Edinbourgh, Royal Mile: Walking Tour With Audio Guide

Exploring the historic Royal Mile in Edinburgh is a must for any visitor to the city. The Edinburgh Royal Mile Walking Tour offers a self-guided experience with a captivating audio guide, allowing travelers to enjoy the city’s rich cultural heritage at their own pace. For just €5, participants can access a wealth of insightful commentary from a professional historian, bringing the landmarks to life through engaging narratives. With offline maps and multilingual support, this tour provides a seamless and personalized journey, revealing the stories behind iconic sites like the Palace of Holyroodhouse and St Giles Cathedral. What secrets and surprises might this walking tour uncover?

Key Points

• Self-guided walking tour along Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile, featuring 23 audio recordings by a professional historian.
• Smartphone app compatible with iPhone and Android, providing an offline map for GPS navigation and insights into key landmarks.
• Tour highlights include the Palace of Holyroodhouse, St Giles Cathedral, and Edinburgh Castle, with flexibility to explore at your own pace.
• Preparation required includes a charged smartphone, headphones, and activation of the app before the tour.
• Customizable experience allows you to pause the audio, explore side streets, and focus on preferred highlights along the way.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Tour Overview

The self-guided walking tour along Edinburgh’s iconic Royal Mile offers visitors a chance to explore the city’s rich history and architectural gems at their own pace.

Lasting around 1.5 hours, the tour costs just €5 per person and allows for free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. Participants will meet near Holyrood Abbey, with no human guide present. Instead, they’ll use a smartphone app featuring 23 audio recordings by a professional historian, providing insights into the sights and stories along the way.

Highlights include the Palace of Holyroodhouse, St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh Castle, and other landmarks.

The app also offers offline maps, illustrations, and language options, ensuring a seamless and flexible self-guided experience.

Audio Guide Features

Complementing the self-guided walking tour, the app for this experience offers a range of features to enhance visitors’ exploration of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.

Available for both iPhone and Android, the app provides an offline map for GPS navigation, allowing users to navigate the historic streets without relying on an internet connection.

The app features 23 audio recordings narrated by a professional historian, sharing insights into the sights, history, and culture of Edinburgh. Plus, the app includes illustrations to help identify key landmarks along the route.

With content available in English, German, Polish, and Spanish, the app caters to a diverse audience and grants lifetime access to the tour in the selected language.

Tour Highlights

Visitors can explore a range of key attractions along the Royal Mile during this self-guided walking tour. The audio commentary by a professional historian provides insights into the history, legends, and culture of Scotland. Highlights include the Palace of Holyroodhouse, St Giles Cathedral, and Edinburgh Castle. Stroll through the city’s narrow medieval lanes, visit the grave of the Scottish Hachiko, and witness the unique double-level street. The flexibility to pause the audio guide and explore side alleys ensures a personalized experience.

Attraction	Description
Palace of Holyroodhouse	Official residence of the Queen in Scotland
St Giles Cathedral	Historic church dating back to the 12th century
Edinburgh Castle	Iconic fortress overlooking the city
Narrow Medieval Lanes	Charming alleyways with historic significance

Preparation and Requirements

Typically, visitors should bring a charged smartphone (with at least 80% battery) and a pair of headphones to fully engage with the self-guided walking tour.

Comfortable, flat shoes for walking are recommended, as the tour covers several kilometers along the cobblestone Royal Mile.

It’s important to activate and download the app in advance, as WiFi may be unavailable at the meeting point near Holyrood Abbey.

The app features an offline map for GPS navigation, allowing participants to explore at their own pace without relying on internet connectivity.

Following these simple preparations ensures a seamless and enjoyable journey through Edinburgh’s historic landmarks and hidden gems.

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Customer Feedback

According to customer reviews, the self-guided walking tour of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile has received an overall rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars based on 3 reviews.

While the audio guide and offline map features were generally well-received, some customers reported issues with app activation and initial map confusion.

To fully experience the tour’s 23 audio recordings covering the history, legends, and culture of Scotland, reviewers recommend allowing extra time to explore the various landmarks and side alleys along the route.

Getting to the Meeting Point

To reach the starting point of the self-guided walking tour near Holyrood Abbey, visitors can easily navigate to the area using the offline map provided in the tour’s mobile app.

The meeting point is conveniently located, with nearby landmarks like the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Scottish Parliament.

Travelers can follow the app’s GPS guidance to arrive at the designated spot, where they’ll find no human guide present. Instead, they’ll be equipped with the comprehensive audio recordings and visual aids to embark on their independent exploration of Edinburgh’s iconic Royal Mile.

Visitors should ensure their smartphone is charged and the app is downloaded prior to arriving to avoid any technical issues at the start of the tour.

Exploring the Royal Mile

Along the historic Royal Mile, visitors embark on a journey through Edinburgh’s captivating past. The self-guided audio tour takes them past iconic landmarks, including the Palace of Holyroodhouse, St Giles Cathedral, and the imposing Edinburgh Castle.

As the professional historian’s commentary unfolds, guests discover the legends and cultural heritage that have shaped this remarkable city. The tour’s flexibility allows them to:

1. Pause the audio to explore side streets and hidden gems.
2. Admire the illustrations that help identify landmarks.
3. Utilize the offline map for seamless GPS navigation.
4. Enjoy the tour in their choice of English, German, Polish, or Spanish.

With a lifetime of access to the tour, visitors can savor Edinburgh’s treasures at their own pace.

Customizing Your Experience

The audio tour’s flexibility allows visitors to tailor their experience along the Royal Mile.

With the ability to pause the recordings, travelers can explore side streets and alleys at their own pace. Plus, the option to skip sections enables travelers to focus on the highlights most relevant to their interests, such as the historic St. Giles Cathedral or the picturesque closes.

The built-in GPS navigation and offline map further enhance the self-guided nature of the tour, ensuring visitors can navigate the winding streets confidently without the need for an in-person guide.

This customizable approach empowers each person to craft a Royal Mile journey that aligns with their preferences and pace.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use the Audio Guide in a Language Other Than English?

Yes, the audio guide is available in multiple languages, including German, Polish, and Spanish, in addition to English. Travellers can choose their preferred language and access the tour content in that language.

Is the Audio Guide Suitable for Children or Families?

The audio guide can be suitable for families, as it’s available in multiple languages. However, the tour may not be ideal for young children, as it requires focus to follow the audio recordings while navigating the city on foot.

Can I Take Photos or Videos During the Tour?

Yes, you can take photos and videos during the self-guided tour. The audio guide doesn’t restrict this, and it allows you to capture the historic landmarks and scenery at your own pace along the Royal Mile in Edinburgh.

Are There Any Discounts or Promotions Available for the Tour?

There are no specific discounts or promotions mentioned for this self-guided audio tour. However, the tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, providing flexibility for travelers on a budget.

How Long Does It Typically Take to Complete the Full Tour?

The full tour typically takes around 1.5 hours to complete. According to the tour overview, the duration is listed as 1.5 hours, allowing visitors flexibility to explore at their own pace along the Royal Mile in Edinburgh.

Recap

The Edinburgh Royal Mile Walking Tour offers a captivating self-guided experience, allowing visitors to explore the historic route at their own pace. With an informative audio guide, offline maps, and multilingual support, this tour provides a unique opportunity to discover the city’s cultural heritage. Whether you’re interested in architecture, history, or simply enjoying Edinburgh’s charm, this tour is a must-try for any visitor to the city.

You can check if your dates are available here: