Combo (Save 5%): Palace of Holyroodhouse + Edinburgh Zoo Tickets
Open today
Explore at your pace
Free cancellation
Audio guide
4.6/5(5,867)
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Book this combo ticket to seamlessly access the historic Palace of Holyroodhouse (The King's official Scottish residence) and the Edinburgh Zoo.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Palace of Holyroodhouse
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Entry to the Palace of Holyroodhouse
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Audio guide in English, Brazilian Portuguese, French, Gaelic, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Russian, and Spanish
Edinburgh Zoo
- Entry tickets to Edinburgh Zoo
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Palace of Holyroodhouse + Edinburgh Zoo
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Guided tour
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Transfers
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Food and drinks
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You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
- 5,867 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.
4.3K1K9648274
Guests from United States, Italy, France and over 62 countries have loved this experienceWhat our guests say
JJody S
CoupleVerified booking3 weeks ago5/5It was such a great experience, the animals are treated so well and all staff is amazing. I found it so amazing how they know each and every animals name, needs, mannerisms. It was amazing to see how well they worked one on one with each animal. I felt it was more of a sanctuary than a zoo. We just have the pleasure to see all the animals l. Thank you for such a wonderful experience.IIda S
GroupVerified bookingLast week5/5Holyrood Palace was beautiful and full of history. The visit felt much longer than expected because there was so much to see and explore, but every room was fascinating and worth it. The staff was great, friendly, and helpful throughout the visit. I would definitely recommend it to anyone visiting Edinburgh. Much love from Puerto Rico! 🇵🇷SSusan M
SoloVerified bookingLast week5/5The Holywood palace visit was well organised and all the staff were very helpful. Such a beautiful place! The audio guide was excellent, informative and interesting. Magnified the history of the place for me. Would recommend people to visit. Photography is not allowed inside the palace but the guide is an reasonable price.DDaniel B
FamilyVerified booking3 weeks ago5/5Easy to book, very useful to be able to reserve tickets and pay later, entry using Headout was simple making entry stress free. Edinburgh zoo was as fantastic as I remember from being a kid and it was brilliant seeing my daughter enjoy the zoo for the first time.OOtto R
SoloVerified bookingJun 20265/5For an historian it was a very good audioguide telling all the big stories - it gave a lot of good informations and made the visit . the first in many years - extraordinary good
Get ready for the ultimate Edinburgh experience, blending royal history with wildlife! This combo ticket grants you entry to two of the city’s top attractions: the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of The King, and the world-renowned Edinburgh Zoo, home to thousands of animals.
Getting started
You have the flexibility to visit the Palace and the Zoo on separate days or combine them into an action-packed itinerary. We recommend starting early if visiting both on the same day. The Palace is located at the foot of the Royal Mile, and the Zoo is situated west of the city centre. Be sure to collect your multilingual audio guide at the Palace to fully appreciate the royal history!
What to expect
Palace of Holyroodhouse
Step into the tumultuous world of Scottish royalty! The Palace of Holyroodhouse is a working royal palace used by King Charles III for State ceremonies, but it is most famous as the 16th-century home of Mary, Queen of Scots.
Features:
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Mary, Queen of Scots' chambers: Explore the authentic, historic chambers in the oldest part of the Palace, including the Bedchamber and Supper Room, which were the site of murder and dramatic intrigue during her reign.
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State Apartments & Royal Collection: Walk through magnificent rooms used by the Royal Family and admire tapestries, fine furniture, and artworks drawn from the Royal Collection.
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Multilingual audioguide: Your entry includes a complimentary multilingual audioguide to provide comprehensive historical context and facts as you tour the site.
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Holyrood Abbey & Gardens: Wander through the atmospheric 12th-century Abbey ruins and stroll through the historic palace gardens.
Edinburgh Zoo
Prepare for a wild adventure across 82 acres of parkland! Edinburgh Zoo is home to over 2,500 rare and endangered animals and is run by a wildlife conservation charity. Spend the day exploring diverse habitats, seeing incredible species unique to the UK, and learning about global conservation efforts.
Features:
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Iconic animals: Meet some of the Zoo’s most popular residents, including koalas, giraffes, sun bears, and Scotland's only sloths.
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Penguins Rock & Parade: Visit one of the largest outdoor penguin pools, Penguins Rock, and try to catch the famous daily Penguin Parade where the King and Gentoo penguins waddle around the park!
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Budongo Trail & Living Links: Get up close to chimpanzees in one of Europe’s most innovative man-made wildlife habitats and watch primates interact at the Living Links research centre.
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Keeper talks: Enhance your visit by attending daily ranger talks and feeding sessions, where expert keepers share fun facts and insights into the animals' lives and conservation status.
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What’s not allowed
Palace of Holyroodhouse
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Photography is strictly not allowed inside the State Apartments.
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Large bags, rucksacks and suitcases (30L or over) are not allowed inside for security reasons.
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Due to venue restrictions, pets cannot tag along for this experience.
Edinburgh Zoo
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Safety is a priority, so guests under the age of 15 must be accompanied by a guardian.
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Sharp metallic tools or objects, alcohol, drones, radios, scooters, bikes, rollerblades or skates and glass items are not allowed on this experience.
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Due to venue restrictions, pets cannot tag along for this experience.
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Smoking is not allowed, including e-cigarettes.
Accessibility
Palace of Holyroodhouse
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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.
Edinburgh Zoo
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This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
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Your guide dogs are welcome at the venue.
Additional information
Palace of Holyroodhouse
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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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The palace is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
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The Palace of Holyroodhouse is open to the public on December 23. It is, however, closed on Christmas.
Edinburgh Zoo
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Re-entry after entering isn’t permitted without park authority approval.
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The park may close in extreme weather; tickets will be valid for a later visit.
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Visitors wearing costumes might be asked to remove them for safety.
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Facilities: parking.
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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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100% ticket guarantee
Receive tickets on time, for the experience you've booked.
100% experience guarantee
Get a refund if your experience doesn't happen as promised.
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Available before, during, and after your trip.
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