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Guided tour

Edinburgh: Real Mary King's Close Guided Tour

4.5 / 5

1373 reviews

Activity provider:The Real Mary King's Close
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Guided tour

Edinburgh: Real Mary King's Close Guided Tour

Activity provider:The Real Mary King's Close

4.5

1373 reviews

Likely to sell out

From US$ 31.43 per person

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 really 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.
Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 1 hour
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English

Experience

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

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

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

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Important information

Not allowed

  • Pets
  • Cameras
  • Smoking
  • Intoxication
  • Unaccompanied minors

Know before you go

  • 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
  • For health and safety reasons, children under 5 years old cannot be admitted. Children under 16 years old should be accompanied by an adult
  • 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
Likely to sell out

From US$ 31.43 per person

Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today
Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today
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Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.5 /5

based on 1373 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.7/5
  • Value for money
    4.3/5
  • Service
    4.5/5
  • Organization
    4.5/5

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Star rating:

Enjoyable and really interesting experience. Craig did a very good job in presenting the social history of the time. I particularly enjoyed the way Craig spoke at a good, measured pace and diction/ clarity was excellent. Staff in tea room very welcoming.

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May 30, 2023

G
GetYourGuide traveler Verified booking

Helpful?

Interesting tour with a lot of information provided. Good group size. I wouldn't want it any bigger (I believe we had about 15). I thought it was a little expensive for what it was. A significant tourist attraction in Edinburgh - so I can understand that they can charge the price they do.

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May 16, 2023

G
GetYourGuide traveler Verified booking

Helpful?

The tour was fabulous! It gifs you a very good understanding of live Edinburgh in the time around 1600 till 1800 when you were poor or middle class. Our guide Lauren was fantastic. A vivid narrator with clear descriptions of the horrible tales. Lauren you are the best!!!

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May 14, 2023

G
GetYourGuide traveler Verified booking

Helpful?

Product ID: 76378

  • United Kingdom
  • Things to do in Edinburgh
  • Real Mary King's Close

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