- Recommended route: Begin your tour at the Ground Floor entrance and ascend the Grand Staircase to the State Apartments. Proceed through the Morning Drawing Room and Throne Room before entering the older 16th-century Historic Apartments of Mary, Queen of Scots. Finish by descending into the 12th-century Holyrood Abbey ruins and exploring the Palace Gardens.
- Walking & rest points: Expect continuous light walking on hard floors inside and gravel pathways outdoors. Benches are available along the Palace Garden paths and outside near the Quadrangle for rest stops.
- Shuttle & facilities: There is no internal shuttle service due to the compact layout of the estate.
- Eateries: The Café at the Palace is situated near the entrance courtyard, offering refreshments and light meals before or after your tour.
Explore the Palace of Holyroodhouse map before your visit
The Palace of Holyroodhouse features two main floors open to visitors, centered around a central quadrangle. The ground floor houses the Great Stair, Palace Shop, and Cafe, while the upper level contains the historic State Apartments, Mary Queen of Scots' Chambers, and Throne Room.
Navigating your way around Palace of Holyroodhouse
Navigating the Palace of Holyroodhouse follows a clear, structured route through its historic apartments and scenic grounds.
Visitor facilities
- Restrooms: Located near the main courtyard/entrance and adjacent to the Café at the Palace.
- Elevators & accessibility: A lift provides step-free access to the historic State Apartments on the upper floor for wheelchair users and visitors with mobility needs.
- Baby-changing stations: Situated within the primary restroom facilities in the entrance courtyard.
- Water refilling stations: Available near the Café at the Palace and visitor intake areas.
- Audio guide desk: Positioned at the main entrance past ticket scanning.
Must-see highlights
State Apartments
Majestic rooms used by the Royal Family, featuring intricate tapestries and portrait collections.
Tips for your visit
- Book time-slotted tickets early: The palace operates with timed entries; booking in advance helps avoid queues during peak hours.
- Wear comfortable shoes: You will cross historic cobbles, stone stairs, and gravel garden pathways throughout the visit.
- Pacing the tour: Allow 1.5 to 2 hours to cover both the indoor palace chambers and the outdoor abbey and gardens at a comfortable pace.
Frequently asked questions about the Holyrood Palace map
Yes, print paper maps are available at the entrance ticket desk, and interactive multimedia guides with detailed floor plans are included with your admission ticket.
Most areas, including the State Apartments and Café, are fully accessible via a lift. However, access to Mary, Queen of Scots’ 16th-century chambers involves steep, narrow spiral staircases that are not wheelchair accessible.
Visitors typically spend 1.5 to 2 hours exploring the State Apartments, Holyrood Abbey ruins, and the Palace Gardens using the self-guided map and multimedia route.
Yes, the Palace Gardens are open to visitors during regular operating hours, allowing you to follow designated pathways along the 4-hectare estate at your own pace.
The visitor route begins in the main courtyard, takes you through the State Apartments on the upper level, continues through Mary, Queen of Scots' Chambers, and finishes outside at the Holyrood Abbey ruins and Palace Gardens.
The Café at the Palace is located near the entrance courtyard. There are no food or drink stalls inside the historic apartments or abbey grounds, but you can enjoy light meals and refreshments at the café before or after your tour.
Seating inside the palace is limited to protect historic furnishings; however, bench seating is available in the outdoor areas, including near the Quadrangle and along the pathways in the Palace Gardens.
Large bags and luggage exceeding standard carry-on dimensions are not permitted inside the palace and cannot be stored on site, so visitors are advised to travel light or use city storage facilities beforehand.
