Holyroodhouse Palace: how to visit Edinburgh Royal Palace

One of the essential visits in your trip to edinburgh must be him Palace of Holyroodhouse.

You find it at the east end of the Royal Mile, the street that goes up from this palace to the ancient medieval city to the hill where the edinburgh castle.

In this palace which was built in 1529 by the Scottish king James V. 

From then on it became the residence of the kings of Scotland and, later, in official residence of the Queen of England.

Curiosities about the history of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh

In fact, the late English queen, Isabel II, used to reside in said palace at the beginning of summer for a week, a period in which various official events are carried out, apart from his stay in the summer months in the balmoral palace.

For your trip, you must keep in mind that, for this reason, the building is closed to visitors on these dates.

El Palace of Holyroodhouse It was built next to a large Augustinian Abbey whose origins date back to the year 1128.

This abbey was used for coronations and royal marriages, so royal apartments were built next to it which, finally, in the 16th century gave way to the construction of the palace building that we can currently visit.

The building is attached to the west side of the current remains of the old abbey, and the entire complex is located in the extensive Holyrood Gardens.

After its construction, the kings of scotland they stopped residing in the old Royal Palace, building located in the crown square of the edinburgh castle.

After in 1603 James VI was crowned as king of england and will go on to reside in London, palace of holyroodhouse It ceased to be a continuous residence of kings.

However, throughout its subsequent history it was used for different purposes.

From headquarters for the election of the representatives of the Scottish Parliament, in 1707, to temporary residence of members of the French royal family during their exile after the french revolution.

What to see when visiting Holyroodhouse Palace in Edinburgh

In your visit to the Palace of Holyroodhouse You will see that it is a beautiful baroque style building, built in a square shape around a large central patio.

During the visit you will be able to tour its various rooms, from its large rooms to the large dining room, which were used by the Queen of England on their annual visit to the palace during the summer, and now they will be for the king Carlos III.

Holyroodhouse Grand Gallery 

The most notable room that you can see during your visit is the one known as the Great Gallery, which shows on its walls the portraits of 89 of the 110 kings of Scottish history.

In the Great Gallery Numerous historical events have taken place, such as the election of popular representatives in the first Scottish ParliamentIn 1707.

During the visit you will also be able to see the royal bedrooms or the chapel.

But, above all, the small bedroom in the northwest tower, the place where one of the most important events in the history of Scotland took place, the murder in the presence of the queen mary of his assistant David Rizzio.

Holyrood Abbey

In the visit to the Palace of HolyroodhouseIn addition to touring the different rooms of the palace, you take a walk through the gardens that surround it and access the beautiful remains of the aforementioned Holyrood Abbey.

As we have mentioned, the origin of this abbey dates back to the year 1128, when it was built by order of the King David I of Scotland.

There is a legend about the construction of the Holyrood Abbey according to which it was ordered by said king as gratitude for having saved his life after being gored by an animal when he was hunting in the Holyrood Forest, which extends east of Edinburgh.

when you get to Holyroodhouse, you will have the opportunity to see the special charm of the complex that currently forms the royal palace and the remains of the abbey, all surrounded by some very closepleasant gardens.

After its construction, the Holyrood Abbey It became run by Augustinian monks, and over the years it gained importance in the history of Scotland.

In fact, it became the chosen place for coronations and royal marriages, specifically in its so-called Royal chapel.

To such an extent that, in 1501, the Scottish king James IV He began the construction of a first building that would serve as royal apartments.

Over the years, the Holyrood Abbey went on to become a catholic chapel of the prestigious Order of the Thistle, until in 1768 its roof collapsed due to a hurricane, and since then the abbey has remained in ruins to the present day.

What to see when visiting Holyrood Abbey in Edinburgh

When you go to Palace of Holyroodhouse, riding a Edinburgh, after entering through the cloister and visiting the large halls and the historic royal rooms, you will finally come out to the back of the building.

That is where you will be surprised by the spectacular nature of the abbey, whose location you had no prior knowledge of when you entered the palace grounds.

Although the remains of this abbey do not have the spectacular size of the remains of the Fountains Abbey, which you can visit at north of england, its special location next to the palace, and in the surroundings of beautiful gardens, make it a very suggestive and attractive place.

Seriously, it is totally worth your visit.

Holyroodhouse visiting hours in Edinburgh

The Holyroodhouse visiting hours Under normal conditions they are, from April to October, from 9:30 a.m. to 18 p.m., with last access at 16,30:16,30 p.m., and from November to March, the palace is closed to visitors at 15,15:XNUMX p.m. and The last access is at XNUMX:XNUMX p.m.

Please note that the palace is closed to visitors on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Holyroodhouse ticket prices in Edinburgh

The ticket prices standard To visit the palace is, in July and August, £18,50 for adults; £12 for 18-24 year olds; and £10,50 for children aged 5 to 17 and disabled people, with free access for children under 5.

Ticket prices the rest of the year are, respectively, £17,50, £11,50 and £10.

All visit Holyroodhouse a audioguide Also available in Spanish, which is included in the ticket price.

The visit lasts an hour and a half, and keep in mind that you cannot take photos inside the palace, but you can take photos in the abbey and the gardens.