Experts' Choice Award The Real Mary King's Close
What the experts agree on
Buried beneath the City Chambers, these preserved 17th-century streets—reputedly haunted and once ravaged by plague—offer an eerie, fascinating glimpse into how Old Town residents actually lived.
“It explores a series of narrow 17th century streets, subsequently built over and closed to the public until the first tours began in 1990s. ”
– The Telegraph
Lonely Planet Top Choice
"This spooky, subterranean labyrinth gives a fascinating insight into the everyday life of 17th-century Edinburgh." Full review
Travel + Leisure "Tour this warren of recently opened underground alleyways for a fascinating account of the city's past (victims of the 1644 plague died here) and a firsthand look into restored 17th-century town houses." Full review
Atlas Obscura "17th century streets hidden under Edinburgh were once a breeding ground for the black death. " Full review
Fodor's "Hidden beneath the City Chambers, this narrow, cobbled close, or lane, named after a former landowner, is said to be one of Edinburgh's most haunted sites." Full review
Time Out "Spooky visitor attraction takes you into the startlingly well-preserved vaults beneath Edinburgh's Old Town to see the streets and wynds where the citizenry lived before the whole thing was built over." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "This ghoulish underground alley sports tenement buildings with doors, shuttered windows, gutters, and even viewable rooms and former stores." Full review
Frommer's "These underground "closes," originally very narrow walkways with houses on either side, date back centuries." Full review
Independent "When it came to the top UK attractions, the Scottish capital also hosts four out of the top 10 including The Real Mary King’s Close, the Royal Yacht Britannia and the National Museum of Scotland"
"This is a fascinating opportunity to explore Edinburgh's medieval underbelly. The Real Mary King's Close was named in 1630 after resident Mary King, who built her own fabric business..."
Lonely Planet "A trip underground at The Real Mary King's Close – an entombed labyrinth of frozen-in-time streets and claustrophobic rooms hidden beneath the Royal Mile. A tour of this time capsule is a..."
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