Camera Obscura & World of Illusions

What's On

Permanent Collections

Rooftop Terrace

A 360-degree open-air vantage point over the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street Gardens, Arthur's Seat and the Firth of Forth, with free telescopes and binoculars.

Permanent collection£24.95

The Camera Obscura Show

A Victorian rooftop chamber throws a live, moving panorama of Edinburgh onto a white dish, guided by a host who reads the city's history off the moving image.

Permanent collection£24.95

Bewilderworld (Floor 2)

The disorienting floor: Mirror Maze, spinning Vortex Tunnel, Chaotic Pendulum, Hidden In The Middle and a glass bridge looking out over Edinburgh.

Permanent collection£24.95

Magic Gallery (Floor 5)

Plasma tubes and globes in the Electric Room, magic-eye pictures, bendy mirrors, a giant lens, the Head Swap exhibit and a Shadow Wall that freezes your silhouette.

Permanent collection£24.95

Light Fantastic (Floor 4)

Holograms, the Kaleidohead, the (Not A) Light Harp, the perspective-warping Ames Room, the Severed Head and a Pinwall of 4,947 pins that takes an impression of you.

Permanent collection£24.95

Eye Spy Edinburgh (Floor 3)

Cameras, microscopes and mirrors trained on the city: live Viewcams, a thermal camera, the Infinity Corridor, Bendy Mirrors and the Singing Cats automata.

Permanent collection£24.95

Nearby

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The Writers' Museum

Local HistoryFree2 min walk

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National Galleries Scotland: National

ArchitectureFree2 min walk

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National War Museum

Military4 min walk

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Stills: Centre for Photography

ArtFree5 min walk

Visitor Information

How much does Camera Obscura & World of Illusions cost?

Standard adult admission to Camera Obscura & World of Illusions is £24.95. Student and senior (65+) £21.95; child 5-15 £17.95; under 5s and carers free. £4 off with the online Early Bird / Night Owl slots. 20% off for EH postcode residents (online, Sun-Fri outside school holidays); 10% off Blue Light and for deaf, hard-of-hearing, blind or partially sighted visitors.. Prices for special exhibitions and timed-entry slots may differ.

What are the opening hours of Camera Obscura & World of Illusions?

Camera Obscura & World of Illusions is open Open daily. Sun-Thu 9:00-20:00, Fri 9:00-21:00, Sat 9:00-21:30. Extended hours 10-23 Oct (daily 9:00-21:30) and 24-31 Oct (daily 8:30-21:30). Shorter winter hours 1 Nov-18 Dec (Mon-Thu 9:30-19:30, Fri 9:30-21:00, Sat 9:00-21:30, Sun 9:30-20:00). Festive hours 19-23 Dec, 24 Dec 9:00-19:00, closed 25 December, 26 Dec 10:00-21:30, 27-30 Dec 8:30-21:30, 31 Dec 8:30-21:00. Last entry is roughly an hour before closing; allow about 1 hour 45 minutes for a visit.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.

Where is Camera Obscura & World of Illusions?

Camera Obscura & World of Illusions is located at 549 Castlehill, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 2ND, Scotland, in the Old Town area of Edinburgh. The nearest stations are Edinburgh Waverley railway station (approx. 10 min walk), Princes Street tram stop (approx. 8 min walk) and Edinburgh Haymarket railway station (approx. 20 min walk).

What can I see at Camera Obscura & World of Illusions?

Victorian rooftop camera obscura plus five floors of mirror mazes, holograms and optical trickery on the Royal Mile. Current highlights include Rooftop Terrace, The Camera Obscura Show and Bewilderworld (Floor 2).

Do I need to book Camera Obscura & World of Illusions in advance?

Booking ahead is recommended, especially for weekends, school holidays, and special exhibitions. Tickets are normally on the museum's website, and a pre-booked timed slot helps you avoid queues at the entrance.

When is the best time to visit Camera Obscura & World of Illusions?

Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.