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Greyfriars Church

Greyfriars Church: Our most recommended tours and activities

Edinburgh: Harry Potter Magical Guided Walking Tour

1. 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: Haunted Underground Vaults and Graveyard Tour

2. 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: 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: Extreme Paranormal Underground Ghost Tour

4. 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: Harry Potter Walking Tour

5. Edinburgh: Harry Potter Walking Tour

Experience a little magic on a walking tour of Edinburgh that is perfect for all fans of Harry Potter. Learn all the stories and secrets behind the best-selling books by J.K. Rowling in the city where she wrote them. Visit the original sites that provided the inspiration for Hogwarts and the characters who dwelled within its magical walls. Stroll along the High Street to see where Diagon Alley came to life and where Lord Voldemort is buried.  See the original Hogwarts School, and look at a virtual school assembly of its characters. Learn how Edinburgh’s own dark history of witches and wizards played a role in inspiring J.K. Rowling along the way. 

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: 3-Hour Historical Walking Tour in Italian

7. Edinburgh: 3-Hour Historical Walking Tour in Italian

Meet your guide in central Edinburgh by the City Chambers, then set off on foot to explore Edinburgh Old Town. Walking is one of the best ways to experience the area because of its compact size and narrow passageways, which are known locally as closes. Follow your expert guide around Edinburgh’s most iconic landmarks. As you stroll, listen to your knowledgeable guide recount the history of the city. Learn about the rise of Presbyterianism in Scotland and hear stories relating to St Giles’ Cathedral, whose gray medieval spire towers over the Royal Mile, a famous road at the heart of the city that’s lined with stately buildings. Imagine the Edinburgh of the past as you hear stories about the controversial 15th-century monarch, Mary, Queen of Scots, and about key figures from the Scottish Enlightenment. View the imposing Edinburgh Castle and be intrigued by tales of its rise and fall, and about the fabled Stone of Destiny that’s held inside. Next, make your way to the Mound, an artificial hill that connects Edinburgh Old Town with the New Town. Pause for a snack at the Grassmarket Square, then delve into the city’s dark side at the graveyard of Greyfriars Kirkyard. Soak up the eerie atmosphere as you listen to stories about executions and hauntings that are associated with the site. Find out how the graveyard is connected to the famous Harry Potter books. Then walk back to the Royal Mile, discovering more about the collections of the National Museum of Scotland and uncovering the secrets of Mary King’s Close, a medieval street that lies under the Royal Mile. Your tour then concludes at the beginning of the Royal Mile.

Edinburgh: Greyfriars Kirkyard Tour

8. 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.

Edinburgh City: Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour

9. Edinburgh City: Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour

Download an MP3 audio guide and explore Edinburgh's famous attractions at your own pace. See Edinburgh Castle, the Princes Street Gardens, the Royal Mile, Tolbooth Kirk, the George IV Bridge, Edinburgh City Chambers, Tron Kirk, and the Scottish Parliament Building. Begin your tour at Edinburgh Castle (entry not included), a building that dates back to the 12th century. See the Scottish Crown Jewels, the magnificent St Giles' Cathedral, Mary King's Close, and walk past underground alleys with a layered history. Drop by at Deacon Brodie's tavern and try Edinburgh's best haggis, a national delicacy immortalized in poetry by Robbie Burns (the National Bard of Scotland). 

Tour de Fantasmas en Español

10. 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.

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What people are saying about Greyfriars Church

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 8,942 reviews

I enjoyed every moment of this tour. Kieran is amazing!! It was a pleasure to walk around Edinburgh with someone who really loves his work and knows so much about the city and HP. Highly recommend this activity to everyone :)

Nice little walking tour with a bit of history. Tour guide was charming and theatrical and was able to capture the spookiness of the vaults. Great time had by all

Alex was a brilliant guide. Great sense of humour very confident for his age. Blended the history of Harry Potter and Edinburgh into a wonderful tour thanks Alex!

Great experience,lovely site seeing, tour guide was great and very friendly he made it very fun would definitely go again

Great information the tour guide was lovely and very helpful would 100% go again