10 best escape rooms in Edinburgh for a heart-pounding experience
If you’re ready to test your detective skills and dive into some thrilling challenges, escape rooms are the perfect way to go!
Edinburgh has a great selection of spots where you and your friends can get locked in, solve puzzles, and race against the clock. We’ve done the legwork and compiled the best ones to make your search for the next hangout spot a lot easier!
So, grab your squad, pick a room, and get ready for an adventure filled with brain teasers and plenty of laughs.
1. Escape Hunt Edinburgh
Media credits: escapehuntuk
Address: Units 3 & 4, Omni Centre
Contact details: +44 131 225 5522
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 10 AM – 10 PM
Price: $$
Escape Hunt Edinburgh is located in the Omni Centre, just a short walk from Edinburgh Waverley station, so it’s super easy to find. Here, you and your team step into exciting themed worlds where you solve puzzles and crack codes to escape within 60 minutes.
You might become a samurai in ancient Japan, explore the underwater city of Atlantis, or follow Alice into a Wonderland-inspired adventure. Each room is filled with detailed props and decorations that make you feel part of the story.
If you’re in the mood for something a little different, they also have outdoor City Hunts. These let you roam around Edinburgh, solving clues and completing challenges while taking in the sights.
Pro tip:
After your adventure, kick back in the cosy lounge to relax and relive all the puzzles you nailed—or the ones that had you stumped!
2. Escape Edinburgh
Media credits: escape_edinburgh
Address: 26-28 Morrison St
Contact details: +44 7557 362664
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday: 10:30 AM – 8:30 PM
- Thursday: 11 AM – 9 PM
- Friday to Sunday: 10:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Price: $$
Escape Edinburgh offers a fantastic range of escape rooms at its Morrison Street location. Since they also have a location in Haymarket, it’s important to double-check your booking to make sure you’re heading to the right place.
Each room can accommodate 2-6 players, but remember that the puzzles may be too tricky for kids under 10 years old. Children under 16 should also be accompanied by an adult to join in the fun.
If you’re looking for accessibility, Houdini’s Workshop is the only one with a portable wheelchair-accessible ramp. The other rooms are in the basement and aren’t accessible to wheelchairs.
Pro tip:
Students, NHS workers, and families can score a 20% discount on bookings. Just use the codes STU20 for students, NHS20 for NHS staff, and YOUNGSCOT for families!
3. Escape Reality Edinburgh
Media credits: escaperealityedinburgh
Address: One Edinburgh Quay, 1 Fountainbridge
Contact details: +44 131 629 3040
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 12 PM – 9 PM
Price: $$
Escape Reality has six themed escape rooms, each filled with cool props and creative puzzles. You can explore spooky settings in The Asylum, search for treasure in Tortuga Pirates, or experience a futuristic adventure in Machina.
The game is all about teamwork. You’ll solve puzzles and challenges linked to the room’s storyline.
The rooms are super detailed, with decorations and props that really make you feel part of the story. Sound effects and music make the experience even more immersive.
They’ve also added a pop-up virtual reality experience, which is a fun new option for regulars. Plus, the lobby is roomy and comfortable, so you can relax before or after your game.
Pro tip:
Not all rooms at Escape Reality are wheelchair-accessible. Some also involve light physical activity, so it’s a good idea to check in advance if you have specific accessibility needs.
4. Can You Escape? Edinburgh
Media credits: cye_edinburgh
Address: 5 Holyrood Rd
Contact details: +44 131 629 2907
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 10 AM – 10 PM
Price: $$
Can You Escape? Edinburgh is an exciting escape room experience just off the Royal Mile. The venue is partially wheelchair accessible, and there’s public parking nearby, so it’s easy to visit.
If you’re into magic, Operation Spellbound puts you in a magical cave where you need to bring peace between Morgana and Merlin. It’s quite challenging, with a difficulty rating of 5 out of 5. It’s the perfect choice for groups of up to 10 looking for a challenging but fun time.
For space lovers, Operation Odyssey takes you to the International Space Station, where you’ll need to fix an escape pod after a meteor strike. It’s a bit easier, rated 4 out of 5, and works well for groups of up to 6.
Pro tip:
If you’re a student, use the code CYESTUDENT to score 20% off from Monday to Thursday. Registered charities can also enjoy the same discount on weekdays. It’s an easy way to make this thrilling adventure more affordable!
5. Locked In Edinburgh
Media credits: lockedinedinburgh
Address: 1 Summerhall Pl
Contact details: +44 7468 493561
Operating hours:
- Wednesday to Friday: 1:30 PM – 10 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 9:30 AM – 10 PM
Price: $$
Locked In Edinburgh is located in the historic Summerhall Arts Complex, which used to be a veterinary school. Unlike most escape rooms, this one lets you explore real historical spaces, like an old dissection room and lab.
There are four different escape rooms, each with its own theme. The Cutting Room is a mystery set in 1987, where you’re solving a series of strange murders. The Secret Lab takes you to 1972, where you explore a veterinary research lab and try to stop a crisis.
The Distillery, made with Pickering’s Gin, challenges you to figure out a saboteur while solving puzzles about gin production. And if you want something a little different, The Space Academy has you training like an astronaut, with some activities that will get you moving.
Pro tip:
Bring along a group of 2 to 10 people. Just keep in mind that kids can join too, but they must be over 12 and accompanied by an adult.
6. Escape The Past Edinburgh
Media credits: escapethepast_edinburgh
Address: Basement 1, 25 Nicolson Square
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 12 PM – 9 PM
- Saturday: 11 AM – 11 PM
- Sunday: 11 AM – 9 PM
Price: $$
Escape The Past in Edinburgh is an escape room experience that plunges you right into the city’s dark medical history. It’s set in the heart of the old surgical district, which gives it the perfect eerie vibe for its murder and malpractice themes.
What makes this place stand out is its historical authenticity. The puzzles are based on real medical history, with props and clues that reflect Edinburgh’s past in the medical field.
One of the main rooms, The Anatomist, takes you to the 19th century. You’ll try to solve the mystery of Dr. Malcolm, an anatomist involved in grave robbing and body snatching. Your goal is to find his journal and uncover the secrets of his illegal activities before he returns.
The escape room can accommodate 2 to 14 people and combines interactive puzzles with live actors, making you feel like part of the story. The room is designed to fully engage your senses, letting you see, touch, and even smell elements of old Edinburgh.
Pro tip:
To make sure you don’t miss out, it’s a good idea to book your spot in advance. The escape rooms are in high demand, so securing your booking ahead of time will save you the hassle of last-minute availability issues.
7. Game Over Escape Room Edinburgh
Media credits: game_over_edinburgh
Address: 2 Huly Hill Rd, Newbridge
Contact details: +44 131 333 0195
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 12 PM – 8:30 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 10:30 AM – 10 PM
- Sunday: 10 AM – 9:30 PM
Price: $$
Game Over Escape Room in Edinburgh is a fun place to test your problem-solving skills. It offers a variety of themed games for different interests and skill levels.
One game, Top Secret, has you and your group solving puzzles and finding clues to escape a locked room within 60 minutes. It’s perfect for families or friends.
Another game, Philosopher’s Stone, takes you into a magical world where you’ll solve puzzles based on alchemy. It’s a fun challenge for both adults and teens.
You’ll have 60 minutes to work together, figure out clues, and complete tasks. The puzzles are themed and often use cool tech to make the experience even more exciting.
Pro tip:
Keep an eye on your escape time. It’s tracked, and you can compete for a spot on the leaderboard!
8. Padlox Games
Media credits: padloxgames
Address: 1 Carpet Lane
Contact details: +44 788 407 4296
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 10 AM – 10 PM
Price: $$
Padlox is a fun place for groups of all sizes. The escape rooms are full of interesting stories where you work together to solve puzzles and find clues before time runs out. Each room has different levels of difficulty, so both beginners and experts can enjoy the challenge.
In Going for Gold, you’re in the year 2028 and tasked with finding out what’s behind the suspiciously good performance of Nova Patria at its first Olympics. You’ll dig through an anti-doping lab, solving puzzles that challenge your thinking and teamwork.
Then there’s The Heist where you and your team are the ones attempting to steal a priceless piece of art from a high-security gallery. You’ll need to outsmart security, crack codes, and work together to make off with the goods before the clock runs out.
Pro tip:
Tickets are around £25 per person, with a minimum of four tickets required for booking, so expect a base price of £100 for a group of four.
9. Department of Magic
Media credits: department.magic
Address: 150 Cowgate
Contact details: +44 131 357 0377
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 10:30 AM – 10 PM
Price: $$
The Department of Magic in Edinburgh is a one-of-a-kind spot that mixes the excitement of escape rooms with the fun of a themed potion tavern.
Visitors can enjoy two main activities.
First are the escape rooms, where you and your group solve magical puzzles to defeat or revive the Dark Lord. You have 50 minutes to crack riddles and challenges, working together and using creativity.
Afterwards, you can chill at the Magic Potions Tavern, where you can brew your own potion cocktails. These drinks bubble and smoke, creating a truly magical vibe. There are also non-alcoholic options for kids, so it’s perfect for families.
Pro tip:
Don’t miss out on the tavern’s enchanting decor—it really adds to the magic. Plus, you can slip into a custom wizarding robe for the full experience!
10. Case Closed
Media credits: caseclosedescaperoom
Address: 1 Carpet Ln, Leith
Operating hours:
- Monday: 1 PM – 11:30 PM
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: 10:30 AM – 11:30 PM
- Thursday to Friday: 1 PM – 11:30 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 10:30 AM – 11:30 PM
Price: $$
Case Closed in Edinburgh offers a fun and immersive escape room experience, named Scotland’s Best Escape Room for 2024. You get to take part in two exciting detective scenarios.
In The Murder of Max Sinclair, you and your team become detectives trying to solve the mystery of Max Sinclair, a private investigator found dead in his office. The game lasts 90 minutes and focuses on realistic detective work instead of typical puzzles.
The second game, Radio Nowhere, happens at a radio station where a murder takes place. You’ll work to figure out who did it while handling secret broadcasts and keeping the radio show on track. It’s mystery-solving with interactive storytelling to keep you fully engaged.
Both games last about 90 minutes and can be played by groups of 2 to 10 people. The games include realistic props, like imitation firearms.
Pro tip:
These games are better for ages 15 and up since they deal with some mature themes like crime and investigation.