CityBuddy
Palace of Holyroodhouse (Holyrood Palace)
Best time to visit
Visit early morning or late afternoon on weekdays for smaller crowds and better light for photos; summer offers longer opening hours and the palace gardens at their best.
Budget tips
Paid entry for most visitors, children under 5 are usually free; book tickets on the Royal Collection Trust website to save a small online discount and avoid queues, and consider a Royal Collection membership if you plan to visit other royal sites.
Recommended for
History buffs, Royal history fans, Architecture lovers, Photography enthusiasts
Plan your visit
1-2 hours
About
Korte feiten: Stone walls and ceremonial state rooms glow with gold leaf and tapestries, giving visitors a vividly tactile sense of courtly ceremony while ruined abbey arches peek into the clipped gardens. Whispered stories about a turbulent 16th-century queen linger in the private chambers, and the rooms still host official royal ceremonies and visiting heads of state.
Hoogtepunten: Step into the Great Gallery and your eye is immediately caught by 96 near life-size oil portraits of Scottish kings, each draped in crimson and ermine and painted in the 17th century so the room feels like a glittering roll call of rulers beneath a gilt ceiling. In the Queen's bedchamber you can still feel the hush of 1566 when the murder of David Rizzio was carried out in front of Mary, Queen of Scots, a story people quietly tell while tracing the creak of old floorboards and the faint smell of beeswax on the sash windows.
Insider tips
- Wear comfortable shoes, the State Apartments and Abbey involve steps and uneven stone floors.
- Head straight to the Great Gallery and the throne room on arrival to photograph them before larger tour groups arrive.
- Skip the audio guide if short on time, palace labels are informative and guided tours cover the main stories.
- Combine the visit with a short walk up the Royal Mile or Arthur's Seat for dramatic exterior views and to escape the busiest spots.
Klik om een GRATIS wandeltocht te boeken in Edinburgh, Scotland
De beste manier om een stad te ervaren met een lokale gids.
Tip: We strongly recommend a free walking tour on your first day to get to know the city with a local guide. They usually cover all main attractions and you can ask for personal recommendations based on your interests for the next days. Book early as spaces fill up fast!
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