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Experience the best of Palace of Holyroodhouse

Step into Holyrood Palace, the official Scottish residence of the British monarch. Delve into history exploring the state apartments and the ruins of Holyrood Abbey.
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Slide 1 of 9, Palace of Holyroodhouse exterior with central fountain, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Palace of Holyroodhouse exterior with central fountain, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Explore at your pace
  • 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.

  • Wander through the hauntingly beautiful ruins of 12th-century Holyrood Abbey, steeped in almost 900 years of religious and royal history.

  • Enhance your visit with complimentary multimedia guides and printed guidebooks, available with select ticket options.

  • 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.

More details
  • 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.

  • Wander through the hauntingly beautiful ruins of 12th-century Holyrood Abbey, steeped in almost 900 years of religious and royal history.

  • Enhance your visit with complimentary multimedia guides and printed guidebooks, available with select ticket options.

  • 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.

from
£22
Slide 1 of 11, Tour group at Palace of Holyroodhouse and Royal Yacht Britannia docked in Edinburgh.
Tour group at Palace of Holyroodhouse and Royal Yacht Britannia docked in Edinburgh.
Explore at your pace
Audio guide
  • Move through the State Apartments, Great Gallery, and Mary Queen of Scots’ chambers at Holyroodhouse, with a multimedia guide helping you understand how each space was used.

  • Across the Royal Yacht Britannia, spaces like the State Dining Room and open decks show different sides of life onboard, explained clearly through a multilingual audio guide.

  • Cover two major royal attractions together, letting you experience both residence and travel spaces without organising separate tickets or managing different entry plans.

More details
  • Move through the State Apartments, Great Gallery, and Mary Queen of Scots’ chambers at Holyroodhouse, with a multimedia guide helping you understand how each space was used.

  • Across the Royal Yacht Britannia, spaces like the State Dining Room and open decks show different sides of life onboard, explained clearly through a multilingual audio guide.

  • Cover two major royal attractions together, letting you experience both residence and travel spaces without organising separate tickets or managing different entry plans.

from Original price£47
£44.65

5% off

Slide 1 of 11, Visitors exploring the courtyard of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh.
Visitors exploring the courtyard of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh.
Explore at your pace
  • 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.

More details
  • 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.

from Original price£63
£59.85

5% off

Slide 1 of 11, Palace of Holyroodhouse exterior with King's Gallery entrance in Edinburgh.
Palace of Holyroodhouse exterior with King's Gallery entrance in Edinburgh.
Explore at your pace
Audio guide
  • Book this combo ticket to get access to both the Palace of Holyroodhouse, The King's official Scottish residence, and the rotating, world-class exhibitions at The King's Gallery.

  • Save money getting entry to two major attractions: a historic royal site and a fine art gallery, for a discounted price with audioguides at both attractions.

  • Explore Mary, Queen of Scots' historic chambers, the site of tragedy and murder, and admire the Royal Collection art in the grand State Apartments.

  • See The King's Gallery's exhibit, The Edwardians: Age of Elegance, featuring jewellery, silverware, and more from the Edwardian era.

  • Maximise your day in Edinburgh by seamlessly combining 500 years of royal history with exclusive access to masterpieces from the Royal Collection in one location.

More details
  • Book this combo ticket to get access to both the Palace of Holyroodhouse, The King's official Scottish residence, and the rotating, world-class exhibitions at The King's Gallery.

  • Save money getting entry to two major attractions: a historic royal site and a fine art gallery, for a discounted price with audioguides at both attractions.

  • Explore Mary, Queen of Scots' historic chambers, the site of tragedy and murder, and admire the Royal Collection art in the grand State Apartments.

  • See The King's Gallery's exhibit, The Edwardians: Age of Elegance, featuring jewellery, silverware, and more from the Edwardian era.

  • Maximise your day in Edinburgh by seamlessly combining 500 years of royal history with exclusive access to masterpieces from the Royal Collection in one location.

from
£33
Slide 1 of 12, Hop-On Hop-Off bus on a street in Edinburgh with historic buildings and Arthur's Seat in the background.
Hop-On Hop-Off bus on a street in Edinburgh with historic buildings and Arthur's Seat in the background.
Explore at your pace
1 more
  • Unlock Edinburgh’s royal heritage with entry to three iconic landmarks and 48-hour hop-on hop-off access to 50+ well-placed stops across the city.

  • Travel across 3 routes covering the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle and the Scottish Parliament, with the freedom to hop on and off as you explore.

  • Buses run approximately every 30 minutes and include multilingual audio guides on Red and Blue routes, live English commentary on the Green route, Horrible Histories children’s narration, and a mobile app with live tracking.

  • Visit Edinburgh Castle to see the Crown Jewels, explore the royal apartments at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and tour the State Apartments aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia.

  • With dedicated stops near each attraction, this combo ensures seamless travel between castle, palace, and royal yacht, keeping your sightseeing efficient.

More details
  • Unlock Edinburgh’s royal heritage with entry to three iconic landmarks and 48-hour hop-on hop-off access to 50+ well-placed stops across the city.

  • Travel across 3 routes covering the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle and the Scottish Parliament, with the freedom to hop on and off as you explore.

  • Buses run approximately every 30 minutes and include multilingual audio guides on Red and Blue routes, live English commentary on the Green route, Horrible Histories children’s narration, and a mobile app with live tracking.

  • Visit Edinburgh Castle to see the Crown Jewels, explore the royal apartments at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and tour the State Apartments aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia.

  • With dedicated stops near each attraction, this combo ensures seamless travel between castle, palace, and royal yacht, keeping your sightseeing efficient.

from
£81
Slide 1 of 11, Holyrood Abbey ruins with arched windows at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh.
Holyrood Abbey ruins with arched windows at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh.
Explore at your pace
Audio guide
  • Book this combo ticket to seamlessly access the historic Palace of Holyroodhouse (The King's official Scottish residence) and the Edinburgh Zoo.

  • Maximise your Edinburgh visit by combining 500 years of Scottish royal history with an educational day out at the UK's only Royal Zoological Society of Scotland zoo.

  • Save money compared to buying separate entry tickets, and save time by securing access to two major sites (history and wildlife) with one simple booking.

  • Explore the Palace's tumultuous past, including the historic chambers of Mary, Queen of Scots, a site of murder and intrigue, enhanced by your multilingual audioguide.

  • At the Zoo, meet over 2,500 animals, including unique residents like Asiatic lions, sloth bears and pygmy hippos, supporting the Zoo's vital conservation work.

More details
  • Book this combo ticket to seamlessly access the historic Palace of Holyroodhouse (The King's official Scottish residence) and the Edinburgh Zoo.

  • Maximise your Edinburgh visit by combining 500 years of Scottish royal history with an educational day out at the UK's only Royal Zoological Society of Scotland zoo.

  • Save money compared to buying separate entry tickets, and save time by securing access to two major sites (history and wildlife) with one simple booking.

  • Explore the Palace's tumultuous past, including the historic chambers of Mary, Queen of Scots, a site of murder and intrigue, enhanced by your multilingual audioguide.

  • At the Zoo, meet over 2,500 animals, including unique residents like Asiatic lions, sloth bears and pygmy hippos, supporting the Zoo's vital conservation work.

from Original price£49.25
£46.79

5% off

Slide 1 of 7, Guided group tour inside the ornate room of Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh.
Guided group tour inside the ornate room of Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh.
1 hr 30 mins
  • Enjoy exclusive access to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, The King’s official residence in Scotland, during a guided small-group tour.

  • Step inside the exquisite West Drawing Room, usually closed to the public, for a rare glimpse into one of the Royal Family’s private sitting rooms.

  • Experience the grandeur of this historic site in a serene, crowd-free setting, as your expert guide shares stories and royal traditions from centuries past.

  • Take home a complimentary Palace guidebook, an ideal keepsake to remember your visit and deepen your understanding of the Palace’s royal heritage.

More details
  • Enjoy exclusive access to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, The King’s official residence in Scotland, during a guided small-group tour.

  • Step inside the exquisite West Drawing Room, usually closed to the public, for a rare glimpse into one of the Royal Family’s private sitting rooms.

  • Experience the grandeur of this historic site in a serene, crowd-free setting, as your expert guide shares stories and royal traditions from centuries past.

  • Take home a complimentary Palace guidebook, an ideal keepsake to remember your visit and deepen your understanding of the Palace’s royal heritage.

from
£55
Slide 1 of 11, Edinburgh hop-on hop-off bus near historic buildings and Royal Yacht Britannia docked.
Edinburgh hop-on hop-off bus near historic buildings and Royal Yacht Britannia docked.
Explore at your pace
Audio guide
  • Ride Edinburgh’s Red Route freely for 24 hours, hopping on and off at landmarks, with flexible ticket validity that lets you plan your visit anytime within twelve months.

  • On the tour, listen to audio guides in multiple languages through provided headphones, while kids enjoy lively Horrible Histories commentary & free tickets for tiny tots make family travel easier.

  • Walk through the Royal Yacht Britannia at your own pace, using a multilingual audio guide that explains each room as you move from royal spaces to working decks

  • Keep your itinerary simple by combining transport and attraction entry, letting you explore Edinburgh at your pace before visiting the Royal Yacht Britannia in detail.

More details
  • Ride Edinburgh’s Red Route freely for 24 hours, hopping on and off at landmarks, with flexible ticket validity that lets you plan your visit anytime within twelve months.

  • On the tour, listen to audio guides in multiple languages through provided headphones, while kids enjoy lively Horrible Histories commentary & free tickets for tiny tots make family travel easier.

  • Walk through the Royal Yacht Britannia at your own pace, using a multilingual audio guide that explains each room as you move from royal spaces to working decks

  • Keep your itinerary simple by combining transport and attraction entry, letting you explore Edinburgh at your pace before visiting the Royal Yacht Britannia in detail.

from Original price£45
£42.75

5% off

Slide 1 of 13, Edinburgh sightseeing bus in front of The Royal Mile building.
Edinburgh sightseeing bus in front of The Royal Mile building.
Explore at your pace
Audio guide
  • Snap up this smart combo to save money! Hit Edinburgh’s top sights on a bus tour and enjoy a Holyrood Palace visit with a drop off right at its doorstep!

  • Zip around Edinburgh on a 24-hour hop-on hop-off bus adventure with 15 stops near all the big hits like Edinburgh Castle, with a bus every ten minutes.

  • Kids ride for free and listen to hilarious audio tales, while you enjoy the sights with audio guides in your language; it's a win for everyone.

  • Get dropped off a stone's throw from the magnificent Palace of Holyroodhouse for your chance to wander the King's stunning Scottish home.

  • Tread the very same floors as Mary, Queen of Scots, and the eclectic State Apartments, while listening to the palace's thrilling, centuries-old secrets.

More details
  • Snap up this smart combo to save money! Hit Edinburgh’s top sights on a bus tour and enjoy a Holyrood Palace visit with a drop off right at its doorstep!

  • Zip around Edinburgh on a 24-hour hop-on hop-off bus adventure with 15 stops near all the big hits like Edinburgh Castle, with a bus every ten minutes.

  • Kids ride for free and listen to hilarious audio tales, while you enjoy the sights with audio guides in your language; it's a win for everyone.

  • Get dropped off a stone's throw from the magnificent Palace of Holyroodhouse for your chance to wander the King's stunning Scottish home.

  • Tread the very same floors as Mary, Queen of Scots, and the eclectic State Apartments, while listening to the palace's thrilling, centuries-old secrets.

from Original price£42
£39.90

5% off

Pro tips to help you make a pick

Standard entry tickets include palace access, while combo tickets often add Edinburgh Castle or Royal Yacht Britannia for better sightseeing value overall.

Morning time slots usually feel quieter, giving better opportunities to enjoy the State Apartments and abbey ruins without large tour groups nearby.

King’s Gallery tickets are ideal for art lovers, especially during temporary exhibitions featuring rotating royal artworks, photography collections, and historic treasures.

Combination tours covering Edinburgh Castle and Holyroodhouse save both money and planning time, especially for visitors exploring Edinburgh in a single day.

Check cancellation policies carefully before booking, since some discounted or promotional tickets may not allow refunds, rescheduling, or last-minute date changes.

About Palace of Holyroodhouse

The Palace of Holyroodhouse has been Scotland’s royal residence for centuries, yet it still carries traces of its abbey origins from 1128. Visitors wander through lavish royal apartments, long portrait-lined galleries, and stone ruins that once witnessed dramatic moments from Scotland’s monarchy. Find entry tickets, combo tickets, and King’s Gallery access on Headout!


AddressCanongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DX, UK
Also known asHolyrood Palace
Year opened1678
Founded bySir William Bruce
Visitors per year500000
Expected wait time - Standard30-60 mins (Peak), 0-30 mins (Off Peak)

Did you know?

Holyroodhouse began beside an abbey founded in 1128 after King David I claimed he survived a hunting accident involving a mysterious stag.

Mary, Queen of Scots watched her secretary David Rizzio murdered inside the palace, and visitors can still see the chamber linked to the attack.

The palace’s Great Gallery displays nearly 100 portraits of Scottish monarchs, creating one of the largest and most dramatic royal portrait collections in Britain.

Despite its centuries-old appearance, Holyroodhouse still functions as the monarch’s official Scottish residence during royal visits and important state ceremonies in Edinburgh.

Bonnie Prince Charlie briefly used Holyroodhouse as his court during the Jacobite rising of 1745, turning the palace into a temporary rebel headquarters.

Why visit Palace of Holyroodhouse?

Walk through royal history

The Palace of Holyroodhouse places you inside centuries of Scottish monarchy, where royal ceremonies, political rivalries, and Mary, Queen of Scots’ dramatic life unfolded within richly decorated chambers and historic stone corridors.

See Scotland’s royal residence

Unlike former royal sites turned purely into museums, Holyroodhouse still serves as the monarch’s official Scottish residence, giving visitors a rare glimpse into rooms still connected to modern royal traditions today.

Explore atmospheric abbey ruins

The adjoining ruins of Holyrood Abbey add a striking medieval atmosphere to the visit, with weathered arches and crumbling stonework creating one of Edinburgh’s most photogenic historic settings for visitors.

Admire grand palace interiors

Lavish State Apartments, ornate ceilings, chandeliers, and the portrait-filled Great Gallery showcase royal elegance at every turn, making the palace feel both impressive and deeply connected to Scotland’s aristocratic past.

Perfect royal mile stop

Located at the foot of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, the palace fits easily into a day exploring Edinburgh Castle, historic streets, museums, gardens, and Arthur’s Seat without requiring extra travel time.

Plan your visit

Main entrance

The main public entrance sits at Fountain Court along Horse Wynd, marked by a grand stone archway between the palace wings. Visitors enter here for security checks, ticket scanning, audio guides, and access to the palace, abbey ruins, and King’s Gallery.

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What our guests say

Carlos P

Argentina
Couple
Last week
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!

Palace of Holyroodhouse Entry Tickets

Michael W

United States
Solo
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.

Palace of Holyroodhouse Entry Tickets

Roshini N

United Kingdom
Family
Last week

+1 more

Booking our Edinburgh Zoo tickets through Headout was quick and hassle-free. The e-tickets arrived instantly by email, and when i arrived at the zoo, the entry was smooth and I just needed to scan the tickets. The zoo itself was the highlight of the day. Seeing the flamingos, penguins and the rhino up close was a real treat, and the hillside walk gave us lovely views across Edinburgh. The paths were easy to follow using the map on the app and the staff were friendly and helpful giving us fun facts and infomation regarding the animals. It's really cute how some of the animals were named after the staff memeber's children names. I also now know that the rhino was 4 years ago and enjoys his warm water bath pool. Overall, I had a relaxing and memorable weekend with my partner and I'd happily book with Headout again.

Combo: Palace of Holyroodhouse + Edinburgh Zoo Tickets

Samia M

Couple
Sep 2026
Amazing experience!! Absolutely loved every second of day out. From finally being able to see koala bears in person (my all time favourite animal) to seeing atty the baby sloth, this was hands down the best day ever. I spent 4 hours here and even then I felt I could have spent so much more time

Combo: Palace of Holyroodhouse + Edinburgh Zoo Tickets

Fred H

United States
Couple
2 weeks ago
Really great tour. I highly recommend when visiting Edinburgh. It was so cool to be on Her Majesty's royal yacht and see all the amazing memorabilia. To know you're in a place that the Queen and and prince Philip once loved and were there.

Combo: Edinburgh Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour + Royal Yacht Britannia Tickets

Stuart M

Canada
Couple
3 weeks ago

+4 more

Allowed to see almost every inch of the ship from the engine room to the Queen's bedroom. Very interesting. Also, very nice restaurant on the ship.

Combo: Edinburgh Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour + Royal Yacht Britannia Tickets

Alina C

Romania
Group
Sep 2026

+4 more

I love most our guide, Jen! And the castle, of course! But Jen is the best guide! So much information presented in an original, lively and funny way!

Combo: Edinburgh Castle Guided Tour + Palace of Holyroodhouse Tickets

Mr K W

United Kingdom
Couple
Sep 2026
One of the bucket items my wife wanted to do years ago. All was just right apart from the cold winds. Staff and fellow guests were great and the staff on the bus's were so helpfull espeacilly Murray. We would recommend the visit to the Britannia resturant to anyone, the queue said it all. All the greet and meet staff through out the experience were first class.

Combo: Edinburgh Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour + Palace of Holyroodhouse Tickets

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