Edinburgh Castle & Holyrood Palace Tour
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore Edinburgh Castle's rich history
- Visit the royal apartments at Holyrood Palace
- Stroll along the Royal Mile
- Learn about Scotland's royal heritage
- Enjoy panoramic city views from the castle
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Guided walking tour of Edinburgh Castle
- Admission ticket to Holyrood Palace
- Expert local guide
- Meals and beverages
Itinerary
Meet your guide at 10:00 a.m. at the designated meeting point, and make your way to Edinburgh Castle, which towers over the city from its dramatic perch on the ancient volcanic rock known as Castle Rock. Wander along the esplanade and uncover the history behind the castle’s construction and the numerous battles it has witnessed. You’ll also pass by the famous esplanade where the Royal Military Tattoo takes place each year. Let yourself be impressed by the splendor of the Great Hall and the Royal Apartments. Once the guided portion concludes, enjoy some free time to delve deeper into the castle’s many fascinating spaces at your own rhythm.
Then, at 2:00 p.m., head back to the meeting point, where one of our team members will accompany you to the Palace of Holyroodhouse — the official Scottish residence of the British monarch. Explore the Palace’s rich connections to some of Scotland’s most renowned historical figures, including Mary, Queen of Scots, and Bonnie Prince Charlie. You'll also gain insight into how the Palace continues to serve the King today during royal visits and official ceremonies in Scotland.
Meeting point
Start Location
Advocates Close, Edinburgh, UK
Important information
Know before you book
- Tour operates rain or shine; dress appropriately
- Children under 5 years old are free; please inform in advance
- Photography may be restricted in certain areas
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes for cobblestone streets
- Dress in layers to adapt to changing weather
- Bring a camera to capture stunning views
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Stroller Accessible
Traveler reviews
Annoying Tour Guide
Very annoying guide, made us stand in a cercle in a very commanding way, impolite with the visitors when they didn’t, in the middle of the sun it was forbidden to leave the group a few meters and the tour endet with a ‚rate us 5 Stars‘ or not at all or you destroy a business here
Tour Dean Village
Valentina is an amazing guide!
Interesting history in a beautiful setting
Raj was our tour guide and he was fantastic! He had an engaging way of presenting the history with flashes of humor. Top-notch. Do this early in your trip if you can because he also shares many recommendations for things to do and places to eat. Highly recommend. Thank you, Raj!
Great combo tour ticket
We visited the castle in the morning and palace in the afternoon as part of a combo ticket. Weather was great, all sun. The two sites are a mile apart, with palace being downhill from the castle. The castle has great history and it was good hearing about it from our very knowledgeable tour guide. We went into all the buildings. The views of the surrounding areas are very good. The palace tour was at our own pace and involved use of headset and each room had key talking points as shared in the recordings. It was nice to visit the location and hear the history and walk the grounds. We would do both again in the future via this tour operator.
Must do this tour
Was a experience that I’ll never forget