Palace of Holyroodhouse Entry Tickets

What to Expect

Your Experience at the Palace of Holyroodhouse

Welcome to one of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks—the Palace of Holyroodhouse, which serves as The King's official residence. This is a chance to step back in time and explore centuries of royal heritage.

How It Works

Your journey starts with the entry ticket for the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Simply show your voucher at the entrance gate, and you'll be granted direct access to this historic site without any delays or hassle.

About the Visit

Situated right at the end of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, the Palace of Holyroodhouse is more than just a royal home—it's an important piece of Scottish history. From its grand State Apartments to the ancient ruins of Holyrood Abbey, this location has witnessed key moments in Scotland’s monarchy and continues to be used by the royal family today.

Highlights

The State Apartments are a must-see, showcasing beautifully decorated rooms filled with ornate plasterwork, historic furniture, and intricate tapestries that remain part of official events. Nearby lies Holyrood Abbey, where you can wander through the atmospheric ruins of this 12th-century religious site.

An included multimedia guide helps bring history to life with engaging audio commentary and visuals, making your visit even more informative and enjoyable.

Additional Options

You’ll also find a digital guidebook available for those looking to dive deeper into the Royal Collection. This is perfect for absorbing extra details about the palace's rich past.

If you're interested in exploring Edinburgh further, there’s an optional self-guided audio tour that covers key areas of the Old Town with expert narration. It’s ideal if you want to uncover hidden gems at your own pace after visiting the Palace.

For a more structured experience, join a 2-hour English guided tour led by an expert who’ll share fascinating stories about the palace's history while avoiding large crowds.

You can also upgrade to a Royal Edinburgh Ticket that gives you access for up to 48 hours. This package includes entry to Edinburgh Castle—the hilltop fortress housing the Crown Jewels and Stone of Destiny—as well as the Royal Yacht Britannia, now moored in Leith Harbour. You’ll be able to explore its royal quarters and State Apartments.

Alongside these attractions, a 48-hour hop-on-hop-off bus pass is included for unlimited travel on three major sightseeing routes: Edinburgh Tour, Regal Tour, and CitySightseeing Edinburgh. This allows you flexibility in discovering the city’s top sights with onboard commentary guiding your way to key stops.

Must Know Before You Go

Items Not Permitted

The Palace of Holyroodhouse has specific rules regarding what visitors can bring inside. Luggage larger than 45cm × 20cm × 30cm is not allowed on this tour. Pets are also not permitted due to venue restrictions.

Photography isn't allowed in the State Apartments, so be sure to leave your camera behind there.

Smoking of any kind, including e-cigarettes, is prohibited throughout the palace grounds.

Mobile phones need to be turned off inside the Palace of Holyroodhouse to ensure a quiet and respectful experience for all guests.

Accessibility Details

The Palace of Holyroodhouse is accessible by wheelchair and stroller, except in certain areas like Mary, Queen of Scots' rooms. Guide dogs are welcome at the venue.

If you're a visitor with disabilities, concessionary rates along with a free companion ticket can be arranged directly through Royal Collection Trust.

The Royal Edinburgh Ticket provides access to parts of Edinburgh Castle that are wheelchair friendly. The Hop-on Hop-off buses and the Royal Yacht Britannia experience also accommodate wheelchairs.

Mobility scooters can be brought along if they’re foldable and stored as luggage.

Dogs, including guide dogs, are allowed on board the buses during your visit.

Important Notes to Keep in Mind

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, being a functioning royal residence, may change its opening schedule or security procedures without notice. You might need to go through a security check upon arrival and could be asked to leave some items behind for the duration of your visit.

A one-way path is in place inside the palace for safety reasons.

The Palace isn't open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so plan accordingly.

Admission stops at 3:15pm. Children under five need to be booked with a paid ticket.

If you have the Royal Edinburgh Ticket, it ensures entry into Edinburgh Castle within its 48-hour validity period, though not necessarily on the day of purchase. The last time you can enter the castle is at 2:30pm.

Children under 15 must be with an adult or senior during their visit.

You have a 48-hour window to explore Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the Royal Yacht Britannia using your Hop-on Hop-off bus pass. The buses run from 9am to 6pm.

The first departure is at 8:45am from Stop 1, with the last one leaving at 6pm. For more details on routes and stops, click here to download the full map.

Up to three children can travel for free with each adult ticket. Make sure you add child tickets during checkout.

Tips for Visitors

• Download and activate the digital guidebook ahead of time so you can start exploring right away without delays at the entrance.
• If you're planning to visit Edinburgh Castle or The Royal Yacht Britannia too, consider combining your tickets for a more efficient trip around the city.
• Avoid bringing large bags—stick to smaller ones under 45cm × 20cm × 30cm to ensure smooth entry and avoid extra hassle at security checks.