What to do · Edinburgh
Palace of Holyroodhouse, the King's residence in Scotland
Information
- From
- £22 adult
- Duration
- 2 h
- Season
- All year; closed during royal stays or events and at Christmas
- Who it's for
- From age 8; the story of Mary, Queen of Scots grips older children
A palace still in use
Holyroodhouse is the King's official residence in Scotland. It stands at the end of the Royal Mile, at the bottom of the Canongate, with Arthur's Seat rising right behind it. It's opened to the public by the Royal Collection Trust, and as it's a working palace, it closes when the royal family is in residence: the week at the end of June and start of July and other odd days announced at short notice. Check the website before you go.
What you see
- The State Apartments. The Baroque part, from the late 17th century, with ornate plaster ceilings, tapestries and portraits. These are the rooms where the King receives guests today on his visits to Scotland.
- The Great Gallery of Scottish kings. A long room with dozens of portraits of monarchs, many of them legendary, painted almost as a series under the same commission.
- Mary, Queen of Scots' chambers. The oldest tower, from the 16th century. The Queen of Scots lived here, and here in 1566 her secretary David Rizzio was murdered in front of her. You go up a narrow spiral staircase.
- Holyrood Abbey. The ruins of the abbey church founded by David I in 1128, next to the palace. Roofless, with its Gothic arches open to the sky, it's what gets the most photos.
- The gardens, when open, with the park and the Salisbury Crags cliffs as a backdrop.
Admission includes a multimedia audio guide. Allow about two hours with the abbey and a stroll in the garden.
Tickets and opening hours
- Adults: £22 booking in advance and £26 on the day.
- Ages 18 to 24: £14.
- Ages 5 to 17: £11 in advance (£13 on the day).
- Under-5s: free.
The ticket can be converted into a one-year pass with unlimited entry: if you return, book your second visit (there's a £2 booking fee). In November and December 2026 it opens Thursday to Monday, from 9:30 to 16:30, with last entry at 15:15; closed Tuesday and Wednesday. In summer it opens every day and until later. It's closed on 25 and 26 December.
To get there, walk down the Royal Mile or take a Lothian bus to the bottom of the Canongate; pay by contactless, as we explain in buses and trams. Next door is the King's Gallery, with temporary exhibitions from the royal collection, with separate admission.
Tips
- Check the closure calendar That's the first thing. A royal palace closes at short notice, and in summer there's a whole week with no visits.
- Start with the abbey if it's only lightly raining The ruins are outdoors. If the sky looks threatening, go there first and leave the rooms for later.
- Climb Arthur's Seat afterwards The climb starts five minutes away. Better with the visit done than the other way round, with tired legs.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit Holyroodhouse?
£22 per adult booking in advance and £26 on the day, according to the Royal Collection Trust for 2026. Ages 5 to 17, £11; under-5s go free.
Is it open every day?
No. Outside summer it opens Thursday to Monday. It also closes when the royal family is staying or holding events.
Can you see Mary, Queen of Scots' rooms?
Yes, they're part of the visit. You go up a narrow spiral staircase.
Is the ticket valid for another day?
Yes: you can convert it into a one-year pass and return by booking a new visit.
As a familyWith teenagers
