In the event you’re planning a visit to Edinburgh, you may have already got an extended checklist of must-see sights and experiences. And, chances are high, visiting no less than considered one of Edinburgh’s well-known castles shall be in your to-do checklist.
Edinburgh has two well-known castles: Edinburgh Citadel and the Palace of Holyroodhouse (additionally typically referred to as Holyrood Palace), situated at reverse ends of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. And also you could be questioning which one is the very best and probably the most value visiting.
Each castles are traditionally vital landmarks in Edinburgh, however they’re additionally very completely different, as one is extra of a navy fort and the opposite continues to be a royal fortress. In the event you *can,* it’s most likely value it to go to each castles. However for those who solely have the time or the price range (or, let’s be trustworthy, the curiosity) to go to considered one of them throughout your journey to Edinburgh, this information will enable you to resolve which one would be the finest match for you.
Edinburgh Citadel vs. Holyrood Palace
Right here’s what you need to find out about visiting each Edinburgh Citadel and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. (And sure, I have been to each of them – greater than as soon as!)
Edinburgh Citadel
Let’s begin with Edinburgh Citadel, which dominates Edinburgh’s Previous City skyline with its hilltop location on aptly-named Citadel Rock. This space has been occupied for a number of millennia going all the best way again to the Iron Age, and you may see it from virtually all over the place inside Edinburgh.
The unique Edinburgh Citadel was constructed right here within the eleventh century below Malcolm III, and it continued to be a royal residence up till the seventeenth century, after which it grew to become a navy garrison. It opened as much as vacationers on the finish of the Nineteenth century and underwent a long time of restoration as a part of its preservation as a historic website.
What to see and do at Edinburgh Citadel
There’s loads to discover at Edinburgh Citadel as a result of the fortress isn’t only a single constructing; it’s truly a big complicated of a number of buildings throughout the fortress gates. It feels extra like a small military-focused village than a typical fortress. There are numerous museums and exhibitions to take a look at, a few of which could curiosity you greater than others.
The primary buildings to go to embody the Royal Palace (residence to restored residences of the previous royal residence, the place many necessary historic occasions occurred — together with the start of James VI to Mary Queen of Scots in 1566); the constructing containing the Honours of Scotland* (Scotland’s crown jewels, that are very spectacular, however get right here early to skip the lengthy strains); and the Nice Corridor (a medieval banquet corridor the place necessary state occasions had been held).
*Be aware: The Honours of Scotland won’t be on show from January 12-April 5, 2026, because the Crown Room undergoes restoration and renovation.
There are additionally museums and museum-style displays throughout the fortress, together with the Nationwide Warfare Museum; the “Struggle for the Citadel” exhibit inside Argyle Tower; an exhibition on prisoners of warfare held on the fortress; the Royal Scots Museum; and the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum.
You too can stroll across the defensive partitions of Edinburgh Citadel, and there are lots of historic cannons and different artillery weapons on show. Go to within the late morning and stick round to see/hear the One o’clock Gun being fired, which is a 105mm discipline gun that’s fired at 1 p.m. day-after-day besides Sunday.
There are two eating choices inside Edinburgh Citadel, too: Redcoat Cafe, the place you possibly can take pleasure in an informal snack or meal, and The Tea Rooms, the place you possibly can e book a chic afternoon tea.
How lengthy does it take to go to? You possibly can simply spend 3-4 hours at Edinburgh Citadel since there’s loads to see and do. I’d allocate a full morning or afternoon to your go to to completely see all the things.
Who will take pleasure in Edinburgh Citadel?
This fortress is nice for historical past buffs, particularly those that are fascinated with royal historical past or navy historical past. In contrast to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh Citadel was used as a navy stronghold for hundreds of years (and nonetheless is technically an energetic British navy base), and what you possibly can see right here displays this. You will not see any conventional “palace”-style rooms right here.
Edinburgh Citadel can be a lot bigger than the Palace of Holyroodhouse, so it’s a superb choice in case you have extra time to spend, and also you take pleasure in taking your time at historic points of interest like this. It additionally presents sweeping views throughout Edinburgh from its place on Citadel Rock.
Methods to get tickets
Edinburgh Citadel is an especially in style attraction, so you need to undoubtedly e book your tickets on-line prematurely. That is much more essential for those who’re visiting through the peak summer season vacationer season (June-August), as a result of tickets usually totally promote out.
You’ll additionally get monetary savings by reserving your tickets on-line, because the walk-up worth is increased. You should purchase your tickets on-line on the official web site for a particular date.
Tickets are £21.50 ($28 USD) for adults, £17 ($22 USD) for seniors aged 65 and older, and £13 ($17 USD) for youngsters aged 15 and youthful.
It’s necessary to test the visiting hours earlier than you go, as a result of opening and shutting occasions change primarily based on the season, and there are typically early closures for particular occasions.
Tour choices for Edinburgh Citadel
You too can buy a ticket that features a guided tour of Edinburgh Citadel. The excursions final for half-hour, they usually supply a superb introduction to the fortress at the beginning of your go to. Afterwards, you possibly can return and spend extra time within the areas that curiosity you.
These tickets with an included guided tour can be bought on-line. Tickets are £27 ($35 USD) for adults, £22.50 ($30 USD) for seniors aged 65 and older, and £18.50 ($24 USD) for youngsters aged 15 and youthful.
Since Edinburgh Citadel is so large, I actually suggest the guided tour to orient your self and get an summary of the fortress and its historical past to keep away from full overwhelm.
If tickets are offered out for Edinburgh Citadel (which occurs often at busy occasions of yr), there is one different factor you possibly can strive. Third-party tour suppliers on web sites like GetYourGuide will usually nonetheless have availability since they buy quite a few tickets for his or her shoppers.
A tour like this one contains entry to Edinburgh Citadel, in addition to an 80-minute guided tour. It’s slightly costlier than shopping for tickets instantly, however a superb choice in case the dates you’re fascinated with are offered out! Elliot and I’ve accomplished this precise tour, and actually loved it because it coated the fortress within the context of the broader historical past of Edinburgh and Scotland. It is also a superb choice if navy historical past is not actually your jam.
Palace of Holyroodhouse
Edinburgh’s different necessary fortress is the Palace of Holyroodhouse. It is situated on the reverse finish of the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Citadel, tucked into beautiful palace grounds on the base of Arthur’s Seat. This fortress has been the official royal residence of Scotland because the sixteenth century.
The earliest components of the palace had been constructed within the sixteenth century, and it is housed many royals over the centuries. Notably, Mary Queen of Scots spent a lot of her life right here. The palace formally opened to guests within the mid-Nineteenth century, however it stays a working palace as we speak and hosts the British monarch and royal household every time they’re in Edinburgh.
What to see and do at Holyrood Palace
When visiting the Palace of Holyroodhouse, you may get a multimedia information and can comply with a set one-way route by means of the areas of the palace which are open to guests. This makes it straightforward to know that you simply aren’t lacking one thing, since you’ll see all the things as you comply with alongside.
Highlights of Holyrood Palace embody the State Residences, the place you possibly can see the non-public chambers of historic royal figures like Mary Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie, and the Throne Room, used for royal receptions and state occasions. These rooms really feel extra like what you most likely image while you consider a palace, with wall tapestries, luxurious beds, vintage furnishings, and many others.
(Be aware although that no photographs are allowed inside this palace!)
Exterior the palace, you possibly can discover the ruins of Holyrood Abbey, which dates again to the twelfth century, and benefit from the palace gardens.
There’s one eating choice right here, the Cafe on the Palace, which has a menu of sandwiches, snacks, and desserts.
How lengthy does it take to go to? Though the Palace of Holyroodhouse doesn’t require as a lot time as Edinburgh Citadel, it’s nonetheless a good suggestion to put aside no less than two hours to see all of it.
Who will benefit from the Palace of Holyroodhouse?
The Palace of Holyroodhouse is ideal for anybody who enjoys royal historical past or the up to date British royal household, because it’s nonetheless a working palace as we speak. In the event you’re fascinated with Mary Queen of Scots, you’ll undoubtedly need to go to this spot.
It’s additionally a superb choice for guests who’re fascinated with artwork, decor, and structure, because the interval rooms of the palace are crammed with every kind of treasures. The palace feels far more opulent than Edinburgh Citadel, which has extra of a chilly, medieval, navy feeling.
That is additionally a superb choice for many who are shorter on time, as you possibly can simply end all the customer’s route right here inside two hours. And, though it’s nonetheless a preferred vacationer attraction, Holyrood Palace is commonly a bit calmer and fewer busy than Edinburgh Citadel, too.
Methods to get tickets
Very like Edinburgh Citadel, it’s a good suggestion to e book your tickets to the Palace of Holyroodhouse on-line prematurely, as a result of walk-up tickets are costlier.
You should purchase advance tickets on the official web site for a particular date. Tickets are £21 ($27 USD) for adults, £13.50 ($18 USD) for younger folks aged 18 to 24, and £10.50 ($14 USD) for youngsters aged 5 to 17.
You also needs to test the visiting hours earlier than you go, since hours can differ seasonally or due to particular occasions (or royal visits). The Palace of Holyroodhouse can be sometimes closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so that you’ll need to hold this in thoughts when planning your time in Edinburgh.
Tour choices for Holyrood Palace
Your admission ticket to the Palace of Holyroodhouse features a free multimedia information, which presents a one-hour program alongside the customer route. I personally assume the audio information is sufficient right here, because it covers lots of historical past and tells you all about what you are taking a look at in every room.
Nonetheless, guided excursions are additionally obtainable. These unique excursions often happen on Tuesdays and Wednesdays when the palace is closed to the general public, or after hours. You’ll be capable to entry rooms that the typical customer often can’t, and expertise the palace with none crowds.
There are additionally particular seasonal excursions, like a palace Christmas tour. These excursions may be booked on-line and price about £55 ($72 USD) per particular person.
Which fortress in Edinburgh is finest?
That is going to return down to non-public desire. In the event you take pleasure in navy historical past, sweeping views, and artillery, then you definitely’ll most likely take pleasure in Edinburgh Citadel extra. Whereas for those who take pleasure in fancy rooms and royal historical past with smaller crowds, then Holyrood Palace could be higher for you.
Holyroodhouse can be higher for those who’re extra pressed for time, as you possibly can see all the things right here faster. Edinburgh Citadel is probably extra handy for those who plan to remain close to the highest finish of the Royal Mile for many of the day (there’s extra to do at this finish of the well-known avenue).
I personally want the Palace of Holyroodhouse. For me, it is far more fascinating and in a prettier setting than Edinburgh Citadel. However I have been to each!
In the event you plan to go to each castles whereas in Edinburgh, I might most likely suggest doing them on separate days so you do not get fortress’d-out.
And take a look at my full checklist of issues to do in Edinburgh to assist prep to your journey!
Which Edinburgh fortress would YOU want to go to?
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Harmful Enterprise Journey Weblog. She has traveled to greater than 60 international locations on 6 continents from her residence base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and considerate journey by means of the US, Europe, and remainder of the world. Amanda solely shares ideas primarily based on her private experiences and locations she’s truly traveled!