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Greyfriars Kirkyard

Greyfriars Kirkyard: Our most recommended tours and activities

Edinburgh: Haunted Underground Vaults and Graveyard Tour

1. Edinburgh: Haunted Underground Vaults and Graveyard Tour

Join a guided walking tour to Greyfriars Graveyard and learn about one of Edinburgh's most famous canine residents and hear stories about notorious criminals. See Gothic mausoleums and learn about notable burials as you explore the grim history of the cemetery. Continue with a visit to the nearby Edinburgh Vaults, located in the arches of South Bridge. Hear about regular paranormal occurrences and how some of the characters from history have never really left. Discover the former home of the destitute, witches and a hellfire club, and hear how the haunted vault is now possessed by something truly evil.

Edinburgh: Harry Potter Magical Guided Walking Tour

2. Edinburgh: Harry Potter Magical Guided Walking Tour

Enjoy a Harry Potter-themed walking tour across Edinburgh. See the city where JK Rowling found inspiration for Hogwarts, her famous characters, and discover the place where she wrote the books. Have your Harry Potter trivia tested with an audio-visual quiz, and earn points for your house. Find out which Hogwarts House you’re in, and whether you’re a pure-blood, a muggle, or a squib. Visit the Grave of Tom Riddle in Greyfriars Kirkyard, and pass JK Rowling’s golden handprints outside City Chambers. See all this and more on a magical guided tour.

Edinburgh: Evening Underground Ghost Tour

3. Edinburgh: Evening Underground Ghost Tour

Experience the world's most haunted city on a ghost tour of Edinburgh and be spooked by the dark side of the Old Town. Discover the hidden wynds (alleys) off the Royal Mile and hear some of Edinburgh’s horrifying secrets. Visit what is considered the world's most haunted graveyards, "Greyfriars Kirkyard." Finally, explore the underground Edinburgh Vaults. Completed in 1788, the series of chambers housed taverns and stored illicit material, including dead bodies killed by serial killers Burke and Hare for their medical experiments. Journey through over 400 years of history and true tales of hangings, torture, murders, and witchcraft. Shiver at the weird noises and unexplained smells that appear after dark! 

Edinburgh: Comedy Horror Ghost Bus Tour

4. Edinburgh: Comedy Horror Ghost Bus Tour

Enjoy a theatrical sightseeing tour of Edinburgh onboard the Ghost Bus, a beautifully refurbished vintage double-decker, painted in traditional midnight black. Learn about Edinburgh’s grave robbers, plague victims, and the ghosts that reside in the most haunted city in Europe. Explore the city's gruesome past, while admiring its most famous monuments, including Edinburgh Castle, Grassmarket, Greyfriar's Kirk, Holyrood Palace, and the Royal Mile. As you traverse the Old Town and New Town, visit the sites of murders, tortures, and executions. Hear about the infamous Burke and Hare, and the hundreds of women who were drowned or burned as witches. The bus, which belonged to the Necropolis Bus Company, boasts decorative features that include atmospheric lamps and window curtains. In 1967, the entire fleet was destroyed in a mysterious fire, and only one bus survived.

Edinburgh: Extreme Paranormal Underground Ghost Tour

5. Edinburgh: Extreme Paranormal Underground Ghost Tour

Experience a walking ghost tour best suited for those who consider themselves to be very brave and venture into some of Edinburgh’s most haunted locations, above and below ground. Feel goosebumps dot your skin as you follow your darkly-clad guide to these eerie spots in the Scottish capital, learning about their haunted stories en route. This adults-only tour is not for the faint-hearted, and is ideal for hardened ghost hunters - or non-believers. You will journey down the old wynds (alleys) that lead to the world’s most haunted graveyard. Then, take a walk along the path of death! Below the pavement, “ghosts” lurk. Journey through paranormal tales of ghosts and hear both sides of the story. Uncover true and terrifying tales of hangings, torture, murders, witches, and cannibals. 

Edinburgh: Fright Night Underground Ghost Tour

6. Edinburgh: Fright Night Underground Ghost Tour

Discover the dark and chilling history of Edinburgh with an experienced and energetic guide. As you wind through the hidden wynds (alleys) off the Royal Mile, be entertained by this passionate and engaging storyteller who, dressed in full period costume, will regale you with dark tales. Then, visit what is regarded as the most haunted graveyard in the world at “Greyfriars Kirkyard.” Finally, go deep underground and explore the Edinburgh Vaults beneath the streets. Completed in 1788, the series of chambers were used to house taverns and as storage space for illicit material, including the bodies of people killed by serial killers Burke and Hare for their medical experiments. Journey through over 400 years of history and hear terrifying true tales of hangings, torture, murders, and witchcraft. Shiver at the weird noises and unexplained smells that make an appearance after dark.

Edinburgh: Harry Potter Tour with Entry to Edinburgh Castle

7. Edinburgh: Harry Potter Tour with Entry to Edinburgh Castle

Se several beautiful Potter sights in this wonderful city and several locations that inspired JK Rowling to create the wizarding universe that we know and adore today. Meet Tron Kirk on The Royal Mile, the first stop of the tour is a view of the historical Waverley Train station. Trains are an iconic part of a young wizard's journey. Head to Edinburgh University Old College, and pop into the Old Town area to see a spooky graveyard and visit a shop down Victoria street which inspired Diagon Alley. Enjoy great views of the famous Edinburgh Castle alongside many sights and buildings that inspired JK Rowling when she was writing each of the books including the famous cafe. Following the walking tour of the city you will then head to the world-famous Edinburgh castle.

Edinburgh's Amazing Harry Potter Walking Tour. Kids Free!

8. Edinburgh's Amazing Harry Potter Walking Tour. Kids Free!

Kids Free :) No need to book your children in, just bring them along You will see several beautiful Potter sights in this wonderful city and several locations that inspired JK Rowling to create the wizarding universe that we know and adore today. After we gather at Tron Kirk on The Royal Mile, the first stop of the tour is a view of the historical Waverley Train station. Trains being an iconic part of a young wizards journey. We then head to Edinburgh University Old College, and pop into the Old Town area to see a spooky graveyard & visit a shop down Victoria street which inspired Diagon Alley. We will also have great views of the famous Edinburgh Castle alongside many sights and buildings that inspired JK Rowling when she was writing each of the books including the famous cafe, The birth place of Harry Potter. This is a great tour for families & die hard fans of Harry Potter 2 hour walking tour

Tour de Fantasmas en Español

9. Tour de Fantasmas en Español

Discover more about the dark side of Edinburgh's history on a guided walking tour. Stroll along the Royal mile, explore the eerie underground of the city, and wander through Greyfriars Graveyard. Begin your tour at a traditional police box. Walk with your guide up The Royal Mile, and hear stories that have happened over the years in the area. After that, head up to Greyfriars Graveyard where lots of paranormal activity has been registered over the years. Learn about the graveyards spooky past and the notable and notorious people buried there. To finish the tour, visit the 18th century underground vaults called Niddry's Wynd, that were once old streets but now lie under the road of South Bridge. Hear about the areas history, how the vaults became buried, and which haunted activity has taken place there.

Edinburgh: Greyfriars Kirkyard Tour

10. Edinburgh: Greyfriars Kirkyard Tour

Meet your expert local guide and visit the graves of some of the lesser-known individuals buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard. Learn about the lecturer who taught Charles Darwin, an actor buried in full theatrical costume, and a First World War ace pilot. Uncover fascinating stories from centuries past as you wander through Edinburgh's most historic cemetery. Hear more about the mysterious Miss Cathcart. Visit the gravesite of a bestselling novelist from the 1770s. Discover burial sites that have links to contemporary popular culture, namely the Harry Potter book and film series. In addition to learning about the hidden history behind the graveyard, spot the burial places of famous individuals related to the history of Edinburgh.

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What people are saying about Greyfriars Kirkyard

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 9,254 reviews

Absolutely class tour Learnt lot about the city aswell as Harry Potter Our guide Clare was Fantastic Well worth doing and we loved the quiz which I think my 10 year old answered all of them correctly to the annoyance of everyone else as he was first in the air with his hand every time! Thankyou Clare !

Very fun tour! Did it in the cold and rain and our tour guide Kieran kept us engaged the whole time. He did an awesome job. The quizzing throughout is a great idea too.

Kieran was an excellent tour guide with great knowledge, made everyone feel included and kept the whole tour entertaining. Would highly recommend.

The tour guide was hilarious! If you want some spooky history coupled with an entertaining experience, this is the tour for you.

We all enjoyed the tour. Benjamin was fun and enthusiastic.