Guided Tours
- 1st Jan - 31st Dec 2026
- Monday - Sunday
- 1-hour tour
- Essential Tickets (not available June-August) From £25 per adult From £18 per child (5 to 15 years old). Standard Tickets From £28.50 per adult From £21 per child (5 to 15 years old).
- No under 5 year olds
- Audio guides are available for our tour in French, German, Italian, Spanish, Mandarin, Dutch, Portuguese, Polish and Hungarian.
Step down into Edinburgh’s hidden history
Join us for a one-of-a-kind journey beneath the city streets and uncover a world long forgotten. Our Guided Tours offer a rare chance to explore the original 17th-century closes and rooms hidden beneath the Royal Mile, where true tales and untold secrets come to life.
Led by one of our costumed guides, you will walk in the footsteps of real residents who once lived, worked and died in this extraordinary place. Each guide embodies a character from the past and shares gripping stories rooted in fact. From the haunting days of plague and poverty to moments of resilience and rebellion, our tours reveal the very soul of historic Edinburgh.
Expect dark corners, great storytelling and an immersive atmosphere that will stay with you long after your visit. Tours are delivered with energy and momentum, ensuring every moment is packed with atmosphere and insight. Please note that the experience involves 58 steps, spanning several floors, uneven surfaces, and steep inclines. Be prepared for a fair amount of walking and standing.
Whether it is your first time or a return trip, no two tours are ever quite the same.
What to expect:
- A 1-hour guided tour through preserved underground streets and rooms
- Fascinating insights from a character guide based on real historical figures
- A blend of historical fact, rich storytelling and atmospheric spaces
- A unique perspective on Edinburgh’s social history and hidden past
Important information:
- Guided Tours last approximately 1 hour
- We are a 5-star attraction and frequently sell out, so we strongly recommend booking in advance
- From 1 June to 31 August, we offer Standard Admission Tickets which allow changes to your booking up to 4 hours before your scheduled visit
- The attraction is cashless, so please ensure you bring a valid debit or credit card
- For safety reasons, children under 5 years of age cannot be admitted
Please download our (free!) Mary King’s Close Audio Guide app, and make sure to bring headphones along with you on the day.
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