If you’re planning a trip to Edinburgh, you might already have a long list of must-see sights and experiences. And, chances are, visiting at least one of Edinburgh's famous castles will be on your to-do list.

Edinburgh has two famous castles: Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse (also sometimes called Holyrood Palace), located at opposite ends of Edinburgh's Royal Mile. And you might be wondering which one is the best and the most worth visiting.

Both castles are historically significant landmarks in Edinburgh, but they’re also very different, as one is more of a military fort and the other is still a royal castle. If you *can,* it’s probably worth it to visit both castles. But if you only have the time or the budget (or, let's be honest, the interest) to visit one of them during your trip to Edinburgh, this guide will help you decide which one will be the best fit for you.

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Edinburgh Castle vs. Holyrood Palace

Here’s what you should know about visiting both Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. (And yes, I've been to both of them – more than once!)

Edinburgh Castle

Let's start with Edinburgh Castle, which dominates Edinburgh's Old Town skyline with its hilltop location on aptly-named Castle Rock. This area has been occupied for several millennia going all the way back to the Iron Age, and you can see it from almost everywhere within Edinburgh.

The original Edinburgh Castle was constructed here in the 11th century under Malcolm III, and it continued to be a royal residence up until the 17th century, after which it became a military garrison. It opened up to tourists at the end of the 19th century and underwent decades of restoration as part of its preservation as a historical site.

What to see and do at Edinburgh Castle

There’s a lot to explore at Edinburgh Castle because the castle isn’t just a single building; it’s actually a large complex of multiple buildings within the castle gates. It feels more like a small military-focused village than a typical castle. There are various museums and exhibitions to check out, some of which might interest you more than others.

The main buildings to visit include the Royal Palace (home to restored apartments of the former royal residence, where many important historical events took place — including the birth of James VI to Mary Queen of Scots in 1566); the building containing the Honours of Scotland* (Scotland's crown jewels, which are very impressive, but get here early to skip the long lines); and the Great Hall (a medieval banquet hall where important state events were held).

*Note: The Honours of Scotland will not be on display from January 12-April 5, 2026, as the Crown Room undergoes restoration and renovation.

There are also museums and museum-style exhibits within the castle, including the National War Museum; the “Fight for the Castle” exhibit inside Argyle Tower; an exhibition on prisoners of war held at the castle; the Royal Scots Museum; and the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum.

You can also walk around the defensive walls of Edinburgh Castle, and there are many historic cannons and other artillery weapons on display. Visit in the late morning and stick around to see/hear the One o'clock Gun being fired, which is a 105mm field gun that is fired at 1 p.m. every day except Sunday.

There are two dining options inside Edinburgh Castle, too: Redcoat Cafe, where you can enjoy a casual snack or meal, and The Tea Rooms, where you can book an elegant afternoon tea.

How long does it take to visit? You can easily spend 3-4 hours at Edinburgh Castle since there’s a lot to see and do. I’d allocate a full morning or afternoon for your visit to fully see everything.

Who will enjoy Edinburgh Castle?

This castle is great for history buffs, especially those who are interested in royal history or military history. Unlike the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh Castle was used as a military stronghold for centuries (and still is technically an active British military base), and what you can see here reflects this. You won't see any traditional “palace”-style rooms here.

Edinburgh Castle is also much larger than the Palace of Holyroodhouse, so it’s a good option if you have more time to spend, and you enjoy taking your time at historic attractions like this. It also offers sweeping views across Edinburgh from its position on Castle Rock.

How to get tickets

Edinburgh Castle is an extremely popular attraction, so you should definitely book your tickets online in advance. This is even more crucial if you’re visiting during the peak summer tourist season (June-August), because tickets often fully sell out.

You’ll also save money by booking your tickets online, as the walk-up price is higher. You can purchase your tickets online on the official website for a specific date.

Tickets are £21.50 ($28 USD) for adults, £17 ($22 USD) for seniors aged 65 and older, and £13 ($17 USD) for children aged 15 and younger.

It’s important to check the visiting hours before you go, because opening and closing times change based on the season, and there are sometimes early closures for special events.

Tour options for Edinburgh Castle

You can also purchase a ticket that includes a guided tour of Edinburgh Castle. The tours last for 30 minutes, and they offer a good introduction to the castle at the start of your visit. Afterwards, you can return and spend more time in the areas that interest you.

These tickets with an included guided tour can 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 children aged 15 and younger.

Since Edinburgh Castle is so big, I really recommend the guided tour to orient yourself and get an overview of the castle and its history to avoid complete overwhelm.

If tickets are sold out for Edinburgh Castle (which happens frequently at busy times of year), there is one other thing you can try. Third-party tour providers on websites like GetYourGuide will often still have availability since they purchase a number of tickets for their clients.

A tour like this one includes entry to Edinburgh Castle, as well as an 80-minute guided tour. It’s a little more expensive than buying tickets directly, but a good option in case the dates you’re interested in are sold out! Elliot and I have done this exact tour, and really enjoyed it as it covered the castle in the context of the wider history of Edinburgh and Scotland. It's also a good option if military history isn't really your jam.

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Palace of Holyroodhouse

Edinburgh’s other important castle is the Palace of Holyroodhouse. It's located at the opposite end of the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle, tucked into lovely palace grounds at the base of Arthur's Seat. This castle has been the official royal residence of Scotland since the 16th century.

The earliest parts of the palace were constructed in the 16th century, and it's housed many royals over the centuries. Notably, Mary Queen of Scots spent much of her life here. The palace officially opened to visitors in the mid-19th century, but it remains a working palace today and hosts the British monarch and royal family whenever they are in Edinburgh.

What to see and do at Holyrood Palace

When visiting the Palace of Holyroodhouse, you'll get a multimedia guide and will follow a set one-way route through the areas of the palace that are open to visitors. This makes it easy to know that you aren’t missing something, because you’ll see everything as you follow along.

Highlights of Holyrood Palace include the State Apartments, where you can see the private chambers of historic royal figures like Mary Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie, and the Throne Room, used for royal receptions and state events. These rooms feel more like what you probably picture when you think of a palace, with wall tapestries, sumptuous beds, antique furniture, etc.

(Note though that no photos are allowed inside this palace!)

Outside the palace, you can explore the ruins of Holyrood Abbey, which dates back to the 12th century, and enjoy the palace gardens.

There’s one dining option here, the Cafe at the Palace, which has a menu of sandwiches, snacks, and desserts.

How long does it take to visit? Although the Palace of Holyroodhouse doesn’t require as much time as Edinburgh Castle, it’s still a good idea to set aside at least two hours to see it all.

Who will enjoy the Palace of Holyroodhouse?

The Palace of Holyroodhouse is perfect for anyone who enjoys royal history or the contemporary British royal family, since it’s still a working palace today. If you’re interested in Mary Queen of Scots, you’ll definitely want to visit this spot.

It’s also a good option for visitors who are interested in art, decor, and architecture, as the period rooms of the palace are filled with all kinds of treasures. The palace feels much more opulent than Edinburgh Castle, which has more of a cold, medieval, military feeling.

This is also a good option for those who are shorter on time, as you can easily finish the entire visitor’s route here within two hours. And, although it’s still a popular tourist attraction, Holyrood Palace is often a bit calmer and less busy than Edinburgh Castle, too.

How to get tickets

Much like Edinburgh Castle, it’s a good idea to book your tickets to the Palace of Holyroodhouse online in advance, because walk-up tickets are more expensive.

You can purchase advance tickets on the official website for a specific date. Tickets are £21 ($27 USD) for adults, £13.50 ($18 USD) for young people aged 18 to 24, and £10.50 ($14 USD) for children aged 5 to 17.

You should also check the visiting hours before you go, since hours can vary seasonally or because of special events (or royal visits). The Palace of Holyroodhouse is also typically closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so you’ll want to keep this in mind when planning your time in Edinburgh.

Tour options for Holyrood Palace

Your admission ticket to the Palace of Holyroodhouse includes a free multimedia guide, which offers a one-hour program along the visitor route. I personally think the audio guide is enough here, as it covers a lot of history and tells you all about what you're looking at in each room.

However, guided tours are also available. These exclusive tours usually occur on Tuesdays and Wednesdays when the palace is closed to the public, or after hours. You’ll be able to access rooms that the average visitor usually cannot, and experience the palace without any crowds.

There are also special seasonal tours, like a palace Christmas tour. These tours can be booked online and cost about £55 ($72 USD) per person.

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Which castle in Edinburgh is best?

This is going to come down to personal preference. If you enjoy military history, sweeping views, and artillery, then you'll probably enjoy Edinburgh Castle more. Whereas if you enjoy fancy rooms and royal history with smaller crowds, then Holyrood Palace might be better for you.

Holyroodhouse is also better if you're more pressed for time, as you can see everything here quicker. Edinburgh Castle is perhaps more convenient if you plan to stay near the top end of the Royal Mile for most of the day (there's more to do at this end of the famous street).

I personally prefer the Palace of Holyroodhouse. For me, it's much more interesting and in a prettier setting than Edinburgh Castle. But I've been to both!

If you plan to visit both castles while in Edinburgh, I would probably recommend doing them on separate days so you don't get castle'd-out.

And check out my full list of things to do in Edinburgh to help prep for your trip!

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Which Edinburgh castle would YOU prefer to visit?