Welcome to Edinburgh and University Life

January isn’t just a month for finding a bargain in the January sales; it is also the start of the academic year for many students. Some cities don’t notice the sudden influx of new students roaming around taking in the city sights, but Edinburgh does. Edinburgh pays close attention to all the newbies looking to find their way around and navigate their new home. In fact, as a city, Edinburgh welcomes some six or so thousand students each year, all of which come flocking to Edinburgh looking to soak up the culture on those off-days when studying is the farthest thing from their minds.

Things to do

Navigating your new hometown can be extremely confusing, especially when you don’t always know where to go and what to do. Gathering your new friends together and hitting the streets can be the best way to find your way around your new home town.

If you are looking to learn about the rich history of Edinburgh then you’ll love a day trip to The Real Mary King’s Close. We will guide you through the fearful and disease-ridden historical underground streets of Old Edinburgh. We will transport you back to the 1600’s when crime and mayhem were the order of the day. In those dark days, Edinburgh was an every man for himself kind of city, and these cramped houses were dark places to be. Thankfully nowadays Edinburgh is an extremely friendly city and you will find plenty of people willing to share their local knowledge.

Don’t worry if English isn’t your first language, we also do a Spanish tour allowing you to join in on the experience. Students can also enjoy discounted entry with a valid student ID, leaving some extra cash for a lunch stop at one of the many delicious cafes nearby.

As Real Mary King’s Close is at the top of the Royal Mile, we are in the ideal position to help you enjoy many other tourist attractions. Edinburgh Castle is only a 10 minutes away and we are only a short walk away from the intriguing Camera Obscura. Check out our Visiting Edinburgh pages for more ideas to help you plan a day in the city.