"We discovered a small shopping street while passing through and decided to explore it. Having the freedom to change plans made the day feel personal and unhurried."
Palace of Holyroodhouse
Overview
Step into Scotland’s royal history with a visit to Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of the British monarch. Explore magnificent State Apartments, historic rooms connected with Mary, Queen of Scots, and the atmospheric remains of Holyrood Abbey. Wander through the palace grounds and gardens while taking in views of Edinburgh’s dramatic landscape. Located at the end of the historic Royal Mile, this iconic Edinburgh attraction offers an engaging journey through centuries of royal life, Scottish history and architectural heritage.
Tour's Features
Free Cancellation
Mobile Voucher
Instant Confirmation
Highlights
- Explore the historic Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Scottish royal residence in Edinburgh.
- Discover magnificent State Apartments filled with royal history and elegant interiors.
- Walk through the historic rooms associated with Mary, Queen of Scots.
- Visit the atmospheric ruins of Holyrood Abbey beside the palace.
- Explore the beautiful palace gardens and enjoy views towards Arthur’s Seat.
- Experience one of Edinburgh’s most fascinating royal and historic attractions.
Itinerary
Make your way to Palace of Holyroodhouse, located at the historic end of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. As you approach the palace, admire its impressive architecture and distinctive setting beneath the slopes of Arthur’s Seat.
Discover the Royal Residence
Enter the palace and explore its magnificent State Apartments, where generations of royalty have stayed and important ceremonies have taken place. Admire the elegant interiors, historic furnishings and richly decorated rooms while discovering stories from Scotland’s royal past.
Step Into Mary, Queen of Scots’ History
Continue through the historic rooms associated with Mary, Queen of Scots. Discover the royal connections and dramatic events that shaped this important period of Scottish history, adding another fascinating layer to your visit.
Explore Holyrood Abbey
Step outside to discover the atmospheric remains of Holyrood Abbey, located beside the palace. The historic ruins provide a striking contrast to the grandeur of the royal residence and offer a glimpse into Edinburgh’s religious and architectural heritage.
Wander Through the Palace Gardens
Take time to explore the palace gardens and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Depending on the season and access arrangements, the gardens offer beautiful views and a chance to experience a quieter side of this historic royal setting.
Experience Edinburgh’s Royal Heritage
As you explore Palace of Holyroodhouse, discover the connections between Scotland’s monarchy, Edinburgh and the wider history of the country. Its location on the Royal Mile makes it an ideal addition to an Edinburgh sightseeing itinerary.
Complete Your Visit
Before leaving, take one last look at the palace architecture and surrounding historic landscape. Whether you are interested in Scottish royal history, historic attractions, architecture or Edinburgh sightseeing, Palace of Holyroodhouse offers a memorable cultural experience.
Book your Palace of Holyroodhouse visit and discover centuries of Scottish royal history in the heart of Edinburgh.
What's Included
What's Included
- Entrance to the Palace of Holyroodhouse
Schedule
Opening times:
- 01 Jan to 30 Mar 2026: Thu-Mon, 09:30 to 16:30 (last admission 15:15)
- 02 Apr to 11 May 2026: Thu-Mon, 09:30 to 18:00 (last admission 16:30)
- 21 May to 14 Sep 2026: Daily, 09:30 to 18:00 (last admission 16:30)
- 17 Sep to 31 Oct 2026: Thu-Mon, 09:30 to 18:00 (last admission 16:30)
- 01 Nov to 31 Dec 2026: Thu-Mon, 09:30 to 16:30 (last admission 15:15)
- Address: Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DX (Nearest Train Station: Edinburgh Waverley)
- Duration: Approx. 90 minutes
Redemption Info
- Travellers must exchange their booking voucher.
- Your booking voucher will expire after you exchange it for a ticket.
- The company or tour operator will not provide a refund if ticket is misplaced.
Know Before You Go
- You must ensure that you have a mobile / printed copy of your ticket for entry.
- Unfortunately, there is no wheelchair access to Mary, Queen of Scots’ Apartments.
- The Palace of Holyroodhouse is open daily throughout the year, with a few exceptions when it is in use for official functions.
Cancellation Policy
- To get the full refund, you must cancel your booking at least 24 hours before the activity/tour start time.
- If you cancel your booking less than 24 hours before the activity/ tour start time, you will not get any refund.
- Modifications/ changes are allowed at least 24 hours before the activity/ tour start time.
- You must contact us through email. The activity/tour's local start time determines the cut-off times.
Disclaimer
- There may be unexpected changes in the timetable due to public holidays, weather conditions, or other unanticipated situations. During major events, summer vacations, and weekends, the city will be quite busy.
- We will do everything we can to provide a smooth and consistent service! In such cases, no reimbursement is allowed.
- Tours run regardless of the weather. Weather-related refunds will not be issued unless the service is discontinued due to inclement weather.
- The service provider preserves the right to amend or cancel the itinerary due to city events or force majeure.
Group Booking
For groups of 8 or more, please submit a group inquiry at booking@activity-crest.com. While discounted rates are not available for all tours, selected tours may qualify for special group pricing. Standard tours & activities are eligible for group discounts; however, attractions, passes, combo tickets, and related products are excluded.
Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours:
Due to the operational nature of hop-on hop-off bus tours and fluctuating daily demand, we cannot guarantee that all members of a group will be accommodated on the same bus at the same time. Seat availability varies by stop and service demand, and groups may be required to split across multiple buses and/or wait for subsequent departures.
All group members must redeem their vouchers together initially. Once redeemed, individual tickets will be issued, allowing travellers the flexibility to explore independently thereafter. The requirement to remain together applies only during the voucher redemption process when tickets are booked under a single reservation.
As we are unable to guarantee that larger groups can travel together as one unit, bookings will be divided into smaller groups of approximately 5-7 passengers per ticket allocation, depending on the overall group size.
Customer Reviews
4.6
based on 2,515 reviews
Rating Distribution
"I booked the bus mainly to save time, but the experience offered more than convenience. Seeing the city's character change from one neighbourhood to another was fascinating."
"Usually, travelling between attractions feels like wasted time. Here, the views along the way were interesting enough that we enjoyed the journey as much as the destinations."
"Travelling with family was easier when we had a straightforward way to move between areas. Everyone enjoyed the scenery, and we could choose stops together as we went."
"We completed the route without getting off initially and enjoyed seeing the city from beginning to end. It helped us choose which places deserved a closer visit."
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