What to do · Edinburgh
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, optical illusions next to the castle
Information
- From
- £24 adult
- Duration
- 1 h 45
- Season
- All year, except 25 December; open into the evening
- Who it's for
- From age 4 or 5; under-13s enter with someone aged 16 or over
What's on the six floors
The Camera Obscura occupies a tall building on Castlehill, two minutes from the castle, with a black-and-white tower visible from halfway down the Royal Mile. It bills itself as Edinburgh's oldest tourist attraction: the camera obscura on the top floor has been working for 173 years. Below, on six levels, there are more than a hundred hands-on optical illusions: mirror rooms, a giant kaleidoscope, light games and an Ames room, where a person seems to shrink as they cross it.
It's not a look-don't-touch museum: here everything is touched, tried and photographed. That's why it works so well with children, and why teenagers leave with their phones full.
The camera obscura and the rooftop
Right at the top is the camera: a darkened room with a white table onto which mirrors and a lens project the surrounding city live. In daylight, a guide turns the periscope and shows you the streets, cars and people moving across the table. At night or in bad weather, the show is a projection. If you want the live version, go in daytime with clear skies.
Next to it is the rooftop terrace, with views of the Old Town, the castle and, to the north, the New Town and the Forth.
Tickets, opening hours and getting around inside
- Adults (16 and over): £24.95.
- Ages 5 to 15: £17.95.
- Students and over-65s: £21.95.
- Under-5s: free.
These are the 2026 prices; for 2027 they go up by a pound. You book by time slot and capacity is limited: buy on their website, which is where entry is guaranteed. The ticket office sells if there's space. During school holidays there are slots before 9:00 with £4 off online.
It's open all day and into the evening: until 18 December, Monday to Thursday from 9:30 to 19:30, Fridays until 21:00, Saturdays from 9:00 to 21:30 and Sundays until 20:00. At Christmas it extends its hours and on the 25th it's closed.
The building dates from the 17th century and has no lift: there are 98 steps in total. Pushchairs stay at the entrance and they lend you a baby carrier for free (for babies from 3.5 to 14.5 kg). Under-5s don't pay, but they need a booked ticket. The ticket is valid all day. Under-13s must be accompanied by someone aged 16 or over.
Tips
- Go up to the camera first If it's sunny, head straight to the top floor for the live show and then work your way down through the illusions.
- Avoid midday Between people leaving the castle and lunchtime it gets packed. Late afternoon is quieter and it's still open.
- Careful if you get dizzy The mirrors, patterns and moving images make some people dizzy. If you feel queasy, step out onto the stairs for a moment.
- Do it on the same day as the castle They're next door to each other. Castle in the morning, Camera Obscura in the afternoon.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Camera Obscura in Edinburgh cost?
£24.95 per adult and £17.95 for ages 5 to 15 in 2026. Under-5s go free.
How much time do you need?
The attraction itself estimates an hour and three quarters, and recommends allowing at least two.
Is it good for young children?
Yes, almost everything is hands-on. Bear the stairs in mind: the pushchair stays at the entrance, but they lend you a baby carrier.
Does the camera obscura work when it rains?
In bad weather or at night the show is a projection. The live image needs daylight.
Do you need to book?
It's advisable: entry is by time slot and it often fills up. If there's space, they sell at the ticket office.
With young childrenAs a familyWith teenagers
