City Of The Dead Tours provides guided walking tours that delve into the history and tales of Edinburgh's darker side. Participants explore significant burial grounds and hear ghostly legends, uncovering the city's rich and often mysterious past. The tours are known for their engaging storytelling and entertaining narratives, making them popular with both tourists and locals alike. Located near the historic Candlemaker Row, these tours offer a unique perspective on Edinburgh's gothic architecture and notorious history, appealing to those interested in the supernatural and history.
What visitors single out
Liked
- Highly Recommended for a Different Nightly Activity This tour provides a unique way to experience Edinburgh beyond the typical pub scene, offering an engaging and memorable evening activity.
- Knowledgeable and Entertaining Guides The tour guides are consistently praised for their extensive knowledge of Edinburgh's history, combined with an engaging and humorous storytelling style.
- Perfect Blend of History and Ghost Stories The tours strike a great balance between historical facts and spooky tales, appealing to both history enthusiasts and those seeking a thrilling ghost hunting experience.
- Personal and Engaging Experience Guides create a personal connection by interacting with tour members and sharing anecdotes, making the experience memorable and fun for everyone.
- Unique Access to Underground Vaults and Graveyard This tour provides exclusive access to the eerie underground vaults and Greyfriars Kirkyard, offering a chilling exploration of Edinburgh's dark past.
Criticised
- Large Group Sizes Can Diminish Experience With groups sometimes exceeding 30 people, the tour can feel crowded, potentially impacting the ability to fully explore and take photos.
- Not Scary For Some Some reviewers found the experience less scary than anticipated, particularly during daylight hours in the summer.
- Potential for Unexplained Phenomena Some participants have reported experiencing unexplained phenomena during the tour, which may be unsettling for those who are not prepared for paranormal activity.
- Vaults Section Can Feel Repetitive Some reviewers found the vault section of the tour repetitive, with similar-looking empty vaults.
- Weather Dependent Tours take place regardless of the weather and this can diminish the experience.
The longer read
City of the Dead Tours receives overwhelmingly positive reviews, particularly for the Double Dead Tour and the Witch Tour. A recurring theme is the exceptional quality of the tour guides, who are frequently described as knowledgeable, entertaining, charismatic, and passionate storytellers. Guides like Ben, Fiona, Lou, Alister, Sarah, Jenn, Beth, Hess, Nat/Natalie, Chloe, Jaime and Artemus are repeatedly praised for their ability to bring Edinburgh's dark history to life, blending historical facts with spooky anecdotes and personal experiences. Many reviewers specifically mention that the guides go above and beyond, creating a personal and engaging atmosphere, and even providing recommendations for local restaurants and pubs. The Double Dead Tour, which combines visits to the underground vaults and Greyfriars Kirkyard, is particularly popular. Reviewers consistently highlight the eerie atmosphere of the vaults and the graveyard, emphasizing the spine-chilling experience of exploring these locations while hearing stories of plagues, executions, and paranormal activity. Some reviewers even report experiencing strange phenomena during the tour, adding to the overall sense of excitement and unease. The tour is commended for its balance of historical information and ghost stories, making it appealing to both believers and skeptics. Even those who don't typically believe in the paranormal find the tour engaging and informative, appreciating the insights into Edinburgh's past. The Witch Tour is also well-received, with reviewers praising the guide's extensive knowledge and passion for the subject matter. While some reviewers note that Edinburgh lacks many physical monuments dedicated to its witch history, they commend the guide's ability to compensate by sharing detailed stories and historical information. Several reviewers recommend City of the Dead Tours as a unique and unforgettable way to experience Edinburgh, offering something beyond the typical walking tour. The tours are described as a perfect way to delve into the city's history, explore hidden spaces, and experience a mix of dark history and ghostly thrills. The tours are considered a good value for the money, with some reviewers stating they would do it again if they returned to Edinburgh. While some reviewers mention that group sizes can be large, the guides are generally able to manage the group effectively and ensure everyone has a good experience. One reviewer suggests a larger gift shop would be a welcome addition.
A synthesis of third-party reviews supplied by Mindtrip travel index. Not written by Breaks.
Getting there
- Phone
- +44 131 225 9044
- Website
- cityofthedeadtours.com
| Mon | 10:00 - 22:00 |
|---|---|
| Tue | 10:00 - 22:00 |
| Wed | 10:00 - 22:00 |
| Thu | 10:00 - 22:00 |
| Fri | 10:00 - 22:00 |
| Sat | 10:00 - 22:00 |
| Sun | 10:00 - 22:00 |
Against the neighbourhood
Rated 4.7 against a median of 4.6 across the 173 venues we hold for Edinburgh, where the most-reviewed is Edinburgh Castle.
Still deciding?
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Where this comes from
Venue records are drawn from the Mindtrip travel index, which aggregates place data and review signals from Google Places, Tripadvisor and booking providers. Ratings are reproduced per source rather than merged into a single number. Distances to nearby venues are computed here as great-circle distances between the published coordinates, not walking or driving routes. Comparison figures are medians computed across the venues we hold for the same neighbourhood or city.
Source: Mindtrip travel index, captured 2026-08-21.
What this page cannot tell you
- Descriptions and review summaries are supplied by the source index and are reproduced as published; they are not independently verified by Breaks.
- Ratings and review counts are point-in-time snapshots and drift constantly. Check the venue's own site or the rating provider for the current figure.
- Opening hours change seasonally and at short notice. Confirm with the venue before travelling.
- Category labels come from the source index and are occasionally wrong — a venue may be filed under a type that does not match how it trades.
- Straight-line distances understate real walking distance, especially where a river or railway sits between two points.