The Palace of Holyroodhouse is the official Scottish residence of the British Sovereign, located at the foot of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, and open to the public when the King is not in residence. This guide covers opening hours, admission prices, transport, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
Updated May 2026. Admission prices increased in 2026. Adult in-advance tickets are now £22; on-the-day tickets are £26. Several older guides still quote the 2025 price of £21. The palace is open daily from 21 May 2026, having extended from its winter Thursday–Monday schedule. It closes again from 26 June to 2 July 2026 during Holyrood Week, when the King is in residence.
You can book your admission ticket in advance on Viator, which costs £22 for adults — £4 less than paying on the day.
Quick facts: Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Canongate, Edinburgh, EH8 8DX |
| Current hours (from 21 May 2026) | Daily, 9:30am–6:00pm |
| Last admission | 4:30pm |
| Closed | 26 June–2 July 2026 (Holyrood Week); check official site for further dates |
| Adult (in advance) | £22 |
| Adult (on the day) | £26 |
| Young Person 18–24 (in advance) | £14 |
| Child 5–17 (in advance) | £11 |
| Disabled Person (in advance) | £11 |
| Under 5s | Free |
| Access companion | Free |
| Nearest train station | Edinburgh Waverley (~15 minutes’ walk) |
| Typical visit duration | 1.5–2.5 hours |
Palace of Holyroodhouse opening hours
The palace operates a seasonal schedule. All visits include a free multimedia guide.
| Period | Days open | Hours | Last admission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Until 30 March 2026 | Thursday–Monday | 9:30am–4:30pm | 3:15pm |
| 2 April–11 May 2026 | Thursday–Monday | 9:30am–6:00pm | 4:30pm |
| 21 May 2026 onwards | Daily (7 days) | 9:30am–6:00pm | 4:30pm |
Closure dates: The palace was closed 14–18 May 2026. It closes again 26 June to 2 July 2026 when the King is in residence for Holyrood Week. Check the official site before visiting during June and July, as the King’s schedule can change and additional closure dates may apply.
Note that last admission is 4:30pm, 90 minutes before closing. Arriving after 4:30pm means you will not be admitted.
Palace of Holyroodhouse ticket prices
Booking in advance saves £4 per adult compared to paying on the day.
| Visitor | In advance | On the day |
|---|---|---|
| Adults | £22 | £26 |
| Young Person (18–24) | £14 | £17 |
| Child (5–17) | £11 | £13 |
| Disabled Person | £11 | £13 |
| Under 5s | Free | Free |
| Access companion | Free | Free |
Group rates (10 or more): In advance — Adult £19.80, Young Person £12.60, Child £9.90, Disabled £9.90. On the day — Adult £23.40, Young Person £15.30, Child £11.70, Disabled £11.70.
Exclusive Guided Tours are available during limited periods at £55 per person.
1-Year Pass: Your ticket can be converted to a 1-Year Pass on your day of visit, allowing unlimited return visits for 12 months. A £2 transaction fee applies if pre-booking a return. This is worth considering for anyone planning a second visit or returning to Edinburgh.
Historic Scotland members receive a 20% discount on production of a membership card.
Book in advance on Viator to pay £22 rather than £26 at the door.
Ticket prices were checked on the official Royal Collection Trust website and last updated in May 2026.
Why book the Palace of Holyroodhouse in advance?
- 👑 The King’s official Scottish residence: Holyroodhouse has been a royal palace for over 500 years, used by every monarch from Mary, Queen of Scots to Charles III for state ceremonies and official engagements.
- 🗡️ Mary, Queen of Scots’ chambers: Stand in the rooms where Mary witnessed the murder of her Italian secretary David Rizzio in 1566 — one of the most dramatic events in Scottish royal history.
- 🖼️ The Great Gallery: Walk through the palace’s most spectacular room, lined with 89 portraits of Scottish monarchs painted by Jacob de Wet — real and legendary kings stretching back through the centuries.
- 🏛️ Holyrood Abbey ruins: Admission includes the atmospheric ruins of the 12th-century abbey, founded by David I, where James II, James V, and Lord Darnley are buried.
- 💰 Save £4 per adult by booking ahead: In-advance tickets are £22; on-the-day tickets cost £26. Booking through Viator locks in the lower price and lets you plan your visit around the palace’s seasonal schedule.
How to get to the Palace of Holyroodhouse
The palace is at the bottom of the Royal Mile, immediately beside the Scottish Parliament building.
On foot from Waverley station: Walk east along Princes Street, turn right onto the Royal Mile, and continue all the way to the bottom. The walk takes approximately 15 minutes.
By bus: Lothian Buses routes 35 and 36 stop directly outside the palace on Horse Wynd. Several other routes serve the Royal Mile or Canongate.
By taxi: Taxis are readily available from Edinburgh Waverley, Haymarket, and throughout the city centre. Journey time from Waverley is approximately five minutes.
By tram: The Edinburgh Tram network does not stop near Holyroodhouse. The nearest stop is St Andrew Square, approximately a 20-minute walk.
By car: Driving to Holyroodhouse is not recommended. Parking in central Edinburgh is extremely limited. On-street parking near the palace is restricted; the nearest public car parks are on the Royal Mile and at the Omni Centre on Greenside Row.
Parking at the Palace of Holyroodhouse
There is no dedicated visitor car park at the palace. The nearest options are St John’s Hill Car Park, Waverley multi-storey, and on-street metered parking on surrounding streets. Edinburgh city centre parking fills quickly, particularly in summer. Public transport or walking from Waverley is the most reliable option.
How long to spend at the Palace of Holyroodhouse
Most visitors spend one and a half to two and a half hours. The self-guided multimedia tour covers the State Apartments, Mary Queen of Scots’ chambers, the Great Gallery, and the Abbey ruins. The multimedia guide is free and included with all tickets.
Accessibility at the Palace of Holyroodhouse
The palace provides a free access companion ticket for all disabled visitors. Audio guides for families and descriptive tours for blind or partially-sighted visitors are available. Contact the palace in advance at +44 (0)131 556 5100 to confirm current accessibility arrangements, as some areas of the historic building have restricted access.
Tickets are single entry only — once you leave, re-entry on the same ticket is not permitted. Plan to see the Abbey ruins and all rooms you want to visit in one continuous visit.
Inside the Palace of Holyroodhouse: what to see
The State Apartments are the heart of the visit. The Great Gallery — the palace’s largest room — contains 89 portraits of Scottish monarchs commissioned by Charles II and painted by Jacob de Wet between 1684 and 1686. The portraits run from the legendary Fergus I to Charles II himself, covering 2,000 years of royal lineage. The King still uses the State Apartments for investitures and other formal occasions.
Mary, Queen of Scots’ Chambers occupy the 16th-century James V tower at the north-west corner of the palace. The rooms include her audience chamber, bedchamber, and supper room — the small private room where her secretary David Rizzio was stabbed 56 times in front of her by Lord Darnley and his conspirators in March 1566. The original oak ceiling and period furniture are intact.
Holyrood Abbey ruins are included in the admission ticket and accessible from the palace gardens. Founded in 1128 by David I, the abbey served as the royal chapel for centuries. James II, James V, and Lord Darnley are buried here. The roofless ruin retains its 12th-century nave and is one of Edinburgh’s most atmospheric sites.
The palace gardens surround the building and back onto Holyrood Park, with views of Arthur’s Seat.
The multimedia guide is free with all tickets and available in multiple languages. Bring your own earphones for comfort.
Practical visitor tips for the Palace of Holyroodhouse
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Last admission is 4:30pm, not 6pm | The palace closes at 6pm but admits no visitors after 4:30pm. Arriving at 5pm means you will not get in, regardless of the printed closing time. |
| The palace closes for Holyrood Week | The King visits Edinburgh in late June/early July each year. The palace is closed to the public from 26 June to 2 July 2026. Check the official site before booking visits in this window. |
| Booking in advance saves £4 per adult | In-advance tickets are £22; on-the-day tickets are £26. The saving is real and meaningful for families. |
| Re-entry is not permitted | Tickets are single entry. Visit the abbey ruins and all rooms before you exit. |
| Arrive early in summer | The palace is one of Edinburgh’s most popular attractions. Arriving at or near the 9:30am opening time gives space and quieter rooms, particularly in the Great Gallery. |
Frequently asked questions about the Palace of Holyroodhouse
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Palace of Holyroodhouse open every day? | From 21 May 2026 it is open daily, 9:30am–6:00pm. It was open Thursday–Monday only during winter. It closes for Holyrood Week (26 June–2 July 2026) and occasionally for other royal events. |
| Can you visit when the King is in residence? | No. The palace closes to visitors during Holyrood Week and other royal residency periods. Check the official site before your visit, particularly in late June and early July. |
| Is the multimedia guide free? | Yes. A free multimedia guide in multiple languages is included with all tickets. Family audio guides and descriptive tours for blind visitors are also available. |
| Are Mary, Queen of Scots’ chambers open? | Yes. The chambers were closed for works until February 2026 and are now re-open to visitors as part of the standard admission route. |
| Can you convert your ticket to a 1-Year Pass? | Yes. On the day of your visit, your ticket can be converted to a 1-Year Pass allowing unlimited re-admission for 12 months. A £2 transaction fee applies when pre-booking return visits. |
Things to do near the Palace of Holyroodhouse
Holyrood Park and Arthur’s Seat (immediately adjacent, free) is a 650-acre wild parkland in the heart of Edinburgh, with the summit of Arthur’s Seat at 251m. The walk to the summit from the palace takes 45–60 minutes and offers panoramic views across Edinburgh, the Forth, and the Lothians.
Scottish Parliament Building (immediately adjacent, free tours available) is a striking contemporary building designed by Enric Miralles, open for guided tours and public gallery access when in recess.
Dynamic Earth (Holyrood Road, 5 minutes’ walk, ticketed) is an interactive science attraction tracing the history of the Earth from the Big Bang to the present day, operated by the Scotsman Foundation.
The Royal Mile (leading north from the palace) is the main street of Edinburgh’s Old Town, lined with historic closes, museums, shops, and cafés for the full kilometre to Edinburgh Castle.
Calton Hill (15 minutes’ walk north-east, free) is a UNESCO-listed hill with monuments and panoramic views over Edinburgh, including the National Monument and Nelson Monument.
What to visit tomorrow: royal palaces and castles within two hours of Edinburgh
Edinburgh Castle (Old Town, ~1 mile, ~20 minutes on foot) is the most visited paid attraction in Scotland, housing the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny, and the 12th-century St Margaret’s Chapel. Book in advance, or risk missing out.
Stirling Castle (Stirling, ~45 miles west, ~1 hour) is a Renaissance royal palace where Mary, Queen of Scots was crowned and where the reigns of James IV, V, and VI are richly documented. One of Scotland‘s finest historic buildings.
Linlithgow Palace (Linlithgow, ~18 miles west, ~30 minutes) is the ruined birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots — a remarkably complete 15th-century royal palace on the shore of a loch. Free to visit with a Historic Environment Scotland Explorer Pass.
Falkland Palace (Fife, ~30 miles north, ~45 minutes) is a 16th-century Renaissance palace used as a hunting retreat by James V and Mary, Queen of Scots. Managed by the National Trust for Scotland.
Blair Castle (Blair Atholl, Perthshire, ~75 miles north, ~1.5 hours) is a white-turreted Scottish baronial castle with 30 furnished rooms, extensive grounds, and the only private army in Europe — the Atholl Highlanders.
More Edinburgh travel
Other Edinburgh travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- How to get to the National Monument of Scotland on Calton Hill.
- Review of the Royal Yacht Britannia in Leith.
- How to visit Newhailes House in Musselburgh.
- Guides to Edinburgh Old Town attractions: Dynamic Earth and St Giles’ Cathedral.
- Why you should book ahead for Edinburgh Zoo.
