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Closes & Coffee Tour

  • 1st Jan - 31st Dec 2026
  • Every day
  • Schedule A: 9.15 Coffee Tour at The Lost Close | 10.00 Standard Tour at The Real Mary King's Close
  • Schedule B: 10.15 Coffee Tour at The Lost Close | 11.00 Standard Tour at The Real Mary King's Close
  • £40 per person Advance booking essential. Only 12 places available
  • 35-minute coffee tour at The Lost Close 1-hour tour at The Real Mary King's Close Freshly brewed coffee

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Brewed in history

Two hidden closes. One unforgettable morning.

Step into a story steeped in centuries with Closes & Coffee, an exclusive immersive experience from The Real Mary King’s Close and The Lost Close. Begin inside the newly uncovered Lost Close beneath John’s Coffee House & Tavern, then continue into the preserved 17th-century streets of The Real Mary King's Close beneath the Royal Mile.

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About the Tour

Closes & Coffee brings together two hidden underground closes in one unforgettable experience. Your journey begins at The Lost Close, a remarkable underground site uncovered in 2019 after being sealed for nearly 200 years. Once part of Edinburgh’s bustling Old Town, the space now reveals stories of Enlightenment-era coffee culture, hidden passageways and life beneath the city streets. Along the way, you’ll enjoy freshly brewed coffee from local Edinburgh roaster Common Coffee while expert guides share tales of philosophers, merchants and everyday residents who shaped the city above ground.

The experience continues at The Real Mary King's Close, where preserved 17th-century streets and homes reveal the real stories of the people who lived, worked and died beneath Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. Combining immersive storytelling with authentic historic spaces, this small-group tour offers a unique glimpse into the city’s layered history.

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What to Expect

  • A guided coffee tour at The Lost Close, An underground close not open to the public for nearly 200 years
  • A freshly brewed coffee from Edinburgh roaster Common Coffee.
  • The tale of coffee’s journey to Edinburgh and its Enlightenment-era role
  • A guided experience at The Real Mary King’s Close, winner of Tripadvisor’s UK’s Best Visitor Attraction 2024
  • Entry to two of Edinburgh’s most atmospheric hidden closes
  • Small group setting for up to 12 guests

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The Lost Close (2)

Plan Your Visit

  • Two morning departure options available

    • 09.15 Coffee Tour at The Lost Close
      10.00 Tour at The Real Mary King’s Close

    • 10.15 Coffee Tour at The Lost Close
      11.00 Tour at The Real Mary King’s Close
  • Tours conducted in English
  • Coffee provided by Common Coffee, roasted in Edinburgh
  • Involves stairs and uneven surfaces
  • Not suitable for children under 5
  • Audio guides not available
  • Meeting point: John’s Coffee House & Tavern, Parliament Square, Edinburgh

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Frequently Asked Questions

The full experience lasts approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes, including both The Lost Close coffee tour and the guided tour at The Real Mary King's Close.

Your ticket includes entry to both underground closes, guided storytelling experiences and a freshly brewed coffee from Common Coffee.

The experience is for children aged 5 and over due to the underground environment and historic setting.

Tours are intentionally kept small to create a more personal experience, with 12 limited spaces available per session.

The experience starts at John’s Coffee House & Tavern in Parliament Square, Edinburgh Old Town.

Please note the experience includes stairs, uneven surfaces and historic underground spaces which may not be suitable for all mobility needs.

Yes. Advance booking is strongly recommended as tours regularly sell out due to limited capacity.

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