Top Edinburgh attraction, The Real Mary King’s Close has been revealed as the UK’s favourite tourist attraction and 11th best visitor attraction in Europe in this year’s Tripadvisor® Travellers’ Choice® Awards – Best of the Best for 2024, highlighting the top attractions to visit in the UK and internationally.
The highest level of Tripadvisor’s awards, the Best of the Best winners are among the top 1% of listings around the world on Tripadvisor, with the popular Edinburgh attraction beating competition from some of the nation’s most iconic locations, such as Tower Bridge, The British Museum and Tower of London, to the top spot in the rankings, as well as Edinburgh attractions including Royal Yacht Britannia and Edinburgh Castle.
Inviting guests to venture beneath the capital’s iconic Royal Mile and discover the hidden close, which was once bustling with life, the popular tour takes visitors on a journey to uncover the city’s long-forgotten 17th-century streets and soak up the rich history of Auld Reekie.
With a variety of specially curated limited-edition tours running throughout the year, the attraction, operated by Continuum Attractions, remains a fan-favourite for locals and tourists alike, welcoming more than 250,000 visitors each year.
Commenting on the landmark achievement, Juliana Delaney, CEO of Continuum Attractions, said: “Our attraction is truly unique.
“Being able to bring the centuries-old stories of Edinburgh’s dark past to life in such an engaging and fun way is testament to our brilliant team of storytellers who capture the imagination of our guests.
“When we took on the Close some 20 years ago the predictions were for 60,000 visitors per year. Through the careful development of the site and expert storytelling we have built a reputation that has reached far and wide.
“Being named as the UK’s number one tourist destination is a real privilege but the most important thing is knowing that our guests enjoy their time with us and will want to return. Our partnership with City of Edinburgh Council has delivered them a world-class heritage attraction.”
The Real Mary King’s Close has been part of Edinburgh’s rich cultural scene for 21 years after Continuum Attractions teamed with the city council to reveal the Close’s rich history.
The Real Mary King’s Close has received more than 21,000 reviews on Tripadvisor which has helped it to land in top spot.
One recent reviewer said: “This tour is highly recommended by me! If you love history this will be an awesome way to immerse yourself in what life was like in the 1600s in Old Town.”
A second said: “A very interesting and unique visit to the Edinburgh of past times. You get to visit the old homes of people who lived there and learn their stories. Our guide Emilia was very nice and made the whole tour feel like time travel. Would totally recommend!”
Find out more about The Real Mary King’s Close and book tickets here.