Camera Obscura & World of Illusions

Rainy-day activities

Explore Edinburgh with Bright Bus Tours! Hop on and off at your own pace with the City or Britannia Tour, designed to match your itinerary. Visit iconic sights like Edinburgh Castle, Historic Grassmarket, and Palace of Holyroodhouse, all while enjoying fascinating onboard audio commentary. Kick off your adventure at Waterloo Place and hop on the bus for your perfect tour! The City Tour shows you Edinburgh’s must-sees like the Scottish Parliament and National Museum of Scotland, while the Britannia Tour takes you to gems like the Royal Botanic Garden and the Royal Yacht Britannia. Choose your route and let the fun begin as you explore Edinburgh your way! Whether you’re on the top deck or inside the bus, you can easily explore the city and catch views of iconic buildings and landmarks along the way. With your ticket, enjoy extra perks and discounts. These can be found on the back of our tour leaflet. The City Tour includes: • Waterloo Place • St Andrews Square • Lothian Street • Bread Street • The Mound • George IV Street • Grassmarket • National Museum of Scotland • Canongate Kirk • Palace of Holyrood • Dynamic Earth • Abbeyhill • Regent Road The Britannia Tour includes the following stops: • Waterloo Place • St Andrew Square • The Shore • Victoria Quay • Royal Yacht Britannia • Fishmarket Square • Royal Botanic Garden

Set off on a magical tour of the city with our fun Potter-head guide, and see the places that inspired JK Rowling to create her wizarding universe. Then, enjoy over 100 illusions at Edinburgh's very own house of tricks - the perfect magical addition to your day, and with one of the city's best views. Starting at Tron Kirk on The Royal Mile, we first head to historic Waverley Station. Then, head to Edinburgh University Old College – a famous old campus that provided lots of inspiration for JK Rowling’s creations. Continue through the atmospheric Old Town, stopping at Greyfriars Kirkyard which inspired Tom Riddle’s Grave, and passing by the Elephant Café where JK Rowling sat for many hours dreaming up the world of Harry Potter. Next, get amazing views of Edinburgh Castle on our way to Victoria Street – said to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley – and we finish near Edinburgh City Chambers where you’ll learn about JK Rowling’s impact on the city. Finally, after the tour, you’ll be given your tickets for the world of illusions with five floors filled with tricks and fun things to do — perfect fun for all ages, rain or shine, and with one of the best views in Edinburgh!

Explore our world of illusions with surprises around every corner. Britain's most fun attraction! Experience five floors of fantastic fun, with over 100 interactive exhibits. You'll need about two hours to discover them all. Make your way to our Rooftop Terrace for the ultimate 360-degree views of Edinburgh. This unbeatable vantage point is perfect for capturing breathtaking photographs. Plus, with our range of free-to-use telescopes and binoculars, you can zoom in for an even closer look. Step inside our 172-year-old Victorian rooftop chamber and experience Edinburgh like never before! The Camera Obscura shows a live panorama of the city, accompanied by an informative tour of Edinburgh's rich history. It's a view that's both fascinating and surprisingly spectacular! Discover 5 floors of wonderful interactive displays and clever illusions. Swap noses with friends, get lost in the mirror maze, and watch yourself stretch and shrink. Navigate the swirling light vortex, play eye-spy with our city viewcams, and enjoy visual effects that twist reality. A magical place for making memories and having a blast - perfect for visitors of all ages!