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Palaces, panoramas, and pounds saved! Edinburgh’s best sights in one cost-saving combo.
Palaces, panoramas, and pounds saved! Edinburgh’s best sights in one cost-saving combo.
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Royal Attractions
Edinburgh HOHO
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Royal Attractions
Edinburgh HOHO
Recommended tour:
Palace of Holyroodhouse Entrance Tickets with Multimedia Guide
Recommended tour:
The King's Gallery at Palace of Holyroodhouse Tickets with Multimedia Guide
Recommended tour:
24/48-Hour Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional Access to Royal Attractions
The opulent State Apartments are like a walk-through of royal taste through the ages. Get ready to be amazed by the incredible plasterwork ceilings, and check out the collection of French and Flemish tapestries. As you wander through the rooms, you'll see how styles changed with each monarch, from fancy and frilly to more modern and sleek. The rooms actually get bigger and grander the further you go, the most extravagant being the King's Bedchamber.
Peek into the Royal Dining Room – the very dining room that Queen Elizabeth II and the royal family use when visiting Scotland. You can also see pieces from the 3000-piece silver banqueting service on display. It's all decked out in the classic Scottish style from the 17th century, and it was even represented on King George V and Queen Mary's Silver Jubilee way back in 1935.
The Throne Room is one of the most famous parts of the whole palace! Queen Elizabeth II even used to have lunch there with all the important Knights and Ladies of the Order of the Thistle, the highest order of chivalry in Scotland, during Holyrood Week. On the other hand, the Privy Chamber was a bit more private. Back in the 1600s, King Charles II used it for private audiences with the First Minister of Scotland and visiting dignitaries.
Mary, Queen of Scots, one of history's most infamous monarchs, lived in these chambers from 1561 to 1567. Head north after the stairs and you'll find the Bedchamber, the Supper Room, and the Outer Chamber. The Supper Room is where Queen Mary's husband, Lord Darnley, murdered her private secretary, David Rizzio, right there at dinner!
Right next door to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, you'll find the ruins of Holyrood Abbey. It was one of the grandest medieval abbeys in all of Scotland! Steeped in dramatic history, myths, and legends, it's also the final resting place for King James V. Admire the amazing architecture of the Romanesque arcading rounded arches, tall and pointed Gothic windows, and the impressive curved vaulted ceilings.
Stroll through the lush Palace Gardens, spread out over 4-hectares. With Arthur's Seat as the backdrop, it's the perfect place to relax and soak in some history. Keep an eye out for the Jubilee Border bursting with colorful flowers, the Wentworth Elm, and the sundial made for King Charles I's coronation way back in 1633. Witness where the late Queen Elizabeth II would throw her annual summer Garden Party during Holyrood Week.
The Great Gallery is the biggest room in the whole palace, and it's lined with portraits of every Scottish monarch. That's about 95 kings and one queen. See Scotland's royal story unfold through portraits of the legendary founder, Fergus I, in 330 BC and the history of the Stuart dynasty. And of course, don't miss the famous paintings of Macbeth, Mary Queen of Scots, and Robert the Bruce.
Queen Mary's Chambers are filled with things from her life, including an embroidery she worked on during captivity under Queen Elizabeth I. You'll also see items from the Stuart family line, like the Darnley Jewel and the personal dining tray for Charles Edward Stuart, Bonnie Prince Charlie's brother. The Queen's Bedchamber has the 'Darnley Bed,' which was slept in by Bonnie Prince Charlie. The State Rooms also feature tapestries, the must-have decor for royal palaces in the 1500s and 1600s.
The Palace of Holyroodhouse is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, except during July, August, and September.
Address: Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DX, United Kingdom
Budget hotels: Destiny Student, A&O Hostel Edinburgh City, Royal Mile Backpackers
Mid-range hotels: The Inn on the Mile, The Apex City Centre Hotel, The Edinburgh Grand
High-end hotels: The Balmoral, InterContinental Edinburgh The George, The Caledonian
The Holyroodhouse Palace is a famous palace in Scotland that is known for its rich history. The palace became famous when Mary, Queen of Scot's personal secretary was murdered there by her husband, Lord Darnley. The palace is also famous for its royal gardens, portraits, and architecture. The palace is now King Charles III's official residence when he visits Scotland.
The Palace of Holyroodhouse is set in the famous city of Scotland, Canongate, Edinburgh in the United Kingdom. Get directions to Holyroodhouse Palace by train, tram, bus, or taxi.
The timings of the Palace of Holyroodhouse from April 1 to October 31 are 9:30am to 6pm (last admission at 4:30pm). From November 1 to March 31, it is 9:30am to 4:30pm (last admission at 3:15pm).
Yes, Holyroodhouse Palace is wheelchair accessible. However, some parts and stairs are not wheelchair friendly.
Yes, the Holyroodhouse Palace is known for its architecture, royal gardens, and dramatic history. The historic Apartments of Mary Queen of Scots, the Great Gallery, Holyrood Abbey, and the Palace's unique gardens are not to be missed.