Palace of Holyroodhouse Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tickets and tours available right now:

• Palace of Holyroodhouse Admission Ticket

• Edinburgh Sky-to-Sea Bike or E-Bike Tour With Transfer by TBC

• Guided Edinburgh Private Walking Tour

• Edinburgh Castle Guided Walking Tour & Holyrood Palace Ticket

• Edinburgh Full-Day Guided Private Tour in a Premium Minivan

Tickets for the Palace of Holyroodhouse are cheapest if you book online, in advance. Adult tickets cost £22, tickets for ages 18–24 cost £14, and ages 5–17 and disabled visitors get in for £11. If you purchase your tickets day-of, you’ll pay around £3–£4 more per ticket. Children ages 5 and under get in free.

Yes, the Palace of Holyroodhouse is worth visiting, especially if you're a fan of history or the royal family. An official residence of the British monarch, it's where royalty stay when they're in Scotland, so it feels like you're walking through a living museum. Admire the elegant interiors as you learn about the dark history of Mary, Queen of Scots, whose apartments are part of the palace. Spoiler alert: You'll visit a crime scene. Plus, your ticket also includes admission to the gardens and medieval ruins of Holyrood Abbey.

Per one customer who booked a Palace of Holyroodhouse Admission Ticket, "There is a lot of walking. We both enjoyed walking through history. With so many original artifacts, and portraits of those who molded the United Kingdom, it almost felt spiritual. I would definitely do it again."

Located at the base of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, the Palace of Holyroodhouse has a rich history dating back to the 12th century. Initially founded as a monastery, it later became a royal residence and was famously the home of Mary, Queen of Scots. Today, it remains an official residence of the British monarchy.

Yes, visitors can tour the inside of the Palace of Holyroodhouse. A variety of guided tours are available, which often focus on specific areas of the palace, its history, or former residents. It’s essential to book tours in advance via the palace’s official website. Alternatively, visitors can tour the palace independently—the entrance fee includes a multimedia guide.

Some must-see features and attractions within the Palace of Holyroodhouse include the State Apartments, which are used by the royal family, as well as the Great Gallery, the Royal Dining Room, and the Throne Room. The Great Stair is also a spectacular sight—an entrance built for Charles II with stone stairs and tapestries.

If traveling by train, the nearest train station is Edinburgh Waverley. From the station, the Palace of Holyroodhouse is around a 15-minute walk. Alternatively, bus 35 stops near the palace, and there are also open-top bus tours that stop close by. The nearest tram stop is York Place, which is 20-minutes away on foot.

No, unfortunately photography and filming for personal use is not allowed inside the palace building. Visitors wanting to take photos for commercial use can submit an application form for consideration before their visit. If bringing a phone with you, it is requested that phone calls are made and received outside the palace building.

No, there isn’t a formal dress code to visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse. It’s advisable to wear comfortable shoes as there are many different rooms to explore, and to leave large suitcases and oversized backpacks at your accommodation.

There are tons of things to do when you're done visiting the Palace of Holyroodhouse. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Edinburgh:

• Edinburgh Castle

• Royal Mile

• Stirling Castle

• Edinburgh Old Town

• St. Giles Cathedral

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Edinburgh.