Record number of guests explore Edinburgh’s underground streets in 2024

We are delighted to announce a record-breaking year for 2024 after welcoming over 282,000 guests underground to explore the hidden streets of Edinburgh.

We welcomed 282,525 visitors from 159 countries, smashing the previous record set in 2023 by nearly 25,000, July was our busiest month in history, welcoming 32,517 guests.

In 2024, we were also revealed as the UK’s favourite tourist attraction and 11th best visitor attraction in Europe in 2024’s Tripadvisor® Travellers’ Choice® Awards – Best of the Best.

Even with the increased visitor numbers, our online reviews are at an all-time high, with 4,870 posted online across Google and TripAdvisor last year – with 94 per cent of those above 4 stars. Guests from as far afield as Fiji, Tanzania, Pitcairn Island and Botswana were drawn to Edinburgh.

Over the year, the new interactive and immersive experience, Dr Arnott’s Sampling Sensation, saw guests uncover the secrets of 17th-century medicine. Following his favourite method of examining his patients’ health, analysing their urine for its colour, smell and… TASTE, guests examined 2,465 patients’ samples in 2024.

4,487 guests wanting to leave with a reminder of their visit and channel the history of Edinburgh’s last plague doctor, George Rae, left the experience with a Plague Doctor Rubber Duck, ‘The Plague Ducktor’. This unique collectible features a leather-look cloak, hat, and a beaked mask, reminiscent of the 17th-century plague doctors who believed the mask would protect them from “miasmas.”

This year saw a number of firsts, in April taking part in the Edinburgh Science Festival for the first time with a brand-new Medical History Tour – due to its popularity, it extended its stay and will be back in February and March 2025. This December, visitors were invited to enjoy a brand-new immersive experience and travel back in time to the 19th century, uncovering how fascinating Victorian traditions shaped the way we celebrate Christmas today with a brand-new underground Victorian Christmas experience.

Paul Nixon, our General Manager, said: “We are thrilled to have had such a successful year and welcome a record number of people from all over the world. It is a true testament to the team who help make the experience as unique and engaging as it is.

“We first opened our doors over 20 years ago, since then, we have grown from strength to strength, positioning ourselves as a top attraction in Scotland’s historical tourism sector, and a leading attraction in Europe.

“At the Close we are passionate about storytelling and creating unforgettable experiences that transport our visitors back in time. As we do this, we also look forward to the future and we can’t wait to see what 2025 will bring!”