Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Camera Obscura & World of Illusions

Type: attraction

At the very top of the Castlehill section of the Royal Mile, this 170-year-old attraction combines a live projection of the city streets onto a screen (Outlook Tower) with a hall of optical illusions, holograms, and a mirror maze. A great option if you are travelling with children or if the Scottish weather is doing its thing — which is quite a frequent occurrence.

Tickets

Entry: Tickets from ~18.00 EUR
Indicative price — confirm the exact amount before booking.
Tickets can also be purchased on-site.

Ticket includes access to all floors, optical illusions, and the Camera Obscura terrace with a panoramic view of the city. Online purchase in advance is recommended for a discount and faster entry.

⛰️ Heads up: Hilly approach — the uphill section may add about 25 percent to the walking time to the attraction.

Parking nearby

Parking Edinburgh

garage/underground 🚶 7 min to the attraction (499m)

Address: 33 King's Stables Road, Edinburgh

YourParkingSpace (lokacija 3)

Open 24 hours garage/underground 🚶 7 min to the attraction (506m)

Address: Spittal Street Lane, Edinburgh

Opening hours: Open 24 hours

Phone: +44 20 8629 1057

ParkBee APCOA - Spittal Street Lane, Edinburgh

Open 24 hours garage/underground 🚶 7 min to the attraction (508m)

Address: Spittal Street, Edinburgh

Opening hours: Open 24 hours

NCP Edinburgh Castle Terrace

Open 24 hours garage/underground 🚶 7 min to the attraction (543m)

Address: Castle Terrace, Edinburgh

Opening hours: Open 24 hours

Phone: +44 345 050 7080

Car Park Spittal Street Lane - Edinburgh | APCOA

Open 24 hours garage/underground 🚶 7 min to the attraction (549m)

Address: Spittal Street Lane, Edinburgh

Opening hours: Open 24 hours

Phone: +44 345 301 1151

YourParkingSpace

Open 24 hours garage/underground 🚶 8 min to the attraction (573m)

Address: The Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Opening hours: Open 24 hours

Phone: +44 20 8629 1057

Parking garage Blackfriars St

Open until 23:00 garage/underground 🚶 8 min to the attraction (607m)

Address: 8 Blackfriars Street, Edinburgh

Opening hours: 07:00–23:00

Phone: +44 131 200 2323

Q-Park Quartermile

Open 24 hours garage/underground 🚶 8 min to the attraction (629m)

Address: Simpson Loan, Edinburgh

Opening hours: Open 24 hours

Phone: +44 113 238 4200

1 Grindlay St Ct Parking

garage/underground 🚶 8 min to the attraction (639m)

Address: 1 Grindlay Street Court, Edinburgh

Phone: +44 345 050 7080

Parkplatz

Open 24 hours garage/underground 🚶 9 min to the attraction (656m)

Address: Saint Andrew Square, Edinburgh

Opening hours: Open 24 hours

Princes Exchange Car Park

Closed (opens at 09:00) garage/underground 🚶 9 min to the attraction (678m)

Address: 9/2 Riego Street, Edinburgh

Opening hours: see details
Monday: 06:00–07:30, 09:30–22:00 Tuesday: 06:00–07:30, 09:30–22:00 Wednesday: 06:00–07:30, 09:30–22:00 Thursday: 06:00–07:30, 09:30–22:00 Friday: 06:00–07:30, 09:30–22:00 Saturday: 08:00–22:00 Sunday: 09:00–20:00

Phone: +44 131 229 0622

Edinburgh Waverley, Calton Road Pick-up

garage/underground 🚶 9 min to the attraction (696m)

Address: 15 Calton Road, Edinburgh

Nicolson Square Car Park

Open 24 hours garage/underground 🚶 10 min to the attraction (777m)

Address: 27A Nicolson Square, Edinburgh

Opening hours: Open 24 hours

Phone: +44 131 516 3015

Nearby restaurants

Price:
Amber Restaurant & Whisky Bar

Amber Restaurant & Whisky Bar

Closed (opens at 11:30)
⭐ 4.70 1581 reviews 24m

Rating and review counts are periodically refreshed. Last update: 31.05.2026

bar €€

Address: 354 Castlehill, Edinburgh

Phone: +44 131 477 8477

Opening hours: 11:30–22:00

Biddy Mulligans

Biddy Mulligans

Closed (opens at 08:00)
⭐ 4.20 3782 reviews 116m

Rating and review counts are periodically refreshed. Last update: 31.05.2026

bar €€

Address: 94-96 Grassmarket, Edinburgh

Phone: +44 131 220 1246

Opening hours: 08:00–01:00

Mariachi Restaurant

Mariachi Restaurant

Closed (opens at 17:00)
⭐ 4.50 1793 reviews 117m

Rating and review counts are periodically refreshed. Last update: 31.05.2026

bar €€

Address: 7 Victoria Street, Edinburgh

Phone: +44 131 623 0077

Opening hours: see details
Monday: 17:00–21:30 Tuesday: 17:00–21:30 Wednesday: 17:00–21:30 Thursday: 17:00–21:30 Friday: 12:30–21:30 Saturday: 12:30–21:30 Sunday: 17:00–21:30
The Mussel and Steak Bar

The Mussel and Steak Bar

Closed (opens at 11:30)
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€€

Address: 110 West Bow, Grassmarket, Edinburgh

Phone: +44 131 225 5028

Opening hours: 11:30–15:00, 17:00–22:00

Whiski Rooms

Whiski Rooms

Closed (opens at 10:00)
⭐ 4.50 2920 reviews 176m

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bar €€

Address: 4-7 North Bank Street, Edinburgh

Phone: +44 131 225 7224

Opening hours: 10:00–00:00

Beehive Inn

Beehive Inn

Closed (opens at 11:00)
⭐ 4.20 3291 reviews 183m

Rating and review counts are periodically refreshed. Last update: 31.05.2026

bar €€

Address: 18-20 Grassmarket, Edinburgh

Phone: +44 131 225 7171

Opening hours: see details
Monday: 11:00–00:00 Tuesday: 11:00–00:00 Wednesday: 11:00–00:00 Thursday: 11:00–00:00 Friday: 11:00–01:00 Saturday: 10:00–01:00 Sunday: 11:00–00:00
PizzaExpress

PizzaExpress

Closed (opens at 11:30)
⭐ 4.10 1972 reviews 195m

Rating and review counts are periodically refreshed. Last update: 31.05.2026

€€

Address: 1 Victoria Street, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh

Phone: +44 131 225 9669

Opening hours: see details
Monday: 11:30–21:00 Tuesday: 11:30–21:00 Wednesday: 11:30–21:00 Thursday: 11:30–21:00 Friday: 11:30–22:00 Saturday: 11:30–22:00 Sunday: 11:30–21:00
The Outsider Restaurant

The Outsider Restaurant

Closed (opens at 12:00)
⭐ 4.40 2709 reviews 263m

Rating and review counts are periodically refreshed. Last update: 31.05.2026

€€

Address: 15-16 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh

Phone: +44 131 226 3131

Opening hours: see details
Monday: 12:00–22:00 Tuesday: 12:00–22:00 Wednesday: 12:00–22:00 Thursday: 12:00–22:00 Friday: 12:00–23:00 Saturday: 12:00–23:00 Sunday: 12:00–22:00
Vittoria on the Bridge

Vittoria on the Bridge

Closed (opens at 12:00)
⭐ 4.60 6412 reviews 269m

Rating and review counts are periodically refreshed. Last update: 31.05.2026

€€

Address: 19 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh

Phone: +44 131 225 1740

Opening hours: see details
Monday: 12:00–22:00 Tuesday: 12:00–22:00 Wednesday: 12:00–22:00 Thursday: 12:00–22:00 Friday: 12:00–22:30 Saturday: 12:00–22:30 Sunday: 12:00–22:00
Frankenstein

Frankenstein

Closed (opens at 11:00)
⭐ 4.30 6069 reviews 305m

Rating and review counts are periodically refreshed. Last update: 31.05.2026

bar €€

Address: 26 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh

Phone: +44 131 622 1818

Opening hours: see details
Monday: 11:00–00:00 Tuesday: 11:00–00:00 Wednesday: 11:00–01:00 Thursday: 11:00–01:00 Friday: 11:00–02:00 Saturday: 11:00–02:00 Sunday: 11:00–00:00
The Auld Hundred

The Auld Hundred

Closed (opens at 11:00)
⭐ 4.50 2662 reviews 440m

Rating and review counts are periodically refreshed. Last update: 31.05.2026

bar €€

Address: 100 Rose Street, Edinburgh

Phone: +44 131 225 1809

Opening hours: see details
Monday: 12:00–23:00 Tuesday: 12:00–11:00 Wednesday: 12:00–23:00 Thursday: 12:00–23:00 Friday: 11:00–01:00 Saturday: 11:00–01:00 Sunday: 11:00–23:00
The Abbotsford Bar & Restaurant

The Abbotsford Bar & Restaurant

Closed (opens at 11:00)
⭐ 4.40 2834 reviews 481m

Rating and review counts are periodically refreshed. Last update: 31.05.2026

bar €€

Address: 3-5 Rose Street, Edinburgh

Phone: +44 131 225 5276

Opening hours: see details
Monday: 11:00–23:00 Tuesday: 11:00–23:00 Wednesday: 11:00–23:00 Thursday: 11:00–23:00 Friday: 11:00–00:00 Saturday: 11:00–00:00 Sunday: 11:00–23:00
The City Cafe

The City Cafe

Closed (opens at 09:00)
⭐ 4.30 2781 reviews 492m

Rating and review counts are periodically refreshed. Last update: 04.06.2026

bar €€

Address: 19 Blair Street, Edinburgh

Phone: +44 131 220 0125

Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 09:00–00:00, Weekend: 09:00–01:00