Camera Obscura & World of Illusions in Edinburgh

Step into a world of illusions, rooftop views, and mind-bending fun at Camera Obscura in Edinburgh—a quirky must-see on the Royal Mile where nothing is quite what it seems!

What can you do in Edinburgh on a rainy and windy day? There are numerous options, but we chose something that would bring laughter and entertainment, especially for the youngest members of our family. So, we ventured into the captivating world of Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, conveniently located in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town.

This unique attraction, housed in a 17th-century building, is easily accessible by public transport and is a perfect choice for a fun-filled day, regardless of the weather. Here, nothing is as it seems and everyone, regardless of age, can find something to marvel at.

One of the city's oldest and most unique attractions has been created in a 17th-century building, where nothing is quite what it seems ... and it is not just for children, oh far from it, everyone will find something here - those who enjoy the world of illusions and delusions, and those who focus on getting an overview of Edinburgh - and this is literally true because on the highest, or 6th, floor of the building there is an observation deck and a historical darkroom, or Camera Obscura. This is also why I recommend starting the tour from the highest point (the 6th floor), not only in rainy and cloudy weather as we had but also in beautiful sunny weather because the views are even more powerful.

What is Camera Obscura?

Camera Obscura & World of Illusions is a part science museum, part entertainment centre and part journey into a parallel universe. The building is full of history; the Camera Obscura opened its doors in 1835 and is, therefore, the oldest attraction in the city. But what is the heart of it all? A Victorian-era optical device that projects a live moving image of the city onto a viewing table—think of it as Edinburgh’s OG surveillance system, but way more charming.

If you are visiting Edinburgh for the first time or for a very short time, then the Camera Obscura should be part of your travel itinerary. The cost of entry is reasonable, making it an excellent value for the entertainment, education, and history you'll experience. You will get a good visual overview of the city here and get to know the city's history in addition to entertainment and illusions.

Start the tour on the 6th floor - observation deck and Camera Obscura Show.

The building has 6 floors, and I recommend starting on the highest - the sixth floor, from where you can enjoy a fantastic panoramic view of the city - the Old Town and the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, even the sea and the Leith district seem ... everything is as if at a party.

But that's not all; this floor also houses the historic Camera Obscura, where a guide uses mirrors and lenses to project a real-time 360-degree view of Edinburgh onto a concave table in a dark room, giving you an exciting and humorous tour of Edinburgh and bringing you the history of the place. It sounds simple, but being in a dark room feels like a magical experience.
We watched little people walking along the Royal Mile in real time, some taking pictures despite the rain, some rushing for shade. And they have no idea that a small group in the Darkroom has "targeted" them and is watching their actions or even "lifting" someone out of the picture. It feels like playing God with a version of Edinburgh's dollhouse.

Where and in which area should you stay in Edinburgh?

Floors of illusions and interactive phenomena

It's good to start moving downwards from here. Several floors of illusions and interactive phenomena await you, offering a unique and mind-bending experience that will leave you in awe. Each area presents different aspects - mirrors, light shows, high-tech thermal cameras, and holograms.

On the fifth floor, you will experience illusions and mirror effects, where, depending on the angle of view, your head and body will become bigger or smaller, splayed or stretched. Plasma balls that react to touch, a shadow wall where you can literally freeze your shadow on the wall - don't ask how it works, just try it.

On the fourth floor, you will find exciting holograms and optical illusions. Separate your head from your body or take a picture in a room where you shrink from a giant to a tiny dwarf as you move from one corner to another.

The third floor is a little quieter, with interactive remote-controlled cameras for a real-time overview of the city and some old photos from 1850 to compare today's street scene with almost 200 years ago.

You will also find microscopes and a thermal camera here. Each floor offers a unique and mind-bending experience that will leave you in awe.

The main attractions are located on the second floor - the Mirror Maze and the Vortex Tunnel.

The Mirror Maze is a mirror maze that can be quite a challenge or even cause a moment of anxiety.

The Vortex Tunnel: it's just a bridge in a rotating tunnel, but try to go through it. Your legs don't listen to you anymore; you cling to the bridge's handrails with sweat bubbles on your forehead... So many visitors turned back after taking the first steps or needed a little pampering after going through the tunnel.
This is also the reason why I recommend starting the tour on the highest floor and ending here. You need time and air to recover after going through the mirror maze and the Vortex tunnel.

But what is on the first floor? Toilet. And on the ground floor, there is a ticket office and a souvenir shop.

Tips for visiting👉

💷Buy tickets online - if you have tickets, you don't have to stand in line. On weekends and school holidays, the queue can be pretty long.

⌛Allow enough time, recommended 1.5–2 hours - this is not a place to rush through, and sometimes there may be a small waiting line for some of the more popular attractions; it's better if you don't have to rush.

⏰Plan your visit for the morning or evening hours - noon is the busiest. I recommend a morning visit, as the ticket is valid for the whole day, and you can come back later if you don't have time to explore everything or need a little walk in the fresh air for a change.

🌇The rooftop view is a must - don't miss the 6th-floor terrace - it's worth it for the photos alone, and, of course, the Camera Obscura show; it was the highlight of the visit for me.

👨‍👧‍👦Great for people of all ages - whether you're alone, travelling with kids, or on a quirky date, this place offers the joy of discovery and the opportunity to laugh your heart out.