United Kingdom Edinburgh Palace of Holyroodhouse Entry Tickets

Allow approximately 1.5 to 2 hours for a comfortable visit to the Palace of Holyroodhouse covering the State Apartments, the Great Gallery, and the chambers of Mary Queen of Scots. The free multimedia audio guide available in multiple languages is strongly recommended as it brings the palace's extraordinary stories to life throughout the visit. Note that the visitor route through the palace is one-way so rooms cannot be revisited once passed.

No. Photography is not permitted anywhere inside the Palace of Holyroodhouse. This policy applies to all areas including the State Apartments and the chambers of Mary Queen of Scots. Visitors are encouraged to purchase the official souvenir guide, available at the entrance, which contains images and additional information about the palace's history and collections.

David Rizzio was the Italian secretary and close companion of Mary Queen of Scots. In March 1566 he was dragged from Mary's supper table in her private chambers and stabbed 56 times by a group of conspirators including Mary's husband Lord Darnley, who was jealous of Rizzio's influence over the queen. Mary, who was six months pregnant at the time, witnessed the beginning of the attack. The murder chamber is one of the most dramatically charged rooms in any royal palace and draws visitors from around the world.

Yes, the Palace of Holyroodhouse is a rewarding experience for families with older children who have an interest in history, particularly the dramatic story of Mary Queen of Scots. Children under 5 enter free. The multimedia audio guide includes a children's version. Parents should note that photography is not permitted inside and that the visitor route through the palace is one-way, which can be challenging with very young children in pushchairs.

The Palace of Holyroodhouse is located at Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DX, at the foot of the Royal Mile. Edinburgh Waverley station is approximately 600 metres away, a 10 to 15-minute walk down the Royal Mile. Bus 35 and several open-top sightseeing buses stop nearby. The tram from Edinburgh Airport stops at York Place, approximately a 20-minute walk from the palace.

Yes. A free multimedia audio guide is included with every standard admission ticket to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The guide is available in multiple languages and provides expert commentary on the State Apartments, the Great Gallery, and the chambers of Mary Queen of Scots. It significantly enhances the experience of walking through the palace and is strongly recommended for first-time visitors.

The Palace of Holyroodhouse is open Thursday to Monday throughout most of the year. From 21 May to 7 September 2026 the palace opens daily. Hours are 09:30 to 18:00 in summer with last entry at 16:30, and 09:30 to 16:30 in winter with last entry at 15:15. The palace is closed on 14 to 18 May and 26 June to 3 July 2026 for official royal functions, and on 25 to 26 December.

Yes, the Palace of Holyroodhouse is a rewarding experience for families with older children who have an interest in history, particularly the dramatic story of Mary Queen of Scots. Children under 5 enter free. The multimedia audio guide includes a children's version. Parents should note that photography is not permitted inside and that the visitor route through the palace is one-way, which can be challenging with very young children in pushchairs.