We want you to come on a tour and have an absolutely amazing time exploring our cities with our incredible guides.
Here are answers to the questions we are most frequently asked about coming on an Invisible Cities tour with us.
Discover the UK with Invisible Cities: FAQ on Tours of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, York, Manchester & Cardiff
Looking for meaningful, impactful experiences while exploring the UK? Invisible Cities is a social enterprise that’s changing the face of tourism. We offer guided walking tours of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, York, Manchester, and Cardiff, all researched, designed, and led by people who have experienced homelessness.
Through personal stories, historical insight, and social awareness, our tours reveal the sides of cities that often go unseen—sharing untold stories that travellers from near and far can take home and talk about long after the tour ends.
Frequently Asked Questions About Invisible Cities Tours
Tours of Edinburgh
Q: What makes Invisible Cities tours in Edinburgh different?
A: Our Edinburgh tours bring the city’s rich heritage to life through the voices of guides like Sonny and Gayle, who have lived experience of homelessness. You’ll explore everything from hidden landmarks to powerful personal journeys—all while supporting social change.
Q: Is this more than just a walking tour?
A: Absolutely. Every tour is a chance to connect, reflect, and see the city through a human lens that traditional tourism often overlooks.
Q: What do people say about the tours?
A: Here’s just one customer review from Tripadvisor:
“We did the Real Women Of Edinburgh tour with Gayle and the Crime & Punishment tour with the awesome Sonny! Both were great, and I highly recommend the company which not only provides this service but also has an excellent social value purpose that you’ll learn more about.”
Tours of Glasgow
Q: What’s unique about Invisible Cities in Glasgow?
A: As a social enterprise, we’re not just sharing facts—we’re sharing lived experiences. Our Glasgow walking tour guides reveal the beating heart of the city through stories of activism, creativity, and resilience.
Q: Who designs the Glasgow tours?
A: All our tours are designed and developed by our guides themselves. They choose the themes, the routes, and the stories they want the world to hear. In Glasgow you’ll walk with guides Angie or Silvana. Angie has quite the reputation for being an incredible storyteller and a lot of fun!
Q: What are other things to do in Glasgow?
A: Our guides are full of recommendations from famous Glasgow landmarks, traditional Glaswegian food and drink and places in the city of Glasgow to relax and unwind—just ask for their top places to visit.
Tours of Aberdeen
Q: Why take an Invisible Cities tour in Aberdeen?
A: Aberdeen’s charm lies in its contrasts—the Granite City holds many secrets and hidden beauties. Our guides bring that to life. From historic streets to modern struggles, our tours highlight the voices and experiences that give the city soul.
Q: What impact does my tour have?
A: Every booking supports our mission: to provide opportunities, training, and a platform for people who have experienced homelessness. All of our guides including Angus in Aberdeen are paid the national living wage and supported with other life experiences and needs.
Q: When did the walking tours of Aberdeen start?
A: Our guided tour of Aberdeen officially launched in March 2025—and our first tour guest was none other than Prince William.
Tours of York
Q: How is Invisible Cities changing tourism in York?
A: We do tourism differently. In York, our guides take you beyond the city walls and into personal stories that intersect with its Roman and medieval past—turning historical tours into human journeys.
Q: Will I learn something new?
A: Absolutely. These are the stories you won’t find on TripAdvisor or in guidebooks—real, honest and unforgettable.
Q: What do people say about the tour of York?
A: Here’s just one customer review from Tripadvisor:
“It was an absolute pleasure to spend a couple of hours in the company of Vicki. The tour was a blend of the story of Guy Fawkes, her own personal story and a smattering of general history. It was informative, amusing and, at times, deeply moving. I would highly recommend it.”
Tours of Manchester
Q: What can I expect on a Manchester tour?
A: Expect to be moved, entertained and inspired. Our Manchester guides share their experiences alongside the city’s powerful history of protest, pride, and progress. If you’re looking for a music experience or tour in Manchester, Nic’s tour—which focuses solely on the city’s famous bands and artists—offers impact with heart.
Q: Is this a walking tour or something more?
A: It’s both. It’s a walk through Manchester, and a walk through someone’s life story. Meet Nic, Ste or Andy and find out more about Manchester’s history of pubs, social change, the industrial revolution and entertainment.
Q: Is the tour of Manchester a walking tour?
A: Yes, all of our tours are walking tours, but don’t worry—they go at a sensible pace and include plenty of stops.
Tours of Cardiff
Q: What’s special about Cardiff tours with Invisible Cities?
A: Our Cardiff tours are fascinating and factual but poetic too. With themes of Welsh identity, social change, and personal resilience, these tours offer an honest, heartfelt look at the capital.
Q: Who benefits from these tours?
A: Your tour supports our guides including Johnny and Larysa, and helps challenge perceptions of homelessness, while contributing to a more inclusive community and tourism industry.
Q: What do people say?
A: Here is just one review of our walking tours of Cardiff from Tripadvisor:
“We met John at the Betty Campbell statue and began our ‘poetry, protest and place’ adventure. John’s poetry is beautiful and he led us on a fascinating journey through Cardiff. We ended the adventure at the Aneurin Bevan statue and John’s final poem: ‘what would you come out for/protest for?’ An important question… Thank you John.”
Questions About Invisible Cities Walking Tours
Q: How does Invisible Cities support its guides?
A: We train individuals affected by homelessness to become tour guides, offering them employment opportunities and personal support, including public speaking, finance, mental health and housing advice. We also organise regular meetups and provide access to ongoing development opportunities.
Q: Are the walking tours suitable for children?
A: Yes, we try to be as family-friendly as possible. The Leith ‘Trainspotting Generation’ tour contains some strong language, but most are suitable for all ages. Feel free to contact us with specific questions.
Q: Can I book a private or bespoke Invisible Cities tour?
A: Absolutely. We cater for schools, conferences, private events and can customise routes, themes and pick-up points to suit your needs.
Q: Can I leave a review after my tour?
A: Yes please! We love reading your reviews. You’ll receive links via email after your tour to leave feedback on Google or Tripadvisor.
Q: How are the guides paid?
A: All guides are employed and paid the national living wage for their work. We also offer additional support like clothing, toiletries and vouchers.
Why Choose Invisible Cities?
We’re proud to be a social enterprise as well as a tour company that puts people at the heart of tourism. Every Invisible Cities tour is an act of storytelling, empowerment, and connection—giving a platform to voices that deserve to be heard. Whether you’re visiting one of our cities for the first time or rediscovering your hometown, our tours help you see cities—and people—in a new light.
Q: What does having a social mission actually mean?
A: Having a social mission means that a business or organisation exists not just to make a profit, but to make a positive difference in society. At Invisible Cities, our social mission is at the heart of everything we do: we train and support people who have experienced homelessness to become walking tour guides. This creates employment opportunities, challenges stereotypes, and helps build stronger, more inclusive communities. In short, a social mission means using business as a force for good – where impact matters just as much as income. For us that is about people – our guides, as well as the communities and partners in each of our cities.
Q: How do you measure the impact that you are having?
A: We measure our impact in a few key ways. First, we track how many individuals with experience of homelessness have gone through our training and become tour guides, as well as their personal development and progress over time. We also gather feedback from our guides, customers, and partners to understand the social and emotional impact of our tours. Additionally, we monitor how our work influences public perceptions around homelessness, helping to challenge stigma and raise awareness. Our impact isn’t just about numbers—it’s about stories, change, and creating opportunities where they didn’t exist before. We publish an impact report every year which includes insights around how many people have been on our tours, as well as the partnerships, funding and opportunities we’ve secured over the year. You can see the latest Invisible Cities impact report here.
Q: What are the backgrounds of your guides?
A: Our guides come from a wide range of backgrounds, and they all share one thing in common: they have experienced homelessness and difficult life circumstances. Some have lived on the streets, others have faced challenges such as addiction, mental health issues, or time in the care system. What unites them is their resilience and their passion for sharing their city’s history through their own unique lens. With training and support from Invisible Cities, they have transformed their lived experiences into powerful, engaging walking tours that challenge stereotypes and inspire change. Lots of our guides are happy to talk about their stories, experiences and opinions, so do ask questions and they’ll undoubtedly inspire, inform and entertain you.
Q: What is your booking process?
A: Booking a tour with Invisible Cities is quick and simple. Just visit our tour pages, choosing your city and preferred tour, and select a date and time that works for you. Once you’ve completed your booking online, you’ll receive a confirmation email with all the details you need—including where to meet your guide. If you’re booking for a group, school, or corporate event, you can also contact us directly and we’ll help tailor the experience to your needs. Please note that we don’t offer tours with just one person – so if you are booking a tour that doesn’t yet have anyone booked on, you’ll see that two people is the minimum.
What do people say they love about Invisible Cities tours?
- Authentic and Personal Storytelling
Guides share their own life experiences alongside the city’s history, making the tours deeply personal and moving. - Unique Insight into Local Hidden History
Visitors discover lesser-known stories and places, especially about social change, homelessness, and local culture. - Engaging and Knowledgeable Guides
Guides like Stephen and Nic are praised for their warmth, enthusiasm, and deep knowledge of the city’s past and present. - Emotional and Inspiring Experience
Many reviews highlight how the tours are not just informative but also inspiring and thought-provoking. - Mix of History and Social Impact
The tours combine traditional city history with powerful insights into homelessness and community resilience. - Inclusive and Supportive Social Enterprise Model
Guests appreciate that the tours support people affected by homelessness, contributing to social change. - Accessible and Well-Paced Walks
The tours move at a sensible pace with plenty of stops, making them enjoyable for a wide range of visitors. - Eye-Opening Perspectives
Visitors often say the tours changed how they see a city, revealing realities they hadn’t considered before. - Friendly and Approachable Atmosphere
The personable nature of the guides creates a welcoming environment that encourages questions and interaction. - Highly Recommended for Locals and Visitors
Both locals and tourists find value in the tours, often recommending them to friends and family.
Ready to Explore?
If you’re searching for things to do in Edinburgh or looking for inspiring tours of Cardiff, look no further. With Invisible Cities, you’ll go home with more than memories—you’ll take home stories that matter.
