EDINBURGH SELF-GUIDED walks

Explore more. Plan less.

Discover Edinburgh at your own pace with a ready-made walk that combines the route, stories, practical tips, and easily missed stops in one place.

FROM €6 · NO APP NEEDED · 12 MONTHS ACCESS

join a guided tour or plan it yourself

None of these options seem like the perfect fit

You only have a short time in Edinburgh, so you want to make the most of every moment.

You hope to leave with great stories, not regrets about things you missed.
You have a choice: join a guided tour or explore on your own. Both options have their ups and downs, but neither seems perfect.
Plan it yourself

Google Maps, a dozen blog posts, Reddit threads, TripAdvisor, notes on your phone and twenty-seven open browser tabs.

After hours of research, you still wonder if you have chosen the best path.

“I’ve researched on a million websites until I was overwhelmed with how many tabs were open.”

“There is just too much!”

 

Join a guided tour
With a guided tour, someone else plans everything, but you have to stick to their schedule.
 
You move with the group and can’t stop when something catches your interest.

“Rush, rush, rush”

“I don’t really feel as if I know a place if I haven’t wandered it myself.”

All the planning done for you

None of the group-tour schedule

BEFORE
“Dean Village is one place in Edinburgh I definitely want to visit, but where do I start?
 
  • What is actually worth seeing?
  • Where are the best photo points?
  • Am I missing something good?
  • What to do after my walk?”
AFTER
“Now I know where to start, what to notice and why it matters.
  • I can follow the suggested route or skip, stop and explore it my way.
  • If I like somewhere, I stay longer.
  • If I want coffee, I stop.
Nothing left to figure out on Google.”

WHAT YOU GET FOR 6€

The tour is split into three parts, each made to help with a common travel challenge.

THE STORY

One area, told properly

You’ll get a complete look at the area, with over 20 handpicked stops. Each stop shares interesting stories, fun facts, and useful tips about the place and its people.
 
Find places and sights you might have missed if you were just passing by.
 
You can visit every stop or pick the ones that interest you most. We also share tips on good places to eat and things to know before or after your visit.

Don’t worry, you won’t miss anything important even without a guide by your side.

THE MAP

An interactive map makes it easy to find your way around

Open the map on your phone or tablet before you start or whenever you need help. The stops are numbered in walking order, each with a short description.
 
The route is clear, and you don’t need to install or update any app.

We’ve already done the research for you, so you won’t have to wander around finding your way

THE PDF

A download you can count on anytime

You get the entire walk as a PDF. Save it to your phone before your trip or print it out. Even if you’re in airplane mode, a dead zone, or your hotel Wi-Fi isn’t working, it will still open.

We’ve planned for that. If you can’t get online, you’re still covered.

Take a look at a sample stop from the walk. You’ll find a map, details about the stop, a longer description, and a snippet from the downloadable PDF.

Unlock the Dean Village self-guided walk for just 6€:

  • THE ROUTE
  • AN INTERACTIVE MAP
  • A STOP-BY-STOP GUIDE
  • PDF

All this for the price of a coffee ˗ˏˋ☕ˎˊ˗

WHAT’S INCLUDED

It’s more than just a route on a map

Each walk comes with a complete, phone-friendly guide to help you explore confidently.
 
Use the online guide and map as you go, and check the PDF companion for a quick overview.
BEFORE YOU BUY

The fair questions

Why pay when Google is free?

It’s easy to find information, but sorting through it takes time. Google won’t choose the best route, connect the stops into a story, point out the small details, or save you hours of planning. You’re paying for the time and effort you save, not just the facts.

As an extra bonus, each walk ends with my personal tips on what to do next, where to eat, or where to enjoy a good pub night. These are the same recommendations I’d give a friend.

Is this just basic tourist information?

No, it’s much more. Each area has at least 20 carefully chosen stops, each with basic details, fun facts, and local tips. You also get an interactive map with short descriptions and photos to help you find your way. If you’re worried about internet access, you can download and print a PDF with all the key information.

If it sounds like something you’d find in the first lines of Wikipedia, it’s probably not worth buying.

Do I have to follow the route exactly?

No, the route is only a suggestion. You can skip stops, walk in reverse, take your time, or do just part of it. There are no time limits, and nothing expires at the end of the day.

Will I spend the whole walk staring at my phone?

We made sure you won’t have to. When you reach a stop, read the info and then put your phone away. Or, if you like, read the printable overview in a café before you start and enjoy your walk with almost no screen time.

How long does one area take?

Each walk takes a different amount of time. This is also stated on the product card before you make a purchase, so you can make the right decision. But it is always possible to spend more time in the area, take your time and walk slowly, which I encourage. You can stop for coffee, skip a stop, or even split the walk over two mornings. The route is flexible if you need to pause.

Free walking tours exist. Why pay anything?

Even a free tour has hidden costs. You might not know how much to tip, end up in a big group, have to start at a set time, and follow a guide who can’t change the plan. With this, you pay €6 once, there’s no group, no tip, and you choose when to go, where to stop, and what to skip.

What if the weather is bad?

That’s just a normal day in Edinburgh. The route has sheltered sections, indoor breaks, and warm stops, all clearly marked. Just look for the “Indoor” sign. Plus, the printed PDF can handle a wet pocket much better than a phone.

CHOOSE YOUR SELF-GUIDED WALK

Choose your route · Open the guide · Start exploring

Two Dean Village walks are available now. Just pick the starting point that fits your plans. Each guide works on your phone and starts at only 6€.
Beautiful view of Dean Village Edinburgh from a little bridge
✓ Available now
HAYMARKET → DEAN VILLAGE

Dean Village Walk from Haymarket

Follow a peaceful riverside route from Haymarket to Dean Village, discovering local stories, hidden details, and practical tips as you go.
25 stops · 3-4 hours
✓ Available now
DEAN VILLAGE → STOCKBRIDGE

Dean Village Walk from Princes Street

Begin in central Edinburgh and follow a planned route through Princes Street Gardens and the West End to the historic Dean Village.
24 stops · 2-4 hrs
What to do in Edinburgh? Get ideas, recommendations and tips for your visit.
🔔 Launching soon
OLD TOWN WALK

Royal Mile and Closes Walk

Walk from Princes Street Gardens into Edinburgh’s historic heart, discovering the stories, viewpoints and details hidden between the famous landmarks.

 

Planned
HOW IT WORKS

Simple, from purchase to your first stop

01

Choose your walk

Pick the route and starting point that best suit your plans.

02

Create your account and pay

Create a simple account during checkout so your guide stays securely available whenever you need it. It’s a one-off purchase, no recurring subscription or automatic renewal.

03

Receive instant access

Your online walking guide, interactive map and PDF companion are available as soon as your order is complete.

04

Use it on any device

Plan on your computer or tablet, then follow the route on your phone. Everything works in your browser - no app needed.

05

Return whenever you like

Log in and revisit your guide at any time during your 12 months of access.

Questions? Just ask.

Have a question before or after your purchase? Send me a quick email info@edinburghest.com and I’ll be happy to help.