Edinburgh is a city where volcanic landscapes, medieval closes, and elegant Georgian avenues create one of Europe’s most captivating historic capitals. Rising from the rugged rock beneath its imposing castle, the city unfolds through dramatic viewpoints, centuries old streets, and cultural landmarks that reflect a legacy of royalty, literature, science, and Scottish tradition.
The Edinburgh Scavenger Hunt and Self Guided Tour invites you to uncover the city’s remarkable character through a trail of engaging discoveries. Solve location based puzzles as you wander along ancient lanes, explore hidden courtyards, and connect the stories behind iconic landmarks, revealing how Edinburgh became a city of thinkers, storytellers, and enduring legends.
About Edinburgh Scavenger Hunt
Highlights of Edinburgh Scavenger Hunt
Play
Solve location based puzzles. Use logic, imagination and observation. No knowledge required.
Learn
Uncover fun facts, local legends and information about the attractions and the city.
Walk
Who doesn’t love walking as a way to explore a city? Do it at your own pace and discover hidden gems.
Flexibility
Start anytime. Time is with you and not against you. Customise your route. Snap photos as you go.
Team Building in Edinburgh: Turn Legends, Mysteries, and Hidden Closes into a Shared Adventure
Locations and Route (Show Map)
In the map you can check the optimised route. You can change the order and adjust it according to your needs.
Download the World City Trail app from the store and after the purchase you will receive a booking reference. Fill in your details and you are ready to go!
Step into a world where history isn’t just told—it’s solved. Experience the ultimate Edinburgh Scavenger Hunt and self-guided tour with optional voice narration. This interactive adventure merges a city-wide challenge with sightseeing, offering the most affordable way to explore “Auld Reekie.” Without schedules or pressure, you’ll solve riddles in your preferred language and enjoy an immersive journey through a city where medieval wynds, neoclassical splendor, and the scent of woodsmoke and malt create a truly enchanting Scottish atmosphere.
We have carefully curated the best route in Edinburgh, connecting 10 of the city’s most important attractions into one seamless, walkable journey. Your adventure begins at the Scott Monument, the towering Gothic spire dedicated to the great Sir Walter Scott. From there, you will admire the fine arts at The Royal Scottish Academy before climbing toward the Esplanade, the grand gateway to the castle that offers breathtaking views of the skyline. The path leads you to the striking Gothic tower of The Hub and down into the spirited atmosphere of the Grassmarket, a historic square once bustling with merchants and now lined with lively pubs. You will wander through the legendary Greyfriars Kirkyard, a place of haunting beauty and literary inspiration, before visiting the medieval majesty of St Giles’ Cathedral. Your journey continues down the historic Canongate, past the tribute at the Burns Monument, and reaches its spectacular conclusion atop Calton Hill, where the city’s most iconic monuments and views of the Firth of Forth await.
Discover the literary legacy of the city and the panoramic views of the skyline before finishing your journey. Conclude your quest having experienced the city’s finest gems for the lowest price available. Whether you are solving riddles in the shadow of the Scott Monument or navigating the picturesque Calton Hill, you are getting the best exercise while uncovering the soul of the city with this unique experience.
Important information about Edinburgh Scavenger Hunt
Smartphone
You will need a fully charged smartphone with internet access and World City Trail app.
Self Guided Tour
Nobody will wait for you. Start anytime and do it at your own pace. Pause and resume anytime.
Not Suitable
For wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments or unaccompanied children.
Important
You don’t have to pay any entry fees.
Explore the attractions of Edinburgh Scavenger Hunt
If you are interested in other cities, you can find all of our games here
1. Scott Monument – starting point of Edinburgh Scavenger Hunt and city tour
It is present at the princess Street Gardens. It is also considered as one of the second largest monuments to one of the famous writers. It is associated with literature and history, which makes it famous for the Scottish locals as well as the arrest.
The monument is also called the Victorian Gothic monument, which is associated with a Scottish author Sir Walter Scott. It is of great importance because of its history. You will also become aware of the Scottish culture visiting the Scott monument. It is at the height of 60 meters which is often visited by tourists now and then. It is one of the most iconic landmarks present in the history of Scotland.
2. Royal Scottish Academy
This building is of great importance because it’s one of the National buildings famous for various purposes. The Basic purpose that it serves is that it is called the Academy of Art on a national level where most of the students come to learn all about art and literature.
It was first founded in the year 1826, which makes it very old and one of the best in the entire country. This is the main reason it is given priority on a National basis. It is an independent body of artists where they can learn and create art according to their style and convenience.
3. Esplanade
This is a long, wide-open area which is the best place to have a long walk. The area is situated along the water. It is special for its scenic view and historical background because this area was once used for protecting the city wall of Scotland. It is outside the city of Scotland, so it also plays a role of an entrance. It is a large open leveled area where you can have a view of the entire surrounding.
4. Edinburgh Castle
This castle has a historical background which makes it historically important not only to the locals but also to others that are visiting Scotland every year. It is a very dominating building present in Scotland which also has importance on an archaeological basis. The Rock present in this area is considered as one from the Stone Age, giving this castle a huge hype. One of the most photographed points of Edinburgh Scavenger Hunt.
5. The Hub
This building is situated in the center of Edinburgh, which is important for holding public art and cultural festivals. It is quite a tall building which is why it can be seen from the surrounding places very clearly. It is famous because the local festivals held there are convenient for all the local people. It is also one of the entertainment Sites for tourists because of its various festivals.
6. Grassmarket
It is also a historic marketplace situated in the city of Edinburgh, Scotland. It is also used for event space within the city. Most of the events are organized at the grass market on a larger scale.
7. Greyfriars
It is one of the first Churches built in the Edinburgh city of Scotland after the reformation. In entire Scotland, it is also one of the largest churches after the reformation. It is one of the oldest Churches, which is why it is of great importance to the people of Scotland.
8. St Giles
This is the famous Cathedral which is also situated in the city of Edinburgh, Scotland. It is used for religious purposes and is also visited by most of the people and visitors. It is also called the High Kirk of Edinburgh.
9. Canongate
It is situated in the Capital city of Scotland, which is called Edinburg. It is a street presence in the famous city of Scotland. It is also called a district in the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, which has great importance from local and tourist point of you.
10. Burns Monument
Robert Burns was one of the famous poets and lyricists of Scotland. People consider him iconic because of his best work and the huge efforts he has put in the field of Scottish literature. Burns monument is a circular building which is made up of Stone standing tall in the memory of Robert Burns. It is famous for people who have a love for Scottish literature and poetry.
11. Calton Hill – ending point of Edinburgh Scavenger Hunt and city tour
This is a peaceful area in the city of Edinburgh, Scotland. It has some National monuments and galleries where the famous work of Scottish artists is displayed.















Nina– Belgium –
Op een leuke manier leer de je mooiste plekjes van de stad kennen! Zeker een aanrader!
United Kingdom –
The facts were interesting and I really liked them, but there were a lot of places which could be added, such as Edinburgh castle, Elephant cafe, etc. I would decently add more of them to the app.
United Kingdom –
In general it was good. The selection of places to visit was thorough and the activities were fun. There are a couple odd typos and unfinished sentences in the information section which would probably need some review. Also, it is a bit inconvenient that the route cannot be followed in the app and that if you selected one location by mistake you can only either solve it or lose it.
United Kingdom –
A great tour of key sights in Edinburgh, incorporated some Harry Potter stops that I googled along the way!
Sarah– United Kingdom –
Really fun!