Logo
UK Days Out Savers

Palace of Holyroodhouse

Castles & Palaces verified UK Days Out Savers

Palace of Holyroodhouse

Canongate, Edinburgh (EH8 8DX) • Lothian

star4.6(32,800)
Lothian
👑 Official Royal Residence 🛌 Mary, Queen of Scots' Chambers ⛪ Ruined Holyrood Abbey ✨ Opulent State Apartments
confirmation_numberBookdirections_subwayGetting HereinfoAbout
scheduleDaily: 09:30 – 18:00 (Summer) / 09:30 – 16:30 (Winter). Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays during winter months.

confirmation_number Tickets & Deals

OFFICIAL bolt VisitBritain Shop

The Royal Edinburgh Ticket (48-Hour Pass)

Don't buy individual tickets! The Royal Edinburgh Ticket grants you prepaid, fast-track access to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh Castle, and The Royal Yacht Britannia, plus 48 hours of Hop-On Hop-Off bus travel.

£81.00/ person
Claim deal arrow_forward
location_on

Getting Here

map Open in Maps
storefront

Location Address

Canongate, Edinburgh (EH8 8DX)

directions_bus

Public Bus Services

Local bus lines operate frequent daily services directly to stops adjacent to the attraction entrance.

train

Regional Transit Links

Connections
radio_button_unchecked
location_on

Edinburgh Waverley Station

Walking

15 min walk
radio_button_unchecked
location_on

Edinburgh City Centre

Lothian Buses (No. 35)

15 min

About Palace of Holyroodhouse

Standing magnificently at the bottom of the Royal Mile, the Palace of Holyroodhouse is the official working residence of King Charles III in Scotland. Visitors can take an exceptional self-guided tour through the opulent State Apartments to see where the monarch hosts global dignitaries today. The tour then steps back in time to the 16th century, exploring the historic bedchambers of Mary, Queen of Scots—the very site where her secretary, David Rizzio, was brutally murdered in 1566.

Quick Facts

  • 👑Official Royal Residence
  • 🛌Mary, Queen of Scots' Chambers
  • ⛪Ruined Holyrood Abbey
  • ✨Opulent State Apartments
  • scheduleDaily: 09:30 – 18:00 (Summer) / 09:30 – 16:30 (Winter). Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays during winter months.
lightbulb

Insider Tips

  • check_circleThe 1-Year Pass Hack: Because the palace is managed by the Royal Collection Trust, you can convert your standard admission ticket into a 1-Year Pass for completely free. Simply ask a warden to stamp your ticket before you leave.
  • check_circleCheck the Royal closures: This is a working palace. It closes completely to the public when the King is in residence. Always check the official closure dates before booking, especially if you are visiting in late June or early July.
  • check_circleLook for the bloodstain: When you are in the Outer Chamber of Mary, Queen of Scots' apartments, look closely at the floorboards near the door. There is a dark, faded stain marking the exact spot where David Rizzio bled to death.
explore

What to Expect

1. The State Apartments

Walk through the lavishly decorated rooms used by the King today, including the Throne Room and the spectacular Great Gallery lined with portraits of real and legendary Scottish kings.

2. Mary, Queen of Scots' Chambers

Climb the narrow, winding stairs in the oldest section of the palace to enter the tiny supper room where Mary's secretary, David Rizzio, was dragged out and stabbed 56 times.

3. The Holyrood Abbey Ruins

Step outside the palace into the breathtaking, roofless ruins of the 12th-century Augustinian abbey that adjoins the main building.

4. The Palace Gardens

Wander through the beautifully manicured 10-acre gardens set against the dramatic, rugged backdrop of Arthur's Seat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you take photos inside the Palace of Holyroodhouse? expand_more

No. For security and conservation reasons, photography and filming are strictly prohibited inside the State Apartments and historic rooms. However, you are free to take photos outside in the Abbey ruins and gardens.

How long does it take to tour the Palace of Holyroodhouse? expand_more

Most visitors spend between 1.5 and 2 hours completing the self-guided multimedia tour of the Palace, the Abbey, and the gardens.

Does the King actually live at the Palace of Holyroodhouse? expand_more

Yes, it is the King's official working residence in Scotland. He traditionally spends one week in residence at the beginning of summer (known as Royal Week), during which time the palace is closed to the public.

Explore the Area

Dynamic Earth

Dynamic Earth

Set in a striking tent-like structure at the foot of Arthur's Seat, Dynamic Earth is Edinburgh's ultimate family science attraction. The highly immersive, interactive tour acts like a time machine, taking visitors back to the Big Bang. You will walk through a rumbling volcano, touch a massive real ice block, experience a simulated earthquake, and wander through an indoor tropical rainforest. It also houses Scotland's spectacular 6K full-dome planetarium.

The Real Mary King's Close

The Real Mary King's Close

One of the most unique historic attractions in the world. When the City Chambers were built in the 18th century, they simply lopped the top off several medieval streets (closes) and built on top of them. The result is a subterranean, perfectly preserved 17th-century neighborhood. Led by brilliant costumed character guides, visitors descend beneath the Royal Mile to explore dark, cramped, myth-filled underground alleyways, plague-stricken homes, and the devastating realities of life in 1600s Edinburgh.

The Edinburgh Dungeon

The Edinburgh Dungeon

Located directly next to Waverley Station, the Edinburgh Dungeon is a high-energy, 80-minute walkthrough experience. It uses brilliant live theatrical actors, highly detailed sets, special effects, and two thrilling underground rides (a boat ride and a sudden drop ride) to tell the gruesome stories of Edinburgh's past. Visitors are plunged into total darkness and will encounter legendary characters like the cannibal Sawney Bean, the body snatchers Burke and Hare, and the local witches.

Top Rated Hotels Nearby

Holyrood Hotel

Holyrood Hotel

0.2 miles away•
★★★★★
(100+)
From £145 / night
The Balmoral

The Balmoral

0.8 miles away•
★★★★★
(100+)
From £450 / night

Local Car Rentals

Explore the beauty of Lothian at your own pace. Hire a car from trusted agencies nearby.

directions_car

VW Polo or similar (Economy)

Manual • 5 seats • Hertz

£35/day
directions_car

Nissan Qashqai or similar (SUV)

Automatic • 5 seats • Enterprise

£68/day
HertzEnterpriseSixtAvis
Compare Rental Deals open_in_new