Holyrood Abbey

As the abbey is located within the grounds of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, admission is included in the standard Palace ticket. For 2026, adult tickets are twenty-two pounds, while young people aged eighteen to twenty-four pay fourteen pounds, and children aged five to seventeen enter for eleven pounds. The site is open Thursday through Monday from 09:30, with closing times at 18:00 in the summer and 16:30 during the winter months. Notably, the Palace and Abbey are open seven days a week from late May until early September. While Historic Scotland members do not get free entry, they are entitled to a twenty percent discount on tickets. Multimedia guides are provided as part of the admission, offering a dedicated audio section that explains the dramatic history and architectural highlights of the abbey ruins.

The abbey is a roofless ruin, so it is completely open to the elements; be sure to bring an umbrella or waterproof jacket if the Edinburgh weather looks uncertain. Because the ground consists of historic stone paving and grass, flat and sturdy footwear is recommended for a comfortable visit. Photography is permitted within the abbey ruins and gardens, though it is strictly prohibited inside the main Palace apartments. Visitors should note that the abbey can only be accessed by walking through the Palace, so you should allow at least ninety minutes for the combined experience. For those with mobility issues, the route to the abbey is generally accessible, although some areas of the ruins have uneven ground. If you want a more in-depth experience, look for the daily Warden-led tours which often depart from the abbey nave.

Holyrood Abbey is located at the very bottom of the Royal Mile, opposite the Scottish Parliament. From the city center, it is a direct and scenic downhill walk of about fifteen minutes from the midpoint of the High Street. If you are arriving by train at Waverley Station, take the Market Street exit; the walk is roughly twelve minutes. Public transport is very convenient, with the number 35 bus stopping right outside the Palace gates. The open-top hop-on-hop-off tour buses also have a dedicated stop on Horse Wynd. For those driving, there is limited public "pay and display" parking available on Horse Wynd and Broad Pavement within Holyrood Park, but spaces fill up very quickly. Using the city’s excellent bus or tram network (landing at St Andrew Square) is usually the easiest option.