Underground Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh Old Town
Recommended by 93% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Edinburgh, Scotland
- 1 hour (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Step off the tourist trail and explore the Scottish capital’s hidden secrets on this underground walking tour in Edinburgh. Follow a guide from the South Bridge in Edinburgh Old Town down below street level, where a series of ancient vaults lie. As you explore the dark passageways, learn why the vaults were built, hear of the poor souls who sought refuge in the depths and discover a hidden witchcraft temple. Gain insight into city life during the 18th century, and learn of the deadly diseases which threatened Edinburgh’s inhabitants.
- Step into Edinburgh’s hidden underground vaults with a guide
- Explore the winding passageways and hear grisly stories from their dark past
- Hear tales of hardship and struggle in 18th-century Edinburgh
- Explore a side to the Scottish capital many visitors miss
What's Included
- Professional guide
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 300 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PH, UK
The tour starts from the Red Telephone Box and Tourist Information Police Box, outside of 300 Lawnmarket. This is on the opposite side of the road from Deacon Brodie’s Tavern. Please be there at least 5-10 minutes early as the tour will always depart on time.
End point
- 45 Niddry St, Edinburgh EH1 1LG, UK
Itinerary
Make your own way to the meetup location in Edinburgh’s Old Town prior to the tour’s departure time. After meeting your guide and group, it’s time to head for the infamous vaults hidden under the South Bridge.
As you walk, your guide provides background information on why the vaults were built and why they were eventually abandoned. Deep underground, in the dark and chilly vaults, your guide tells you tales of the criminalls who once stalked the vaults and how Edinburgh’s homeless community once sought refuge there.
Decide for yourself whether or not you dare to step inside the stone circle when you enter a former witchcraft temple, then (if you dare) experience the eerie atmosphere of the haunted vault, so called for the many ghostly sightings that have occurred there.
As you walk, your guide provides background information on why the vaults were built and why they were eventually abandoned. Deep underground, in the dark and chilly vaults, your guide tells you tales of the criminalls who once stalked the vaults and how Edinburgh’s homeless community once sought refuge there.
Decide for yourself whether or not you dare to step inside the stone circle when you enter a former witchcraft temple, then (if you dare) experience the eerie atmosphere of the haunted vault, so called for the many ghostly sightings that have occurred there.
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- not suitable for children under 5 years of age, children under 2 years of age are not allowed on tour.
- Entrance/Exit to the vaults is via a 2 foot tall step followed by single flight spiral staircase.
- Mezzanine staircases of 5-7 steps inside vaults between levels.
- Alcohol/Drugs are strictly forbidden and anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be turned away.
- Non-service animals are not allowed.
- • Some historical content may be of a distressing nature with regards but not exclusively to Torture, Hangings, Death
- The walking pace and terrain may not be suitable for those with any difficulty walking.
- We do not have any luggage storage so please make alternate arrangements.
- No toilet stops or toilets available during tour.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 36 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.7
based on 9,023 reviews
Dean_B, Jun 2026
Darren was a good storyteller. Very interesting experience walking through the underground vaults so I recommend going if you are interested!
Linda_R, Jun 2026
Interesting tour advising the history of the vaults and information on areas walking beforehand.
Stewart was a fantastic guide with knowledge & humour
Kara_M, Jun 2026
Luisa was a great guide and we really enjoyed this tour! Highly entertaining and a great insight into some Edinburgh history.
Allison_K, Jun 2026
James was a superb guide! The tour is not for the faint hearted as it’s pretty creepy down there in the vaults.
Luisa_C, Jun 2026
My family and I arrived one minute late, at that time they’re several tour groups and by the time I asked every tour guide which was our group I was told our group was already gone and unable to catch up to it. I called your office and a young lady told me she was glad to reschedule our group for Thursday at 10:30 and will send me a confirmation. I’m yet to receive the rescheduled confirmation.
Luisa Carpenelli
Nancy_M, Jun 2026
Charlie is an amazing storyteller. Very interesting and knowledgeable. Only complaint is that he walks fast.
Carolyn_Z, Jun 2026
There are a lot of narrow, steep stairs. This is not for anyone with knee problems. This should have been disclosed before booking. We abandoned the tour
anthony_F, Jun 2026
A must tour if your new to edingburgh,
Gives a great insight to the early history of the city.very knowledgeable guide who made the whole experience informative and fun.
The tour takes about an hour , which is plenty of time.
Mariama_K, Jun 2026
Very engaging and the guide was informative and friendly. The walk wasn't taxing either. The guide did a great job.
Kelly_C, Jun 2026
Very cool, dark, and a little smelly. But overall the tour was great. Our tour guide was very nice and animated and made the experience better. His name was James and he also loved his job. All in all, this is a must do when in Edinburgh.
Jeff_M, Jun 2026
Our guide Liss was great, very dramatic in the tunnels but in a good way. And you could hear her which was great, some you have to strain to hear. I just wish (and thought) we would have spent more time in the tunnels themselves. I appreciate the little bit of history “above ground” but I truly wanted to see more of the tunnels. Overall very interesting however.
Caroline_H, Jun 2026
Really interesting, full of information about how people lived in the 1800’s. Our guide Dom made it fun and really brought the living conditions to life. He also included lots of information about Edinburgh through the ages. Thoroughly recommended.
Ashley_K, Jun 2026
Brendan was great!! His sense of humor and facts kept the tour going it was so fun - and scary!!!! But not too scary
Tracey_H, Jun 2026
Lots of very interesting information about Edinburghs history and shady past. The guide, James, was well informed, enthusiastic, and full of passion. It was a worthwhile excursion.
Please be aware there is a very high step to get into the building. Maybe they could invest in a stepping block. And it is dark and wet inside so something to be aware of with any visual impairment. Strong smell of dampness, to be expected, but again for those who get sensory overload it’s something to take into consideration
This is a great way to spend an hour if you like history, and fun facts. Thanks, James.
Nick_Y, Jun 2026
Nick was an incredibly lively storyteller and really made this tour come alive. The whole thing was very thorough, and very spooky. We were so intrigued by the history that we popped over to a nearby bookstore looking for more information about the vaults, but found that Nick's tour covered almost everything we read in the book we chose. Highly recommend for an unconventional tour of Edinburgh.
Angela_N, Jun 2026
Great tour of the vaults and some historic sites in Edinburgh old town. Our guide, Lisa, was very animated and knowledgeable. Would highly recommend!!
Joseph_A, Jun 2026
James is a great guide showed us a great time. Loved all the narration and all the off beat jokes as well.
Jay_M, Jun 2026
Guide was very knowledgeable and detailed. He answered any questions we had and cared for our safety.
Ellie_C, Jun 2026
Tour guide was great, knowledge and engaging. Interesting tour and very creepy. Loved it! Highly recommend
Robert_B, Jun 2026
It was interesting to learn that these vaults existed, but I did not find them to have any significant character which would last in the memory.
The tales of aspects of life in old Edinburgh were well presented.
Kistin_F, Jun 2026
Louisa was fantastic! Full of information and fun to tour with. Definitely recommend doing the vault tour
Steve_B, Jun 2026
This tour wasn't advertised with the ghost story nonsense as much as others, but still had a lot of it. Factual history would interesting enough.
Megan_K, Jun 2026
We were pre-warned the tour may be a little dark for our 8 year old, but it was totally fine for her. Louisa was a terrific guide!
Robert_M, Jun 2026
Louisa did a great job! She was informative and fun. I Really learned a lot about life below grounds.
Graham_P, Jun 2026
Great tour. Tour guide Jordan was very knowledgeable, fun and friendly. Made the experience very enjoyable
John_D, Jun 2026
Guide was great but tour leant towards the fake scary/comedy rather than historical which would have made it really interesting rather than come off theatrical
A_H, Jun 2026
From meeting Jordan we were a small group who attended this tour and it was obvious that we might to be onto a winner.
Jordan was informative and we already knew some interesting historical facts before entering the vaults.
I can confirm that if you are of a nervous disposition this tour may be enough to quench your thirst. I'm not adverse to a bit of intrigue but I'm glad we didn't do the haunted tour.
Jordan made it just enough for us.
5 stars
Informative
Freindly
Hilton_S, Jun 2026
We had a great time in the vaults with Jordan. The history is very interesting. Do be warned that even this daytime tour does touch on the supernatural lore in a vaults
Cherylin_M, Jun 2026
Great experience, highly recommend! Unfortunately not ADA friendly. Brendan was very entertaining. Thank you
karen_c, Jun 2026
Excellent tour of the Edinburgh vaults , I would definitely recommend this tour . The tour guide was very knowledgeable and also entertaining.
From $32.29
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Underground Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh Old Town
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