Highlights of Holyrood Palace
The Royal Palace and Mary, Queen of Scots
Holyrood Palace (Palace of Holyrood) in Edinburgh isa palace of the British royal family. Queen Elizabeth 2 used Holyrood Palace as a summer residence.
Adjacent to the Palace of Holyroodhouse isHolyrood Abbey. Since its roof has collapsed and it has become a ruin, it might more properly be called the remains of Holyrood Abbey, yet it possesses a decadent beauty.
At the beginning of the 12th century, Holyrood Abbey was built by order of King David 1 of Scotland. Coronations and weddings of the Scottish royal family were held there.
In the 16th century, Holyrood Abbey was destroyed by the English army on the orders of Henry 8, known as a tyrant. The aim was to force approval of the marriage between his son Edward 6 and Mary Stuart, who was not yet 1 year old. The series of conflicts is known as "Rough Wooing" (the brutal courtship). Mary Stuart fled to France, and the courtship ended in failure.
Palace Architecture and Courtyard
The present Palace of Holyroodhouse was built in the 17th century to designs by the Scottish architect William Bruce.
The fountain was added in the 19th century. It was inspired by the fountain at Linlithgow Palace.
The unicorn is a symbol of the Scottish royal family.
When it comes to palaces with courtyards (patios), those in Spain, including the Alhambra, are famous, but the courtyard of the Palace of Holyrood is also magnificent.
The columns supporting the arcade surrounding the courtyard are in the Doric style.
Holyrood Palace featurescolumns in different architectural styles on each floor. The columns on the 2nd floor are in the Ionic style.
The columns on the 3rd floor are also Corinthian.
Gardens are laid out around Holyrood Palace. The ruins of Holyrood Abbey can be seen in the background.
Holyrood Abbey
Holyrood Abbey is a Catholic church. The English Reformation was brought about by Henry 8, but Scotland was also allied with France at the time and therefore remained Catholic until the end.
It feels like a living place of faith, almost as if it were a church beneath the open sky.
In front is the cliff known as Salisbury Crags in Holyrood Park. The highest peak in Holyrood Park is called Arthur’s Seat.
The hilly landscape of Arthur’s Seat and walking routes are introduced in the article below.
Basic information about the Palace of Holyrood
The information below was checked against official sources on October 11, 2026. Please also check the latest information on the official website when planning your trip.
- 🔗 Official website
- You can check the official visitor information and ticket details here.
Attention Required! | Cloudflarewww.rct.uk
- 📍 Location
- Canongate, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH8 8DX。
- 🕒 Opening hours
- ⚠️ On June 8, 2026, the last admission is at 15:15 and the palace closes at 16:30.
- 🚫 Closed days
- The official 1-Year Pass page states that it is open from Thursday to Monday. As this is a working royal palace, the planned opening schedule may change at short notice.
- 💶 Admission
- Advance purchase for adults is £22.00. Prices by ticket type and purchasing methods are explained in detail in the following section, “Tickets for Holyrood Palace.”
- ⏱️ Time required
- The free multimedia guide takes about 1 hour. If you plan to visit the State Apartments, the rooms associated with Mary, Queen of Scots, and the ruins of Holyrood Abbey, allow 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours.⚠️ If you combine a special exhibition with a guided tour, plan your visit around your reserved time.
Tickets for Holyrood Palace
Buying in advance is cheaper than purchasing a ticket on the day. The booking link is provided on the attraction's official information page.
The standard admission ticket for 1 January–31 December 2026 costs £22.00 for adults when purchased in advance and £26.00 when purchased on the day. For ages 18–24, it costs £14.00 in advance and £17.00 on the day; for ages 5–17, it costs £11.00 in advance and £13.00 on the day.
- 🎫 How to purchase
- Tickets can be purchased through the booking link on the official website. Groups of 15 or more people must book in advance.
- 🎟️ Main ticket types
-
- Standard admission ticket The price differs depending on whether it is purchased in advance or on the day of the visit.
- Combination ticket A ticket combining the palace with “The Edwardians” exhibition at the King's Gallery.
- Exclusive Guided Tour An official guided tour listed on the venue’s official information page.
- 🔁 1-Year Pass
- Eligible tickets purchased directly from Royal Collection Trust can be converted into a 1-Year Pass if the purchase price is treated as a donation and you sign and write your name on the ticket before leaving. It is valid for 12 months from the date of the first visit, subject to public opening and availability. A fee of £2.00 per 1 transaction applies when re-entry is booked by phone.
The official conditions of use can be found on the official page below.
Getting to Holyrood Palace
The Palace of Holyroodhouse is located at the end of the Royal Mile. From the nearest railway station,Edinburgh Waverley Stationit is about a 15-minute walk to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Driving and Accessibility
The accessible parking spaces on Horse Wynd, directly outside the palace, are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Mary, Queen of Scots' Chambers are not accessible by wheelchair because they require climbing 25 steep steps on a spiral staircase. If you need a step-free route elsewhere, please ask a warden (Warden).
For attractions, transport and suggested itineraries, see “Edinburgh: A Guide to Attractions, Food, Transport and Suggested Itineraries”.
