Camera Obscura Edinburgh
BEST FOR
Ages 0+
ENTRY
from £17.95
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Edinburgh
What it’s like
Five floors of illusions and mind-bending exhibits on the Royal Mile, topped off with a rooftop view over the city.
This is the place with the wonky floors, the vortex tunnel and the rooftop terrace that makes the queue for the stairs worth it. Over 100 interactive exhibits are packed into the building, and the site reckons on about an hour and 45 minutes to get round the lot, though nobody's rushing you if the kids want another go on something. There's a proper Camera Obscura demonstration too, either a daytime show or a projection after dark, which is the bit that gives the place its name and probably the bit they'll bring up at tea.
It's a 17th-century building, so it's stairs only, no lift, and around 100 steps up to the rooftop. Pushchairs have to be left at the entrance, though they'll lend you a free baby carrier if you ask at the desk, which is a decent workaround but still a faff if you weren't expecting it. Anyone 12 or under needs an adult over 16 with them, and dogs aren't allowed in.
Prices aren't cheap for a family day out: £24.95 for an adult and £17.95 for a child aged 5 to 15, with under 5s free. There's no family ticket, they price everyone individually, which stings a bit if you've got three kids in tow. Booking a timed slot is recommended rather than compulsory, you can turn up and buy on the door if there's space, but with capacity limited per slot it's the safer bet at weekends or holidays.
There's no café on site, just snacks in the gift shop. Free wifi is available throughout if you need to keep the teenagers online between illusions, and the AutoWed marriage machine is worth a go for £5 even if you're not booked in for the main attraction.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Good for all ages from babies up, though the stairs suit sturdier legs
- Booking
- Timed entry slots recommended to avoid disappointment
- Parking
- No on-site parking. Limited disabled spaces on Johnston Terrace
- How long to allow
- About one hour and 45 minutes
- Food
- No on-site café. Snacks available in gift shop
- Pushchairs
- Not suitable for stairs
- Wheelchairs
- Stairs-only building. Wheelchairs can be left in foyer
- Dogs
- Not permitted
- No lift and around 100 steps to the rooftop, so it's a fair climb
- Pushchairs can't come inside, leave them at the entrance and borrow a free baby carrier
- There's no family ticket, every visitor pays their own way
- Book early or late in the day for the cheaper early bird adult rate on selected dates
- Gift vouchers are valid for 2 years if you fancy giving it as a present
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£24.95 for an adult, £17.95 for a child aged 5 to 15, under 5s go free. There's no family ticket, everyone's priced separately.
Do we need to book?
Timed slots are recommended and capacity is limited, but you can buy on the day at the front desk if there's space.
How long does a visit take?
Around an hour and 45 minutes to see everything, though you can go at your own pace.
Is it suitable for a toddler or a baby?
Under 5s go free and babies are welcome, but it's a stairs-only building with no lift, so a pushchair has to be left at the entrance. They'll lend you a free baby carrier instead.
Is there parking nearby?
No on-site parking. There are a few disabled spaces on Johnston Terrace, and the NCP Castle Terrace multi-storey is about a 7 minute walk away.
Is there anywhere to eat?
No café on site, just snacks in the gift shop, though they do offer discount vouchers for cafes and restaurants nearby.
Can children go round on their own?
Anyone aged 12 or under needs to be with an adult aged 16 or over.
Are dogs allowed?
Dogs aren't permitted in the building.
What's the AutoWed?
It's their marriage machine, £5 to use, and you can have a go even without a ticket to the rest of the attraction.
Is it accessible for wheelchairs?
The building is stairs only, but wheelchairs can be left in the foyer and one carer goes free with a paying visitor if they show carer ID.
Is there wifi?
Free wifi is available throughout, and you get the access code at the admissions desk.
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