Palace of Holyroodhouse Entry Tickets





Opens tomorrow
Explore at your pace
Free cancellation
Book now, pay later
Guided tour
4.6/5(5,569)
Eleonora M
Justin B
Peter N
Caron T
Enrique C
Cinzia G
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Enjoy full access to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish home of the British monarch, located at the end of Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile.
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Wander through the hauntingly beautiful ruins of 12th-century Holyrood Abbey, steeped in almost 900 years of religious and royal history.
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Enhance your visit with complimentary multimedia guides and printed guidebooks, available with select ticket options.
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Opt for a 2-hour guided tour of the palace interiors, or a 1-hour guided tour of Queen Elizabeth II's private apartments, both led by an English-speaking expert guide.
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Entry to Palace of Holyroodhouse
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Multimedia guide in English, Brazilian Portuguese, French, Gaelic, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Russian and Spanish
Additional paid upgrades:
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1-hour guided tour of Queen Elizabeth II's private apartments
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2-hour exclusive guided tour of the Palace
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Expert English-speaking guide
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Complimentary guidebook
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Small group of max. 25 guests
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Transport
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Food and drink
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You can cancel these tickets up to 36 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
- 5,569 reviews4.6
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.
4.1K9917541269Guests from United States, Italy, Canada and over 54 countries have loved this experienceWhat our guests say
EElia B
GroupVerified booking2 weeks ago5/5The visit to the palace was really wonderful—a place truly steeped in history and also very well organized. At the entrance, they give you an audio guide available in many languages, which you can listen to in every part of the castle to understand what you're seeing. Personally, it was one of the best visits in Edinburgh.RRachel F
CoupleVerified booking2 weeks ago5/5Particularly like the audio headsets that not only told explained where you were in the house, but also you had an opportunity to see certain rooms differently, by 'scratching' the scene. Plus the old palace and grounds were great to see.JJanet L
SoloVerified bookingLast week5/5Had brought incorrect tickets and girl at entry was exceptionally nice and helpful. Audio guide was very good. All the highlights without being too long. Good to go round at own pace.EEleonora M
FamilyVerified bookingYesterday5/5Visiting 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.JJustin B
CoupleVerified booking5 days ago5/5This smaller, early morning tour was wonderful. The tour guides were spectacular and wonderfully kind. The whole tour laster longer than my wife and I were able to stay (we had a flight to catch), but we stretched it until the very last moment. I was a little sad that I couldn't take pictures inside the actual building, but that's a very understandable and reasonable rule. However, I particularly liked being able to get up close (no touching though) some of the tapestries, and art to see the details and marvel at the skills of the art, embroidery, and woodwork performed in many of these rooms. This tour was wonderful, and I'd recommend it to anyone and everyone, especially if you like history and admiring craftsmanship.
Step into royal history with entry to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, The King’s official residence in Scotland.
Begin with your entry ticket to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Just present your voucher at the entrance and enjoy direct access to centuries of royal history.
Palace of Holyroodhouse
Discover this working royal palace nestled at the end of Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile. From State Apartments to the haunting ruins of Holyrood Abbey, explore the historic site that played a central role in Scotland’s monarchy, once home to Mary, Queen of Scots and still used by the royal family today.
Features
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State Apartments: Tour grand rooms with elaborate plasterwork, historic furnishings, and elegant tapestries still used for official functions today.
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Holyrood Abbey: Stroll through the atmospheric ruins of this 12th-century abbey, once a major religious centre in medieval Scotland.
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Multimedia guide: Enjoy an included multimedia guide that brings the Palace’s rich history and royal stories to life through engaging audio and visuals.
Extras
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Guided tour: Join a 2-hour English guided tour with an expert and learn about the palace's history without the crowds.
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Queen Elizabeth II's private apartments: Exclusive to 2026, get exclusive, never-before access to Queen Elizabeth II's private apartments on a 1-hour English-guided small-group tour.
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What's not allowed
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Bags larger than 45cm × 20cm × 30cm are not allowed in this experience.
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Due to venue restrictions, pets cannot tag along for this experience.
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Photography is strictly not allowed inside the State Apartments.
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Smoking, including e-cigarettes, is not permitted in the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
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In consideration of other visitors, mobile phones must be switched off inside the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Accessibility
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This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible, except in some parts of Mary, Queen of Scots' rooms.
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Your guide dogs are welcome at the venue.
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Concessionary rates for disabled visitors and a complimentary companion ticket are only available to book directly with Royal Collection Trust.
Additional information
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As the Palace of Holyroodhouse is a working royal palace, security and opening arrangements may be subject to change at short notice.
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You may be subject to security checks. Some items may have to be checked in and reclaimed at the end of your visit.
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For safety and security reasons, a one-way route operates inside the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
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The palace is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
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Last admission is at 3:15pm from November to March and at 4:30pm from April to October.
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Under 5s must be booked with a paid ticket.
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Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.
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Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.
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Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.
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