Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
4.5
Science Museums • Observation Decks & Towers
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8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
About
Winner of VisitScotland's Best Visitor Attraction Experience 2022/23! Interact with over 100 illusions as well as a breath of fresh air on our magnificent Rooftop Terrace, which offers the most spectacular 360 degree views of Edinburgh. At Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, experience five floors of interactive hands-on optical illusions, tricks and fun things to do including vortex tunnel, mirror maze and shrinking room. Fully safe and have all the necessary health and safety guidelines in place to make your visit the most enjoyable ever! Get involved, play, touch everything. Great fun for all ages and nationalities, whatever the weather. 'Best family attraction in Britain’, The Telegraph. 'Five Stars, outstanding, world class', VisitScotland. Scotland’s oldest purpose-built attraction, established in 1835. Free Wi-Fi. Allow about 2 hours. Please note the attraction is located in a listed 17th Century building over 5 floors without a lift. Open every day, open late on holidays.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Old Town
Few Edinburghers live in the Old Town, but its labyrinth of dank alleys and steep streets suggests this was not always the case. Today, it’s mostly visitors, tartan-flavored souvenir shops, and pipers that you’ll find on its cobbled streets. This is the place to get a feel for Auld Reekie (Old Smelly), as the town was once nicknamed, and stroll the Royal Mile, the thoroughfare that links the castle with the royal palace – two of Edinburgh’s great set-piece attractions. But there’s lots more exploring to do here down dozens of little alleys, or wynds, while at night the city’s busiest clubs erupt along the Cowgate which is closed to traffic for this purpose.
Best nearby
Restaurants
1,970 within 3 miles
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493 within 6 miles
See what other travelers are saying
- Touran PSunderland, United Kingdom1,020 contributionsFun but overpricedI visited here with my Mam on our trip to Edinburgh and had a decent experience. We arrived at around 2:30pm which was a busy time to visit, since it was half term. In hindsight, we should have pre-booked our tickets on here but then we wouldn’t have received our NHS discount. After about 30 minutes of queuing, we got inside to be told that the 15 minute camera show had been fully booked as they only run it until 4pm because it relies on sunlight. We were offered a ticket that would run until the next morning so that we could see the show, which was nice. Staff were very friendly and gave us our NHS discount which brought the ticket down to £14.85 each. They also let us store our backpacks in their cupboard as we’d just arrived in Edinburgh. The museum itself is over 6 floors with no lift so there are a lot of steps to climb. Each floor had a different theme and there was plenty to do and take part in. My favourite part was the mirror maze and the vortex tunnel. It was very busy with kids however. On the top floor is the camera show but there’s also a viewing platform where you can see all of Edinburgh from a height. We spent around 2.5 hours there. We returned the next day at 10am but had to wait for the 11am camera show so we had another wander around when it was a lot quieter (I would recommend a morning visit). The show was interesting, there wasn’t a lot of sun that day so we couldn’t see much of the people and city in the mirror reflection, but it was ok. Overall, we had a decent time but we felt that £16.50 (full price ticket) was expensive for what it was. Great fun for kids though.Hello Touran, thank you for visiting us and taking the time to leave this review. It's wonderful to hear that you and your mam had a good experience with us. As you mention, we can be rather busy during the school holidays, and so we would recommend coming to visit in the morning when it can be quieter. Our Camera Obscura shows can sell out on busier days so it is better to come as early as you can if you want to experience it. It is good to hear you took advantage of our Readmission Ticket to come back the next day and see our show. Even if the weather was grey, we hope your guide in your Camera Obscura show kept you entertained! Though we do not have a lift in the building, there are seating areas on every floor to catch your breath, something all the staff have to do on most days! Thank you again for your review and, we hope you enjoyed the rest of your visit to Edinburgh.Written March 2, 2020This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited February 2020Traveled with friendsWritten February 23, 2020
- Jemma EEdinburgh, United Kingdom30 contributionsVery enjoyable for all the familyReally enjoyed our trip here as a family of four- 2 adults and two kids (6mnth and 2.5 years). The venue had something for everyone, with exhibits split between 4 floors. Our toddler really enjoyed the interactive displays, but did also find some of the exhibits too scary and wanted to be carried. Baby enjoyed the moving lights. I really enjoyed mirror maze! One of the negatives is that baby changing facilities are on ground floor and there’s no lift. In part, this is because the building is so old and unique, which is part of it’s charm!! Buggy’s must be left on ground floor so remember to bring a sling ! On the day we went, it was overcast weather- so we were offered a discount on ticket or to come back another day. Staff very friendly and nice, and especially enjoyed the camera obscura tour on top floor- very entertaining and enjoyable. We couldn’t have spent a whole day here, but would recommend giving yourselves a few hours to enjoy leisurely look around!Hi Jemma, thank you so much for your great review. We are delighted to hear how much you and your family enjoyed your visit, we work hard to offer something that all ages can enjoy. Due to the age and historical nature of our building we do only have stairs, but there is seating on every level. Baby carries are also available free of charge at our front desk, and our team would be more than happy to help when you request. Thank you for visiting and we hope you’ll visit us again for more mind-bogging fun with the family.Written March 23, 2020This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited November 2019Traveled with familyWritten March 6, 2020
- amyCheshire, United Kingdom60 contributionsSuch a brilliant and fun place!Visited at the beginning of Feb with my partner. We visited on a Saturday evening at night, we entered around 730ish and had the last 2 hours of opening. With going at night we obviously missed seeing the camera obscure, but was offered a discounted ticket. There is so much to see and do, and would recommend any adult to visit. I’ve spoken to a lot of people since our visit who assumed it was for children! We enjoyed our experience more, mainly as it was so quiet very little people or children, so it was ideal to look and take in every detail of the attraction. The views across Edinburgh and of the castle at night are stunning from the rooftop. Such a good photo opportunity. I would recommend anybody visiting Edinburgh to add this to your to do list & remember it isn’t just for children, it’s for big kids too!Hi Amy, and thank you for this amazing five star recommendation. We pride ourselves on having something for everyone to enjoy, even big kids, and we’re delighted to hear you had so much fun. The views from our Rooftop Terrace in the evening are stunning, we would love to see any photographs you took while here. Thank you for visiting and we hope to welcome you back for more fun in the future.Written February 21, 2020This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited February 2020Traveled as a coupleWritten February 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
15,881 reviews
Excellent
10,616
Very good
3,908
Average
976
Poor
267
Terrible
120
Getaway57597811462
3 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
This is a great way to take a break from historical Scotland and have some fun with your kids. There is an amazing little presentation at the very top that I highly recommend. I also highly recommend booking well in advance for this if you’re going during the summer season.
Written August 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniel
Enfield, UK44 contributions
Aug 2023
Visited here and had a great time. Lots of fun for everyone and all the staff were very friendly. Despite it being the summer holidays it didn't seem overcrowded. Jamie was entertaining during the demonstration we watched of the Camera Obscura. There were some unique illusions but I don't understand why the explanation for them is on a QR code and not just printed out next to them.
Written August 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ymke Jut
1 contribution
Aug 2023
We visited the experience on our vacation in Edinburgh, and it was a lot of fun. the staff was super fun and personal and the experiments and activities were hysterical. The money is worth the time you are in the experience and the timeslots prevent crowdedness around the different things to see. Loved my afternoon spent here, and credits to the guy who does the show in the clock tower, he made my day
Written August 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gianfranco S
1 contribution
Aug 2023 • Family
Edinburgh is really worth a visit. This attaction however is rather overpriced. The rooms are small and crowded in August.
Written August 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sam S
birmingham236 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Booked a surprise trip to Edinburgh for myself & my husband to celebrate our wedding anniversary & added this to our itinerary for the day. Didn't know what to expect but had great fun! Who knew something so wacky was right in the middle of a busy Edinburgh. It was something different & we felt like big kids loved it. All staff friendly,helpful & upbeat. Great views over Edinburgh,good spot for photos. Seen staff regularly cleaning down mirrors & other things that little hands are touching. Can I just say how much I appreciated the women's toilet facilities,sanitary pads/tampons if needed? I've never seen that at any attraction I've ever visited,so thank you as it was needed. I think a lot of other businesses need to take leaf out of your book 👏🏻
Written August 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello Sam and thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We're over the moon you had such a wonderful visit to Camera Obscura and got so many lovely photos to remember your experience. Congratulations on your wedding anniversary, we hope you both had a blast exploring all 5 floors of mind-bending exhibits! Thank you for your feedback on our toilets and cleanliness, we will pass on your compliments to our team and would love to welcome you and your husband back again soon.
Written August 11, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jules d
3 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
Came here with my dad and we had an absolute blast. So much to see and experience for all ages! We spent about 2 hours Inside.
Written August 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Jules, thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We're delighted you had a blast exploring our 5 floors of mind-boggling illusions with your dad! With over 100 exhibits we feel we have lots to entertain all ages so it's great to hear your feedback on this. We would love to welcome you both back soon.
Written August 11, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
PR1115
London, UK19 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
We recently visited here while on vacation in Edinburgh. My child enjoyed a few things towards the end and the camera obscurra show. It was an enjoyable experience.
Written August 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello and thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We're so pleased you had a fun visit with your family! Our 170 year-old Camera Obscura is a highlight for lots of our visitors so it's great to hear you enjoyed it too. We hope to welcome you back next time you're in Edinburgh.
Written August 11, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lena ironside
2 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
The friendliness of the staff.....now that might sound cheesey........but helpful friendly staff make for a better experience
Written August 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello Lena and thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We're over the moon you had a fabulous visit with your family and got lots of fun photos to remember your visit! Thank you for your feedback about our friendly staff, we will pass on your compliments to them and they'll be so pleased they made your visit even better. We would love to welcome you and your family back again soon.
Written August 10, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sherlocksister46
Lowestoft, United Kingdom15 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Lots of colleagues and friends said this was a must-do and it came up repeatedly as a suggestion on my feed for our first trip to Edinburgh. I was still sceptical as I had two teenagers in tow who don't agree on much. I have to say, it kept the three of us busy for two full hours as we pretty much looked at and tried everything. The highlight for me was the lovely view at the top and the accompanying guided talk about the actual camera obscura. The price is steep but on a par with city prices particularly as we were visiting during the Fringe.
Written August 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello and thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We're delighted you had a fun visit and felt there was lots to entertain your teenagers! Our rooftop view and Camera Obscura show are both highlights for lots of our visitors so it's great to hear you loved them too. We hope to welcome you all back again soon.
Written August 10, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tracey H
Luton, UK4 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Fantastic experience me and my daughter had an amazing time. Fairly busy and we were running late so I called to explain and they were very accommodating.
Written August 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Tracey, thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We're thrilled you had a fantastic experience with your daughter exploring our 5 floors of mind-boggling illusions! We are currently in our busiest summer period but we're so pleased you felt our team were accomodating. We hope to welcome you both back again soon.
Written August 10, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Do the Discount Partner discounts have to be used the same day as the visit to Camera Obscura?
Beth Camera Obscura
Edinburgh, UK
No, just have your recent Camera Obscura ticket to show them.
Zaphir.myotis
Szombathely, Hungary
Hello! I'm a hungarian university student. Can I use the student discount? (European Youth Card)
Beth Camera Obscura
Edinburgh, UK
Hello and thank you for your question. If your youth card states you're a student, we can accept this. We would also accept a student ID card from your university if you have one.
My partner currently gets PIP. I am her carer but don’t currently have my carers allowance letter or card. If my partner brought her PIP award letter would that be proof enough?
Beth Camera Obscura
Edinburgh, UK
Hi there. Yes, the PIP award letter is enough proof for our Carer discount. Thank you, we look forward to welcoming you for a visit.
64essexshell
Romford, UK21 contributions
Is there any discount for this attraction
Beth Camera Obscura
Edinburgh, UK
Hi there, we do discounted tickets for students, seniors and carers with a valid ID. We also offer discounts for Blue light card holder and the ScotRail Kids for a Quid promotion if you're travelling by train with a child. We also offer a 10% discount to those who are visually impaired or hard of hearing. If any of these apply to you, please visit our website to learn how to arrange these discounts. Thankyou!
Claire R
Edinburgh, UK
Do you need to book in advance?
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
Edinburgh, UK1 contribution
Hello Claire, thanks for your question. We do recommend pre-booking during peak holiday seasons and weekends to avoid disappointment, as timeslots can get booked up in advance. All of our ticket availability can be found on our website.
Nim Kareliya
Birmingham, UK18 contributions
How long does it take to go through the whole attraction?
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
Edinburgh, UK1 contribution
Hello Nim, thanks for your question. The average visit takes about 1.5 - 2 hours. That's exploring our five floors at your own pace.
Emma
Nottingham, UK3 contributions
Hi, are you able to take pushchairs into this attraction? I have a 5 year old and 6 month old. Thanks
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
Edinburgh, UK1 contribution
Hello there, Thanks for your question! Due to the number of stairs throughout the attraction, we recommend visitors leave pushchairs and buggies in our buggy park area inside. We offer free baby carriers to anybody with very young children to help get your little ones around the attraction more easily. For any more information, don't hesitate to get in touch.
Katie
Aberdeen, UK
Are you reopen yet and do I need to pre-book tickets?
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
Edinburgh, UK1 contribution
Hello Katie, Thanks for getting in touch! We are indeed open now - every day from 10 am till 7 pm. We are recommending that everyone pre-books their tickets online to ensure you secure the time and the day of your choosing as we have limited capacity in each time slot.
For further information or to book tickets, please head over to our website. We look forward to welcoming you soon!
Kim F
Edinburgh, UK
Do they still do the discount with a valid Scotrail ticket?
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
Edinburgh, UK1 contribution
Hi Kim,
Yes, you can with a Kid for a quid ticket from Scotrail one child gets entry with one full paying adult. You can buy the Kids go for a quid tickets on the train or at any staffed station, there are not available from the self-service ticket machines.
To get the discount, simply show your Kid for a quid ticket to one of our friendly staff at the front desk.
We look forward to welcoming you soon.
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Claim your listingCamera Obscura and World of Illusions (Edinburgh) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
- Camera Obscura and World of Illusions is open:
- Sun - Sat 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
- We recommend booking Camera Obscura and World of Illusions tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 13 Camera Obscura and World of Illusions tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Camera Obscura and World of Illusions:
- Edinburgh Private Tours with a Local Guide, Tailored to Your Interests (From $263.51)
- Private Edinburgh Tour for Families with a Local, 100% Personalized (From $106.84)
- Edinburgh City Tour (From $671.95)
- Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off City and Britannia Joint Tour (From $23.72)
- Royal Edinburgh Ticket with Hop-On Hop-Off Tours, Edinburgh Castle Admission (From $85.64)
- Hotels near Camera Obscura and World of Illusions:
- (0.01 mi) The Witchery
- (0.03 mi) Fabulous 4 Bedroom Period flat next to the Castle
- (0.03 mi) Amazing penthouse, stunning views, Castle 2 mins
- (0.03 mi) Amazing penthouse, stunning views, Castle 2 mins
- (0.04 mi) The Castle Esplanade Residence
- Restaurants near Camera Obscura and World of Illusions:
- (0.01 mi) The Witchery
- (0.02 mi) Castlehill Rooftop Diner
- (0.03 mi) Cannonball Restaurant & Bar
- (0.03 mi) Cafe Hub
- (0.03 mi) Amber Restaurant At The Scotch Whisky Experience
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions Information
| Excellent Reviews | 9,243 |
|---|---|
| Very Good Reviews | 3,603 |
| Camera Obscura and World of Illusions Photos | 5,574 |














































































