The Real Mary Kings Close: what to expect
The Real Mary Kings Close is a guided visit to historic spaces beneath the City Chambers on Edinburgh's Royal Mile. A costumed guide leads visitors through preserved rooms and closes, bringing stories of the people who lived and worked here into the setting itself. This is an organised experience rather than a street you can explore independently. The tour is in English and takes about an hour.
The spaces are distinct from the South Bridge vaults. If you are comparing underground visits, our Edinburgh vaults guide explains another set of spaces and tour choices. For the wider setting, start with the history of the Royal Mile or plan a walk through the Old Town.
Our pick: Mary King’s Close
The guided visit includes entry to the historic close.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in British pounds (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Visit Mary King's Close
Choose a guided visit to the historic rooms beneath the Royal Mile and check the available time for your date.
Tickets and choosing a time
The attraction offers Essential and Standard tickets. Its published 2026 prices from February are £25 for an adult Essential ticket and £18 for a child aged 5 to 15. Standard tickets are £28.50 for adults and £21 for children. From 1 June to 31 August 2026, only Standard is offered. Check the conditions and price of the option you select before paying, as a booking channel can present its own terms.
Booking ahead is recommended to secure a place. Look at the calendar for the date you want and allow enough time to arrive before your chosen entry. If you need flexibility, read the change and cancellation conditions attached to your particular booking before completing it. The Royal Mile has many places to visit, but each attraction has its own arrangements, so do not assume another ticket includes this tour.
Stairs and accessibility
The route descends 58 steps and climbs 38 steps. There is no lift to the underground spaces. The rooms can be dark and narrow, and floors can be uneven or steep, so sturdy footwear is a sensible choice. These details matter when deciding whether the route suits everyone in your party. Contact the attraction before booking if you need to discuss a particular access requirement.
Children under 5 cannot join the tour. If your group includes young children, check the age of each child before choosing a time. One necessary companion per paying guest can enter free with evidence; ask about the appropriate ticket when arranging the visit. The access information also describes reductions for visitors with sight or hearing impairments.
Language, photos and belongings
The guide speaks English. A free app provides a German translation, and visitors using it should bring headphones. Download and prepare what you need before the tour so you can follow the guide without delaying the group. Private photography and filming are not permitted during the visit, leaving the experience to be followed in person.
The attraction is cashless and does not accept American Express. QR-operated lockers are available in the courtyard. Consider what you need to carry before going below ground, especially if you are continuing along the Royal Mile afterwards. For help planning the journey to the area, see getting to the Royal Mile.
History and storytelling
The rooms include spaces from the seventeenth century that survived beneath the City Chambers from 1753. The plague of 1645 forms part of the material presented during the experience. The guide's stories offer a way into the history of a densely occupied part of Edinburgh, where a close could connect the main street with homes and workplaces.
Some stories associated with the attraction are ghost tales. Enjoy them as storytelling rather than evidence of supernatural events. If that is the style of evening you prefer, compare the choices in our ghost tour guide. A visit here can also be paired with a walk along the Royal Mile, giving you a sense of the street above before or after seeing the preserved spaces below.
Mary King's Close questions
Can I explore the close on my own?
The visit is a guided tour through historic rooms and closes.
Is the route step free?
No. There are 58 steps down and 38 up, and no lift.
Can young children visit?
Children must be at least 5 years old to join the tour.
Can I take photographs?
Private photography and filming are not permitted during the tour.