Holyrood Palace
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 Mary, Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie (an ideal visit for Outlander fans!).
Visit highlights
- Enter the sumptuous dining room, the scene of countless banquets, the throne room or the luxurious royal chambers.
- Discover the tragic story of 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.
- Follow 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
Royal Edinburgh Ticket holders
Entrance to the Palace of Holyrood is included in the Royal Edinburgh Ticket.
- When you activate your pass at the first Edinburgh Bus Tours stop (until 30 November 2026, Stop GG on George Street, opposite the Assembly Rooms, because of roadworks; from 1 December, Waterloo Place), you will be given entry to visit the Palace at your leisure.
- Admission includes an audio guide in English and other languages.
- It is important to check the opening times: from 15 September 2026 to 31 May 2027, it is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (with no alternative offered), and it also closes when royalty stay there. You can also visit it after your 48 hours are up.
- The pass also includes Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Yacht Britannia and the Edinburgh sightseeing bus.
Entrance to Holyrood Palace
If you don't have the Royal Edinburgh Ticket, we recommend you buy your ticket to Holyrood Palace in advance.
The ticket includes an audio guide in English (and other languages).
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 close to the Palace on one of Lothian Buses city buses or on the Edinburgh Hop-on/Hop-off Bus, which is included in the Royal Edinburgh Ticket.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to buy tickets in advance for Holyrood Palace?
If you have purchased the Royal Edinburgh Ticket, you don't need to: you 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?
Allow 1 to 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 admission and is very worthwhile.
When does Holyrood Palace close?
As it is a working royal residence, 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.
From 15 September 2026 to 31 May 2027, it is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. In winter (November to March), it opens from 09:30 to 16:30, with last admission at 15:15.
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 for 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, the chambers of Mary, Queen of Scots are not accessible.