Edinburgh Castle
Quick Facts
- Location
- UK, Edinburgh
- Category
- Castle & Fortress
- Duration
- Half day
- Opening Hours
- Daily 09:30-17:00 · The site runs two seasons: daily 9.30am to 6pm from 1 April to 30 September, and daily 9.30am to 5pm from 1 October to 31 March. On 24 December it closes at 4pm and on 1 January it opens at 11am, while 25 and 26 December are closed, with last entry one hour before closing. Adverse weather or other causes beyond its control may close the castle, and visitors are advised to check ahead. For the week from Monday 9 November 2026 the Great Hall keeps open but carries scaffolding and barriers during collections conservation cleaning. The table holds the winter band in force.
- Ticket Price
- Adult: Adults aged 16 to 64 pay GBP 23.50 online or GBP 26 in person · Child: Children aged 7 to 15 pay GBP 11.50 online or GBP 13 in person · Online is the cheaper column, and further types including flexi and guided tour tickets are sold apart. The site warns that tickets often sell out far in advance, especially over summer, and that once the online allocation is gone no more tickets are available at the castle.
- Address
- In the Old Town at the top of the Royal Mile, Edinburgh, on Castle Rock
- Coordinates
- 55.9486, -3.1999
Introduction
Edinburgh Castle towers on its rock above the city—a grand old fortress, Edinburgh's top landmark and witness to Scotland's history and glory. High on a steep extinct-volcano rock (Castle Rock), it was a stronghold guarding the city, central to Scottish history. Through wars, sieges and royal drama, it holds the Honours of Scotland (the crown jewels, Britain's oldest) and the Stone of Destiny (coronation stone); the small St Margaret's Chapel (Edinburgh's oldest building); and the daily One O'Clock Gun. From the heights, the city panorama: medieval Old Town, Georgian New Town, the Firth of Forth. In summer, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the esplanade. Exploring Edinburgh Castle is the city's top sight.
✨ Highlights
🛈 Practical Info
Opening Hours
| Monday | 09:30-17:00 |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 09:30-17:00 |
| Wednesday | 09:30-17:00 |
| Thursday | 09:30-17:00 |
| Friday | 09:30-17:00 |
| Saturday | 09:30-17:00 |
| Sunday | 09:30-17:00 |
The site runs two seasons: daily 9.30am to 6pm from 1 April to 30 September, and daily 9.30am to 5pm from 1 October to 31 March. On 24 December it closes at 4pm and on 1 January it opens at 11am, while 25 and 26 December are closed, with last entry one hour before closing. Adverse weather or other causes beyond its control may close the castle, and visitors are advised to check ahead. For the week from Monday 9 November 2026 the Great Hall keeps open but carries scaffolding and barriers during collections conservation cleaning. The table holds the winter band in force.
Ticket Information
| Adult | Adults aged 16 to 64 pay GBP 23.50 online or GBP 26 in person |
|---|---|
| Child | Children aged 7 to 15 pay GBP 11.50 online or GBP 13 in person |
| Senior | The 65 and over concession is GBP 19 online or GBP 21 in person |
| Student | There is no separate student fare; anyone under 16 uses the child band and 65 plus the concession |
| Free Admission | Members go free both online and in person, and Explorer Pass, Scottish Young Person card and partner organisation members get free or discounted entry |
Online is the cheaper column, and further types including flexi and guided tour tickets are sold apart. The site warns that tickets often sell out far in advance, especially over summer, and that once the online allocation is gone no more tickets are available at the castle.
💡 Tips
FAQ
What are the opening hours of Edinburgh Castle?
Monday: 09:30-17:00; Tuesday: 09:30-17:00; Wednesday: 09:30-17:00; Thursday: 09:30-17:00; Friday: 09:30-17:00; Saturday: 09:30-17:00; Sunday: 09:30-17:00; The site runs two seasons: daily 9.30am to 6pm from 1 April to 30 September, and daily 9.30am to 5pm from 1 October to 31 March. On 24 December it closes at 4pm and on 1 January it opens at 11am, while 25 and 26 December are closed, with last entry one hour before closing. Adverse weather or other causes beyond its control may close the castle, and visitors are advised to check ahead. For the week from Monday 9 November 2026 the Great Hall keeps open but carries scaffolding and barriers during collections conservation cleaning. The table holds the winter band in force.
How much is the admission for Edinburgh Castle?
Adult: Adults aged 16 to 64 pay GBP 23.50 online or GBP 26 in person; Child: Children aged 7 to 15 pay GBP 11.50 online or GBP 13 in person; Senior: The 65 and over concession is GBP 19 online or GBP 21 in person; Student: There is no separate student fare; anyone under 16 uses the child band and 65 plus the concession; Free Admission: Members go free both online and in person, and Explorer Pass, Scottish Young Person card and partner organisation members get free or discounted entry; Online is the cheaper column, and further types including flexi and guided tour tickets are sold apart. The site warns that tickets often sell out far in advance, especially over summer, and that once the online allocation is gone no more tickets are available at the castle.
Any practical tips for visiting Edinburgh Castle?
Climb the rock-top Edinburgh Castle for the city and Scotland's history. Inside: the Scottish crown jewels and the Stone of Destiny.
How long should I spend at Edinburgh Castle?
A typical visit takes Half day.
