English
English
Palace of Holyroodhouse Tickets
Headout is an authorized and trusted partner of the venue, offering curated experiences to enjoy this attraction. This is not the venue's website.
- Explore the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of King Charles III in Scotland, and discover the royal world of intrigue and splendor.
- Prepare for a royal tour of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, used by His Majesty for State ceremonies, and learn fascinating facts from your audio guide.
- See the Bechamber, Supper Room, and Outer Chamber of Mary, Queen of Scots, which witnessed tragedy and murder during her turbulent reign.
- Admire works of art from the Royal Collection in the State Apartments, whose decor reflects the changing tastes of the successive monarchs.
- Upgrade your tickets to include a 48-hour hop-on-hop-off pass which includes entry to Edinburgh Castle and The Royal Yacht Britannia.
- Explore the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of King Charles III in Scotland, and discover the royal world of intrigue and splendor.
- Prepare for a royal tour of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, used by His Majesty for State ceremonies, and learn fascinating facts from your audio guide.
- See the Bechamber, Supper Room, and Outer Chamber of Mary, Queen of Scots, which witnessed tragedy and murder during her turbulent reign.
- Admire works of art from the Royal Collection in the State Apartments, whose decor reflects the changing tastes of the successive monarchs.
- Upgrade your tickets to include a 48-hour hop-on-hop-off pass which includes entry to Edinburgh Castle and The Royal Yacht Britannia.
Inclusions
- Entry to the Palace of Holyroodhouse
- Audio guide in English, Brazilian Portuguese, French, Gaelic, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Russian and Spanish
- 48-hour hop-on-hop-off bus (as per option selected)
- Entry to Edinburgh Castle and The Royal Yacht Britannia (as per option selected)
- Audio guide on the bus (as per option selected)
- Keep in mind that bags larger than 45cm × 20cm × 30cm are not allowed in this experience. Pack wisely!
- Due to venue restrictions, pets cannot tag along for this experience.
- Keep your camera tucked away – photography is strictly not allowed inside the State Apartments.
- This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible, except in some parts of Mary, Queen of Scots' rooms.
- Your guide dogs are welcome at the venue.
- As the Palace of Holyroodhouse is a working royal palace, security, and opening arrangements may be subject to change at short notice.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 36 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Reviews
How do we collect reviews?
Snapshots from our guests
4.5
4.3K ratings
3.1K
853
60
48
270
What our guests say
Richard
Dec 2024Verified booking
Thoroughly enjoyed our visit. Lots of interesting information on the audio guide and excellent displays. Well organised route around the palace ending in the lovely tearoom.
Joanna
Dec 2024Verified booking
Great day out, only thing to be mindful of is whether you have a ticket that's eligible for a full years re-entry. Ours wasn't and we didn't realise when booking but definitely would have gone back.
TAN
Nov 2024Verified booking
My experience on the 1 day trip was fine. My disappointment was the unavailable of the Britannia trip, as it was closed for Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday. My visit was Monday. I e. I only visited 2 out of three attractions that I purchased. The free bus services does not cover the trip to the Britannia, as it was way out of the 48 hours limit. Propose do not set the limit of the bus services, since there is possible of venue closure. Thanks for your attention. Cheers. John
Andrei
Nov 2024Verified booking
Stop locations were well placed, drivers were informative and polite. Had a live guide providing live commentary on one bus....wish I had got his name since he was great.
Annette
Oct 2024Verified booking
I really enjoyed our tour to Holyrood Palace as it was very interesring to hear the stories behind all the rooms behind. Very impressive😊
David
Oct 2024Verified booking
Neither the iOS website nor the windows desktop software let you make a PDF of anything resembling a ticket you can use of your phone. There is a message telling you that you need to print something to bring with you but it's very hard to figure out where to get it and there are two different formats. One is more than 12 pages long. The other was 5 pages. It took the person at Holyrud House a long time how to process it. She called it a voucher. Please fix this confusion. You should send the document to the customer as an attachment or something that they could download that is a PDF that is clearly labeled at the top that "This is the voucher You need to print." Better yet would be for it to be a PDF you could display your phone that contains all of the voucher information. This problem was unnecessarily stressful and It should not take 15 minutes to check in or for you to print 15 pages of papers.
Katja
Oct 2024Verified booking
The palace was beautiful and the audio tour was so much fun with the finding the hidden door or seeing how the palace looked during different times and hearing different voices, such as the gardener.
ISABELLE
Oct 2024Verified booking
I liked the audioguide, it was very interesting. The people who work at the castle are very nice, they explain to me how to collect my ticket.
Georges
Oct 2024Verified booking
High-quality multimedia guide with virtual reality sequences to fully appreciate and understand this beautiful château, with its interiors of great historical interest, and this abbey.
View original review in French
Steven
Oct 2024Verified booking
Being allowed to use the narrow stairs to MQS apartment without any health & Safety BS. Can't add photos as I was not allowed to take any
Ruby
Oct 2024Verified booking
Ticket purchase was easy. Loved the audio narration. It allowed you to take your time, unlike a guide you have to follow and, hope you can hear them. Was very interesting and informative.
Barbara
Oct 2024Verified booking
Was able to visit all the sites we wanted to see .. didn't need to drive our vehicle.. eliminated finding and paying for parking. Drivers were friendly .
Pamela
Oct 2024Verified booking
Well organized and not too many people at a time. Headsets were quire comfortable and easy to hear. Commentary was clear, informative and very interesting. Beautiful and well worth it.
Juan
Sep 2024Verified booking
I've always love history so to experience the history behind the palace was truly amazing. Gives you an insight on how things were long ago but truly not much has changed with todays governments who promise the world to the common folks but they are always empty promises.
Dennis
Sep 2024Verified booking
The Palace is so well maintained and the whole visiting experience is brilliantly organized.Kudos for the excellent multimedia system that works flawlessly.Well done
K.A.
Sep 2024Verified booking
When you do not have so much time, hop on hop off is a splendid way to see a lot in short time. We did the tour with granted acces to the Edinburgh castle, holyroodhouse and the Brittannia. Validatie the tickets was easy, since the little offucehouse was in front of our building g. Good experience. Enjoyed it.
Janet
Sep 2024Verified booking
I only had an hour available to visit Holyrood which of course wasn't long enough. However, I enjoyed the tour and especially Mary's quarters. The grounds looked amazing and I would have loved to have wandered through the gardens.
Phyllis
Aug 2024Verified booking
I really appreciated the audio tour and wish there was one for Edinburgh Castle that was included with the admission price. I do wish we were able to take pictures inside, however....
Lisa
Aug 2024Verified booking
Been planning this trip since 2019. Ticketing was easy (skip the line) and I loved the 3 hours i spent on tour and roaming the beautiful gardens.
Sharon
Aug 2024Verified booking
I accidentally booked the wrong day. When I turned up when I had intended the staff were very understanding and it was no issue at all.
Amanda
Aug 2024Verified booking
I loved how organised and efficient it was. Lots of information and excellent audio guide easy to following with numbering of rooms etc. One comment I hope will make a difference - the cafe did not have any gluten free food, except a few prepackaged snack bars at the checkout. The staff were not well versed in being asked about it either. Some GF scones would have been very well received. Scone Palace in Perth did have GF scones which was really wonderful for someone like me who loves a scone and can seldom have one due to having an allergy to gluten. Other than that, the whole experience will brilliant, thank you!
Roxanne
Aug 2024Verified booking
The audio guide was very informative and helpful. The backstory on those who lived in the Palace was fascinating. The interior and gardens were beautifully appointed. We went first thing in the morning and were happy to miss the crowds that formed by 11.
Michael
Aug 2024Verified booking
The commentary on the headphones was both informative and interesting. Good to know that there was no additional charge for this as a lot of historical sites do make an additional charge over and above the admission fee.
Dieter
Aug 2024Verified booking
Very friendly staff. The audio guide is great, provides lots of interesting information and is very clearly laid out!
View original review in German
Angelica
Aug 2024Verified booking
The use of multimedia during the tour is absolute genius!!! It allowed a seamless process to experience all the areas in the palace. The best experience here in Edinburgh!!! Ticketing process very user-friendly too!!!
Hop-on Hop-off Tours Edinburgh
Edinburgh: Royal Attractions Tickets + 48-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Routes
Timeline
Map
1
Waterloo Place
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Calton Hill
1 min walk
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
6 min walk
2
St. Andrew Square
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
St. Andrew Square Gardens
2 min walk
Scott Monument
5 min walk
3
Lothian Road
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Usher Hall
2 min walk
Traverse Theatre
1 min walk
4
Grassmarket
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Grassmarket Square
1 min walk
Victoria Street
6 min walk
5
Lawnmarket
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
1 min walk
Writers’ Museum
1 min walk
6
John Knox House
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
National Museum of Scotland
2 min walk
Bedlam Theatre
2 min walk
7
Holyrood
Get direction
3 attractions
Nearby things to do
Palace of Holyroodhouse
1 min walk
Scottish Parliament Building
Holyrood Park
8 min walk
8
Our Dynamic Earth
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Our Dynamic Earth
The Queen’s Gallery
6 min walk
1
Waterloo Place
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Calton Hill
1 min walk
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
6 min walk
2
St. Andrew Square
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
St. Andrew Square Gardens
2 min walk
Scott Monument
5 min walk
3
Charlotte Square
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
The Georgian House
Princes Street Gardens
9 min walk
4
Lothian Road
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Usher Hall
2 min walk
Traverse Theatre
1 min walk
5
Grassmarket
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Grassmarket Square
1 min walk
Victoria Street
6 min walk
6
Lawnmarket
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
1 min walk
Writers’ Museum
1 min walk
7
John Knox House
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
National Museum of Scotland
2 min walk
Bedlam Theatre
2 min walk
8
Holyrood
Get direction
3 attractions
Nearby things to do
Palace of Holyroodhouse
1 min walk
Scottish Parliament Building
Holyrood Park
8 min walk
9
Our Dynamic Earth
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Our Dynamic Earth
The Queen’s Gallery
6 min walk
1
Waterloo Place
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Calton Hill
1 min walk
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
6 min walk
2
Holyrood
Get direction
3 attractions
Nearby things to do
Palace of Holyroodhouse
1 min walk
Scottish Parliament Building
Holyrood Park
8 min walk
3
St. Andrew Square
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
St. Andrew Square Gardens
2 min walk
Scott Monument
5 min walk
4
Royal Botanic Garden
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
1 min walk
Inverleith House
5
Newhaven
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Newhaven Harbour Lighthouse
2 min walk
Newhaven Fish Market
2 min walk
6
The Shore
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
The Shore
1 min walk
Nelson Monument
12 min walk
7
Ocean Terminal
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Royal Yacht Britannia
4 min walk
Ocean Terminal Mall
7 min walk
8
Bonnington Rd
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
The Edinburgh Gin Distillery at The Arches
10 min walk
Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop
5 min walk
Palaces, panoramas, and pounds saved! Edinburgh’s best sights in one cost-saving combo.
- Edinburgh's royal sights are yours to see on this 48-hour hop-on hop-off tour with direct access to 3 popular attractions – your wallet will thank you later.
- Discover royal history at Edinburgh Castle and Holyroodhouse Palace and tour the floating Royal Yacht Britannia, all easily accessible on your HOHO route.
- Marvel at medieval rooms, precious jewels, and Mary, Queen of Scots' living spaces and peek into the Queen's private rooms and fancy tea areas.
- Explore Edinburgh your way with the flexible HOHO pass. Three routes and 50+ well-placed stops let you see top sights like the Parliament and the Botanic Garden.
- Catch a double-decker every 30 mins and pick from various language audio guides or enjoy lively English commentary on the green route.
Palaces, panoramas, and pounds saved! Edinburgh’s best sights in one cost-saving combo.
- Edinburgh's royal sights are yours to see on this 48-hour hop-on hop-off tour with direct access to 3 popular attractions – your wallet will thank you later.
- Discover royal history at Edinburgh Castle and Holyroodhouse Palace and tour the floating Royal Yacht Britannia, all easily accessible on your HOHO route.
- Marvel at medieval rooms, precious jewels, and Mary, Queen of Scots' living spaces and peek into the Queen's private rooms and fancy tea areas.
- Explore Edinburgh your way with the flexible HOHO pass. Three routes and 50+ well-placed stops let you see top sights like the Parliament and the Botanic Garden.
- Catch a double-decker every 30 mins and pick from various language audio guides or enjoy lively English commentary on the green route.
Inclusions
Royal Attractions
- Entry to Edinburgh Castle (Close to stop 6, Red route & stop 8, Green route)
- Entry to Royal Yacht Britannia (Close to stop 14, Blue route)
- Entry to Palace of Holyroodhouse (Close to stops 11 & 13, Red route, stops 13 & 15, Green route & stop 3, Blue route)
- Audio guide in 30 languages (Royal Yacht Britannia)
- Audio guide in 9 languages (Palace of Holyroodhouse)
Edinburgh HOHO
- 48-hour unlimited hop-on hop-off tour
- Access to Red, Green & Blue routes
- Audio guide in English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Japanese, Russian, Chinese, Scottish & Portuguese (Red & Blue routes)
- Horrible Histories children’s commentary
- English-speaking guide (Green route)
- Headphones
- Mobile app with a detailed map and live bus tracking
Please click here for detailed route maps and boarding points.
You can join the tour at any stop and hop on and off for the duration of your ticket.
Red route
- First bus: 8:50am from Waterloo Place
- Last bus: 4:20pm from Waterloo Place
- Frequency: Every 30 mins
- Popular stops: Edinburgh Castle, Old Town, Royal Mile
Green route
- First bus: 9am from Waterloo Place
- Last bus: 4pm from Waterloo Place
- Frequency: Every 30 mins
- Popular stops: Georgian New Town, Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse
Blue route
- First bus: 9:10am from Waterloo Place
- Last bus: 3:40pm from Waterloo Place
- Frequency: Every 30 mins
- Popular stops: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Royal Yacht Britannia, Palace of Holyroodhouse
Royal Attractions
- Tip: Don't miss the Honours of Scotland exhibition at Edinburgh Castle, showcasing the oldest Crown jewels in the British Isles!
- Parts of Edinburgh Castle and Palace of Holyroodhouse are wheelchair accessible.
- The Royal Yacht Britannia experience is wheelchair accessible.
- Note that the ticket lets you visit Edinburgh Castle and Royal Yacht Britannia within 48 hours. If you need to visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse outside of that timeframe, your ticket will still be valid.
- Children aged 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult or senior citizen during their visit.
Edinburgh HOHO
- This experience is wheelchair accessible.
- Mobility scooters are allowed if folded and stored as luggage.
- Your guide dogs and pet dogs are welcome aboard.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Reviews
How do we collect reviews?
Snapshots from our guests
4.3
70 ratings
41
20
2
1
6
What our guests say
TAN
Nov 2024Verified booking
My experience on the 1 day trip was fine. My disappointment was the unavailable of the Britannia trip, as it was closed for Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday. My visit was Monday. I e. I only visited 2 out of three attractions that I purchased. The free bus services does not cover the trip to the Britannia, as it was way out of the 48 hours limit. Propose do not set the limit of the bus services, since there is possible of venue closure. Thanks for your attention. Cheers. John
Andrei
Nov 2024Verified booking
Stop locations were well placed, drivers were informative and polite. Had a live guide providing live commentary on one bus....wish I had got his name since he was great.
Barbara
Oct 2024Verified booking
Was able to visit all the sites we wanted to see .. didn't need to drive our vehicle.. eliminated finding and paying for parking. Drivers were friendly .
K.A.
Sep 2024Verified booking
When you do not have so much time, hop on hop off is a splendid way to see a lot in short time. We did the tour with granted acces to the Edinburgh castle, holyroodhouse and the Brittannia. Validatie the tickets was easy, since the little offucehouse was in front of our building g. Good experience. Enjoyed it.
Daniel
Jul 2024Verified booking
Bus tours were great! Informative and funny. Made it to the castle and palace quickly. Only knock I have is the need to make our way to Waterloo Place to validate our tickets. Required a Tram from the Ocean Terminal to St. Andrew's Square rather than catching the Tour at the Ocean Terminal.
Miss
May 2024Verified booking
Ease of hop on buses helpfulness of staff. Negative was Holyrood Was not open during our stay yet still paid for the entrance.
Mair
Apr 2024Verified booking
All 3 attractions were so interesting. The 3 different coloured buses were so regular and we have to mention our trip on the Green one with commentary from Joy and the bus driver David. It was really enjoyable, Joy was both informative and funny. A great way to see Edingburgh and would really recommend this trips.
concetta
Jan 2024Verified booking
Quella del biglietto 48 ore con l'ingresso a tre attrazioni direi che è stata una decisione strategica che consiglio a chiunque abbia poco tempo a disposizione. E' il modo migliore per visitare la città. Devo esprimere però una nota positiva a favore dello staff, in particolar modo di SARA, che abbiamo avuto la fortuna di conoscere la mattina del nostro inizio tour presso il luogo indicato come cambio del voucher - Waterloo Place. E' stata sempre gentilissima e disponibile ma soprattutto ci ha risolto un problema imprevisto, ovvero la chiusura del Castello a causa del vento forte. Avevamo programmato la visita il giorno prima della partenza e andar via senza vedere uno dei simboli più importanti della città sarebbe stata una enormedelusione, come se non avessimo visto nulla. I tempi di risposta per email purtroppo sono lunghi e seguono orari di ufficio, quindi lei ha spiegato il problema al suo supervisor Roberto (presenti entrambi in quei giorni al punto di Waterloo Place) ed insieme hanno spostato l'appuntamento al mattino seguente, rendendo la nostra visita ad edimburgo decisamente soddisfacente. Grazie di cuore per il servizio e spero che vi arrivi il ringraziamento anche alle persone sopracitate Buon lavoro a tutti
Marie-Christine
Jan 2024Verified booking
The staff at the bus station are very friendly and the explanations are very clear. It's really nice to have the audio explanations in French on the bus, thanks to the headphones. The sites to visit are well worth the effort. Great memories! I'll be back very soon to do these tours again, as I love travelling around the city by bus.
View original review in French
Tirtha
Dec 2023Verified booking
Hassle free entry to all the 3 venues and hop on, hop off experience on all routes were excellent way to explore the city.
Natasha
Dec 2023Verified booking
Very nice experience. The bus drivers were all very kind and approachable. The guides in the green busses were very passionate about their stories and also very welcoming. The hop on hop off tours were truely amazing. I would definitely recommend this service!
Gary
Oct 2024Verified booking
Great value package and a very easy way to experiance visiting all the sightsp
Jane
Oct 2024Verified booking
The ease of having the 48 hr bus ticket and entry to three sites was good.
Uwe-Carsten
Oct 2024Verified booking
Everything! The explanations, the friendly drivers and the overall experience. The Hmy Britannia was impressive. Thank you!
View original review in German
Carla
Oct 2024Verified booking
Beautiful royal residence. With the audio guide you get around very well, it is very explanatory.
View original review in Italian
Mrs
Oct 2024Verified booking
Great being able to get the hop on hop off bus to Edinburgh attractions so easily.
RHONDA
Oct 2024Verified booking
HOLYROOD PALACE WAS MY FAVORITE EXPERIENCE
M
Aug 2024Verified booking
Easy very reliable service with the attraction tickets included in the 48 hours pass made our trip a lot easier
Sara
Aug 2024Verified booking
Great views from the bus, stops near the attractions and frequency of buses is brilliant.
Mr
Mar 2024Verified booking
Was a good way to see the sight and get about the city. A convenient pass
Janet
Feb 2024Verified booking
Very simple process. Bought tickets online and redeemed on arrival in Edinburgh. Staff Thomas really helpful.
Claudia
Dec 2024Verified booking
Paul
Dec 2024Verified booking
Christopher
Dec 2024Verified booking
ACM
Dec 2024Verified booking
EdinburghHolyrood Palace
Top things to do in Edinburgh
Why visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse
- Regal residence: Ever wondered where the King lives when he's in Scotland? It's at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, in the heart of Edinburgh, a palace steeped in history. This palace was home to Mary, Queen of Scots, one of Scotland's most famous (and controversial) monarchs. You can even see the room where her secretary met an unfortunate demise.
- Royal artistry: Head to The Great Gallery and check out the portraits of Scottish monarchs – over 110 of them all in one place!
- Timeless exploration: Explore the State Apartments, the grand spiral staircase, the 12th-century romantic ruins of Holyrood Abbey, and the beautiful royal gardens set against the backdrop of Arthur's Seat.
Which Palace of Holyroodhouse ticket is best for you
If you want to visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse
- See the official residence of His Majesty The King in Scotland and the Historic Apartments of Mary, Queen of Scots, admire works of art from the Royal Collection in the State Apartments, discover the ruins of Holyrood Abbey, and marvel at the beauty of the Palace's unique gardens.
- Use the complimentary 1-hour multimedia guide to understand the palace's history.
Recommended tour:
Palace of Holyroodhouse Entrance Tickets with Multimedia Guide
If you want to visit the King's Gallery
- Visit The King’s Gallery in Edinburgh and temporary exhibitions with art from the Royal Collection at the Palace of Holyroodhouse with a multimedia guide and explore at your own pace.
- Explore at your own pace with a multimedia guide in English.
Recommended tour:
The King's Gallery at Palace of Holyroodhouse Tickets with Multimedia Guide
If you want to explore beyond
- Save money on your Edinburgh trip with the 24 or 48-hour hop-on hop-off tour along with a multimedia audio guide or a live guide.
- Choose the Royal Attractions ticket, which includes guaranteed access to Edinburgh Castle, Royal Yacht Britannia, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Recommended tour:
24/48-Hour Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional Access to Royal Attractions
Palace of Holyroodhouse highlights
State Apartments
The opulent State Apartments are like a walk-through of royal taste through the ages. Get ready to be amazed by the incredible plasterwork ceilings, and check out the collection of French and Flemish tapestries. As you wander through the rooms, you'll see how styles changed with each monarch, from fancy and frilly to more modern and sleek. The rooms actually get bigger and grander the further you go, the most extravagant being the King's Bedchamber.
Royal Dining Room
Peek into the Royal Dining Room – the very dining room that Queen Elizabeth II and the royal family use when visiting Scotland. You can also see pieces from the 3000-piece silver banqueting service on display. It's all decked out in the classic Scottish style from the 17th century, and it was even represented on King George V and Queen Mary's Silver Jubilee way back in 1935.
Throne Room & The Privy Chamber
The Throne Room is one of the most famous parts of the whole palace! Queen Elizabeth II even used to have lunch there with all the important Knights and Ladies of the Order of the Thistle, the highest order of chivalry in Scotland, during Holyrood Week. On the other hand, the Privy Chamber was a bit more private. Back in the 1600s, King Charles II used it for private audiences with the First Minister of Scotland and visiting dignitaries.
Queen Mary’s Chambers
Mary, Queen of Scots, one of history's most infamous monarchs, lived in these chambers from 1561 to 1567. Head north after the stairs and you'll find the Bedchamber, the Supper Room, and the Outer Chamber. The Supper Room is where Queen Mary's husband, Lord Darnley, murdered her private secretary, David Rizzio, right there at dinner!
Holyrood Abbey
Right next door to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, you'll find the ruins of Holyrood Abbey. It was one of the grandest medieval abbeys in all of Scotland! Steeped in dramatic history, myths, and legends, it's also the final resting place for King James V. Admire the amazing architecture of the Romanesque arcading rounded arches, tall and pointed Gothic windows, and the impressive curved vaulted ceilings.
Palace Gardens
Stroll through the lush Palace Gardens, spread out over 4-hectares. With Arthur's Seat as the backdrop, it's the perfect place to relax and soak in some history. Keep an eye out for the Jubilee Border bursting with colorful flowers, the Wentworth Elm, and the sundial made for King Charles I's coronation way back in 1633. Witness where the late Queen Elizabeth II would throw her annual summer Garden Party during Holyrood Week.
The Great Gallery
The Great Gallery is the biggest room in the whole palace, and it's lined with portraits of every Scottish monarch. That's about 95 kings and one queen. See Scotland's royal story unfold through portraits of the legendary founder, Fergus I, in 330 BC and the history of the Stuart dynasty. And of course, don't miss the famous paintings of Macbeth, Mary Queen of Scots, and Robert the Bruce.
Treasures in the palace
Queen Mary's Chambers are filled with things from her life, including an embroidery she worked on during captivity under Queen Elizabeth I. You'll also see items from the Stuart family line, like the Darnley Jewel and the personal dining tray for Charles Edward Stuart, Bonnie Prince Charlie's brother. The Queen's Bedchamber has the 'Darnley Bed,' which was slept in by Bonnie Prince Charlie. The State Rooms also feature tapestries, the must-have decor for royal palaces in the 1500s and 1600s.
Plan your visit to the Palace of Holyroodhouse
Timings
Getting there
Rules
Nearby
Facilities
Visitor tips
Eat
Stay
The Palace of Holyroodhouse is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, except during July, August, and September.
- Timings:
November 1 - March 31: 9:30am to 4:30pm
April 1 - October 31: 9:30am to 6pm - Last entry:
November 1 - March 31: 3:15pm
April 1 - October 31: 4:30pm - Closed on: May 16 - 25, June 27 - July 5
Address: Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DX, United Kingdom
- By tram: Edinburgh Trams (Available every 10 mins from 7am to 7pm)
Nearest stop: York Place - By train: Scotrail (Available every 15-30 mins from 6:30am to 1am)
Nearest stop: Edinburgh Waverley Station - By bus: Bus 35 (Every hour) and open-top tour buses (Every 30 mins)
Nearest stops: Abbeyhill Crescent and Calton Terrace Brae - By car: Edinburgh Airport (10.1 miles - 40 minutes)
Nearest car parking: Broad Pavement and Horse Wynd
- Photography and filming are not permitted inside the Palace.
- Pushchairs can be taken inside the Palace except during busy periods.
- Dynamic Earth: At Dynamic Earth, feel the earth move, travel back in time and see the Big Bang in the Deep Time Machine, explore icy glaciers as you soar like a bird, and dive deep into the ocean. Learn about marine science, the power of volcanoes, and everything in between.
- The People's Story Museum: Dive into the real Edinburgh at the People's Story Museum! Travel through time from the 1700s to the 1900s. You'll see cool displays with mannequins dressed like real people, historical objects, and photos and stories that bring Edinburgh's past to life. This museum shows it all, even social movements and political battles.
- Calton Hill: Head up Calton Hill and get a jaw-dropping view of the whole city and catch a glimpse of Arthur's Seat, Holyrood Palace, the Scottish Parliament, Leith, and the Firth of Forth – all from one spot. It's especially dazzling during Hogmanay (New Year's Eve) when the fireworks light up the sky.
- Visitor center: Don't worry about wandering around lost! The visitor center has all the maps, info, and friendly faces to help you plan your visit.
- Café: Feeling peckish? There's a cafe on-site, serving everything from snacks and drinks to proper meals.
- Gift shop: Take a piece of Holyroodhouse home with you! The gift shop has all sorts of cool stuff, from books to knick-knacks.
- Restrooms: The facilities are well-maintained and conveniently located throughout the palace.
- Guided tours: Level up your experience with a guided tour! Knowledgeable guides will share insights into the palace's history and secrets.
- Exhibition spaces: Dive deeper into the palace's story with the various exhibition spaces. You'll see cool art, learn about past residents, and get a real feel for the place.
- Wi-Fi: Stay connected and share your awesome palace pics with free Wi-Fi in certain areas.
- There's still some walking involved. Make sure to wear comfy shoes and clothes so you can explore without feeling stiff or sweaty.
- Bringing the little ones? The cafe has baby changing facilities, and you can even borrow baby carriers or hip seats (subject to availability) for free.
- Audio guides are available in 11 languages, including English, Gaelic, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Mandarin, and British Sign Language.
- The cafe at the Palace in the Mews Courtyard is a must-stop. They have yummy homemade snacks, pastries, cakes, and sandwiches – perfect with a cup of tea for a relaxing break.
- The palace offers free manual wheelchairs and rollators (subject to availability) for those who need them. There are also free restrooms conveniently located in the cafe.
- The Café at the Palace: This on-site cafe is your go-to for a quick refuel during your visit. Think yummy light meals, snacks, and drinks – perfect for grabbing a bite on the go. The toasted ciabatta sandwiches like the Chipotle Chicken, Italian Deli, and New Yorker at the cafe are must-tries!
- Papii Café: Craving some Scottish or European comfort food? This cozy cafe is a short walk away and has a welcoming atmosphere to match their delicious dishes. Do try the bacon and maple syrup waffles and the spanakopita.
- Wedgwood the Restaurant: Up for a fancy feast? This place is a bit further, but it's worth it for a refined Scottish dining experience. They use fresh, local ingredients to create culinary magic. The Peterhead Cod and Avon Valley roe deer loin are specialties.
- Whiski Rooms: Want a taste of Scotland in one place? This spot combines a restaurant, bar, and whisky shop! You can enjoy delicious Scottish food alongside a massive selection of whiskies. Pair your haggis or scotch beef steak pie with one of the 300 whiskies available.
- The Doric: This historic pub near the palace is the place for classic Scottish fare. They have elegant interiors and a wide-ranging menu, so there's something for everyone, especially the traditional home-cooked roast beef sirloin.
Budget hotels: Destiny Student, A&O Hostel Edinburgh City, Royal Mile Backpackers
Mid-range hotels: The Inn on the Mile, The Apex City Centre Hotel, The Edinburgh Grand
High-end hotels: The Balmoral, InterContinental Edinburgh The George, The Caledonian
Frequently Asked Questions about Palace of Holyroodhouse tickets
What is the Palace of Holyroodhouse?
The Holyroodhouse Palace is a famous palace in Scotland that is known for its rich history. The palace became famous when Mary, Queen of Scot's personal secretary was murdered there by her husband, Lord Darnley. The palace is also famous for its royal gardens, portraits, and architecture. The palace is now King Charles III's official residence when he visits Scotland.
Where is the palace located?
The Palace of Holyroodhouse is set in the famous city of Scotland, Canongate, Edinburgh in the United Kingdom. Get directions to Holyroodhouse Palace by train, tram, bus, or taxi.
What are the timings?
The timings of the Palace of Holyroodhouse from April 1 to October 31 are 9:30am to 6pm (last admission at 4:30pm). From November 1 to March 31, it is 9:30am to 4:30pm (last admission at 3:15pm).
Is the palace wheelchair accessible?
Yes, Holyroodhouse Palace is wheelchair accessible. However, some parts and stairs are not wheelchair friendly.
Is it worth visiting the Palace of Holyroodhouse?
Yes, the Holyroodhouse Palace is known for its architecture, royal gardens, and dramatic history. The historic Apartments of Mary Queen of Scots, the Great Gallery, Holyrood Abbey, and the Palace's unique gardens are not to be missed.