Explore Edinburgh
Beaming with awe-inspiring attractions like the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh Castle, and Carlton Hill, Edinburgh is a wonder to adventure through.
Discover the wonders of Edinburgh effortlessly with our entertaining and affordable Bright Bus Tours. You’ll get to see the most stunning city sights comfortably on board our guided tourist bus in Edinburgh. View our hop-on hop-off City Tour & Britannia Tour maps to plan your next visit to Edinburgh.
See the City’s Highlights With Our Edinburgh Sightseeing Tours
Get front-row seats to the best attractions in town with our Britannia Tour and City Centre Tour. Our hop-on hop-off Edinburgh bus takes you directly to some of the most popular and hidden gems that make this city so unique.
These are just some of the best places to visit in Edinburgh when you hop on our Edinburgh sightseeing bus tours.
Burns Monument
This 19th-century Neo-Greek Temple is dedicated to one of Scotland’s most beloved poets – Robert Burns. While it originally contained a marble statue of the literature legend, you can still enjoy a view of Calton Hill from its ruins.
Calton Hill
Calton Hill is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with views of the city so awe-inspiring that it’s been captured by artists throughout the centuries. Be sure to visit the Parthenon-inspired National Monument and the many other monuments on this volcanic hill.
Dynamic Earth & Arthur’s Seat
Our Edinburgh tour stops at Dynamic Earth, near the famous Arthur’s Seat. Make your way through a jam-packed journey of 360 interactive galleries and stunning sights before taking a journey to the summit of Arthur’s Seat. This ancient volcano is thought to have been the site of King Arthur’s famous castle, Camelot.
Edinburgh Castle
Travel back in time at one of Europe’s oldest-standing fortifications. Built in the 12th century, Edinburgh Castle has served as a royal residence, fortress, and prison. Learn about the castle’s turbulent and vast history before stopping by The Tea Rooms for a traditional afternoon tea.
Holyrood Distillery
When Edinburgh Distillery closed in 1925, it left an unfortunate century-long gap in Edinburgh brewing. Holyrood Distillery closed that gap by becoming the first new whisky distillery in Edinburgh in a hundred years. This modern brewery is a fantastic place to sample creative whiskies.
John Knox House
With history tracing back all the way to 1470, this house is one of the oldest buildings on the Royal Mile. John Knox, leader of the Scottish Reformation, briefly stayed in these hallowed halls before his untimely death in 1572.
Johnston Terrace
Just a few minutes away from the Royal Mile is the Johnston Terrace, an important architectural journey in the city’s history. Opened to the public in the 1830s, the terrace was part of Thomas Hamilton’s move to create a Western Approach for Edinburgh.
Museum of Edinburgh
The Museum of Edinburgh was built in the 16th century and is currently part of Huntley’s House. There are many famous historical objects here, such as the National Covenant of 1638. You can also enjoy family-based activities, like a mysterious detective case to work out with the children.
National Museum of Scotland
The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland collected the first archaeological objects that formed this museum’s collection. It was opened to the public in 1998 with the development of the National Museum of Scotland. You can see Mary Queen of Scots’ personal collection here, and even the iconic Lewis Chess Pieces from the 12th century.
Visit National Museum of Scotland
Palace of Holyroodhouse
The Palace of Holyroodhouse was originally designed in 1671 as an official home of the British monarch. While royalty no longer live here, they still use the venue for official royal ceremonies and other important events.
Holyrood Palace is also just a stone’s throw away from the Scottish Parliament.
Royal Botanic Garden
Spreading 70 acres long, this incredible landmark was founded in 1670 to grow medicinal plants. The Royal Botanic Garden is home to one of the largest and richest plant collections on earth. The beautiful garden offers several short courses on botany and herbology and plenty of opportunity to admire nature.
Royal Yacht Britannia
The Royal Yacht Britannia is one of the highlights of our Britannia Tour, with a history dating back to 1953. It was originally built to serve as the first sailing-worthy vessel, primarily for the British Royal Family. Join our Edinburgh hop-on, hop-off bus tour and walk the five decks, marvel at the engine room, and even see Queen Elizabeth’s favourite room.
The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
With two sculpture parks and two galleries, you’ll have your fill of Edinburgh art and culture at this gallery. Opened in 1960, The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art is home to a number of remarkable works by famous painters such as Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and Picasso.
Visit The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
Victoria Street (AKA Diagon Alley)
If you’re a Harry Potter fan, don’t miss this charming street when you’re sightseeing in Edinburgh. It’s rumoured to be the inspiration behind the movie’s Diagon Alley, where Harry received his first wand. It’s a fan favourite on our sightseeing bus in Edinburgh!
Water of Leith
The Water of Leith used to be a bustling centre during the industrial period in Edinburgh. Now, you can wander along the approximately 20km walking route along the river and enjoy neoclassical architecture in St Bernard’s Well, see the Antony Gormley Statues, and more.
Want to see all of these incredible sights in two days?
Book our Two Tours, Two Days sightseeing tour in Edinburgh for 48 hours of fun.
Two Tours, Two Days Tickets
Adult Ticket
Family Ticket
(2 Adults and 3 Kids, under 5s go free)
Concession
(Over 60s & Students)
Bright Bus Tours: Fun & Affordable Edinburgh Bus Tours
Bright Bus Tours are based in Edinburgh, Scotland and has been the vessel for countless adventures since 2019. As Scotland’s official hop-on, hop-off bus in Edinburgh, we have a 5-star rating for top-tier customer service and a 4-star rating in quality assurance.
When you take a sightseeing bus tour of Edinburgh with us, you gain access to one of the most affordable and enjoyable ways of taking in the city. On top of our informative sightseeing tours in Edinburgh, we also offer the fastest airport exchanges for visitors with our Bright Bus Airport Express.
Our Edinburgh sightseeing tours are the best way to experience Scotland’s capital city on a budget.
Book an Edinburgh bus tour with Bright Bus Tours today!