Guides · United Kingdom
Edinburgh tickets
Ticket and booking rules for Edinburgh: timed entries, closing days and official links, checked September 2026.
Checked September 2026 against official sources
Edinburgh
Bookings and opening rules
Follow the official link before you buy. Full walking days: Edinburgh itinerary.
Book the two major historic sites
- Reserve Edinburgh Castle admission ahead and check the current ticket arrangements. Entry does not remove internal queues, so protect the full morning allowance.Source: Edinburgh Castle · checked Sep 2026
- Check Holyroodhouse’s opening calendar before choosing the eastern-city day. Seasonal opening days and use as a royal residence affect visitor access; available palace and garden areas can differ.Source: Royal Collection Trust · checked Sep 2026
Public buildings and galleries
- The Scottish Parliament offers self-guided access to public areas when open, normally Monday to Saturday. Tours and debates have their own schedules; leave time for security.Source: Scottish Parliament · checked Sep 2026
- The National Gallery on the Mound is a different venue from the Portrait and Modern galleries. Check current hours and exhibition admission before the afternoon visit.Source: National Galleries of Scotland · checked Sep 2026
On the day
What to watch at each stop
Palace of Holyroodhouse
- Book ahead and check seasonal opening days and royal-use closures
Scottish National Gallery
- Check closing time and any separate exhibition ticket
Questions
Quick answers
Do I need timed tickets?
Book the castle and palace using their official sites and follow the current entry instructions. Separate tours and performances need separate reservations.
Can I visit Parliament on Sunday?
The normal self-guided visiting schedule is Monday to Saturday. On Sunday, appreciate the exterior and allow more time for the park or palace if open.
The days these rules belong to
3 days in Edinburgh
Use three full days and book the castle and Holyroodhouse around their actual admission calendars. Holyroodhouse has seasonal opening days and can close for royal use. Choose suitable weather for the park and Calton Hill, and finish outdoor sections in daylight. This plan includes the lower paths of Holyrood Park, not a summit hike. Hotel journeys, ghost tours and performances are extra.
