Escape The Past vs Mary King’s Close vs Edinburgh Dungeons: Which Is Best In 2026?
The weather forecast doesn’t seem great in Edinburgh, but you're looking to immerse yourself in the city's history with an activity in the Old Town. Within a mile of each other, you find three great options: The Real Mary King's Close, the Edinburgh Dungeons, and Escape The Past. All three offer a journey into Edinburgh's dark history, but through very different experiences.
This guide breaks down the key aspects, pros and cons of each attraction so you can pick the best one for your trip. Each is accompanied by its current star rating on Trip Advisor.
The Quick Answer
If you're looking for a historic guided tour with tour guides in character that’s educational and informative, then The Real Mary King's Close might be what you're after. This is a good match for the travelling history buff who is new to Edinburgh or is looking to learn a lot in a short visit.
For families with young visitors (8 years and up) looking for theatrical scares, the Edinburgh Dungeons could be a good fit. However, if you have already visited Dungeons in another city, it can feel déjà-vu, and you might like to consider trying something new.
If you're looking for a more immersive and engaging way to learn about Edinburgh’s past then Escape The Past is ideal. With its interactive nature, it’s perfect for those who struggle to focus during guided tours or who whizz through exhibitions. Based on real historical events, you can delve right into Edinburgh's history, solving puzzles and mysteries in beautifully recreated environments - from a 19th-century anatomist’s study to the infamous Deacon Brodie’s workshop.
Mary King's Close (4.5/5)
The Real Mary King's Close offers a guided tour through a preserved 17th-century close, which was partially demolished and buried underground to build the Royal Exchange on the Royal Mile in 1753. The guided tours now take visitors through these streets full of urban legends and myths, and offer a glimpse into life in Edinburgh in the 16th and 17th centuries.
This is best for history enthusiasts, tourists, and those seeking a good overview of Edinburgh's history. Expect an hour-long tour through a small underground area with educational and informational content, but be aware that due to its structure, some areas can feel crowded in peak season.
If you enjoy following a tour and listening to a guide, this is probably a good fit for you, but if you crave something a lot more interactive, this might be too passive an option.
Edinburgh Dungeons (4.4/5)
The Edinburgh Dungeons are a live-actor, theatrical walkthrough, suitable for adults and children over 8. While inspired by stories from Edinburgh’s history and mythology, The Dungeons have more of a haunted house or theme park feel, which can be great for those who love jump scares or for families with older kids.
The experience covers Edinburgh and Scottish history across 11 live actor shows, with theatrical sets, special effects, and even a drop ride.
It might not be the best fit for anyone who would like to learn about the city’s authentic history, or craving a slightly deeper or richer experience. Equally, for people who have already been to the Merlin Group’s ‘Dungeons’ in another city, the format and experience might lack novelty.
Escape The Past (5/5)
Escape The Past offers highly immersive escape rooms themed around real stories from Edinburgh's dark history - allowing you to see, touch and even smell the city’s past!.
Based in a 19th-century church basement, visitors are invited to be main characters in the experience, solving thrilling historical mysteries from grave robbers and medical malpractice, to the infamous crimes of Deacon William Brodie. Unlike The Mary King's Close and the Dungeons, your booking is entirely private, and your group is in control of the outcome, with the helpful assistance of in-character game masters. This offers a unique way to interact with the city's history and can be enjoyed as a couple or a larger group.
If you're a tourist in Edinburgh looking for something unique, highly rated, independent, and locally run, then Escape The Past might be right up your alley.
Equally, if you are local to Edinburgh and interested in learning more about your city’s past or on the looking for an fun activity to do with visiting friends or family, a historical escape room is perfect for a bit of fun and thrills for a day off or for special occasions like birthdays, graduation celebrations, or a date night.
New to escape rooms? Check out our beginners guide to escape rooms.
Escape The Past is accessible to anyone new or familiar with escape rooms, with puzzles designed to be solved as a group, and you don’t need to be a Wordle champion to unravel the mysteries. You’re immersed in a story, just you and your friends, no strangers, and you get to walk away with memories to continue laughing about.
So, Which Attraction Should You Book?
Each attraction has its own qualities, and the best way to decide is to consider:
- How much historical information are you looking to learn and how do you want to learn it?
- Whether you’re looking for dry facts or something a little more fun and engaging?
- Whether you’re completely new to Edinburgh, have already visited multiple times, or if you or some members of your group are local?
- Whether you’re celebrating an occasion, or would rather have a private booking than share the experience with strangers?
It’s also worth checking the booking information and accessibility before you go, as well as how busy these places can get during peak tourism seasons.
Find out more about Edinburgh’s dark history, from public executions to the Old Tolbooth Prison, discover what exactly happens in escape rooms and our top tips for beating the clock, or book your historical escape room experience today.
