Palace of Holyroodhouse

What it is

The official residence in Scotland of the monarch, at the foot of the Royal Mile, comprising state apartments still used for official business, the sixteenth-century historic apartments of Mary Queen of Scots, and the ruins of Holyrood Abbey.

Why travelers go

For Mary Queen of Scots' chambers and the Rizzio murder room, which is one of the few places in Britain where a famous violent episode happened in a room you can stand in.

What is genuinely good

Genuine sixteenth-century apartments rather than a reconstruction. The abbey ruins are included and usually quiet. Real concessions, with children at 11 pounds, free access companions and free entry for under 5s. Booking ahead saves 4 pounds.

Downsides and tourist traps

Twenty-six pounds on the door is steep and entirely avoidable by booking. The route is fixed and paced by the crowd. Closures for royal visits can remove the option at short notice.

Best for

Anyone interested in Scottish or Tudor-era history, visitors walking the Royal Mile who want a substantial stop at the bottom of it, and families given the child rate.

Consider skipping if

You have one paid attraction in your Edinburgh budget and have not done the castle. The castle is the more complete day. Skip it also if you cannot book ahead and object to paying 26 pounds.

Practical advice

Book in advance, which saves 4 pounds per adult and guarantees entry. Check for royal visit closures before building a day around it. Do the Royal Mile downhill from the castle so this is your last stop, then walk into Holyrood Park for Arthur's Seat, which is free.

Tickets and reservations

Adults pay 22.00 pounds in advance or 26.00 on the day. Young people aged 18 to 24 pay 14.00 and 17.00, children aged 5 to 17 pay 11.00 and 13.00, and disabled visitors pay 11.00 and 13.00. An access companion goes free and under 5s are free. A 2 pound transaction fee applies when pre-booking, and tickets can be converted to a one-year pass.

Getting there

At the foot of the Royal Mile, roughly a twenty-minute walk downhill from Edinburgh Castle. Lothian buses 6, 35 and 300 stop nearby, and Edinburgh Waverley is about fifteen minutes on foot.

Where it sits

The eastern end of the Old Town where the Royal Mile ends, with the Scottish Parliament directly opposite and Holyrood Park and Arthur's Seat immediately behind.

How long to allow

Ninety minutes to two hours including the abbey ruins and the gardens.

Accessibility

Disabled visitors pay the child rate and an access companion enters free; the palace publishes detailed access information, and parts of the historic apartments are reached by stairs.

The RuinMyTrip verdict

Worth it for Mary Queen of Scots' apartments, and clearly better value booked in advance than paid at the door. Make it the end of a Royal Mile walk and carry on into Holyrood Park afterwards, which costs nothing.

Sources

Every figure above was checked against these before publication. If one has since changed, tell us and we will correct it.

• Adults pay 22.00 pounds in advance and 26.00 pounds on the day. source
• Young people aged 18 to 24 pay 14.00 pounds in advance and 17.00 on the day. source
• Children aged 5 to 17 pay 11.00 pounds in advance and 13.00 on the day. source

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