Planning a trip to Edinburgh? If you’d like to learn about the city’s history in a fun way, book your visit to The Real Mary King’s Close! This immersive attraction will take you back in time through the underground streets of the Royal Mile, just as they were in the 17th century.
In this article, you’ll find some useful tips to help you prepare for your visit and have a wonderful time!
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Why visit The Real Mary King’s Close?
Is The Real Mary King’s Close worth it? Our opinion:
Yes, The Real Mary King’s Close is well worth a visit if you like immersive attractions. The tour immersed us in the fascinating history of the old town. It allowed us to explore its authentic remains, narrow streets and preserved dwellings. A costumed guide recounted Scottish history, myths and culture through stories based on real events.
We think it’s one of the best things to do in Edinburgh!
Why is The Real Mary King’s Close famous?
The Real Mary King’s Close is a preserved underground labyrinth beneath the Royal Mile, revealing authentic 17th-century life in Edinburgh. It’s famous for its harrowing tales of plague, daily life and the haunting legends that populate these forgotten alleys. It is named after Mary King, a merchant and member of the Edinburgh City Council, who gave her name to the lane – a remarkable feat for its time.
Our favorite moments
During our visit, there were several moments that particularly struck us:
- The Mary King’s Close itself, which we glimpse throughout the tour but only really get to grips with at the end – a highlight that rounds off the visit perfectly.
- Discover the habits and customs of 17th-century Edinburgh, brought to life by our costumed guides.
- Captivating accounts of the great plague epidemics and the invention of “Barbourg”, a local solution to the disease.
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History in brief
Here are the milestones in the fascinating history of this unique site:
- Mary King’s Close was originally a network of merchant lanes dating from the 17th century, located beneath the present-day Royal Mile.
- The street takes its name from Mary King, an independent woman who lived here in 1635 and ran a textile business.
- In 1645, a terrible plague epidemic ravaged the area, marking its history forever.
- In 1753, part of the street was demolished and buried when the City Chambers were built, making it inaccessible for centuries.
- It wasn’t until 2003 that the site was reopened as a tourist attraction, allowing the public to discover these alleys frozen in time.
Directions: The Real Mary King’s Close, Edinburgh
Where is The Real Mary King’s Close?
- Edinburgh city center, Old Town
- On the Royal Mile, opposite St Giles Cathedral
- 10min walk from Waverley Station
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How to get there?
Access to The Real Mary King’s Close is particularly easy from the Royal Mile, the main thoroughfare in Edinburgh’s historic center. We recommend several options for getting there:
- On foot: This is the most pleasant option. Allow 10min from Waverley station. Look up and spot St Giles Cathedral, The Real Mary King’s Close is just across the road.
- By bus: The nearest bus stop is South Bridge.
- By bike: Cycle paths lead to the historic center, and bike racks are available nearby.
If you come by car, be aware that traffic can be difficult in the historic center. We preferred to leave our car behind and enjoy the city on foot.
Parking
Parking is particularly tight in Edinburgh’s historic district. There is no dedicated parking for The Real Mary King’s Close, but you can opt for the Blackfriars St parking lot, about 5min walk away.
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Useful tips: duration, schedules, eating…
Best time to visit
To make the most of your experience at The Real Mary King’s Close, timing is everything.
- The morning tours, a little less crowded, offer a more intimate and personalized experience.
- Because this attraction is located underground, it is perfectly accessible all year round, whatever the weather conditions outside – a great asset in Edinburgh!
- Book your ticket in advanceespecially in high season (summer and vacation periods).
Length of visit and main difficulties
- Allow 1 hour for the guided tour of The Real Mary King’s Close.
- We recommend that you arrive 10 to 15 minutes before the scheduled time to check in and get ready.
- The tour itself lasts about 50 minutes.
- Notable difficulties include narrow passages, uneven floors and several staircases (around 60 steps down and 40 up).
- Finally, if you suffer from claustrophobia, the visit can be quite trying, as some areas are quite confined.
Advice on how to visit
The tour of The Real Mary King’s Close takes place exclusively with a guide. You’ll follow a well-defined route through the underground alleyways, which means there’s really no choice about the itinerary.
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Visiting with children
- The Real Mary King’s Close is a captivating experience for young and old alike.
- Costumed guides embody historical figures and tell the stories of former residents in an interactive and educational way, bringing history to life for young visitors.
- Some of the stories and the general atmosphere may frighten the most sensitive, but nothing is truly terrifying.
- A visit to the boutique should also delight them…
- Please note, however, that the tour is reserved for children over 5 years of age.
Schedules and rates
The site is generally open:
- Monday to Friday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday: 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Timetables vary according to the season, so check the official website before your visit. Find out more here.
Price: £24
Booking in advance is essential, as the attraction is often fully booked, especially during the high season.
Guided tours
- The tour is guided.
- For international visitors, free audio guides are available in several languages, including French and Spanish, to complement the guide’s explanations.
- Photography is strictly forbidden inside, due to the darkness of the premises and to preserve the immersive experience for all visitors.
Before your visit: a museum to tide you over
Before entering the underground passages, we discovered a small but particularly instructive museum area. This preamble allowed us to immerse ourselves in the fascinating history of 17th-century Edinburgh. The detailed models gave us a clear idea of the organization of the closes and the architecture of the buildings that no longer exist.
You’ll particularly appreciate the everyday objects on display, which bear witness to the life of the inhabitants of the time, as well as the explanatory panels, which are full of striking anecdotes about life in the closes. These narrow, dark alleyways, characteristic of old Edinburgh, were often unhealthy and overcrowded. This background proved invaluable in helping us better understand the experience that awaited us underground.
The immersive underground guided tour
Photos were forbidden during the visit (we couldn’t illustrate our tour with pictures), so we let ourselves be carried away by the atmosphere of the premises, where the lighting effects are subtly orchestrated to highlight the preserved architecture.
Our guide’s fascinating tales brought to life before our eyes the inhabitants of bygone days: busy merchants, doctors battling the plague, or ordinary citizens facing daily hardships. The atmosphere is certainly dark, perfectly in keeping with historical reality, but never truly frightening.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Real Mary King’s Close scary?
While The Real Mary King’s Close is known for being a place haunted by sometimes disturbing tales, the experience here is more historical than scary. We found the atmosphere dark and mysterious, but never truly terrifying. Unlike some tourist attractions, there are no actors popping up to scare you, and no special effects designed to frighten visitors.
Can we visit without a guide?
It’s absolutely impossible to visit The Real Mary King’s Close without a guide. The environment is dark, sometimes damp, with narrow passages that require vigilance to ensure visitor safety. What’s more, the guides’ expertise is essential to understanding the site’s rich history.
