Edinburgh: Real Mary King's Close Guided Tour

4.6323047 out of 5 stars
4.6
4.6323047 out of 5 stars
3046 reviews
Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
Edinburgh: Real Mary King's Close Guided Tour
4.6323047 out of 5 stars
4.6
4.6323047 out of 5 stars
3046 reviews
Likely to sell out

Explore Edinburgh’s hidden history beneath the Royal Mile on a fully-guided tour of the Real Mary King's Close. Discover what it was like for the people who lived, worked, and died on the Close.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Duration 1 hour
Check availability to see starting times
Live tour guide
English

Highlighted reviews from other travelers

M
Marina – Spain

the performance of our tiur guide was outstanding!

P
Paula – Portugal

We had an amazing time at The Real Mary King’s Close, and a big part of that was thanks to our fantastic tour guide, Annabelle. She really brought the experience to life by fully getting into character — it felt like we were stepping right into Edinburgh’s hidden history. Her energy, storytelling, and commitment to the role made the whole tour engaging and immersive. Highly recommend this experience if you're in Edinburgh and want to learn about the city's past in a fun and memorable way!

Select participants and date

Highlights

  • Discover Edinburgh's only preserved 17th-century street
  • Follow former residents and uncover their real stories
  • Experience over 400 years of history
  • Enjoy a 1-hour fully guided tour
  • Go on a tour that is voted Scotland's Best Heritage Experience

Full description

Step down into Edinburgh’s hidden history at The Real Mary King’s Close, voted Scotland’s Best Heritage Tourism Experience. Discover over 400 years of history and learn about the intriguing stories of Edinburgh’s past residents. 
From the deadly plague epidemic to a famous royal visitor, there is a myriad of tales just waiting to be told. Journey through time and find out why the Close, once open to the skies and bustling with trade, came to be underground. 
An experience rooted in social history, this 1-hour character-guided tour also includes an immersive walk-through of the city’s uniquely preserved streets and spaces, all located underneath Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile. Expect a truly unique glimpse into the city’s past. 

Includes

  • Entrance fee to the Real Mary King's Close
  • Food and drinks
  • Photographs

Not suitable for

  • Children under 5 years
  • People with claustrophobia
  • Wheelchair users

Meeting point

2 Warriston's Close, Royal Mile, High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1PG.

Open in Google Maps

Important information

Not allowed

  • Pets
  • Cameras
  • Smoking
  • Intoxication
  • Unaccompanied minors

Know before you go

  • For health and safety reasons, children under 5 years old cannot be admitted. Children under 16 years old should be accompanied by an adult
  • The Real Mary King's Close is unsuitable for wheelchair access
  • Due to uneven surfaces and some steep inclines, sturdy footwear is recommended
  • There are 58 steps to climb down and 38 to climb up as part of the tour
  • Many areas are dimly lit, and some visitors may experience disorientation or claustrophobia
  • Due to the site’s underground nature, visitors with asthma are advised to bring any medication/inhalers
  • Visitors under the influence of alcohol will not be permitted
  • Tour guides are equipped with a radio, so any visitor needing to leave may do so under escort from the duty manager
  • No photography is permitted during the tour

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.6 /5

based on 3046 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.7/5
  • Value for money
    4.4/5

Customer photos

Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
+17
Filter
By star rating
Sort by:
Recommended
M
Marina – SpainMay 10, 2025 – Verified booking
the performance of our tiur guide was outstanding!
P
Paula – PortugalMay 6, 2025 – Verified booking
We had an amazing time at The Real Mary King’s Close, and a big part of that was thanks to our fantastic tour guide, Annabelle. She really brought the experience to life by fully getting into character — it felt like we were stepping right into Edinburgh’s hidden history. Her energy, storytelling, and commitment to the role made the whole tour engaging and immersive. Highly recommend this experience if you're in Edinburgh and want to learn about the city's past in a fun and memorable way!
S
Sarah – NetherlandsMay 5, 2025 – Verified booking
I really enjoyed the tour! The tour guide seemed to enjoy his job as well. He gave me a lot of new interesting information and at times was really funny the way he went about it. The only suggestion I’d have is to make the groups per tour smaller, there’s still people having to look at certain things while the other half follows the guide to the next spot. Since the closes are already narrow, it often felt a bit cramped with a large group. Otherwise, great experience. Highly recommend to come here when visiting Edinburgh!

Product ID: 76378

Activity provider:The Real Mary King's Close

Top Attractions in Edinburgh

Experiences in Edinburgh

Tours in Scotland

Things to do in Scotland

Top destinations

Top attraction categories

Popular Attractions