Holyrood Palace at a glance
Holyrood Palace, formally the Palace of Holyroodhouse, stands at the lower end of the Royal Mile. It is the King's official residence in Edinburgh and remains in use for official occasions. A visit brings the royal end of the street into focus, whether you arrive after walking down from the Old Town or make the palace your starting point.
Choose between a standard admission ticket, a guided Royal Mile combination and a city sightseeing pass. Their arrangements differ: check the selected option for the included attractions and the way you will explore each one. The palace may close or change its visitor arrangements for official use, so check your date before arranging the rest of your day.
Our picks: Holyrood visits
The standard ticket suits a palace visit with a multimedia guide. For a wider day choose the guided royal walk with both entries, or the 48-hour bus pass with three attraction admissions.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in British pounds (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Royal Mile walk with castle and palace entry
- Edinburgh Castle entry ticket
- Palace of Holyroodhouse entry ticket
- Official Holyroodhouse audio guide
A small-group walk with an English-speaking local guide. The palace audio guide is separate from the live guide.
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48-hour bus pass with royal attractions
- Edinburgh Castle Admission
- Royal Yacht Britannia Admission
- Palace of Holyrood House Admission
The pass covers three city bus tours for 48 hours. Check palace closing days and available entry times.
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Holyroodhouse standard admission
- Palace of Holyroodhouse entry ticket
- Multimedia guide for standard admission
The standard ticket includes a multimedia guide in ten languages.
Check availability →Holyrood Palace tickets and combinations
Choose palace admission with a multimedia guide, a guided Royal Mile combination or a sightseeing pass with attractions.
Choose your Holyrood Palace ticket
Standard admission suits a visit centred on the palace. The standard ticket includes a multimedia guide, so you can follow the interpretation at your own pace. The guide is available in several languages, including German. Allow time for security and the rooms themselves as well as the guide. A ticket bought for this visit should not be assumed to include transport or food.
The Royal Mile combination links the palace with a guided walk and entry to Edinburgh Castle. It includes an English-speaking local guide for the walking tour and the official palace audio guide. The combination is a useful way to connect the two ends of the street, but the palace portion uses the audio guide rather than promising a live guide in every room. Walking is part of the programme and bus transport is not included.
A sightseeing pass offers a different structure, combining a city bus with attractions over a stated period. Read its booking details for the attractions and validity before selecting it. A bus route can help with orientation, while the palace still needs its own visit time. Compare this approach with the Royal Mile tours if you prefer a guide on foot.
Opening, admission and royal use
For standard admission in 2026, the published adult price is £22 in advance or £26 on the day. Separate prices apply to children, young adults and visitors with disabilities. Children under five and a necessary companion enter free under the palace's published terms. Check the conditions and the price of the particular product you select, especially when comparing a combination with a stand-alone ticket.
The published schedule for November and December 2026 is Thursday to Monday. The palace is closed on 25 and 26 December 2026. Official events can affect access, so consult the current calendar for your intended date and reserve a suitable time before building a tight itinerary around it. Do not assume that a date on which the Royal Mile itself is accessible is also a palace opening day.
Inside, the State Apartments are subject to photography restrictions. There is a bag check and no cloakroom, so consider your luggage before arrival. A multimedia visit gives you room to concentrate on the royal residence rather than trying to fit every nearby sight into the same time slot.
Access and the Mary, Queen of Scots rooms
Much of the palace is accessible, and staff can provide an alternative step-free route. The rooms associated with Mary, Queen of Scots are reached by a steep spiral staircase of 25 steps and are not wheelchair accessible. Ask the palace about your requirements when planning. Accessibility of the walk to the palace and the route through its rooms are separate questions, particularly if you are considering a combined walking tour.
For the journey to this end of the Royal Mile, see getting to the Royal Mile. The route from Waverley to the palace is described by the palace as approximately 15 minutes on foot. Leave additional time if your group wants to stop along Canongate or if you need to consider the gradient and your luggage.
Edinburgh Castle and the royal route
The castle stands at the upper end of the Royal Mile and Holyrood Palace at the lower end. A combined visit gives you two different royal settings as well as the walk between them. For practical information about the castle itself, see Edinburgh Castle. Check both attraction calendars and the included entry arrangements when choosing a combined product.
Continue with our guide to Edinburgh Old Town sights, or explore Royal Mile history for the streets and buildings between the two sites. A separate palace ticket leaves you free to arrange these stops independently.
Frequently asked questions
Does standard admission include a palace guide?
The standard ticket includes a multimedia guide. Check the product selected for its exact inclusions.
When can I visit the palace in winter?
The published November and December 2026 schedule is Thursday to Monday, with additional closures on 25 and 26 December. Check the date because official use can change arrangements.
Are all rooms step-free?
Much of the palace is accessible and staff can offer an alternative route. The Mary, Queen of Scots rooms have a steep spiral staircase and are not wheelchair accessible.
Can I combine the palace with the castle?
A guided Royal Mile combination includes admission to both. Check its timetable and current availability before booking.