The Real Mary King’s Close

The Real Mary King's Close takes visitors below the Royal Mile into what the attraction describes as Edinburgh's only preserved 17th-century underground street. The close is named after Mary King, a merchant burgess who lived here in the 1600s. In 1753 much of it was partly demolished and buried during the building of the Royal Exchange, now the City Chambers, leaving its houses and shops sealed beneath the northern slope of the Royal Mile. For many years the close was closed to the public; today it is run as a visitor attraction.

Every visit is a fully guided tour lasting about an hour. On the Signature Guided Tour a costumed guide, playing a character from the close's past, leads small groups through the narrow passages and rooms, describing the real lives of the people who lived on the close. Being underground in a preserved street gives the tour plenty of atmosphere.

The entrance is at 2 Warriston's Close on the High Street section of the Royal Mile. The attraction is open seven days a week, with long hours that can run from 9am until late evening, so check the calendar on the official website for the times on your date. Tickets are sold online, and tours at popular times in summer and during the festival can fill up. Walk-up tickets are available on the day at the online price if space remains.

Children under five are not admitted for safety reasons, so it best suits older children, teenagers and adults. As this is a historic underground site, read the attraction's accessibility page before you book if anyone in your group has limited mobility. There is a gift shop at the end of the tour.

Because tours run in timed slots and last about an hour, the close is easy to fit into a day on the Royal Mile. Pair it with St Giles' Cathedral nearby, or with the Camera Obscura and the Scotch Whisky Experience further up towards the castle. It is also a good option for a wet day or an evening activity, as later slots continue after many museums have closed.