Visit the official residence of His Majesty The King, in Scotland, and discover historic secrets housed within the opulent walls of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
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Step into the royal world of the Palace of Holyroodhouse. See where King Charles III stays when in Scotland, and learn about its rich history.
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Discover the eclectic State Apartments, a royal masterpiece showcasing the blend of grand and contrasting tastes of successive monarchs.
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Walk in Mary, Queen of Scots footsteps as you visit her Historic Apartments and find out the chilling stories about murder that haunt the walls.
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Seek solace in a peaceful oasis amidst the crumbling ruins of Holyrood Abbey which once used to be one of the grandest abbeys in Scotland.
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Opt for a ticket upgrade to enjoy a 48-hour hop-on-hop-off pass which gives you entry into Edinburgh Castle and The Royal Yacht Britannia.
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Did you know? The name 'Holyrood' comes from 'holy rood' or 'holy cross', which is a Christian relic alleged to be part of the True Cross on which Jesus died.
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Entry to the Palace of Holyroodhouse
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Audio guide in English, Brazilian Portuguese, French, Gaelic, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Russian and Spanish
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48-hour hop-on-hop-off bus (as per option selected)
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Entry to Edinburgh Castle and The Royal Yacht Britannia (as per option selected)
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Audio guide on the bus (as per option selected)
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You can cancel these tickets up to 36 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
How do we collect reviews?
Guests from United States, Spain, France and over 42 countries have loved this experience
Paul
Jan, 2025
The commentary on both routes we did was very informative and the tours we did - especially Britannia - were very enjoyable and informative too
Sofia
Dec, 2024
Really well-organized visit right from the entrance: the service at the box office is efficient and quick. The Palace of Holyroodhouse is simply magnificent, with great attention to detail, both in the rooms and in the historical narrative. The explanations and narratives offered along the tour are clear and engaging, making the experience even more interesting. The gardens surrounding the palace add an enchanting touch to the visit. I was truly satisfied and would recommend this experience to anyone who wants to immerse themselves in the history and beauty of a unique place.View original review in Italian
Joanna
Dec, 2024
Great day out, only thing to be mindful of is whether you have a ticket that's eligible for a full years re-entry. Ours wasn't and we didn't realise when booking but definitely would have gone back.
Katja
Oct, 2024
The palace was beautiful and the audio tour was so much fun with the finding the hidden door or seeing how the palace looked during different times and hearing different voices, such as the gardener.
Isabelle
Oct, 2024
I liked the audioguide, it was very interesting. The people who work at the castle are very nice, they explain to me how to collect my ticket.
A royal escapade in Scotland
Situated at the end of the Royal Mile in the center of Edinburgh, the Palace of Holyroodhouse is absolutely stunning both inside and out. A royal residence in Scotland for over 5 centuries, His Royal Majesty The King uses it for state ceremonies and official entertaining. Explore the Historic Apartments of Mary, Queen of Scots. These walls have witnessed many dramatic events during her short and turbulent reign, including the murder of her Italian secretary by her husband Lord Darnley. It is hardly a surprise then that her Bedroom came to be described as 'the most famous room in Scotland'. Take a walk through the exquisitely decorated State Apartments, renowned for their beautiful plasterwork ceilings, historical works of art, and unparalleled collection of Brussels tapestries.
Opulent interiors and haunting ruins
Visit the Great Gallery, where Bonnie Prince Charlie held several lavish balls after the setup of the Jacobite Court in September 1745. Take the chance to discover the ruins of Holyrood Abbey and the Palace's unique gardens, set against the breathtaking backdrop of Arthur’s Seat. Admire a colorful array of medicinal and culinary plants inspired by some of the earliest recorded gardens of the site, at the newly added physics garden. You can also choose to upgrade your tickets to include a 48-hour hop-on-hop-off bus pass which gives you entry into Edinburgh Castle and The Royal Yacht Britannia, along with the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
What's not allowed
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Keep in mind that bags larger than 45cm × 20cm × 30cm are not allowed in this experience. Pack wisely!
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Due to venue restrictions, pets cannot tag along for this experience.
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Keep your camera tucked away – photography is strictly not allowed inside the State Apartments.
Accessibility
Palace of Holyroodhouse
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This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible, except in some parts of Mary, Queen of Scots' rooms.
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Your guide dogs are welcome at the venue.
48-hour HOHO Pass
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Only parts of Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse are wheelchair accessible. The Royal Yacht Britannia experience and the HOHO bus are wheelchair accessible.
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Mobility scooters are allowed if they can be folded and stored as luggage.
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Your guide dogs and pet dogs are welcome aboard.
Additional information
Palace of Holyroodhouse
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As the Palace of Holyroodhouse is a working royal palace, security, and opening arrangements may be subject to change at short notice.
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The palace is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
48-hour HOHO Pass
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Children aged 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult or senior citizen during their visit.
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You can board your HOHO bus anytime between 9am to 6pm and visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh Castle, and the Royal Yacht Britannia within 48 hours.
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Please click here for detailed route maps and boarding points.
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Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.
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Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.
Redemption Point
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Show your ticket at Palace of Holyroodhouse.
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Address: Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DX, United Kingdom..
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