We're Open! Every day from 10am-7pm.
Safety comes first (closely followed by fun!). Your visit will feel a little different to normal, but we hope just as much fun!
These are the things we are doing:
Checking in: when you arrive in our admissions area, you’ll see the social distancing queuing markers. Please use these to respect social distancing when waiting to enter. A member of the team will then check your ticket and talk you through the safety measures in place during your visit.
Reduced capacity: we have reduced the number of people we are welcoming into the building to ensure you have enough safe space so that you can have an enjoyable experience with us.
One-way system: There will be a new one-way route in place for you to follow during your visit. This will still allow you to see and take part in all our interactive exhibits. There is no time limit, and you can take as long as you need to explore each floor. Please follow the arrows as you make your way around the site.
Signage, screens and floor markings: we have installed new safety signage and marked out social distancing at various points throughout the attraction. For our team we have installed safety screens at the admission and retail till points.
Our team safety protocols: where applicable, the team will be wearing masks and sometimes gloves. Team members will endeavour to maintain a safe distance between you and your group, however are still happy to help with any questions you may have.
Washing / Sanitising hands: Hand sanitiser stations are allocated at every exhibition floor entry and exit. There are also handwashing facilities in our toilets located on the first floor.
Cards not cash: our online booking system is easy to use and you can pre-book an admission slot before visiting. On site, please use contactless payment where possible to reduce the cash handling.
Keeping it clean: we already maintain the highest standards of hygiene on site, but now more than ever we’ll be going above and beyond to make sure the attraction is super clean. We’ve upped the regular cleaning regime of surfaces and touch points and have invested in more thorough deep cleans as well.
You can read our full COVID-19 FAQs and Safety Measures on our website at www.camera-obscura.co.uk/coronavirus-update
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions is an Aladdin's cave filled with illusions, tricks, puzzles, hands-on experiences and unbelievable effects to experience and interact with. Get involved, play and touch everything! Will you find your way out of the magical mirror maze? Can you shrink yourself like Alice in Wonderland in the amazing Ames Room? Will you manage to stay on your feet in the Vortex Tunnel?
CAMERA OBSCURA: Our Camera Obscura demonstration is currently postponed. We are currently renovating the room and installing a new high power/rapid air-change ventilation system in line with COVID-19 health and safety measures. We hope to be able to start shows again during August.
ROOFTOP VIEWS: Perched high above the city, let the view take your breath away! 360° panoramas of Edinburgh and don't miss our fantastic, free high-power telescopes which give close-up views of the city and far beyond.
BEWILDERWORLD: Immerse yourself in Bewilderworld, a collection of our most popular, biggest and most amusing illusions. A scramble for the senses, which will leave you feeling fully bewildered! Lose yourself in our magical Mirror Maze, get ready for a turning, tilting, twisting, crazy experience like no other in the Vortex Tunnel and once you’ve recovered your balance the Chaotic Pendulum awaits – the world’s first fluorescent chaotic pendulum.
MAGIC GALLERY: The Magic Gallery houses some of our most electrifying exhibits, a great variety of cool optical illusions and hands-on, interactive experiences. Like every aspect of your visit, it's also great fun! Catch your shadow, shake hands with your ghost, and walk on water. You'll be amazed at our giant kaleidoscopes and marvel at all the fun you can have with plasma domes.
LIGHT FANTASTIC: Light Fantastic is our biggest gallery of interactive fun, tricks, and illusions – many unique to Camera Obscura. We’ll mess with your mind (in the best possible way) as your eyes are fooled by brilliant visual effects. Start your journey in the hologram room, a world class collection of amazing, unique, 3D images, where a mummy, Frankenstein's monster, a falcon, and even a spider comes alive. This floor contains some of our most popular illusions. The Ames Room is a brilliant piece of trickery, which can shrink and grow you instantly; try the Severed Head and keep a close eye on our Living Animal. Stop by our Kaleido-draw, transform yourself in the Morph Machines and while you're in the mood for transformation, the Hand Mirage and Meet Your Twin exhibits give you a new perspective on yourself.
EYE SPY EDINBURGH: See Edinburgh in 3D from the 1850s to the present day and make sure you try our live city View Cams which you can control. Scan right around the city and zoom in and out on anything (or anyone!) that takes your fancy! Spot how hot you are in the Thermal Camera and make sure to see your reflection in the Victorian bendy mirrors, which are almost impossible to look at without laughing.
Gift shop - With a wide range of gifts to amaze and delight your family and friends, our gift shop has something for everyone!
Money-back guarantee if you are not completely satisfied after your visit.
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, Edinburgh
Vortex Tunnel
