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Experience the best of Royal Yacht Britannia

Visit the Royal Yacht Britannia, once the private getaway of Queen Elizabeth II. Dive into history and luxury aboard this floating royal residence, now a top-rated attraction in Edinburgh
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13,825 travellers from around the world love this
Slide 1 of 7, Royal Yacht Britannia docked in Edinburgh with colorful flags.
Royal Yacht Britannia docked in Edinburgh with colorful flags.
Explore at your pace
1 more
  • Get on board Tripadvisor's No. 1 Attraction in the World with timed entry to the Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh's celebrated maritime landmark.

  • Explore five accessible decks aboard the last British Royal Yacht, which served as Queen Elizabeth II's floating residence for 44 years.

  • Enhance your visit with a free audio guide included with your ticket at no extra cost, available in 38 languages, Braille script, and British or American Sign Language.

  • Tour the elegant State Apartments and learn how the yacht's 220 Royal Yachtsmen lived and worked in the Crew's Quarters.

  • See the gleaming Engine Room, enjoy waterfront views from the Royal Deck Tearoom, and admire the historic Rolls-Royce Phantom IV.

More details
  • Get on board Tripadvisor's No. 1 Attraction in the World with timed entry to the Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh's celebrated maritime landmark.

  • Explore five accessible decks aboard the last British Royal Yacht, which served as Queen Elizabeth II's floating residence for 44 years.

  • Enhance your visit with a free audio guide included with your ticket at no extra cost, available in 38 languages, Braille script, and British or American Sign Language.

  • Tour the elegant State Apartments and learn how the yacht's 220 Royal Yachtsmen lived and worked in the Crew's Quarters.

  • See the gleaming Engine Room, enjoy waterfront views from the Royal Deck Tearoom, and admire the historic Rolls-Royce Phantom IV.

from
£25
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, 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 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 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, 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 8, King's Gallery entrance with ornate wooden doors and stone facade in Edinburgh.
King's Gallery entrance with ornate wooden doors and stone facade in Edinburgh.
Explore at your pace
  • Book tickets to The King’s Gallery for your special pass to the Royal Collection’s rotating exhibitions in Scotland and see something new and exclusive with every visit.

  • Explore royal opulence from 24 Apr–6 Dec 2026 at The King's Gallery, Edinburgh. See Fabergé and Sargent works, tracing 1863–1918.

  • Discover the glamorous lives of Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. View historic 1902 Coronation robes, gilded thrones, and iconic paintings by Leighton.

  • Witness the monarchy’s shift from Edwardian luxury to WWI duty, featuring Queen Alexandra’s photography and items from the 1901 extensive Royal Tour.

  • Enhance your visit with a multimedia guide in English included in the ticket price. Listen to expert insights and history as you explore the royal art.

More details
  • Book tickets to The King’s Gallery for your special pass to the Royal Collection’s rotating exhibitions in Scotland and see something new and exclusive with every visit.

  • Explore royal opulence from 24 Apr–6 Dec 2026 at The King's Gallery, Edinburgh. See Fabergé and Sargent works, tracing 1863–1918.

  • Discover the glamorous lives of Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. View historic 1902 Coronation robes, gilded thrones, and iconic paintings by Leighton.

  • Witness the monarchy’s shift from Edwardian luxury to WWI duty, featuring Queen Alexandra’s photography and items from the 1901 extensive Royal Tour.

  • Enhance your visit with a multimedia guide in English included in the ticket price. Listen to expert insights and history as you explore the royal art.

from
£11
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

Pro tips to help you make a pick

Book timed entry slots earlier in the day if you want quieter decks and clearer photographs before large afternoon cruise and coach groups arrive.

Combo tickets with Edinburgh hop-on hop-off buses often work out better financially if you are already planning castle, Royal Mile, or Holyroodhouse sightseeing afterward.

If flexibility matters, check cancellation windows carefully because some discounted online tickets cannot be modified once your selected entry date is confirmed.

Visitors arriving by tram should allow extra time between Ocean Terminal and their booked slot because shopping centre navigation occasionally takes longer than expected.

Some combo passes spread attractions across multiple days, which works well if you prefer a slower itinerary rather than fitting everything into one packed afternoon.

About Royal Yacht Britannia

Once carrying Queen Elizabeth II across more than a million nautical miles, the Royal Yacht Britannia now welcomes visitors into elegant drawing rooms, sparkling dining halls, and open decks facing the chilly Edinburgh harbor. The contrast between royal luxury and hardworking crew spaces makes the visit especially memorable. Get Headout tickets for audio guided yacht visits or combo packages with Edinburgh hop-on hop-off bus tours or Palace of Holyroodhouse.


AddressRoyal Yacht Britannia, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6JH, UK
Also known asFloating Palace
Year opened1953
Founded byQueen Elizabeth II & Prince Philip
Visitors per year300000
Expected wait time - Standard0-30 mins (Peak), 0-30 mins (Off Peak)

Did you know?

Britannia traveled over one million nautical miles during royal service, covering greater distances than most naval ships ever achieve during operational lifetimes.

The yacht was designed so it could quickly transform into a fully equipped hospital ship during wartime or international humanitarian emergencies abroad.

The yacht was designed so it could quickly transform into a fully equipped hospital ship during wartime or international humanitarian emergencies abroad.

Britannia visited 600 ports across 135 countries, acting as a floating royal residence while representing Britain during sensitive diplomatic overseas visits worldwide.

Prince Charles and Princess Diana spent part of their 1981 honeymoon aboard Britannia, cruising through the Mediterranean shortly after their royal wedding.

Why visit Royal Yacht Britannia?

Unique royal history up close

Walk through the very rooms where royal honeymoons, family holidays, and state dinners once took place. From elegant lounges to private bedrooms, the yacht feels surprisingly personal, giving visitors a rare look at how the royal family lived and traveled at sea.

World's top rated attraction

The Royal Yacht Britannia regularly ranks among travelers’ favorite attractions because it feels far more personal than a traditional museum. Visitors love being able to wander through real royal spaces while hearing stories that connect the yacht to decades of world history.

Self guided audio tour

The audio guide lets you move through all five decks at your own pace while hearing stories from former crew members and royal insiders. Small details, hidden corners, and personal memories make every room feel lively instead of staged or distant.

Stunning Edinburgh waterfront views

Moored in Leith Harbour, the yacht comes with beautiful waterfront views across the Firth of Forth. After your visit, the surrounding area is perfect for lingering over coffee, seafood, or a relaxed walk beside Edinburgh’s modern marina atmosphere.

Prince Philip’s design touches

Prince Philip personally influenced parts of the yacht’s design, from practical layouts to certain interior details. Knowing the royal family helped shape the ship themselves adds an extra layer of authenticity while walking through its carefully preserved rooms.

Plan your visit

Main entrance

The main entrance to the Royal Yacht Britannia is through Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre, where visitors board via the historic Royal Brow once reserved for the royal family. Lifts, step free access, and nearby parking make arrival smooth and straightforward for most visitors.

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What our guests say

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

Rachel F

United Kingdom
Couple
Sep 2026

+4 more

Particularly 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.

Palace of Holyroodhouse Entry Tickets

Roshini N

United Kingdom
Family
2 weeks ago

+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
3 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.

The Royal Yacht Britannia Tickets with Audio Guide

Stuart M

Canada
Couple
Sep 2026

+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.

The Royal Yacht Britannia Tickets with Audio Guide

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 + Royal Yacht Britannia Tickets

Anne M

Ireland
Couple
5 days ago
It is so well organised from start to finish.....self guide is brilliant and an easy hop on the tram from the centre..... Afternoon tea was delicious.....best sight seeing tour we signed up for. Well done to everyone involved.

Combo: Palace of Holyroodhouse + Royal Yacht Britannia Tickets

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