in the tour and was very funny and informative. We were highly entertained and laughing throughout, even at the meeting point with the hilarious guy who was checking people in. It was an excellent tour and we would highly recommend it to anyone visiting the city.
    Written 6 June 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Kris S
    Liverpool, UK16 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jan 2020 • Couples
    Dr Bell ‘Issac’ really made this tour an exceptional evening, his energy, enthusiasm and how he delivered the stories really made it an unforgettable evening. Would certainly recommend this tour and him in particular as he really made us feel welcome.

    Recommend to anyone visiting the city and wanting a chilling evening.

    Thanks Issac
    Written 11 January 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Resort317365
    Atlanta, GA11 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    We booked the 6:45 PM tour a couple of weeks before arriving based on reviews. When we arrived at the check-in point there was a sign saying that the 645 was sold out. We were glad we had a reservation. Although the group was split into two groups our group was still large. We are both fit people who are able to walk quickly. We found it hard to keep up with the guide because of the crowd and crossing city streets. Three people in the large group, were obviously sick and coughing so loud that we could not hear what are guide was saying. When we got to the underground part of the tour, which is only about 10 minutes, they were members of the group who had to stand outside of the last room because it was not big enough for the large group to fit into. they were all save members of the group who constantly vaping throughout the walk with their clouds trailing into everyone else’s faces. The guide did a good job. It could have been vastly improved with a smaller group, ground rules of not smoking or vaping, and asking the coughers to hang in the back or at least wear a mask.
    Written 17 February 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    scottbaynham
    Cardiff, UK8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Sept 2021 • Friends
    Attended this tour whilst visiting the city and was not
    Disappointed. The tour Guide Jessie was engaging, entertaining and able to hold an audience without it seeming forced or having to use over the top tactics. It was the right kind of thrills and stories, throughly enjoyed and would well recommend to others. A*
    Written 27 September 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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    The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour provided by City of Edinburgh Tours

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