Edinburgh / The verdict
Is the Palace of Holyroodhouse worth it?
Yes, for most visitors: the £22 advance ticket includes a free multimedia guide, Mary Queen of Scots' chambers, the abbey ruins and the garden, and travelers find it calmer than the castle. Check closure dates first.
By The Real Traveler Experiences team.
The Edinburgh story
Edinburgh is Britain's most dramatic city after London: a castle on volcanic rock, the medieval Royal Mile dropping past closes and churches to Holyrood, the Georgian symmetry of the New Town below, and a real hill, Arthur's Seat, in the middle of the city. All of it is walkable in a weekend, and the skyline is the kind that stays with you.
The verdict in 30 seconds
Go
Yes, for most visitors: the £22 advance ticket includes a free multimedia guide, Mary Queen of Scots' chambers, the abbey ruins and the garden, and travelers find it calmer than the castle. Check closure dates first.
Go if
- You are interested in Mary Queen of Scots or royal history
- You want a calmer royal visit after the crowds at the castle
- You can visit on a day the palace is open, usually Thursday to Monday outside the summer
- You may return within a year, since the ticket converts to a free 1-Year Pass
Skip if
- Your dates fall in a royal residence closure, such as late June to early July
- You have already toured Buckingham Palace or Windsor and want something bigger
- You want to photograph the interiors, which is not permitted in the State Apartments
What it costs
- Adult, booked in advance: £22 (£26.00 on the day; official price as of an August 2026 archived page (the live page blocked automated access)). Official source, checked Sep 2026.
- Young person (18-24), in advance: £14 (£17.00 on the day; archived page). Official source, checked Sep 2026.
- Child (5-17), in advance: £11 (£13.00 on the day; under 5 free; archived page). Official source, checked Sep 2026.
- Disabled person, in advance: £11 (£13.00 on the day; access companion free; archived page). Official source, checked Sep 2026.
- Palace and King's Gallery combined, adult in advance: £29.70 (17 June to 6 December 2026; £33.30 on the day; archived page). Official source, checked Sep 2026.
- Exclusive Guided Tour (closed days, max 25 people): £55 (per person, includes a guidebook; archived page). Official source, checked Sep 2026.
What travelers report
Based on 12 traveler reports (Nov 2024 to Jun 2026) and the official sources linked on this page. 2 were negative.
What people like
- Mary Queen of Scots' chambers and the story of Rizzio's murder are the highlight for most travelers.
- The included multimedia guide is engaging and paced well.
- The palace feels calmer and more personal than Edinburgh Castle.
- The abbey ruins and garden, with views to Arthur's Seat, round off the visit.
What people complain about
- Royal residence closures can wipe out a planned visit.
- Some travelers find the ticket pricey next to Edinburgh's free museums.
- Photography is not allowed inside the State Apartments.
- The palace is smaller than the castle, so some visitors finish in about an hour.
How to do it right
- Check the official closures list before you plan the day; 2026 lists 26 June to 3 July and 24 to 26 December, and closures can happen at short notice.
- Book in advance on the official site, which costs less than buying on the day.
- Arrive after 11:00 if you can: the official site says the admission center is busiest from opening through the morning.
- Pick up the free multimedia guide (about one hour) and allow extra time for the abbey ruins and garden.
- Sign your ticket before leaving to convert it to a 1-Year Pass for free re-entry.
- Leave large bags behind: nothing bigger than 45 x 20 x 30 cm is allowed and there is no cloakroom.
The trap to avoid
Planning a visit for a Tuesday or Wednesday outside the summer, or during a royal stay: the official site says the palace is usually closed those two days outside the 21 May to 14 September 2026 daily season and lists royal closures separately.
Why this verdict
The reports lean clearly positive. Of the 12 logged reports, 8 are positive, 2 are mixed and 2 are negative. One negative is about access rather than the palace: the traveler arrived during a royal stay and found the gates locked. The other calls the state rooms boring, faded and not worth the ticket price. That makes closures and expectations, not quality alone, the main risks for this visit.
What travelers praise is consistent. Mary Queen of Scots’ rooms, reached by a narrow stair, and the story of Rizzio’s murder are the scenes people remember. The included multimedia guide carries the visit, and several travelers who did both royal sights preferred Holyrood for its people-focused history, calmer rooms and setting below Arthur’s Seat. The abbey ruins, which you can only reach with a palace ticket, add a second, open-air part to the visit.
The complaints are smaller. One writer found the ticket pricey next to Edinburgh’s free museums, the photo ban inside the State Apartments frustrates some visitors, and the palace is compact, with some travelers finishing in about an hour. Those points matter most if you have already seen Buckingham Palace or Windsor.
Timing and tickets
The adult ticket is £22 booked ahead and £26 on the day, per the latest archived official page. It converts to a 1-Year Pass when you sign it, so a second visit costs nothing beyond a small booking fee. The official site advises arriving after 11:00, since mornings are busiest at the admission center, which also lets you pair the palace with a morning at the castle.
Check the calendar before you commit. The official site lists royal closures such as 26 June to 3 July 2026 and notes that closures can happen at short notice. Outside the daily summer season it usually closes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, apart from the small-group Exclusive Guided Tours on those days. Those guided tours cost £55. One traveler who took a £55 after-hours guided tour rated the guide highly and valued the quiet rooms, but at that price the format suits enthusiasts more than first-time visitors.
Book or check times
Questions
When is the Palace of Holyroodhouse closed?
The official site lists 26 June to 3 July 2026 and 24 to 26 December 2026 as palace closures, and says closures can happen at short notice because it is a working royal palace. Outside 21 May to 14 September 2026 it is usually closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
What are the opening hours?
The official site lists 09:30 to 18:00 from 1 April to 31 October, with last admission at 16:30, and 09:30 to 16:30 from 1 November to 31 March, with last admission at 15:15.
Is the audio guide included?
Yes. The official site says a complimentary multimedia guide lasting about an hour is included, in several languages, with a family version for children aged 7 to 11. Travelers single it out as a highlight.
How does the 1-Year Pass work?
The official site says you can convert your ticket to a 1-Year Pass for unlimited re-admission by signing it before you leave. A £2 transaction fee applies when you pre-book a return visit.
Is Holyrood better than Edinburgh Castle?
Travelers split by interest. Several who did both preferred Holyrood for its people-focused history, setting and calmer rooms, while the castle offers more military history and bigger views. Many visitors do both, one at each end of the Royal Mile.