This small-group walking tour combines a route along the Royal Mile and Edinburgh's Old Town with a guided visit to Edinburgh Castle, with admission included and a Spanish-speaking guide.
The route starts at the meeting point on the Royal Mile, the epicenter of the Old Town, and passes the Mercat Cross, once used for public announcements and punishments, where the guide explains why a unicorn crowns the pillar. In front of it stands St Giles' Cathedral, whose architecture and the history of the Presbyterian religion are explained, and at West Parliament Square the guide talks about the Act of Union. Behind the cathedral is the Heart of Midlothian, which marks the spot where the Old Tolbooth once stood. Along the Royal Mile you also learn about the closes, the medieval cobbled lanes, and about the city's cultural scene and festivals.
Along George IV Bridge you reach the statue of Greyfriars Bobby, Edinburgh's most famous dog, and the entrance to Greyfriars Kirkyard, a historic graveyard where the guide explains what mortsafes are and the connection between the Scottish Covenanters and the George Mackenzie Mausoleum, one of the bloodiest episodes of the 17th century. There is also a small literary nod that many fans will recognize, without making it the focus of the visit. You then walk down to the Grassmarket, famous for its pubs and its dark past, and up Victoria Street, one of the most photogenic streets in the city for its romantic architecture and colorful facades.
From the Castle Esplanade you get a first panorama of the city, and then you enter the castle with admission included. The guided visit in Spanish takes place in the outdoor areas of the castle. The castle's main points of interest include St Margaret's Chapel, the oldest building in Edinburgh, dating from the 12th century; the Royal Palace, home to the Scottish crown jewels; the Great Hall, from the 16th century; the memorial to the fallen dedicated to Scottish soldiers; the Mons Meg cannon, one of the largest pieces of artillery in the world; the 18th-century war prisons, with objects belonging to the prisoners; and the castle's dog cemetery. After the guided tour, we recommend allowing 1–2 hours to visit the castle's museums and historic interiors independently. This is simply a recommendation.