Attraction
The Palace of Holyroodhouse
from Β£21.00
City guide
Edinburgh
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A city built on volcanic rock, with a castle looming over a medieval Old Town of narrow closes and a genteel Georgian New Town just below it β the contrast is the whole point, and it's why the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Every August the Fringe and International Festival roughly double the population and turn every spare room into a venue; the rest of the year it's a quieter, wind-battered, fiercely atmospheric capital.
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The most popular sights, with 2026 entrance fees. Prices are adult admission β cheapest at the gate. Many of the best things are free.
| Attraction | Entrance | Time | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh Castle | Β£23.50 | 2-3 hours | Fortress on an extinct volcanic crag overlooking the city, home to the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny, and the National War Museum. The site has been occupied since at least the Iron Age. |
| Palace of Holyroodhouse | Varies | 1.5-2 hours | The monarch's official Scottish residence at the foot of the Royal Mile, with State Apartments, the ruins of Holyrood Abbey, and gardens open to visitors when not in official use. |
| National Museum of Scotland | Free | 2-3 hours | Museum on Chambers Street combining natural history, world cultures, science, and Scottish history collections in a Victorian building linked to a modern extension. General admission is free; some exhibitions are ticketed. |
| Royal Yacht Britannia | Β£22 | 2 hours | Former royal yacht used by the British royal family from 1954 to 1997, permanently berthed at Ocean Terminal in Leith and open as a self-guided audio tour of its state and crew areas. |
| Camera Obscura & World of Illusions | Β£24.95 | 1.5-2 hours | Victorian rooftop camera obscura above a multi-floor exhibit of optical illusions and interactive displays on the Royal Mile. |
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