We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.
We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox. Mac: Safari.
All 331 Edinburgh Attractions »

Real Mary King's Close

2 Warriston's Close, Edinburgh, Scotland
0845 070 6244
Ranked #27 of 159 attractions in Edinburgh
4.0 of 5 stars 488 Reviews
Type: Landmarks/ Points of Interest, Historic Sites
Activities: Group tours/walking tour
Traveller Description:   To experience Mary King's Close is to step back in time.  A Close means Alley way. The homes and apartments dating back to the plague, were used to... more »
Useful Information: Bathroom facilities
Write a Review

488 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    208
    131
    74
    38
    37
Date Rating
Allie147
Leixlip, Ireland
2 reviews
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 February 2012 NEW

Myself and my friend found it difficult to find this attraction at first as we went early in the holiday and did not completely know where we were going, it is up a set of steps in a small alley way up from the mail train station in Edinburgh. It was really interesting and you are literally under the city... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
geismom
Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania
Top Contributor
77 reviews
91 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 February 2012 NEW

I can't say if I think the cost is worth the tour of the Real Mary King's Close. We were jammed in with a large group of people, and found ourselves the only ones who actually spoke English, except for the guide. As a result, many of the comical comments were lost in interpretation. One does have the opportunity to... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
ANDREW M
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Reviewer
4 reviews
1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 February 2012 NEW

Mary kings Close is an underground part of old Edinburgh which has been built over by the modern royal mile it is a part of Edinburgh that was sealed off during the great plague and has been left closed up for hundreds of years. you can see old shops still intact It is on a steep incline and people with... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
HeartSummer
Newcastle-under-Lyme, United Kingdom
Senior Contributor
31 reviews
7 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 11 February 2012 NEW
1
person found this review helpful

See another side to Edinburgh that many do not know about. Educational, spooky, left me wanting to know more about the history of Edinburgh! I believe it would or could be unsuitable for younger children or those who struggle walking up and down stairs. More

Was this review helpful? Yes
Liesel2002
Somerset, UK
Contributor
14 reviews
13 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 11 February 2012 NEW
1
person found this review helpful

I was recommended to go this site a but I wouldn't recommend it. I thought it was expensive for what it was. There actually wasn't that much to see below ground - lots of bare rooms. More

Was this review helpful? Yes
Supernige
Notingham
Contributor
18 reviews
2 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 February 2012 NEW

This could have been so much more interesting, I was certainly expecting more. There is undoubtedly the basis for a really innovative tourist attraction here but it seems to have been missed. Precious little in the way of financial investment seems to have been made at the site. The result of this is that there are far too few exhibits... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
Liz H
Grimsby, England, United Kingdom
1 review
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 February 2012 NEW

We had a very interesting and amusing tour with tour guide Chris T. It was an hour well spent learning about how people used to "live". No cameras or mobile phones allowed, would be too dark to take photos any way. Some of the lanes are very steep and its all underground. More

Was this review helpful? Yes
Greshamian
Cornwall
Senior Contributor
26 reviews
21 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 6 February 2012
1
person found this review helpful

This is not an attracton for wheelchairs, or those who cannot walk far or climb stairs, it is a maze of streets and partial buildings somehow preserved under the streets of Edinburgh rather than knocked down to build something else. The experience is either made or not by the guide, and in our case he was really excellent, full of... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
Fifetrio
Fife
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews
14 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 6 February 2012

Booked for the gold experience as it was our anniversary and had always wanted to visit this attraction. This cost £15.50 and included an hour underground and an hour over ground. The close itself was interesting and well preserved, demonstrating the conditions in which people used to live although I did expect to spend more time in the actual close... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
GJRD
Cumbria
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews
5 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 5 February 2012
1
person found this review helpful

Fascinating to find out how people used to 'live' if you can call it that. Our guide was really good and although pricy we thought it was worth it. You will never see the royal mile 'closes' the same again. More

Was this review helpful? Yes

Travellers who viewed Real Mary King's Close also viewed

Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
4.5 of 5 stars 651 Reviews
Edinburgh, Scotland
Mercat Tours
4.5 of 5 stars 543 Reviews
Edinburgh, Scotland
 
The Edinburgh Dungeon
3.5 of 5 stars 207 Reviews
Edinburgh, Scotland
Rabbie\
4.5 of 5 stars 541 Reviews
Edinburgh, Scotland
 

Been to Real Mary King's Close? Share your experiences!

Write a Review Add Photos Add Videos

Do You Own Real Mary King's Close?

TripAdvisor has free and easy resources to help you enhance your listing and promote your property.

Start here - visit your Management Centre | Add photos | Add videos
See all sites
Cruise Critic

The ultimate cruise resource: cruise reviews, deals, news and advice.

SeatGuru

The world's most comprehensive source for airline seats, airline info, & in-flight amenities.

Family Vacation Critic

The best family holidays start here.

Get the #1 travel app FREE>>
Take TripAdvisor with you

Find 50 million reviews & opinions of hotels, things to do, restaurants and more

GET IT
Named "#1 Travel App" by Frommer's