Palace of Holyroodhouse

Castle · Abbeyhill

Palace of Holyroodhouse

Castle · Abbeyhill

3

Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DX, United Kingdom

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Palace of Holyroodhouse by Getty
Palace of Holyroodhouse by Getty
Palace of Holyroodhouse by Photo by David Ionut / Shutterstock
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null
Palace of Holyroodhouse by null

Highlights

Royal residence with rich history, Mary Queen of Scots' home  

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Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DX, United Kingdom Get directions

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@royalcollectiontrust

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Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DX, United Kingdom Get directions

+44 303 123 7306
rct.uk
@royalcollectiontrust

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Aug 28, 2025

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@afar

"The Palace of Holyroodhouse remains the official residence of Queen Elizabeth when she visits Scotland , and guided tours here include her public reception rooms in the main part of the pile. History buffs, however, will want to see the palace’s oldest section, where the personal assistant to Mary Queen of Scots was assassinated—a bit of skulduggery orchestrated by Mary’s husband, Lord Darnley. In adjacent rooms are exhibitions linking Mary to Queen Elizabeth I, while the grounds feature beautiful gardens and ruins of the original abbey."

The Essential Guide to Edinburgh
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@cntraveler

10 Best Castles in Edinburgh | Condé Nast Traveler

"The Palace of Holyroodhouse is the Queen’s official Scottish residence. And it’s a palace, all right—every room feels more luxurious than the one before. It’s situated within easy walking distance from the center of town and is open year round. Because you get to access so many of the rooms—the King’s bedchamber and Mary Queen of Scots’ Chamber are particularly elaborate—you won’t feel like you’re missing out on anything. The gardens are beautiful, too, although opening times are limited. And be sure to check out the 12th-century Holyrood Abbey." - Freya Herring

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-castles-in-edinburgh
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@cntraveler

Palace of Holyroodhouse, Holyrood, Midlothian, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom - Landmark Review | Condé Nast Traveler

"Start with the basics. What's the story behind the Palace of Holyroodhouse? The Palace of Holyroodhouse is the Queen’s official Scottish residence. And it’s a palace, all right—every room feels more luxurious than the one before. It’s situated within easy walking distance from the center of town and is open year round. Tickets to enter start from £14 for adults. Wow. What’s it like being there? Ridiculous decadence. Pretty interesting! Are there any good tours to help us orient ourselves? Talks take place throughout the day, but the palace also holds private after-hours tours; for £40, you get a glass of Champagne and a guide-led stroll around the State Apartments. Two hours spent pretending you’re a Queen—where do we sign? What's the crowd like? It’s a tourist haunt for sure, but that shouldn’t stop you going. What can we expect to see throughout the palace? Because you get to access so many of the rooms—the King’s bedchamber and Mary Queen of Scots’ Chamber are particularly elaborate—you won’t feel like you’re missing out on anything. The gardens are beautiful, too, although opening times are limited though). And be sure to check out the 12th-century Holyrood Abbey. So who do you think will get the most out of the Palace of Holyroodhouse? If you’re a passionate anti-monarchist, then you’re probably not going to like the riches on every inch of fabric at this palace. For the rest of you, though, definitely give this place a gander." - Freya Herring

https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/edinburgh/palace-of-holyroodhouse
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Jana Miskarova

Google
The best way is to buy tickets in advance or buy a package with hop on and off bus as the tickets are guaranteed entry, pre booked. It's kinda lots of people,despite its Monday afternoon. Anyway, it is worth visiting. It's strictly prohibited to take photos inside the palace, so i can only post the area around. Enjoy coming as it's full of history. The Royal Botanical Garden is stunning 😍

Zerox_Za

Google
Breathtakingly beautiful. Properly looked after. Guided tour with help of a supplied included in the price handheld. With the tour you learn so much see so much that goes unseen. Its a great opportunity. Photos and video not permitted inside but outside all you can snap opportunity.

Rob Solari

Google
It is advisable to purchase tickets in advance, if possible, as the queues on the day may be quite lengthy during peak periods. Photography is strictly prohibited within the interior of Holyrood, understandably, as it remains a residence of the Royal Family. However, photography is permitted in the courtyard and the ruined cathedral. A complimentary audio guide is provided upon entry, which I highly recommend, as it offers a comprehensive overview and provides valuable insights into the palace and its historical inhabitants. Near the exit, you will find a gift shop, restrooms, and a cafe.

Katie Anand

Google
My favorite tour of all the palaces and castles we saw. Definitely do the audio tour as it tells you all about the secrets (like a hidden door and a murder! among others). You also get to see Mary Queen of Scots bedchamber and rooms. The palace and grounds are beautiful too. Go early to beat the crowds! No wait with advance tickets.

didem şahin

Google
Located at the end of the Royal Mile, a beautiful historical site worth the visit. You can easily buy tickets on site if you did not buy online. Definitely give the audio guide a shot to learn more about every room you will see in the palace. You are not allowed to take photos in the palace rooms. In the tour you will get to see the rooms and belongings of the royal family, the garden and the abbey. Takes approximately 1,5-2 hours to complete.

Ron Walsh

Google
It was very much well worth touring. The audio self-guided tour was very informative. Interesting to see so much history while still being the official working office for The Royals.

Iain Campbell

Google
Palace of Holyroodhouse – A Royal Hidden Gem in Edinburgh If you’re visiting Edinburgh and want a truly regal experience, do not miss the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Tucked at the bottom of the Royal Mile, this working royal residence is often overshadowed by the castle — but honestly, it was one of the highlights of our trip. From the moment we walked through the gates, everything felt elegant, peaceful, and steeped in history. The audio guide (included with the ticket, thankfully!) was fantastic — well-paced, informative, and full of stories that really brought the palace to life. You don’t need to be a hardcore history buff to enjoy it. The state apartments are beautifully preserved, with lavish furnishings, tapestries, and paintings that offer a glimpse into both royal life and Scotland’s dramatic past. Seeing Mary, Queen of Scots’ chambers — including the spot where her private secretary was murdered — was eerie and fascinating. But it’s not just the interiors. The ruins of Holyrood Abbey, right beside the palace, are absolutely stunning and atmospheric. And the palace gardens, with Arthur’s Seat in the background, are a peaceful oasis — we could’ve sat there for hours. What stood out the most was how calm and uncrowded it felt compared to other major attractions. You actually get the time and space to absorb everything, making the experience feel personal and immersive. Staff were friendly and helpful, and the whole visit was incredibly well-organized. There’s also a lovely café and gift shop — perfect for a break after exploring. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5) — A beautiful, well-kept piece of Scottish and royal history. Elegant, peaceful, and surprisingly moving. Highly recommend it for anyone wanting a quieter, more meaningful cultural experience in Edinburgh.

Casey Nicole

Google
I REALLY enjoyed this experience, even more than Edinburgh Castle. It's MUCH LESS CROWDED and you really get a feel for the palace and how grand it really is. Knowing they still visit here and stay here is also sort cool and the grounds are INSANELY beautiful.
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Sara G.

Yelp
A beautiful palace with lush gardens that we got to walk under a very light sprinkle. I recommend a visit! As you can imagine, a lot happened here. Scotland is now part of the English crown so Holyrood is now a summer residence for the royals, but Holyrood Palace was once the home of the Scotland Kings or Queen. Only one queen, Mary Queen of Scots. She had a son who ultimately became both the king of Scots and of England uniting the two crowns. His name -- James VI King of Scots and James I of England.
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Jacqueline S.

Yelp
In Edinburgh, there are many places to see and things to do... don't miss going to this Palace. There is loads of suspense and intrigue with the royal family. We learned a lot about Mary Queen of Scots and many older rulers AND Betrayers to the crown. The audio tour is great and the timeline on the presentation device has a Timeline, photos of each room (so the audio matches the room) . There are 21 short soundtracks to go through- that makes the tour interactive and informative! Lots of the info was new to us, it was great to be able to replay it. The tour is in the palace and the garden, and the palace is fully decorated (with docents in many rooms) and the garden is glorious! Many shade loving hostas, flowers, creepers, full-leafed mature trees. It's beautiful Some benches inside to sit on and also outside. There is one narrow staircase- a bit uneven too, take it slow and use the handrail.
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Monica H.

Yelp
The King's Official Scotland residence and office. I really enjoyed touring the Palace, it's absolutely gorgeous inside. The history of the Palace is rich with so many historic artifacts and interesting stories to see and learn about. My favorites are hard to choose from, but I'd have to say Mary, Queen of Scots bedchamber, The Royal Dining Room, and the Throne Room we're my absolute favorites. You'll also learn some strange facts on your tour, including why the King had two bedchambers (public & private) and how notable and very important people received invitations to watch the King Sleep. Strangely, it was considered a top honor to watch the King sleep. I'll save the other strange and interesting stories for your own visit. Some of them are shocking. The Palace is under restoration and reconstruction in some areas, but you can still roam around the Palace at your own leisure and see a lot. I prepaid for our tickets a month in advance; that really made it very easy to walk in and grab our headsets for the self guided tour. The headsets are an excellent way to learn more about some of the key rooms and artifacts you'll see along the way. I visited on a Monday, and traffic was low which was nice because I didn't feel rushed or crowded. Parking is to the right of the Palace Entry, just drive down the road a little and you'll see it. It is paid parking, so you'll have to estimate how long you plan on parking to receive your ticket. Staff was very friendly, helpful and welcoming. Lastly, please know that pictures are not allowed anywhere inside of the Palace. Trust me, they are watching you and you will get told off by the guards if you are caught taking any pictures. A woman touring behind us thought she'd snap a couple photos in the Royal Dining Room, oh my goodness, the guard really let her have it and she was extremely embarrassed in front of everyone. Don't learn the hard way, and keep your camera in your pocket. Overall, I really enjoyed my tour of Holyrood Palace. Welcoming staff, rich history and lots of artifacts to see. If you find yourself in Edinburgh, I suggest you plan at least a couple of hours to check it out. Highly Recommended!
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Alice S.

Yelp
We almost didn't go because we went to Edinburgh Castle first and had walked all day. That would have been a very unfortunate decision. We loved this place. The free audio that accompanied the entrance fee was so well done. Following along with the audio made the tour spectacular. If you like history mixed with modern day royalty, don't miss this.
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Michael Thomas D.

Yelp
One of the gems on the trip to Scotland I recently took with my mom....the video tour of the palace was really well-executed, the grounds were well-manicured and the whole thing was just well done. We especially enjoyed the afternoon tea at the adjoining Holyroodhouse eatery....I had mistakenly made our reservation for a different day and the hostess seated us anyway....it ended up being the best afternoon tea we had the entire trip.
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Lawrence G.

Yelp
Meh. Neat if you're jonesing for royal-ish stuff and you couldn't squeeze England into your trip but hard to get excited about. I don't want to make it sound like it's not cool - lots of rich, tangible history, some quirky fun facts (the guy who commissioned the paintings in the great hall had his nose painted on everyone else there), a visible model of how the royals inserted themselves into the religion that preceded them to elevate themselves in society, even the evolution of the "palace" is interesting but there's where the majesty and the glory ends for me. And finding the "secret" door would have Waldo rolling his eyes. For some reason, the fact that it's the the official Royal residence while in Scotland makes it a little more engaging than any other castle-turned-museum but with so many other things to see here this wouldn't be my first choice to run back to on my next visit.
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Kate W.

Yelp
This was my favorite stop on my trip to Edinburgh. It's located on the opposite end of the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle and is much less crowded than the castle. Audio guides are included in your ticket price and are very informative. I really enjoyed learning about the history of the palace and how the Royal Family still use it today. The highlights for me were Mary Queen of Scot's apartments and Holyrood Abbey where Margaret Tudor was married. The gardens are also stunning with Arthur's Seat in the background. Lots of care has gone into the presentation of the palace and it is quite an enjoyable experience! I preferred Holyroodhouse over Edinburgh Castle, so if you can only choose one, come here. It's in a great location near Scottish Parliament and Arthur's Seat, so you could easily spend the whole day on this side of the Royal Mile.
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Molly H.

Yelp
Really nice tour not to be missed! We saw a lot of rooms and were able to take pictures along the way which was nice. It also wasn't super packed early in the morning so it was easy to move around the rooms. Plus the audio guide was included which gave lots of good historical information. The gardens were also beautiful! The only thing that was a bummer was the chapel ruins were blocked off due to restoration construction so we could only see the exterior from the gardens.
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Courtney W.

Yelp
Really fantastic tour experience of the palace! It's a one-way route with a great audio tour guide that's self paced as you enter each room. Great pieces that you won't see anywhere else and lots of history! Definitely add to your list of things to do in Edinburgh!
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Anco M.

Yelp
During our so manyest visit to Edinburgh we finally decided to visit Holyrood Palace. What a pleasant surprise it was! The outside is nice, the central courtyard lovely and the interior great with a nice mix of history and a working palace. Especially the latter makes everything come to live. A must visit.
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Hannah S.

Yelp
This ended up being our favorite activity of the day! So much history here in this palace! Especially regarding Mary Queen of Scots and the Stewarts! It was fascinating! And the abbey ruins were lovely also. The ticket comes with a free audio tour that was great, very well organized and interesting! We bought our tickets online in advance but the lines weren't long at all so it's probably not necessary unless it's peak season maybe. We printed them before we left home and it allows you to just walk right in.
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Casey S.

Yelp
The Palace of Holyroodhouse is positively regal. There is a ton of royalty here - the grounds hold a lot of history to them. This place can get fairly swarmed - lots of tourists being tourists and taking pictures where they shouldn't. However, the guides provided do a good job at drowning the nonsense. It's a fairly lengthy tour too - you can see stuff with HRH, the grounds, and others.
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Casey M.

Yelp
I love the history of this beautiful royal residence with references to Mary Queen of Scots, Bonnie Prince Charlie and Queen Victoria as well as the current monarch Queen Elizabeth and the dearly departed Duke of Edinburgh. The grandeur of this beautiful palace is stunning, from the great stair to the dining room, to the kings bedchamber with the magnificent bed, the gallery of portraits of kings of Scotland and the highlight for me was James V tower which takes you to Mary Queen of Scots bedchamber and the supper room where the Queen of Scots servant David Rizzio was murdered by Queen of Scots jealous husband Lord Darnley. Everywhere is dimly lit, dark wood furniture and ancient tapestries which is suited to the history of the palace but it is quite engulfing and stepping out into the grounds and the sun shine was like being able to breathe again but It's fascinating and amazing and wonderful and worth a visit and best of all if you get your ticket stamped you are able to visit anytime for a year!! Winning!!!
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Stephanie S.

Yelp
This was a very enjoyable tour. It is basically self guided with a headphone set, which I definitely prefer. There were a lot of rooms open to the public to go through. There is so much history and it was interesting to see where the Queen actually entertains when she is in Scotland. There is also an old abbey ruin attached to the palace which has a ton of history and is interesting to wander around. The gardens are also open during the summer. There was also a special showcase of the Queens outfits through the years which was really interesting to look through. This was a very enjoyable visit, worth a stop.
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Nathan S.

Yelp
Beautiful. Didn't get to go inside, but from touring the outside of it and being able to take pictures of it was truly amazing. Holyrood Parliament is right across the street and I recommend checking that out once you finish.
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GT W.

Yelp
This is an excellent palace tour with a very reasonable admission (£14) that comes with an in-depth audio guide that I would recommend. Allot about 2-hours here to really dig into the history of the compound. Plus, there is quite a bit of outdoor space to explore once you are done inside the palace. Inside, the chambers of Mary Queen of Scots was the highlight with so much attention to detail. Really, each room has a unique story to tell and has been maintained meticulously. At the end of the tour, there is quite the bonus outside as you can explore the ruins of the old abbey that once stood on the grounds before the palace was constructed. It has a surreal feel like something from Uncharted or Indiana Jones and you get to the explore it at your leisure. I'm happy they kept the ruins as is instead of restoring them or demolishing them. It adds a memorable aesthetic that sets this apart from other palace tours. Explore past that and you can stroll through the expansive gardens around the palace. Overall, I would put this on the top of your list when visiting Edinburgh along with King Arthur's Seat and Edinburgh Castle.
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Monica L.

Yelp
This was probably my favorite stop of our trip to Scotland. My husband and I toured the Palace which is the monarch's residence when he or she is in Scotland. The palace has a lot of history and is very interesting. As an added bonus, there was a special exhibit of Prince Harry's and Meghan Markle's wedding clothes. It was great fun to see the dress.
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Scott W.

Yelp
Now, this is a palace. Quite remarkable and well maintained for its age. I believe that it is a summer home for the Royal Family. The entry fee is fairly reasonable (which helps pay for the personnel and upkeep). The history is incredible, including the chambers of Mary, Queen of Scots. The other Staterooms inside are all with their own special appointments. Unfortunately, inside photos are forbidden. This sits at the opposite end of the Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle. If you have the time and stamina it is worth walking the distance between the two as there is much to see in between. Outside the palace, the grounds are very well maintained. There is also the remains of an abbey that sat there at one time.

Steven W.

Yelp
This place is huge! And it is so interesting and well taken care of. They offer either a tour guide or a headset that tells you information about the rooms, and I got the headset. I prefer to be able to roam around as I please. There are a lot of rooms that are still decorated in a royal way and the guides give you the history of each room and what the rooms were used for. There are a lot of paths into different areas of the palace. I'm sure when people first moved into the palace they got lost easily just because there is so much to it. If you're in Edinburgh and want to see some real history, this is a great place to go.
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Adrienne G.

Yelp
Palace Of Holyroodhouse is another must see for anyone visiting Edinburgh for the first time Housing royalty throughout the ages, including Mary Queen of Scots between 1561 and 1567. Today, it's The Queen's official residence in Scotland where she comes to spend a week every summer to conduct state functions & ceremonies Sitting at 1 end of the Royal Mile, it's like you're pot of gold at the end of the mile. Start w/ Edinburgh Castle at the top of the hill, then finish up w/ House of Parliament & Holyrood Palace Be sure to start your tour w/ the fantastic Queen's Gallery - which is an art museum attached to the Palace grounds....the overall cost for admission & both tours is pretty darn pricey but whatever, right? You're on holiday. The gardens, which should have been open while we were there, were closed off - would have been nice to see them.... Guided through the Palace through an audio tour & the given access to lots of rooms in the house, lots of artifacts to see, lovely room furnishings, and the recorded tour provides lots of great history & stories We got to see the royal bed chambers, sitting rooms, great rooms, libraries, greeting rooms.....there's a lot to see We also got to see the room that houses the display of The Order of the Thistle, which is the highest honor in Scotland. We learned The Order honors Scottish men and women who have made significant contributions to Scotland's national life Also liked the fact the tour is very Senior friendly. My parents had no problem with the stairs since the tour was broken up to accommodate a slower pace Only downer was that Dad couldn't hear his audio tour due to his hearing aids. The radio-thing kept triggering the annoying high-pitched squeal
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Zoe A.

Yelp
What a lovely afternoon spent here! You are given an audio tour which is nice to help learn all the little facts about this gorgeous estate. The staff is all very friendly, you cannot take pictures inside, but you may on the grounds. Wonderful state rooms and so much history! Also loved walking through the abbey ruins and then the gardens! There's a nice courtyard as well with a lovely little cafe to grab a nice afternoon pint/wine. Very friendly bathroom attendant too, and clean! Would recommend to anyone in town!
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Jen L.

Yelp
Visited April 2015: "Splendid palace of history" My friend lost her ticket during packing. We went to the check in counter, and they were able to locate the ticket, and she decided to purchase the souvenir book like I had reserved. We walked around the grounds, the ruined abbey, and the state rooms. While in the state rooms, I was taking pictures when I was approached by someone who works there. She informed me that no pictures were allowed, and I thought I was going to be asked to remove them. I was not. Therefore, I am glad I purchased the souvenir book, because the items we saw, the rooms we walked around, and the art we viewed was breathtaking. I was happy that I walked up the 25 steps to see Queen Mary of Scots chambers. The Abbey was breathtaking, and your ticket is good for a year.
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Ash T.

Yelp
One of the best sights in Edinburgh. Way more interesting than Edinburgh Castle, which has nice views of the city, but was not very informative and super crowded. This palace is just on the other side of the Royal Mile. It's a lovely building with lovely grounds, and the audio tour, which is included with admission, is very interesting and provides a lot of information on the building as well as the royal families who have lived there and used it in the past.
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Jennifer J.

Yelp
At the end of the Royal Mile sits the Palace of Holyroodhouse. As other reviews have mentioned, photography is banned within the walls of the palace, but you are welcome to take photos of the ruined abbey, the outside of the palace and the gardens. Unfortunately, the gardens were closed during our visit in March. We had an actual guide instead of using the self guided phones which I think allowed us more details since we could ask questions. Sheila was a rockstar of a tour guide - she just loves Scotland and everything about it, and it showed. We started our tour outside the palace where she told us about the building of the palace, what differentiates a palace from a castle and how the current royal family uses the palace on their stays in Scotland. Once inside the palace, she followed the rooms we were allowed to go in explaining the stories and history of the rooms as we went along. The rooms open to the public are the 16th century apartments, the 17th century former King's apartments and the Great Gallery. Sheila dived into quite a bit of history regarding Mary, Queen of Scots since she lived in the palace before her imprisonment and where the murder of her secretary took place - all of the history was just fascinating! Attached to her chamber's is a large room filled with historical pieces from her, her son, and even the Bonnie Prince. From there we went through the former King's apartments and the Great Gallery which holds some 100+ portraits of Scotland's royals. Outside the palace is the ruined abbey that was built in the 1100's. It was ruined in the 18th century. Even without a roof, the site was incredible. I have always been fascinated by old buildings and wonder how they were able to construct them. This abbey stood through coronations, weddings and was the resting place for many royals.
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Van L.

Yelp
We did the Queen Gallery and the Palace of Holyrood house tour. It was around 20 pounds for both. The Queen Gallery was cool with notebook paintings of Leonardo Da Vinci on the varies subjects that interested him (which is pretty much everything). The Holyrood house was ok. Nothing spectacular. Not like Buckingham Palace. If I had to do it again, I would not pay for this tour. The only cool thing is visiting the abbey. The rooms and the art displays aren't as grand as the Buckingham palace.
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Jordan T.

Yelp
This place was amazing. It was probably the best palace/castle tour I went on during my time in the U.K. The rooms are large and full of so many great pieces of history. I loved the audioguide--I learned so much from room to room. The palace is really big, so it takes a while to walk through it all. Attached to the palace is the ruins of an old abbey. That was particularly neat to see. The architecture was striking, and I wanted to spend a lot of time walking around and reading what was written on the walls and ground. Then, there are the gardens. They are beautiful and give an excellent view of the Holyrood Park and Arthur's Seat. If you're deciding between Edinburgh Castle and this, you should choose this. It's cheaper, and it's grand.
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Thomas M.

Yelp
Splendid "minor" royal palace - but ban on photography inside is a minus. Holyrood Palace is located at the very end of the Royal Mile (Edinburgh Castle is on the other end), and you can visit the inside unless the Queen and her family are there on holiday during the summer. My own visit in July of 2014 took place exactly 1 day after the Queen had left. First off: I'd recommend a combined ticket for the palace and The Queen's Gallery, which is just opposite. There are changing exhibitions at The Queen's Gallery (during my visit there was one on Tudor-era portraits) - and THERE at least you can take photos. Inside the palace, photography is not allowed even for private use - which is a BIG minus in my book! Of course, there are the chapel ruin and the park, which are included in your ticket, and where you can take as many photos as you'd like. Upon entering, some nice ladies will try and sell you additional tickets (for a guided garden tour e.g.) - personally I did not see the extra benefit, so be brave. The inside of the palace is as splendid as one would imagine, though modest compared to, say, Windsor Castle, or even Blenheim Palace. It's very much a limited-time summer retreat. The chapel ruin is impressive, as is the park. Altogether, certainly worth a visit and the moderate asking price. You can relax at the not-bad café, which has inside and outside seating, after your visit. The selection of drinks and light food is rather good, though prices tend to be slightly inflated. See the price tag on my salmon and cheese bagel on the photo!
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Tiffany C.

Yelp
The palace is beautiful and easy to see from the Edinburgh castle. The gates were locked in the late afternoon so I unfortunately didn't get a chance to tour the grounds, so I will have to come back. It is very beautiful.
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Madison B.

Yelp
Beautiful, and more interesting/less crowded than the Edinburgh Castle. The workers are incredibly friendly. Note you cannot take pictures inside - I did, as I did not know the rule and was politely asked to not continue. A bit embarrassing but I had a wonderful time exploring!
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Rodrigo C.

Yelp
Very interesting to see a working palace. Unfortunately we couldn't wish the Queen a rapid recovery from her flu as my boys were desperate to see a Queen. ;-) The self guided tour is well paced and very informative, they have both children and adult versions of the tour, we opted to take the children's version as we would like to share the comments with our boys if they had any. They had a blast playing with their "phone" and listening to the histories of the palace. In the grounds you have the ruin of an old abbey too which is beautiful to see. For me personally I found it interesting to learn about the history of the palace in the years of Mary Queen of Scots. I will leave the details out so I won't spoil anyone's visit. Photographs are not permitted inside the palace if anyone is thinking of going here for that reason, you should be discouraged. However you have very nice photographs outside in the Abbey and the gardens which are great and you are free to enjoy at your pace. I will drop a star on this again due to the high price of the tourist attractions in Edinburgh (thankfully the pound is weak, at other times this ticket would have cost over $200). We spent £101($124) each for tickets that allowed us the usage of the tour buses for 48 hours, entrance to the palace, the castle and the royal yacht Britannia. If you plan on visiting these sites and do the tour buses (which are pretty good actually) you should take this ticket as it will save you over £20($25) Enjoy.
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Amy G.

Yelp
I quite enjoy a bit of the Royal Family and their history. I think it's because I would like to live in a castle or palace. Actually I think Holyrood House would be perfect for me, Queenie has her big house in London and her estate in Balmoral so maybe it's time she let it out to someone like me? It is rather expensive for a trip round Holyrood House (13 pound for a student... eeeek) so it isn't the top of my list of places to go in Edinburgh. But the Royal Apartments are very beautiful and full of wonderful decor and paintings. In the summer the gardens are open so after viewing the house you can go for a wander around the gardens which are perfectly nice gardens. If you have an interest in the Royal Family then this is a must do.
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WonderMiam B.

Yelp
Great castle and a lot of tapestries to admire. The audio guide is included and gives the opportunity to understand more than just walking through things. The castle is big and there are many rooms to visit, some of them are still in use by The Queen here self. No photos are allowed inside the building but the ruins and garden may be photographed as much as you want. If you are lucky you might even meet some squirrels Please note that you can not walk through the gardens between November & March
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Theresa D.

Yelp
If I wasn't being watched, I would have skipped with glee. This place was awesome! No Photos rule on the inside, but the Gardens are a okay. Oh the gardens. Best view of Arthur's Seat! You have to go! Even if its just for the gardens. And the price of admission is a yearly pass, just make sure you get it stamped and signed.
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Paul M.

Yelp
A self-guided audio tour is included with your admission and is a must to get the most out of the tour. Without the audio, the tour would be a waste. Be sure to listen to the extra audio options to get some additional tidbits of royal info. Note: If you have your own earphones, bring them and plug them in as holding the tour audio up to my ear the entire time gave me a cramp in my arm! No photos are allowed inside the palace but the tour itself and the interior is fascinating. After the tour, be sure to explore the Abbey ruins and exterior paths. We visited the Palace at Holyrood House after hiking up Arthur's Seat. This was a nice finish and there are some seats /benches inside the palace if you start getting tired.
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Qype User (Templa…)

Yelp
I went here alone and I was impressed with the architecture of this place. The name means House of the Holy Stag. I had heard it was one of the most haunted places in Uk and I looked for the bloodstain on the floor. The stain is apparently permanent and can't be rubbed out. mary Queen of Scots lived and was married here and she and witnessed the brutal killing of her secretary Rizzio by her jealous second husband, Lord Darnley, in her private apartments. As well as the spectacular building and contents one can see the remains of the abbey that it once was.
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Chris J.

Yelp
Fantastic stop on the Edinburgh "hop on hop off bus tour". The palace and the abbey are beautiful and the self guided audio tour allows you to take in as much...or as little... of the fascinating history as you'd like.
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Rachel H.

Yelp
This is the residence of Queen when she is visiting Scotland. I walked here from near Edinburgh Castle. It was a nice walk. The grounds are beautiful, and their are tons of cool statues to look at. I wanted to walk up the hill and have a hike but I was too tired and wearing suede boots that I didn't want to muddy. I definitely recommend seeing this as part of your Edinburgh experience. Minus one star for not being allowed to go into the castle and take a nap on the Queen's bed and use her bathroom.
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Gavin M.

Yelp
Situated at the rectal end of the Royal Mile, next to the Parliament and some surprisingly grotty flats, Holyrood Palace isn't particularly impressive inside or out. It's also not cheap, and Joe Public are charged about 10-15 quid a time to come in and marvel at all the wonderfully opulent furnishings that they paid for with their taxes, but aren't allowed to touch. The palace also sells itself as being the place where the Queen stays when she visits Edinburgh, which is never. To be fair, her old mother was quite fond of it here before she deservedly became a coffin-dweller. I believe she particularly enjoyed sitting with her corn-ridden feet up on one of the priceless sofas, sinking bottles of gin and humiliating her servants while watching the racing on Channel 4. And guess who picked up the bill?
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Jasmine T.

Yelp
You definitely need the audio guide. No pictures... well you can take pictures outside, but nothing within. After walking the length of the Royal Mile, we wanted to take a gander at the fancy working palace. There was a long line up at the ticket office, but there is another one inside the gift shop that was shorter. One of the ladies decked out in tartan mentioned it while we were waiting in the longer line. Once you pass the gates, grab an audio guide... my husband didn't really listen to his, but without it, you're just staring at a bunch of stuff in someone's house. Lots to hear, lots to see... I didn't know that royals entertained in their bedrooms and didn't actually sleep there. Also, got to learn a lot about Mary, Queen of Scots... We were a little jet-laggy, so we thought one of our friend's fell asleep on a chair while we explored the castle. Found him outside in the abbey where photos are allowed. Walked the gardens a bit, but did not do the tour. My hubby instead saw Arthur's Seat and decided he wanted to hike up it. I thought a scone at the cafe was a better idea.
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Louis R.

Yelp
At first I thought they said, "do you wanna see Bollywood?" so I said fuknah, we got that in Jersey City. Then he clarified, Holyrood Palace...so I said, hell yah. (fukinScottishaccentsbekillinme) As for this palace, well, it's quite lovely and the architecture in sound. duh, it's a palace. C'mon.

Joe C.

Yelp
A pretty slick palace at the lower end of the royal mile in Edinburgh. The audio guide is a huge plus for those not steeped in their Scottish history, as context is everything when it comes to historical sites. The two standouts for me that moved this above your standard castle/palace tour were the abbey and gardens. The ruins of the abbey were fantastic, as they are true long-unused ruins but not so degraded by time that you lose the sense of what the place was when it was in use. The unknown graves in the floor of the church never get old for me. The beautiful trek through the gardens at the end of the tour makes for a fantastic end to the visit. Walking through the paths with no-one but my friends and some ridiculously well-fed squirrels made for a peaceful, fulfilling end of the day. Or so I thought. Then we decided to climb Arthur's seat. Because we are idiots. (It's actually quite convenient to begin your hike up the mountain from Holyrood House; took my out-of-shape self about 45 minutes to get up there, but totally worth it.)
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Andrea H.

Yelp
Visited on a Saturday in May. We lucked out and got beautiful weather and the palace was still not incredibly crowded. This is where Mary Queen of Scots lived before being imprisoned. I did not know she actually had three husbands and they show you her actual bedroom, private studies, etc, so it was pretty fascinating. I really want to read about her after doing this tour! There is an audio guide which is included with the purchase of entry and it was quite good, very thorough. I liked you could skip parts, because it did get long. The highlights for me were the beautiful Gardens and the Abbey, both were awe inspiring. The gardens of the palace afford beautiful views of Arthurs Seat, which is nearby. This is a must see if you visit Edinburgh.
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Hayley H.

Yelp
If you love history, you will love touring the Palace! You will be able to see everything from Mary Queen of Scots chambers to the Holyrood Abby Church. Best of all, your ticket is good for entrance for the rest of the year!
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Anna F.

Yelp
Located in the opposite end of the Royal Mile to the Castle, and right across the new and controversial Scottish Parliament, this is the official residence of the Royal Family when they visit Edinburgh. However, when they are not in town it's open to the public. Although I was a bit put off by the price, (check to see if they do a combined Holyrood and Castle ticket- they used to a year ago when I visited this place) I was quite pleased with the Palace itself, as you wonder from one luxurious room to the next and observe the decor and paintings on the wall and the various functions of each room .I only have a kitchen/sitting room which functions as my main meeting place in my flat so this place truly lives up to what you would imagine a Palace to be like. There is an audio tour guide included in the price for your walk around- which might explain the steep price (make sure you have figured out how to use it before you enter the Palace so you don't miss out). So if Royalty is your thing then this is the place for you. Getting a first hand sneak peek of the royals house. You can even hit up the Parliament briefly on your way out.
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Jonathan M.

Yelp
It's pretty easy to see why the Royal Mile has its name - at the top end you have the castle, and at the bottom end, you have this place - Holyrood House, the royal palace. It's a bit expensive to get into - but I do think its worth it. Firstly, the palace itself is amazing, it's quite a shock to see how the other half live. The rooms are luxurious and full of interesting stuff. There is also (on most occasions) some form of exhibition on which houses art, sculptures and various other artifacts connected both to royalty and british history. In the grounds you will often find squads of the queens royal guards marching about, which is a spectacular site. When the Queen still comes and stays, the palace is shut, but the rest of the time it seems to be open constantly. A real treat for those who love the royal family and british history.
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Kyle Grizzly M.

Yelp
Great historic walk with free audio tour! This walk costs about £12 and it comes with a FREE audio tour which really makes it informative! The walk includes a tour of the Palace, and the gardens (during summer months) There is a as always a gift shop selling highly inflated gifts. Also a nice cafe that I really enjoyed.
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Jen F.

Yelp
I ended up here randomly after walking aimlessly for a bit. To be fair, I knew I was ending up near the parliament buildings and the palace, I just hadn't planned on going in to either. Glad I went in. Took the audio tour and there was lots of good information, both about the building and historical figures. I had forgotten about Mary Queen of Scots' link to the building. Well-preserved, a bit expensive when I convert it back to dollars, but what are you going to do? The abbey (which is ruins) was interesting to look at, too. Gardens are closed this time of year, so take that into account. Also, there are some very cool graveyards right nearby, so visit them on your way back up to town. Gift shop was so similar to the one at Buckingham Palace that I snorted. (I have seen more than my fair share of giftshops at historical British sites in the last few months).
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Qype User (Bel…)

Yelp
Holyroodhouse is the Queen of England's residence in Scotland and where she stays when on official visits there. The Palace is open to the public when the Queen is not in residence and is a fantastic example of an ancient palace still in use. Once you get over the rising damp and the worn materials, you start to appreciate that this is what royal residences are all about: they are not perfectly designed and not always in the best state, but they still need to be lived in and keeping them going is a huge undertaking. The monastery that can be found on the grounds is quite awe-inspiring and the Queen has a wonderful gallery that is truly worth a visit if you have the time. For a sneak-peak into living history, this is a must-see
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Qype User (mija61…)

Yelp
I loved visiting Holyrood House. It's a wonderful combination of a palace currently used by the Royal Family, and a palace saturated in history. The palace is especially know for its association with Mary Queen of Scots. She lived here while queen, and it was the scene of much drama (including the murder of her private secretary right in front of her, while she was 7 months pregnant!). There are some nice displays about Mary, and you are shown her private apartments. The ruined abbey is also very atmospheric: be sure to spend a little time there after you tour the palace.