Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh - Royal Edinburgh Card

Holyrood Palace, situated at the end of the Royal Mile, is the official royal residence in Edinburgh.

Strolling through the rooms, you'll be transported back in time and follow in the footsteps of key Scottish figures who have lived there, such as Queen Mary, Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie (an ideal visit for Outlander fans!).

The Royal Edinburgh Ticket — Touring Holyrood Palace

Holyrood Palace.

Highlights of the visit

Enter the sumptuous dining room, the scene of countless banquets, the throne room or the luxurious royal chambers.
Discover the tragic story of Queen Mary, Queen of Scots in the rooms where she lived between 1561 and 1567.
Stroll through the ruins of bucolic Holyrood Abbey, the abbey founded by King David I in 1128, which centuries later gave birth to the palace.
It follows the trail of Bonnie Prince Charlie, the protagonist of the Jacobite uprising of 1745, who set up his court in the palace in the same year.

Tickets

With the Royal Edinburgh Card

Entrance to the Palace of Holyrood is included in the Royal Edinburgh Card.

When you activate your pass at the first Edinburgh Bus Tours stop (at Waterloo Place), you will be given entry to visit the Palace at your leisure.
Admission includes a free audio guide in Spanish.
It is important to check the opening times: at certain times of the year, it is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and also when royalty stay there.
The card also includes Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Yacht Britannia and the Edinburgh sightseeing bus.

👑 Buy the royal edinburgh card

Entrance to Holyrood Palace

If you don't have a Royal Edinburgh Pass, we recommend you buy your ticket to Holyrood Palace in advance.

The ticket includes a free audio guide in Spanish (and other languages).

🎟️ Entrance to the palace

How to get to Holyrood Palace

If you want to get there on foot, you'll have to walk down the Royal Mile, the main street in Edinburgh's Old Town, to the end.

There, between the Scottish Parliament building and Holyrood Park, the Palace awaits you. It's about 15 minutes from the centre.

You can also get there on one of the Lothian Buses city buses or on the Edinburgh Sightseeing Bus, included in the the Royal Edinburgh Card.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to buy tickets in advance for Holyrood Palace?

If you have purchased the Royal Edinburgh CardYou will be given a ticket that you can use to visit the Palace whenever you want.

How long does it take to visit the Palace?

Book between 1 and 2 hours, although there is no time limit. You can stay as long as you like within the opening hours.

Does the Palace have an audio guide in English?

Yes, it is included in the free admission and is very worthwhile.

When does Holyrood Palace close?

As it is a real residence in operation, it may be closed on some days of the year, so it is very important that you check the opening hours in advance. on its website.

It is usually closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the low season.

Is it a good plan for a rainy day?

Yes, although the abbey gardens and ruins are in the open air, most of the visit takes place inside the Palace.

It is therefore a good plan to a rainy day in Edinburgh.

Is Holyrood Palace accessible?

A large part of the palace is accessible to wheelchair users and people with reduced mobility.

However, due to the historic nature of its narrow staircases, Queen Mary's room, Queen of Scots, is not accessible.