Family-friendly activities Culture & history Landmarks & monuments Day trips Tours Guided tours Day Trips From Wheelchair accessible Entry tickets Private tours Sightseeing Educational activities UNESCO sites Museums & exhibitions Castle & palace tours Architecture

Discover the history of Edinburgh Castle on a guided walking tour. Explore the Great Hall, learn about the castle's bloody past, and visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Highlights

• Discover the history of Edinburgh Castle on a guided walking tour
• Explore the Great Hall and learn about the castle's bloody past
• Visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse and learn about its royal history
• Admire the 16th-century Great Hall where parties and feasts took place
• Learn about the origins and sieges of the castle from your guide

Description

Meet your guide and walk to Edinburgh Castle, which dominates the city skyline from its seat atop the extinct volcano of Castle Rock. Stroll along the castle's promenade and hear about its origins and the many sieges it has endured. You'll also see the site where the Royal Military Tattoo is performed. Once inside the castle walls, your guide will lead you through the various parts of the fortress and share its fascinating history. Within the complex, you’ll find three museums, two prisons, a canine cemetery, the Chapel of Saint Margaret, the National Monument to Scotland’s fallen, the Great Hall, and a Royal Palace. Be captivated by the grandeur of the Great Hall and the Royal Palace. After the guided tour, you’ll have time to explore the rest of the buildings at your own pace. Then, return to the meeting point, where a member of our staff will escort you to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland. Discover the Palace’s close associations with some of Scotland’s most iconic historical figures, such as Mary, Queen of Scots, and Bonnie Prince Charlie, and learn how it is used today by the King for official engagements in Scotland.

Includes

Edinburgh Castle entrance ticket Holyrood Palace ticket Guided walking tour of Edinburgh Castle Audio guide for the Palace of Holyroodhouse (guided tours are not permitted inside the Palace).

Important Information

• Edinburgh Castle: Tour will remain outdoors; buildings are not accessible during the tour. Edinburgh Castle: The roof is not accessible in poor weather conditions. Edinburgh Castle: On this tour you will be guided around Edinburgh castle, with specific stops assigned by the castle authorities. Edinburgh Castle: After the tour, you will have plenty of time to explore the castle and visit every building (Museums, Royal Palace, prisons, and much more). We can not access those buildings during the tour, but the tour will still be carried out within the castle grounds. Edinburgh Castle: Backpack up to 30L are allowed. Edinburgh Castle: The castle is a military base, so no tourist company can start on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. Palace of Holyroodhouse: The visit will be self-guided with an audio guide, as guiding inside the Palace is not permitted. Palace of Holyroodhouse: Handbags and small backpacks are permitted inside. Bags larger than 45cm × 20cm × 30cm are not allowed.

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund