In central Edinburgh, just beneath the streets and squares of the Old Town, lies a thrilling experience that dates back to 18th-century Edinburgh and showcases life as it was back then. The Edinburgh underground vaults tell a chilling and dark story about the harsh lives that most of the city’s inhabitants endured during this time.
They also play a crucial role in explaining why Edinburgh looks the way it does today. A visit to the underground vaults is a perfect experience for anyone visiting this Scottish city and is guaranteed to be a memory for life for all.
Tickets to the Underground Vaults
If you’re curious to experience the underground vaults in South Bridge Old Town, there are great opportunities to do so.
You can purchase tickets for the experience directly at the entrance counter, but it’s worth noting that the queues for this are often very long, especially during the high season in summer. You can also buy tickets online, but these do not allow you to skip the queue.
Another option is to book through Get Your Guide, where you can purchase a smart package to experience the vaults on-site.
Your ticket includes both the entrance fee and a guided tour led by a knowledgeable guide who will help you better understand what life was like for those living here in the 18th-century misery. The tour is conducted in English. The ticket also includes admission to the torture exhibition, and you can book your tickets through Get Your Guide here.
How to Get to Edinburgh’s Underground Vaults
The easiest way to reach the vaults is by bus or tram. You can take bus lines 100, 22, 43, 909, X25, X58A, or X62 to South Bridge, where the vaults are located. Once you get off your bus, you’ll only need to walk a few hundred meters to reach the entrance. A bus ticket costs £1.70 in Edinburgh, one way.
You can also opt for the tram to reach this attraction and get off at The West End – Princes Street. Your walk from there will be less than 500 meters to the entrance. The fare is the same as for the bus.
The History of Edinburgh’s Underground Vaults
Edinburgh’s underground vaults, also known as the South Bridge Underground Vaults, are a system of underground passages located beneath Edinburgh’s Old Town. They date back to the 18th century when Edinburgh was a very different city, and many people lived in poverty.
The vaults were built in an attempt to address the city’s overpopulation problems. The authorities believed that the poor could live underground without issue, helping to clear up the streets above while still providing them with somewhere to stay.
This led to an entire underground society where people lived and died. Edinburgh essentially developed two separate communities living side by side under vastly different conditions.
Even today, the area reminds residents of how Edinburgh became the city it is today, offering a unique insight into its sometimes colorful and often violent history.
Must-See Attractions in the Underground Vaults
There is plenty to see and experience in these underground vaults. Regardless of your age or interests, there is something for everyone. Here are some must-see attractions you should not miss during your visit.
The Business That Took Place in the Vaults
Discover the many still-existing remnants of shops and other establishments that once operated underground in Edinburgh. Many of these spaces still have detailed features where you can see what was sold and how the stores looked at the time. It’s an exciting experience to try to identify everything that happened here, and you are encouraged to take a closer look at the details.
Take a Guided Tour to Learn More
Without a doubt, you will gain a better understanding of what life was like here if you take a guided tour of the vaults. You will almost feel life unfolding around you and gain much more information about the different parts of this underground city, how they were divided for various purposes, and what needs they served. You will also learn more about the ghost stories that still linger and feel very real to the residents of Edinburgh.
Guided Tours and Other Experiences in Edinburgh’s Underground Vaults
If you want to take a guided tour, you can also book tickets through the attraction’s official website. However, a drawback for travelers is that tickets can be difficult to get at short notice since they are popular and many choose to book this way.
In that case, Get Your Guide might be a good alternative.
Opening Hours of the Underground Vaults
The vaults are open all year round, from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM during winter and until 8:00 PM during the summer months.
There are also a few select days each year when later tours are available. On a handful of days annually, the vaults are closed to the public, with the most notable closure being on Christmas Day, December 25th. For further details, you should visit the official website of the vaults.
Good to Know Before Your Visit
The tour is not suitable for children under five years old. It is also not accessible for those who use wheelchairs or have mobility impairments. This is solely due to the fact that the vaults were built at a time when such adaptations were not made, and the necessary technology did not exist.
For tours with Get Your Guide, you will meet the guide at the tourist information ticket kiosk outside the Bank of Scotland, directly across the street from Deacon Brodies Tavern.
Filming during the tour is strictly prohibited. Also, be aware that some disturbing content is included, as the tour discusses torture and other grim realities that were part of life here.
The consumption of alcohol and drugs is strictly forbidden during the tour and throughout the visit.
Your Visit is an Exciting Experience for Everyone in Your Group
Visiting the fascinating vaults beneath Edinburgh is an experience you won’t soon forget. It provides a unique insight into how life was for the poor in Edinburgh just a couple of hundred years ago and offers an opportunity to better understand the city today.
In other words, you won’t regret visiting this popular attraction, and you can conveniently book your tickets today.
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