The Real Mary King's Close (solo trip)
How Solo-Friendly is The Real Mary King's Close?
What makes it 85% Solo-Friendly: The frequent small-group tours welcome individuals, and the dark historical setting offers engaging storytelling; only many stairs and dim passages mildly affect independent travelers.
Positives:
- Small Group Tours: Guides place solo visitors in groups of 8–15, perfect for meeting travelers.
- Underground Setting: The close is fully indoors, offering a unique escape from weather.
- Costumed Storytelling: Live actors and narrative bring 17th-century Edinburgh to life.
Challenges:
- Narrow Steps: Expect 58 steps down and 38 steps up with tight passageways.
- No Photography: Photography is prohibited throughout the tour.
What is The Real Mary King's Close?
- A subterranean network of 17th-century streets and dwellings lying beneath Edinburgh’s Royal Mile
- A historical site that comprises former slum quarters sealed in 1645 during the Black Death and later rediscovered
- An underground time capsule revealing medieval urban planning through narrow closes, vaulted stone passages and period architecture
What is so special about The Real Mary King's Close for solo trip?
- Join small guided groups to explore 16th-century underground streets.
- Experience live storytelling with costumed guides.
- Pick themed tours like True Crime to meet others.
- Use the official app for self-paced audio tours.
- Shop and relax at the coffee cart post-tour.
Recommended visit duration: 1-2 hours
Why 1-2 hours visit duration is ideal for solo trip: The one-hour guided tour covers all main underground streets at a comfortable solo pace.
Solo-Friendly Activities in The Real Mary King's Close
Standard Guided Tour:
Join a character guide through hidden 16th-century streets beneath the Royal Mile.
Tip: Book online to secure your time and arrive 10 minutes early.
True Crime Evening Tour:
Hear real crime stories in a darker, adult-only atmosphere.
Tip: Available Fri–Sat in summer; reserve in advance for evening slots.
Self-guided Audio Tour:
Download the official app for a solo-paced exploration in your language.
Tip: Download and test the app before arriving to avoid delays.
When is the best time to visit The Real Mary King's Close (Edinburgh, United Kingdom)?
In summer, tours fill quickly; book weeks ahead. In winter, early dusk makes the underground feel spookier. Rainy days are ideal since the tour is fully indoors.
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Reviews of The Real Mary King's Close (Edinburgh)
Johanna Brown
Super cool tour of a very well preserved piece of Edinburg history! Our tour guide Jade was excellent. Very informative and funny. You can't take pictures during the tour, but they do take a souvenir picture if you want one. I loved it!
Shaun
We visited last week as a group of 10 on a visit to Edinburgh and it is was fantastic (once you catch your breath from climbing the hill to get to it!). We had time to use the bathroom and gift shop before we entered. Entry was on time. I'd say there were about 20 people in our tour with Becca(?) as our guide. Bloody brilliant. Humourous. Lots of fun facts and really good story telling about old E...
S Brooks
My son and I visited last May, and I was a bit apprehensive do to the possibility of steep walking areas, but to my surprise it was just fine. The ladies upon entrance were perfect, and our guide was wonderful, telling about the tales of Edinburgh of long ago, unfortunately we didn't see any ghosts, and Dr. Death was interesting to sit with, and the end of the tour was special too. (Don't want to ...
Tristan Summerer
First we were sad not to be able to take pictures downstairs (upstairs and in the shop it's allowed) but you don't have any time to be honest. Everything was exciting and the told history about Edinburgh and those buildings was fascinating! Anthony was the best tour guide we could imagine! His voice was perfectly loud, clear and well understandable! He gave clear instructions and was always kind a...
Cody P
I had a lot of fun on this tour! I won’t spoil everything down there, but there’s definitely a lot to keep you entertained. Our guide was excellent and had a plethora of knowledge. No pictures are allowed, though you can buy an overpriced one at the end if you so choose. Wonderful gift shop too. We definitely picked up some Christmas gifts. Reservations are highly recommended as only so many peopl...
Typical Budget for Solo Traveler (1 Adult)
| Item | Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Admission (standard guided tour) | GBP 21 |
| Audio guide rental (optional) | GBP 3 |
| Coffee or snack | GBP 4 |
| Souvenir | GBP 10 |
| Total Estimated | GBP 38 |
Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
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How to Make the Most of Your Visit to The Real Mary King's Close
- Book Early: Reserve tickets online at least two weeks in advance during peak season.
- Choose Off-Peak Slots: Midday tours are less crowded than evening or weekend slots.
- Arrive Prepared: Wear sturdy shoes and bring a light jacket; the close stays cool year-round.
Map of The Real Mary King's Close
Address: 2 Warriston's Cl, Edinburgh EH1 1PG, UK
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About The Real Mary King's Close
Opening Hours
Hours may vary during holidays, special events, and peak seasons. Please check the official website for the most up-to-date information.
Website
Official WebsitePhone Number
+44 131 225 0672Explore Popular Things to Do
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