Combos

Combo (Save 5%): Edinburgh Castle Guided Tour + Palace of Holyroodhouse Tickets

Name: Combo (Save 5%): Edinburgh Castle Guided Tour + Palace of Holyroodhouse Tickets
Start: 2026-10-27T11:30:00
End: 2026-10-27T12:45:00
Location: Edinburgh

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Edinburgh Castle Guided Tour + Palace of Holyroodhouse Tickets

from ~~Original price£63~~

£59.85

5% off

Save money by bundling entry to two royal sites located at opposite ends of the Royal Mile
Entry to Palace of Holyroodhouse
Multimedia guide in 9 languages
Entry to Edinburgh Castle
Guided tour of Edinburgh Castle
Expert local English-speaking guide

Edinburgh Castle Guided Tour + Palace of Holyroodhouse Guided Tour

from ~~Original price£96~~

£91.20

5% off

Full guided tour of Edinburgh Castle and Holyroodhouse in a crowd-free setting.
Guided tour of the Palace of Holyroodhouse State Apartments
Expert English-speaking guide
Complimentary guidebook for insights about the palace
Small group of max. 25 guests
Entry to Palace of Holyroodhouse
Multimedia guide in 9 languages
Entry to Edinburgh Castle
Guided tour of Edinburgh Castle
Expert local English-speaking guide

4.6/5(5,795)

Eleonora M

Family

Verified booking

Last week

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.

Justin B

Couple

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

This 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.

Peter N

Couple

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

The Tour was absolutely fantastic and highly recommended however the instructions to pick up the tickets for the start of the tour were complete rubbish. The instructions were to meet in front of the main gate when the ACTUAL process was to pick up the booked tickets inside. Nothing in the instructions said this and almost missed the tour. I have rated this highly because the Tour was fantastic. I would rate the experience via ZERO instructions as low.

Davnet H

Couple

Verified booking

Last week

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.

Caron T

Couple

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

We stayed longer than we expected at this lovely palace cum home. There is a lot to appreciate. A bonus for me & the D/deaf community was the audio guide which has BSL & captions in English. I had forgotten my loop ear hooks so relied on the subtitles. I'm not sure if the subtitles would work in different languages but that would be something to consider.

Carol S

Group

Verified booking

Last week

The Palace of Holyrood was absolutely excellent, well informed staff and well organised no it was beautiful wandering around the garden. Finished in the coffee shop which was also very good. The worst thing was booking with Headout and not booking direct. We were given wrong information by them

Experience Scotland’s most iconic landmarks in one expertly curated day, with a guided tour of Edinburgh Castle followed by access to Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Step inside Edinburgh Castle and explore its essential highlights, including the Great Hall, St. Margaret's Chapel, and the Crown Jewels.

Enjoy richer context throughout, as your expert guide brings to life the stories behind every chamber, crown, and courtyard.

Continue to Palace of Holyroodhouse, where you can explore the historic State Apartments and the evocative ruins of Holyrood Abbey with a multimedia guide.

For a more intimate experience, upgrade to a small-group guided tour of the palace, complete with an English-speaking expert and a complimentary guidebook for a refined finish.

Edinburgh Castle

Entry to Edinburgh Castle

Guided tour of Edinburgh Castle

Expert local English-speaking guide

Palace of Holyroodhouse

Entry to Palace of Holyroodhouse

Multimedia guide in 9 languages

Additional paid upgrades:

Palace of Holyroodhouse

2-hour guided tour of Palace of Holyroodhouse

Expert English-speaking guide

Complimentary guidebook for insights about the palace

Small group of max. 25 guests

Transport

Food and drink

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

5,795 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, Canada and over 59 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Eleonora M
Family
Verified booking
Last week
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.
Elia B
Group
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
The 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.
Carlos P
Couple
Verified booking
6 days ago
We arrived at the meeting point without any issues. We got our tickets and audio guides quickly and proceeded with the scheduled visit. Everything went just as promised, and after two hours of great enjoyment, we left as agreed. Everything was great!
Michael W
Solo
Verified booking
Last week
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.
Cinzia G
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
A wonderful experience! I found everything very beautiful and realistic. The audio guide with earphones in Italian was also very interesting, explaining everything accurately and to perfection. It felt like living back in the royal era. I recommend it to everyone.

Explore Edinburgh's royal and historic landmarks with this cost-saving combo, including a guided tour of Edinburgh Castle and access to the Palace of Holyroodhouse—Edinburgh’s official royal residence.

Getting started

Start your experience at either Edinburgh Castle or the Palace of Holyroodhouse on this flexible combo tour. Wander a stretch of the famous street that connects Scotland’s two royal powerhouses—Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace after exploring the first royal residence.

What to expect

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle stands atop Castle Rock, a symbol of Scottish heritage and royal power for centuries. Your guided tour reveals the fortress’s pivotal role in Scotland’s history and its enduring legacy.

Features:

The Great Hall: Step into the grand space once adorned for royal banquets and historic ceremonies.

The Royal Palace: Explore the former royal residence and discover its significance in the lives of Scotland’s kings and queens

Palace of Holyroodhouse

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh’s official royal residence, sits at the opposite end of the Royal Mile and has hosted monarchs and state occasions for centuries.

Features:

Self-guided access: Enjoy entry to the State Apartments, Throne Room, and Abbey ruins at your own pace. Walk through grand corridors and discover the monarchy’s history in Scotland.

Audioguide: Explore the palace on your own with insights from a complimentary multimedia guide.

Extras

Palace of Holyroodhouse Christmas tour: Enjoy all of the above, plus a 2-hour guided tour of the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Enjoy a personalised experience with no more than 25 guests, follow an expert who shares stories of royal traditions, and take home a guidebook filled with insights into the Palace’s highlights.

What's not allowed

Edinburgh Castle

Luggage, large bags, and bags over 30L in volume are not permitted inside Edinburgh Castle.

Pets are not allowed, except for registered service animals.

Drones are strictly prohibited on the premises.

Access to the roof is not permitted in poor weather conditions.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

Bags larger than 45cm × 20cm × 30cm are not allowed in this experience.

Due to venue restrictions, pets cannot tag along for this experience.

Photography is strictly not allowed inside the State Apartments.

Smoking, including e-cigarettes, is not permitted in the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

In consideration of other visitors, mobile phones must be switched off inside the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Accessibility

Edinburgh Castle

The experience is not fully wheelchair-accessible due to uneven terrain and steps within the castle grounds and surrounding areas.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible, except in some parts of Mary, Queen of Scots' rooms.

Your guide dogs are welcome at the venue.

Concessionary rates for disabled visitors and a complimentary companion ticket are only available to book directly with Royal Collection Trust.

Additional information

Edinburgh Castle

The guided tour takes place outdoors around Edinburgh Castle. Entry to interior buildings is not included during the guided portion, but you may explore them independently after the tour.

Specific stops during the tour are assigned by castle authorities and may vary.

Minors must be accompanied by an adult to join the tour.

Please arrive at the meeting point at least 10 mins before your scheduled start time.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

As the Palace of Holyroodhouse is a working royal palace, security and opening arrangements may be subject to change at short notice.

You may be subject to security checks. Some items may have to be checked in and reclaimed at the end of your visit.

For safety and security reasons, a one-way route operates inside the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

The palace is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Last admission time is 3:15pm.

Under 5s must be booked with a paid ticket.

The tour is only available when the Palace is closed to other visitors.

Please arrive at least 15 mins before your scheduled tour time.

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.