Palace of Holyroodhouse Entry Tickets at Palace of Holyroodhouse

Palace of Holyroodhouse Tickets

The Palace of Holyroodhouse stands as Scotland's official royal residence at the foot of Edinburgh's Royal Mile. For over 500 years, this working palace has served as the monarchy's Scottish home, where King Charles III stays during official visits and state ceremonies take place.

Your tickets grant access to the Historic Apartments of Mary, Queen of Scots, including the infamous Queen's Bedroom where her secretary David Rizzio was murdered in 1566. The State Apartments showcase royal grandeur with intricate plaster ceilings, period furnishings and an impressive collection of Brussels tapestries. You'll also explore the atmospheric ruins of Holyrood Abbey and walk through the Great Gallery where Bonnie Prince Charlie held court in 1745.

The palace gardens provide a peaceful conclusion to your visit, whilst your included multilingual audio guide brings centuries of royal drama and Scottish history to life. This essential Edinburgh attraction offers a fascinating glimpse into Scotland's turbulent past and ongoing royal traditions.

Highlights

• Historic Apartments of Mary, Queen of Scots including the Queen's Bedroom, known as 'Scotland's most famous room'
• State Apartments with lavish royal furnishings, intricate plaster ceilings and Brussels tapestries
• Ruins of Holyrood Abbey, once among Scotland's grandest religious buildings
• Great Gallery where Bonnie Prince Charlie held court during the 1745 Jacobite uprising
• Palace gardens offering peaceful respite with views of Arthur's Seat
• Multilingual audio guide covering royal history and key historic events

Plan Your Visit to Palace of Holyroodhouse

Palace of Holyroodhouse opening hours are Thursday through Monday, with the palace closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Early morning visits typically offer fewer crowds, particularly during Edinburgh's busy festival season in August.

Most visitors spend 2-3 hours exploring the palace, apartments, abbey ruins and gardens. The palace sits at the bottom of the Royal Mile, making it easy to combine with a visit to Edinburgh Castle tickets at the opposite end of this historic street.

Bags larger than 45cm × 20cm × 30cm are prohibited for security reasons, and photography is not permitted inside the State Apartments. Most areas are wheelchair accessible, though some historic rooms have limited access due to their age and structure. The palace connects well with other royal attractions, and you can explore Royal Yacht Britannia tickets for a complete royal Edinburgh experience.