🎟️ Edinburgh tickets: what to book in advance and how much it costs

Edinburgh fits into just a couple of square kilometers. But the castle on the rock, the palace at the end of the Royal Mile, and the seven hills around it take a full day. We've broken the city down into 20 places and added tickets, opening hours, and distances to each one, so you don't waste time searching.

Short answer: in one day you can cover the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Set aside a second and third day for the free museums, the botanic garden, and the hills. Most sights sit along one street, so the walks between them are short.

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Edinburgh: 20 places worth seeing

We go from the castle down the Royal Mile, then head into the New Town and up to the hills. This order saves you energy and extra climbs.

💡 In short:

Start with the Royal Mile: it connects the castle and the palace, and the main museums stand here too.
Do paid sights in the morning while there's no line, and leave the free ones for the second half of the day.
Tickets and opening hours: 09/2026, checked on the official Edinburgh Castle website.

1. Royal Mile

High Street in Edinburgh on a winter evening

The Royal Mile is four streets that run from the castle to the palace. The route is about 1.8 km long (on the map), but you'll walk it more slowly. At every step there's either a monument, a pub, or an entrance to a hidden courtyard.

A medieval market once bustled here, and today St Giles' Cathedral and the Scottish Parliament building stand nearby. Walk the whole Mile once, then come back to the sections you need. At the end of the street you'll come out right at the palace and a large park.

In the morning the street is almost empty, and you can photograph the facades without a crowd in the frame. Toward evening it gets lively, but pubs open and street musicians play.

Getting there: from Edinburgh Castle down to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, about 20 minutes on foot (on the map).
Cost: the walk is free, you only pay for entry to individual sights.

2. Palace of Holyroodhouse

Holyrood Palace courtyard with lawn and fountain

© Daniel Lu ( User:dllu ) (with special thanks to Bastian Kratzke for help with cloning out the lights) · CC BY-SAPhoto: Daniel Lu ( User:dllu ) (with special thanks to Bastian Kratzke for help with cloning out the lights), CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The Palace of Holyroodhouse is the King's official residence in Scotland. Here you'll see the throne room, Mary, Queen of Scots' chambers, and a gallery with portraits of Scottish monarchs. The palace stands at the very end of the Royal Mile, and it's an easy walk here from the castle.

Tickets from £22 (as of 09/2026, official website). From April to October the palace is open from 09:30 to 18:00, from November to March until 16:30. In summer it closes for royal receptions and for two days a week outside the period from May 21 to September 14, so check the schedule before your trip.

The catch: the exact closure dates change every year, so buy tickets for a confirmed day.
Tickets: Palace of Holyroodhouse tickets.

3. Holyrood Abbey

Ruins of Holyrood Abbey with Gothic arches

Holyrood Abbey adjoins the palace and stands in the same courtyard. All that remains of the wealthy Augustinian church are roofless ruins that haven't been restored for more than two hundred years. You enter here with your palace ticket, no separate ticket needed, and the hours match.

Medieval builders erected the church long ago, and later Scottish kings were crowned and buried here. Inside you can see remnants of Gothic vaults, old tombstones, and mossy walls. A loop around the ruins doesn't take long, but there's almost no shade among the stones, so bring water in hot weather.

4. Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle on a rock above the city

Edinburgh Castle stands on a rock that rises above the city center. It has been a royal residence and the country's main fortress since the Middle Ages. Inside you'll see the Scottish crown jewels and the medieval cannon Mons Meg.

Online tickets from £19.50 (as of 09/2026, official website), with a timed entry slot. From April through September the castle is open from 09:30 to 18:00, from October through March until 17:00, with last entry one hour before closing. The climb from the Esplanade is steep and will take some effort, but the views from the batteries make it worthwhile.

The rock was formed from an ancient volcano, and people settled on it long before the fortress appeared. From the castle gates you get a panorama of the Old Town, and it is visible from many vantage points.

Tickets: castle tickets with a time slot.

5. Scott Monument

The Scott Monument is a Gothic tower on Princes Street, built in honor of the writer Walter Scott. Inside there is a narrow spiral staircase, and you will have to climb it on foot. The upper platform offers one of the best views of the Old Town and the castle.

Entry is paid, tickets are sold at the base, and the viewing platform operates depending on the weather. In rain and strong wind the climb is closed. Plan your visit for the morning, when the light falls on the castle from the right side and the city is visible far into the distance.

The catch: nearly three hundred steps up a narrow staircase, and you cannot go up with a stroller.

6. The real Mary King's close

Old College courtyard at the University of Edinburgh

The Real Mary King's Close is a network of underground streets preserved beneath the buildings of the New Town. You will hear the story of Annie, a girl who was left in the "plague cellar," and see rooms from that era. There is no way up to the surface here, and the only light is artificial.

You can only go down inside with a guide, and the tour lasts about an hour. Slots sell out in advance, especially in summer (tickets and prices). Bring a jacket: it is cool underground even in July heat.

The guide leads the group through semi-darkness, and on the walls you can see traces of old partitions, hearths, and doorways. Photography inside is almost entirely prohibited, so come here for the stories, not for photos.

The catch: you cannot go inside without a guide, and evening slots go first.
Tickets: slots at The Real Mary King's Close.

7. St Giles' Cathedral

St Giles' Cathedral is the main Presbyterian church of Scotland on the Royal Mile, also known as St Giles' Cathedral. The building was constructed over centuries, and inside you will find the Thistle Chapel with coats of arms of knights on the walls.

Entry is free, but the church asks you to leave a donation. On Sundays part of the day is taken up by services, so come on weekdays and do not disturb worshippers. The organ here is in working order, and in the evenings free concerts are sometimes held.

Beneath the cathedral floor lie famous Scots, and along the walls stand monuments to statesmen. In summer the church is cool, and it is a pleasant place to step into midway through a walk along the Mile.

8. Craigmillar Castle

Ancient stone Craigmillar Castle in the snow

Craigmillar Castle stands in the south of Edinburgh, which you can reach by city bus. It is a ruined medieval castle where Mary, Queen of Scots once stayed. There are more walls and towers here than in the central ruins, and the tower is partially still under a roof.

Come here for quiet and sweeping views of the city that you will not find on the crowded Royal Mile. Entry is paid, and tickets are bought on site or on the heritage service website. An hour is enough to explore, and there is a picnic lawn nearby.

9. Greyfriars Kirk

Stone Greyfriars Kirk with a tall arched window and graveyard

Greyfriars Kirk is a Presbyterian church on the edge of the Old Town. The main reason to come here is the old graveyard around it, where prominent citizens are buried and gloomy mausoleums stand.

By the gate sits a monument to Greyfriars Bobby, a dog who, according to legend, guarded his owner's grave for many years. Between services entry is free, and the graveyard closes at night, so plan your visit before dark. It is quiet here, and even at the height of the season you will easily find a free bench.

The graveyard is surrounded by a low wall. Many people come to the grave of the loyal dog, so there are almost always people near the monument.

10. Scottish national portrait gallery

Interior of the National Portrait Gallery with arches and a frieze

The Scottish National Portrait Gallery occupies a red sandstone building in the neo-Gothic style. You'll see portraits of kings, poets, and scholars, with photographs from the last century hanging alongside them.

Admission is free, which is rare for a collection of this caliber. The gallery is open during the day and stays open later one evening a week; check the exact schedule on site. From here you can walk to Princes Street in a couple of minutes.

The building was funded by a philanthropist, and the facade is decorated with statues of famous Scottish figures. Inside there's a cafe where you can rest between galleries.

11. Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre

Castlehill with the Scotch Whisky Experience building

The Whisky Heritage Centre sits on the Royal Mile next to the castle. You'll be shown how whisky is made in different regions of the country and get to taste several varieties. The collection numbers thousands of bottles, including long-discontinued releases.

Tours are paid and run in time slots, so book ahead, otherwise only late sessions will be left (prices and options). A full tasting takes over an hour, and it's pointless if you're driving, so plan to get there on foot.

12. Dynamic Earth museum

White tent-like museum building against the hills

Dynamic Earth is a science center with a planetarium and an ice gallery. You'll watch a film on a dome screen and learn how the planet's climate has changed. It's easier with kids here than in a classic museum: lots of interactive exhibits and few strict rules.

Tickets online are cheaper than at the box office (official website). The whole center takes about half a day, so don't put it on the same day as the castle.

Who it's for: families with kids who need hands-on exhibits rather than displays behind glass.

13. National Museum of Scotland

Facade of the National Museum of Scotland with a round tower

The National Museum of Scotland combines an old Victorian building and a modern wing. Inside, you move from dinosaur skeletons to Dolly the sheep and artifacts of Ancient Egypt.

The museum's main hall is a bright space with a glass roof and bird sculptures. Admission is free, so the museum will save you on a rainy day when you don't feel like walking the streets. With kids, allow at least half a day here.

The main hall's roof rests on cast-iron columns. A donation is at your discretion.

14. Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art

Earth land art with ponds in front of the gallery

The Gallery of Modern Art stands west of the center, by the Water of Leith. It houses works by Picasso, Matisse, and Scottish modernists, and the surrounding garden has been turned into a sculpture park.

Admission is free, and there are almost never queues here. Combine your visit with a walk through Dean Village: it's about ten minutes away on foot from here (on the map). This corner route takes you out of the busy center into quiet lanes by the water.

15. Forth Bridge

Panorama of the Forth Bridge across the Firth of Forth

The Forth Bridge spans the Firth of Forth to the west of the city. It's a Victorian-era steel cantilever bridge that is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You can get to South Queensferry by train and view the bridge from the waterfront. The best shots come from the pier and the nearby hills, especially at sunset. A second bridge stands next to it, so two eras of engineering end up in the same frame.

16. Royal Yacht Britannia

Dining saloon of the Royal Yacht Britannia

The Royal Yacht Britannia is moored at the Ocean Terminal shopping center in the port of Leith. It's the former floating residence of Elizabeth II: you'll walk through five decks and peek into the crew's cabins.

Tickets are around £21 (as of 09/2026, official website). There's a tea room on board, but tables there are booked separately. From the center you can reach Leith by bus or walk along the waterfront in half an hour.

The crew's personal belongings have been preserved inside, and the royal barge sits on deck. An audio guide is included in the ticket and works in many languages.

Tickets: ticket prices for the yacht Britannia.

17. Princes Street Gardens

Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh with the Scott Monument

Princess Street Gardens occupy the hollow between the Old and New Towns. Here you'll find the floral clock, the Ross Fountain, and lawns where people relax after walking the Mile.

Admission is free, and from below you get the best view of the castle. In winter, a Christmas market runs in the gardens; in summer, open-air concerts are sometimes held. Bring a blanket: people sit on the grass here in whole groups.

Paths run along the lawns, and you can easily loop around the park in half an hour. From here it's convenient to climb the hill behind the castle and return to the center by a different route.

18. Royal Botanic Garden

Glass conservatory with a zigzag roof in the botanic garden

The Royal Botanic Garden lies north of the center. It's one of the oldest gardens in Europe, where plants have been collected for several centuries.

A couple of hours is enough for the rock garden and the Chinese garden. Admission to the grounds is free. The garden's glasshouses are closed for renovation under the Biomes project. The best time to visit is spring, when everything is in bloom.

19. Arthur's Seat

Arthur's Seat is an extinct volcano and the highest point of Edinburgh's seven hills. The climb takes about an hour at a relaxed pace; the trail starts at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

From the top you'll see the whole city and the firth, and the hill itself resembles a lion's head. Bring water and shoes with good tread; it's almost always windy at the summit. The path up is rocky in places.

There's no cafe or drinking water at the top. Several trails lead to the summit; the widest starts from the loch by the palace.

The catch: after rain the trail gets slippery, and the climb isn't suitable for visitors with bad knees.

20. Calton Hill

Calton Hill with monuments above Edinburgh

Calton Hill rises to the east of the New Town, a few minutes from Princes Street. At the top stand the National Monument, built as an unfinished Parthenon, and the Nelson Monument.

This is the quickest view of the city: you can climb it in fifteen minutes (on the map). In good weather, photographers gather here for sunset, so arrive before dusk. The staircase starts right from the street, so you won't spend long looking for the entrance.

Edinburgh attractions on the map

Landmarks of Edinburgh

Places on the map

1Royal Mile Four streets from the castle to the palace, about 1.8 km
2Palace of Holyroodhouse The King's working residence, Mary Stuart's chambers
3Holyrood Abbey Roofless ruins of an Augustinian church by the palace
4Edinburgh Castle Fortress on a rock, the royal regalia and the Mons Meg cannon
5Scott Monument Gothic tower on Princes Street honouring Walter Scott
6Mary King's Close Preserved underground streets of the Old Town
7St Giles' Cathedral The main Presbyterian church with the Thistle Chapel
8Craigmillar Castle Ruined medieval castle in the south of the city
9Greyfriars Kirk Old graveyard and the monument to Greyfriars Bobby
10Scottish National Portrait Gallery Red sandstone building, portraits of kings and scholars
11Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre How whisky is made in different regions, tasting of varieties
12Our Dynamic Earth Science centre with a planetarium and an ice hall
13National Museum of Scotland From dinosaur skeletons to the stuffed Dolly the sheep, free admission
14Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art Works by Picasso and Matisse by the Water of Leith, sculpture garden
15Forth Bridge Steel cantilever railway bridge, UNESCO site
16Royal Yacht Britannia Elizabeth II's former floating residence in the port of Leith
17Princes Street Gardens Floral clock and Ross Fountain at the foot of the castle
18Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Rock garden, Chinese garden and palm house
19Arthur's Seat Extinct volcano, the highest of the city's seven hills
20Calton Hill National monument shaped like the Parthenon, a quick view over the city

All 20 places are marked on the map above. Split the points across days: the Old Town and the Royal Mile on day one, museums and the New Town on day two, the hills and gardens on day three. You can open any point on the map separately if you're planning your route in advance.

Tours and tickets in Edinburgh

Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.

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⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Edinburgh?

For a first visit, two or three days is enough. On day one, walk the Royal Mile, the castle, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. On day two, add the free museums, and leave day three for Arthur's Seat and the botanic garden. If you're going in August, allow an extra day: the city is packed with tourists.

When is the best time to go to Edinburgh?

The best months are May, June, and September: the weather is mild and there are fewer visitors than in August. In August a major festival takes place, accommodation prices rise, and the streets are jammed. In winter it gets dark early, but the museums are empty and hotels are cheaper.

Do you need insurance for a trip to Edinburgh?

Insurance isn't mandatory for entering the UK, but healthcare here is paid for foreigners. Compare insurance policies in advance: coverage for injury or trip cancellation pays for itself. Separately check whether the policy includes hiking in the hills.

Which Edinburgh attractions are free?

The National Museum of Scotland, the portrait gallery, the gallery of modern art, the Royal Botanic Garden, Princes Street Gardens, and both hills are free. You can also enter St Giles' Cathedral free of charge. The castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse with the abbey, the whisky center, and Mary King's Close remain paid. Tickets are also required for the Scott Monument, Craigmillar Castle, the Royal Yacht Britannia, and Our Dynamic Earth.

Where can you buy Edinburgh Castle tickets without queuing?

Tickets with a fixed time slot are sold online: Edinburgh Castle tickets. Take a morning slot; by midday the entry line grows. You show the voucher on your phone, no separate ticket office needed. The online price is lower than at the entrance.

In short: what's worth booking

Book in advance only the places that admit by time slot. If you have one day, get a castle ticket and don't waste it in queues. If you're traveling with children, add Our Dynamic Earth and the National Museum. If you want views without tickets, leave time for Arthur's Seat and Calton Hill.

One day: the castle, the Royal Mile, the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
With children: Our Dynamic Earth, the National Museum of Scotland.
Views without tickets: Arthur's Seat, Calton Hill, Princes Street Gardens.

On the second day, book Edinburgh tours or walk through the free museums on foot.

Edinburgh: 20 top sights and what to book in advance