THE 10 CLOSEST Hotels to Palace of Holyroodhouse

Edinburgh Castle is a world famous icon of Scotland and part of the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site. It was recently voted top UK Heritage Attraction in the British Travel Awards and is Scotland’s number one paid-for tourist attraction. This most famous of Scottish castles has a complex building history. The oldest part, St Margaret's Chapel, dates from the 12th century; the Great Hall was erected by James IV around 1510; the Half Moon Battery by the Regent Morton in the late 16th century; and the Scottish National War Memorial after the First World War. The castle houses the Honours (Crown Jewels) of Scotland, the famous 15th century gun Mons Meg, the One O' Clock Gun and the National War Museum of Scotland. Please note that the "Honours of the Kingdom Exhibition" is currently closed for essential maintenance works. The Crown Room and Jewels are open to visitors.

Stretch of road connecting Edinburgh Castle with Holyrood Palace, the Queen's residence in Scotland.

Step aboard Queen Elizabeth II’s former floating palace and experience this iconic attraction for yourself. Rated Tripadvisor’s No.1 UK Attraction (AGAIN), Britannia is one of the most famous ships in the world…Royal Deck Tearoom. Only 15 minutes from Edinburgh City Centre. Lothian Bus services from Edinburgh city centre are - 10, 16, 34 and 35. Edinburgh trams run from Edinburgh Airport through the city centre and down to Leith. To visit Britannia get off the tram at stop Ocean Terminal

Hidden beneath the Royal Mile lies Edinburgh’s deepest secret: a warren of hidden ‘closes’ where real people lived, worked and died. For centuries they have lain forgotten and abandoned…until now. Visit Edinburgh's most famous Close, which makes Edinburgh's Hidden History unmissable.

Edinburgh's oldest neighborhood, dating back to medieval times: these small streets are lined with wool shops, pubs and historical monuments.

Winner of VisitScotland's Best Visitor Attraction Experience 2022/23! We are Scotland’s oldest purpose-built attraction, established in 1835. Interact with over 100 illusions and get a breath of fresh air on our magnificent Rooftop Terrace, which offers the most spectacular 360 degree views of Edinburgh. At Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, experience five floors of interactive hands-on optical illusions, tricks and fun things to do including our head-spinning Vortex Tunnel, bewildering Mirror Maze and mind-blowing Shrinking Room. Not to mention our 170 year old Camera Obscura! Get involved, play, touch, listen, and see. Great fun for all ages and nationalities, whatever the weather. 'Best family attraction in Britain’, The Telegraph. 'Five Stars, outstanding, world class', VisitScotland. Free Wi-Fi. Allow about 2 hours. Please note the attraction is located in a listed 17th Century building over 5 floors without a lift. Open every day, open late on holidays.

Historic neighborhood lined with monuments dating back to the Enlightenment.

St Giles’ Cathedral is one of Scotland’s most important churches and home of the Scottish Reformation, making it a source of turbulent religious history. Established nearly 1,000 years ago in the 12th century, its current building was constructed between the 14th and 16th centuries, giving it its beautiful Gothic style. Be sure to admire the cathedral’s famous steeple, which is topped off with a crown, and check out the Thistle Chapel inside, which features some impressively intricate carvings. Pop by on days when the cathedral holds live concerts, which feature a range of great choirs and orchestras.