Palace of Holyroodhouse
Canongate, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH8 8DX
Set amid splendid gardens at the foot of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, the Palace of Holyroodhouse is the official Edinburgh residence of the British royals. The complex grew from 12th-century Holyrood Abbey, whose ruins can still be seen on the grounds, into a full-fledged palace. It’s perhaps most famous for having hosted Mary, Queen of Scots, whose private chambers can still be explored today.
The Basics
For anyone hoping to get a taste of the royal experience in Edinburgh, the Palace of Holyroodhouse is an essential stop. Visitors often glimpse the palace during walking tours of Edinburgh’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, as well as on hop-on, hop-off bus tours. Some city tours include admission to the palace so travelers can explore the state apartments and Mary's Bedchamber with the aid of an audio guide. Palace ticket holders can join guided tours of the Holyrood Abbey ruins, which take place several times daily, or buy combination tickets to the palace and the onsite Queen’s Gallery, which hosts temporary art exhibits from the royal collection.
Things to Know Before You Go
Audio tours are included with palace admission and are available in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Mandarin, and Portuguese.
Parts of the palace are wheelchair accessible. Mary, Queen of Scots’ Chambers, however, are not, and can only be accessed via a steep, spiral staircase.
While there is a cafe onsite, food and drink are not allowed elsewhere in the palace.
How to Get There
To get to the palace, walk for 15 minutes from Edinburgh’s Waverley Station. Bus routes 35 and 6 also stop near the palace.
When to Get There
Although the palace is generally open year-round (November through March from 9:30am to 4:30pm and April through October from 9:30am to 6pm), it does close to the public during royal visits.
Learn About the Troubled Life of Mary, Queen of Scots
Of all the royals who have lived at Holyrood Palace—among them Queen Victoria and King George V—none are as closely associated with the palace as Mary, the 17th-century Queen of Scots. Many of the most shocking episodes from her tumultuous reign took place here, including the murder of her Italian secretary, David Rizzio, by her second husband, Lord Darnley. Holyrood is also where Mary married her third husband, James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell, a suspect in the murder of her second husband.
Ways to explore
For anyone hoping to get a taste of the royal experience in Edinburgh, the Palace of Holyroodhouse is an essential stop, while the King’s Gallery, entered on a separate ticket, exhibits a changing selection of highlights from the royal family’s impressive art collection. Visitors often glimpse the palace during walking tours of Edinburgh’s UNESCO World Heritage–listed Old Town, as well as from hop-on, hop-off bus tours, on ghost tours, on bike tours, and even on running tours. Some city tours include admission to the palace so travelers can explore the state apartments and Mary's chambers with an audio guide.
Accessibility
Most of the palace is wheelchair accessible. Mary, Queen of Scots’ Chambers, however, can only be accessed via a steep, spiral staircase.
Age limits
None
What to pack
Bring a small bag as anything bigger than 18 x 8 x 12 inches (45 × 20 × 30 centimeters) is not allowed in the palace—and there are no cloakrooms.
What to wear
Dress for the weather—and carry a layer.
Not allowed
Filming and photography are not allowed in the State Apartments, and drones are off-limits throughout.
Amenities
Café, restrooms, gift shop, drinking water
Address
The Palace of Holyroodhouse is in the heart of Edinburgh Old Town, at the foot of the Royal Mile. It’s walking distance from many city attractions.
Driving
The Royal Mile is largely pedestrianized, but there is paid parking at Broad Pavement. Travelers with disabilities can find reserved parking on Horse Wynd.
Public transportation
The palace is about a 15-minute walk from Edinburgh Waverley Station. You can also catch bus number 35 or opt for a hop-on hop-off bus tour.
Best times to visit
The palace is open 9:30am–6pm April through October and 9:30am–4:30pm November through March. Between early September and late May, it closes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Best days to visit
The palace is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from early September through to late May. As a working palace, it also shuts at unpredictable times for royal visits and state occasions: Check the calendar before visiting.
Best months to visit
Spring (April–May) can be a charming time to visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse, with plenty of color in the gardens but fewer crowds than summer.
Special events
Special events at the Palace of Holyroodhouse tend not to be open to the public.
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