Combos

Combo (Save 5%): Camera Obscura & Palace of Holyroodhouse Tickets

Name: Combo (Save 5%): Camera Obscura & Palace of Holyroodhouse Tickets
Start: 2026-11-12T11:00:00
End: 2026-11-12T20:00:00
Location: Palace of Holyroodhouse

4.6/5(5,509)

Couturier C

Couple

Verified booking

2 days ago

Both outings went well. I would have simply liked to receive printable tickets, but unfortunately they are only available on phones. At Holyrood, they didn't understand why there was only one QR code for two admissions. We had a great time in both cases. Holyrood Palace is really top-notch. And the audio guide is perfect! It's worth the price. The whisky tour experience was a bit short, under 50 minutes. The audio guide isn't great. And at the end, people who ONLY booked the Silver tour are parked off to one side behind glass. So we left and didn't bother trying any other whiskies.

Li P

Solo

Verified booking

Last week

I was most struck by the story of David Rizzio and the bloodstain by the window. Standing inside Mary, Queen of Scots’ rooms brought her story vividly to life.

Eleonora M

Family

Verified booking

Oct 2026

Visiting the Palace of Holyroodhouse was an unforgettable experience, one that felt less like visiting a historic monument and more like stepping into the pages of a living history book. From the moment you approach its magnificent façade, there is an undeniable sense of grandeur, elegance, and quiet majesty that makes this place truly extraordinary. Every room tells a story, every corridor whispers secrets of the past, and every intricate detail reflects centuries of royal heritage, political intrigue, romance, and tragedy. The historic chambers, exquisite decorations, and remarkable atmosphere create an experience that is both intellectually fascinating and deeply moving. Knowing that these walls have witnessed the lives and decisions of some of Scotland’s most significant historical figures makes the visit all the more powerful. What makes the palace particularly special is the perfect balance between royal splendour and the human stories hidden behind it. It is not simply a beautiful building; it is a place where Scotland’s history feels tangible, intimate, and alive. The surrounding gardens add another layer of charm, offering a peaceful contrast to the richness of the interiors, with the magnificent backdrop of Arthur’s Seat completing the picture. The visit is beautifully enriching, captivating even for those who are not usually passionate about history. It is the kind of place that stays with you long after you leave, not only because of what you see, but because of what you feel. The Palace of Holyroodhouse is far more than a royal residence: it is the soul of Scottish history expressed through architecture, art, and timeless elegance. A truly remarkable experience and an absolute must-see in Edinburgh. If you want to understand Scotland beyond its landscapes, this is where its history comes to life.

Marcus M

Couple

Verified booking

Last week

We had the pleasure of visiting both Holyrood Palace and Edinburgh Castle, and we absolutely loved both experiences! They were truly amazing, and we would highly recommend them to anyone visiting Edinburgh. We book almost all of our experiences through Headout, and everything has gone smoothly every time. Unfortunately, the weather caused a few issues during our trip, meaning we had to reschedule some of our activities for different days. However, the Headout team was incredibly helpful and guided us in the right direction, making the whole process much easier. We also decided to book a full-day trip to the Scottish Highlands through Headout, which turned out to be a huge success and one of the highlights of our trip! We would definitely recommend checking out the experiences available through Headout. On top of that, they often offer discount codes, making these amazing experiences even more affordable and enjoyable for everyone. We will certainly continue booking through Headout on our future travels!

Alena O

Solo

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

Holyrood - I enjoyed walking and listening to audio guide in my own pace. Everything was clearly signed. The gift shop was lovely. Whiskey experience - the graphic presentation was interesting and helpful for me who enjoys visual learning rather than just listening. Guide Archie was fun and well suited for this job. The only PROBLEM was me buying this combo pass for 2 but only receiving 1 pass for the palace and 2 for the whiskey. I had to buy one more pass on the spot so will be sorting that out with the company.

Davnet H

Couple

Verified booking

Oct 2026

Easy to book online. Extremely friendly and helpful staff when we arrived at the Palace. Audio equipment supplied was excellent to help use navigate the Palace and give us a greater insight to both the history and present day details of the Palace. Great communication after booking tickets. Would definitely recommend booking with this company and visit to Hollyrood Palace. We really enjoyed our visit.

Link Camera Obscura's illusions with Holyroodhouse's chambers in one Edinburgh day, from hands-on tricks to palace rooms and abbey ruins.

Access all five floors at Camera Obscura, with 100+ illusion exhibits, rooftop terrace views, free telescopes, and the live panorama show.

Enter the Palace of Holyroodhouse, explore the State Apartments and Holyrood Abbey, and use the included multilingual multimedia guide for context.

Visit Camera Obscura and Holyroodhouse on the same day at your own pace, with separate entries under one booking and a small saving over buying solo.

Camera Obscura & World of Illusions

Entry to Camera Obscura & World of Illusions

Access to five floors of interactive illusion exhibits (100+)

Access to rooftop terrace with 360 degree views of Edinburgh

Free-to-use telescopes and binoculars on the rooftop

Victorian Camera Obscura live panorama show

Palace of Holyroodhouse

Entry to Palace of Holyroodhouse

Multimedia guide in English, Brazilian Portuguese, French, Gaelic, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Russian and Spanish

Access to State Apartments

Access to Holyrood Abbey

You can cancel these tickets up to 36 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

5,509 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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Guests from United States, Italy, France and over 49 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Eleonora M
Family
Verified booking
Oct 2026
Visiting the Palace of Holyroodhouse was an unforgettable experience, one that felt less like visiting a historic monument and more like stepping into the pages of a living history book. From the moment you approach its magnificent façade, there is an undeniable sense of grandeur, elegance, and quiet majesty that makes this place truly extraordinary. Every room tells a story, every corridor whispers secrets of the past, and every intricate detail reflects centuries of royal heritage, political intrigue, romance, and tragedy. The historic chambers, exquisite decorations, and remarkable atmosphere create an experience that is both intellectually fascinating and deeply moving. Knowing that these walls have witnessed the lives and decisions of some of Scotland’s most significant historical figures makes the visit all the more powerful. What makes the palace particularly special is the perfect balance between royal splendour and the human stories hidden behind it. It is not simply a beautiful building; it is a place where Scotland’s history feels tangible, intimate, and alive. The surrounding gardens add another layer of charm, offering a peaceful contrast to the richness of the interiors, with the magnificent backdrop of Arthur’s Seat completing the picture. The visit is beautifully enriching, captivating even for those who are not usually passionate about history. It is the kind of place that stays with you long after you leave, not only because of what you see, but because of what you feel. The Palace of Holyroodhouse is far more than a royal residence: it is the soul of Scottish history expressed through architecture, art, and timeless elegance. A truly remarkable experience and an absolute must-see in Edinburgh. If you want to understand Scotland beyond its landscapes, this is where its history comes to life.
Michael W
Solo
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
Wonderful walk through the history of Scotland at Holyrood palace. The self guided tour with audio highlights gave so many insights and really helped put you in the time the palace housed Mary Queen of Scots and many others. Truly enjoyed our time there.
Marcus M
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
We had the pleasure of visiting both Holyrood Palace and Edinburgh Castle, and we absolutely loved both experiences! They were truly amazing, and we would highly recommend them to anyone visiting Edinburgh. We book almost all of our experiences through Headout, and everything has gone smoothly every time. Unfortunately, the weather caused a few issues during our trip, meaning we had to reschedule some of our activities for different days. However, the Headout team was incredibly helpful and guided us in the right direction, making the whole process much easier. We also decided to book a full-day trip to the Scottish Highlands through Headout, which turned out to be a huge success and one of the highlights of our trip! We would definitely recommend checking out the experiences available through Headout. On top of that, they often offer discount codes, making these amazing experiences even more affordable and enjoyable for everyone. We will certainly continue booking through Headout on our future travels!
Couturier C
Couple
Verified booking
2 days ago
Both outings went well. I would have simply liked to receive printable tickets, but unfortunately they are only available on phones. At Holyrood, they didn't understand why there was only one QR code for two admissions. We had a great time in both cases. Holyrood Palace is really top-notch. And the audio guide is perfect! It's worth the price. The whisky tour experience was a bit short, under 50 minutes. The audio guide isn't great. And at the end, people who ONLY booked the Silver tour are parked off to one side behind glass. So we left and didn't bother trying any other whiskies.
Alena O
Solo
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
Holyrood - I enjoyed walking and listening to audio guide in my own pace. Everything was clearly signed. The gift shop was lovely. Whiskey experience - the graphic presentation was interesting and helpful for me who enjoys visual learning rather than just listening. Guide Archie was fun and well suited for this job. The only PROBLEM was me buying this combo pass for 2 but only receiving 1 pass for the palace and 2 for the whiskey. I had to buy one more pass on the spot so will be sorting that out with the company.

Explore Edinburgh’s Royal Mile with interactive illusions at Camera Obscura and royal history at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in one combo.

Getting started

Use your combo booking to access each venue on the same day, visiting in whichever order suits you. At Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, present your ticket at the entrance on the Royal Mile and start exploring at your own pace. At the Palace of Holyroodhouse, show your voucher at the palace entrance and head straight inside with your multimedia guide collected on-site.

What to expect

Camera Obscura & World of Illusions

Set inside a historic Royal Mile building, Camera Obscura & World of Illusions combines classic Victorian optics with hands-on illusion galleries spread across multiple levels.

Features:

Move through five floors of interactive illusion exhibits, with more than 100 hands-on experiences that play with perspective, balance, light, and perception.

Try mirror mazes, distortion rooms, optical puzzles, and visual trick installations that invite you to participate rather than just observe.

Step out onto the rooftop terrace for 360-degree views across Edinburgh’s skyline, rooftops, and surrounding hills.

Make use of free-to-use telescopes and binoculars on the rooftop to zoom in on landmarks and architectural details across the city.

Attend the Victorian Camera Obscura live panorama show and watch a real-time projection of Edinburgh created using lenses and mirrors.

Enjoy a self-paced visit, moving freely between floors and spending longer at the exhibits or viewpoints that interest you most.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

Located at the end of Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile, the Palace of Holyroodhouse is The King’s official residence in Scotland and a working royal palace.

Features:

Walk through the State Apartments, a sequence of grand rooms with elaborate plasterwork, historic furnishings, and tapestries still used for official functions.

Visit Holyrood Abbey, exploring the atmospheric ruins of this 12th-century abbey that once served as a major religious centre in medieval Scotland.

Use your included multimedia guide, available in English, Brazilian Portuguese, French, Gaelic, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Russian and Spanish, to follow stories of Scotland’s monarchy and royal life through audio and visuals.

Experience the palace as a working royal residence that has played a central role in Scotland’s history, including its connections to figures such as Mary, Queen of Scots.

Wrapping up

After you finish inside the Palace of Holyroodhouse or at Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, you are free to continue exploring the Royal Mile or nearby areas at your own pace, using your same-day access to fit both visits comfortably into your schedule.

What to bring

Camera Obscura & World of Illusions

Ticket and ID: Bring your mobile voucher and a valid photo ID to show at the entrance.

Booking details: Check your final voucher for the exact starting point and any extra instructions.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

Ticket and ID: Bring your mobile voucher and a valid photo ID to present at the palace entrance.

Booking details: Check your final voucher for the exact starting point and any extra instructions.

What's not allowed

Camera Obscura & World of Illusions

Food and drinks: Do not bring outside food or beverages into the venue.

Large luggage: Do not bring large bags or suitcases, as these are not allowed inside.

Photography gear: Tripods and selfie sticks are not permitted inside the experience.

Prohibited items: Sharp metallic tools or objects are not allowed inside.

Smoking and alcohol: Smoking and alcohol are not permitted anywhere in the venue.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

Large bags: Do not bring bags larger than 45cm × 20cm × 30cm into the experience.

Pets: Pets are not allowed inside the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Photography limits: Do not take photographs inside the State Apartments.

Smoking: Smoking, including e-cigarettes, is not permitted anywhere in the palace.

Mobile phones: Switch off mobile phones inside the palace in consideration of other visitors.

Accessibility

Camera Obscura & World of Illusions

** Wheelchairs and strollers**: This experience is not accessible to wheelchair users or prams and strollers.

Assistance dogs: Guide dogs are welcome to accompany you inside.

Sensory support: Sensory backpacks, ear defenders, and hearing loops are available for visitors.

Carer policy: A free carer ticket is offered for eligible visitors; check details with the venue.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

Wheelchair and strollers: The palace is wheelchair and pram or stroller accessible, except in some parts of Mary, Queen of Scots' rooms.

Assistance dogs: Guide dogs are welcome throughout the venue.

Companion tickets: Concession rates and complimentary companion tickets are only available when booking directly with Royal Collection Trust.

Additional information

Palace of Holyroodhouse

Security checks: You may be subject to security screening, and some items may need to be checked and collected after your visit.

Visitor route: A one-way route operates inside the palace for safety and security reasons.

Opening days: The palace is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so plan your visit accordingly.

Last admission: Last entry is at 3:15pm from November to March and at 4:30pm from April to October.

Young children: Children under 5 must be booked with a paid ticket as per venue policy.

Working palace: As this is a working royal palace, security and opening arrangements may change at short notice.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.