Edinburgh Citadel vs. Palace of Holyroodhouse: Which Ought to You Go to?
If you happen to’re planning a visit to Edinburgh, you may have already got an extended listing of must-see sights and experiences. And, chances are high, visiting no less than certainly one of Edinburgh’s well-known castles shall be in your to-do listing.
Edinburgh has two well-known castles: Edinburgh Citadel and the Palace of Holyroodhouse (additionally generally known as Holyrood Palace), situated at reverse ends of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. And also you may be questioning which one is one of the best and probably the most price visiting.
Each castles are traditionally vital landmarks in Edinburgh, however they’re additionally very totally different, as one is extra of a navy fort and the opposite remains to be a royal fort. If you happen to *can,* it’s in all probability price 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 certainly one of them throughout your journey to Edinburgh, this information will show you how to determine which one would be the greatest match for you.
Edinburgh Citadel vs. Holyrood Palace
Right here’s what you must 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Let’s begin with Edinburgh Citadel, which dominates Edinburgh’s Outdated City skyline with its hilltop location on aptly-named Citadel Rock. This space has been occupied for a number of millennia going all the way in which again to the Iron Age, and you’ll see it from nearly in every single place inside Edinburgh.
The unique Edinburgh Citadel was constructed right here within the eleventh century underneath 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 fort isn’t only a single constructing; it’s truly a big complicated of a number of buildings inside the fort gates. It feels extra like a small military-focused village than a typical fort. There are numerous museums and exhibitions to take a look at, a few of which could curiosity you greater than others.
The principle buildings to go to embrace the Royal Palace (residence to restored flats of the previous royal residence, the place many vital 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 traces); and the Nice Corridor (a medieval banquet corridor the place vital state occasions have 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 reveals inside the fort, together with the Nationwide Conflict Museum; the “Struggle for the Citadel” exhibit inside Argyle Tower; an exhibition on prisoners of warfare held on the fort; the Royal Scots Museum; and the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum.
You may also 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 area gun that’s fired at 1 p.m. day by 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 sublime 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 on your go to to totally see the whole lot.
Who will take pleasure in Edinburgh Citadel?
This fort is nice for historical past buffs, particularly those that are keen on 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 lively 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 also be a lot bigger than the Palace of Holyroodhouse, so it’s possibility 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 affords sweeping views throughout Edinburgh from its place on Citadel Rock.
How you can get tickets
Edinburgh Citadel is an especially in style attraction, so you must undoubtedly e-book your tickets on-line upfront. That is much more essential for those who’re visiting through the peak summer time vacationer season (June-August), as a result of tickets typically totally promote out.
You’ll additionally get monetary savings by reserving your tickets on-line, because the walk-up value is increased. You should buy your tickets on-line on the official website for a selected 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 vital to check the visiting hours earlier than you go, as a result of opening and shutting occasions change primarily based on the season, and there are generally early closures for particular occasions.
Tour choices for Edinburgh Citadel
You may also buy a ticket that features a guided tour of Edinburgh Citadel. The excursions final for half-hour, they usually supply introduction to the fort 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 will also be purchased online. 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 huge, I actually advocate the guided tour to orient your self and get an summary of the fort and its historical past to keep away from full overwhelm.
If tickets are offered out for Edinburgh Citadel (which occurs regularly at busy occasions of yr), there is one different factor you possibly can strive. Third-party tour suppliers on web sites like GetYourGuide will typically nonetheless have availability since they buy various tickets for his or her purchasers.
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 immediately, however possibility in case the dates you’re keen on are offered out! Elliot and I’ve finished this actual tour, and actually loved it because it lined the fort within the context of the broader historical past of Edinburgh and Scotland. It is also possibility if navy historical past is not actually your jam.
Palace of Holyroodhouse
Edinburgh’s different vital fort 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 fort has been the official royal residence of Scotland because the sixteenth century.
The earliest elements of the palace have 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, nevertheless it stays a working palace at present and hosts the British monarch and royal household at any time when 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 observe a set one-way route by the areas of the palace which are open to guests. This makes it simple to know that you just aren’t lacking one thing, since you’ll see the whole lot as you observe alongside.
Highlights of Holyrood Palace embrace 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 in all probability image once you consider a palace, with wall tapestries, luxurious beds, vintage furnishings, and so on.
(Be aware although that no images 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 possibility 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 at present. If you happen to’re keen on Mary Queen of Scots, you’ll undoubtedly need to go to this spot.
It’s additionally possibility for guests who’re keen on artwork, decor, and structure, because the interval rooms of the palace are crammed with every kind of treasures. The palace feels way more opulent than Edinburgh Citadel, which has extra of a chilly, medieval, navy feeling.
That is additionally possibility for many who are shorter on time, as you possibly can simply end the whole customer’s route right here inside two hours. And, though it’s nonetheless a well-liked vacationer attraction, Holyrood Palace is usually a bit calmer and fewer busy than Edinburgh Citadel, too.
How you can get tickets
Very similar to Edinburgh Citadel, it’s a good suggestion to e-book your tickets to the Palace of Holyroodhouse on-line upfront, as a result of walk-up tickets are costlier.
You should buy advance tickets on the official website for a selected 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 check 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 also be usually 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 affords a one-hour program alongside the customer route. I personally suppose 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.
Nevertheless, guided excursions are additionally accessible. These unique excursions often happen on Tuesdays and Wednesdays when the palace is closed to the general public, or after hours. You’ll have the ability to entry rooms that the typical customer often can not, and expertise the palace with none crowds.
There are additionally particular seasonal excursions, like a palace Christmas tour. These excursions could be booked on-line and price about £55 ($72 USD) per particular person.
Which fort in Edinburgh is greatest?
That is going to return down to non-public choice. If you happen to take pleasure in navy historical past, sweeping views, and artillery, then you definately’ll in all probability 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 may be higher for you.
Holyroodhouse can also be higher for those who’re extra pressed for time, as you possibly can see the whole lot right here faster. Edinburgh Citadel is maybe 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 road).
I personally choose the Palace of Holyroodhouse. For me, it is way more attention-grabbing and in a prettier setting than Edinburgh Citadel. However I have been to each!
If you happen to plan to go to each castles whereas in Edinburgh, I might in all probability advocate doing them on separate days so you do not get fort’d-out.
And take a look at my full listing of issues to do in Edinburgh to assist prep on your journey!
Which Edinburgh fort would YOU choose to go to?
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Harmful Enterprise Journey Weblog. She has traveled to greater than 60 nations on 6 continents from her residence base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and considerate journey by the US, Europe, and remainder of the world. Amanda solely shares ideas primarily based on her private experiences and locations she’s truly traveled!