Holyrood Park
Holyrood Park
4.5
About
Holyrood Park is a unique historic landscape in the heart of the city, whose dramatic crags and hills give Edinburgh its distinctive skyline. Within the park is a wealth of history and archaeology spanning thousands of years. Arthur's Seat is one of four hill forts, dating from around 2,000 years ago. As well as it's rich cultural heritage, the park offers walks, solace, wildlife, volcanic geology and unparalleled vistas of the city from its many vantage points.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Southside & Holyrood
Many of Edinburgh’s student hangouts gather around university buildings in Southside, the sort of neighbourhood that supports a long string of second-hand shops and eateries serving ethnic food for just a few pounds. In August the student population is replaced by vast numbers of boisterous visitors here for the Fringe, Edinburgh’s world-class comedy and arts festival which headquarters itself here. Flanking Southside are two great parks. The Meadows is a vast flat and sporty space where football, rugby, tennis, cricket, croquet, and golf often all take place side by side. Kids in its big playgrounds add to the joyful noise. Far bigger and much wilder, Holyrood Park extends to the east and provides a real hike up Arthur’s Seat, but the district is best known as the site of Scotland’s Parliament and its premier Royal Palace—and their steady stream of sightseers.
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See what travellers are saying
- BraindamagedbaronNewark-on-Trent, United Kingdom1,618 contributionsHolyrood not toBeautiful area of Edinburgh well worth a visit simply for the lovely walks in the peaceful surroundings. Arthur's Seat is a must see if you're in the city and Holyrood Park is certainly the place to walk, have a picnic and spend some quality time in the fresh air with gorgeous scenery all around you. The views are stunning and second to none. You'll be in no hurry to leave and have every reason to return.Visited January 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 2 April 2024
- Kintija SRiga, Latvia6 contributionsThe view is worth it!Hike was very steep, at some distances even needed to stop for a breath, but the view was worth it! Definitely recommend sport or hike shoes and dont forget water even in sunless days. Also dont forget some jacket as up there the wind sometimes is very cold.Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 6 May 2024
- dee090821 contributionsExcellent Historic Environment Scotland walkI have just done a Historic Environment Scotland guided walking tour round Holyrood Park & it was excellent. The Tour is called Take The High Road. You have to book in advance online but the tour is free. We were a small group. Our guide was called Gordon and he was outstanding. Can not praise him enough. The tour lasts around 3 hours, starting & ending at same spot at Broad Pavement carpark (tho noone knows that's the name of the car park) which is the car park in the park closest to Holyrood palace Gordon covered history, literature, art geology, flora & fauna. It was all so very interesting. We all learned new stuff even although several of us have spent many years in Edinburgh. Thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend this tour and if you are lucky, you will have Gordon as your tour guide.Visited June 2024Travelled soloWritten 15 June 2024
- Andrea FChicago, Illinois287 contributionsBeautiful.We really enjoyed our visit to Holyrood Park. It's a great place to relax, take pictures, and hike. The views of the city were awesome. If you're in Edinburgh, I highly recommend taking the time to check out this park.Visited July 2024Travelled with familyWritten 30 July 2024
- n2historySaint Louis, Missouri626 contributionsA gem of nature in Edinburgh. HES guided walk was fantastic!We joined an HES (Historic Environment Scotland) guided walk of the park and had a fabulous time. The guide was courteous and knowledgeable. He made the trip enjoyable and ensured that everyone was doing well. We would love to have gone on some of the other guided walks in the park, although time did not allow. So glad we got out into nature after traipsing around the city for two days.Visited August 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 30 August 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
2,720 reviews
Excellent
1,895
Very good
715
Average
101
Poor
7
Terrible
2
Alan M
46 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
We took a leisurely stroll around the grounds of the park. The Salisbury Crags and Arthur's Seat offering spectacular scenery right in the heart of the city. We walked around the site to Duddingston Loch which offers excellent wildlife viewing and is another fantastic sight.
The walking routes although uphill, depending on the direction of travel, is on pavements so are comfortable and there are benches along the way to rest.
The amazing thing is just how quiet the area is, considering it sits in a capital city.
The walking routes although uphill, depending on the direction of travel, is on pavements so are comfortable and there are benches along the way to rest.
The amazing thing is just how quiet the area is, considering it sits in a capital city.
Written 30 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Epic-Traveller
Rushden, UK4,511 contributions
Jul 2020
A must-do if you're in Edinburgh.
Holyrood park is a little bit of the countryside in the middle of the City of Edinburgh. Climb Arthur's Seat to the summit and be blessed with 360 degree, bird's-eye view of Edinburgh as far as the eye can see.
Be careful, the rocks are jagged and steep in some places! We've all heard of the man from China who wasn't a very good climber, here was where he slipped on a rock.
Holyrood park is a little bit of the countryside in the middle of the City of Edinburgh. Climb Arthur's Seat to the summit and be blessed with 360 degree, bird's-eye view of Edinburgh as far as the eye can see.
Be careful, the rocks are jagged and steep in some places! We've all heard of the man from China who wasn't a very good climber, here was where he slipped on a rock.
Written 24 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
madaboutravelsp
Edinburgh, UK914 contributions
Sept 2020 • Friends
Huge, beautiful park in the middle of the city. Once you start exploring its paths you'll forget your right in the heart of the Scottish capital. Holyrood Park is an absolute haven and the best place to enjoy the great outdoors without leaving the city. Pack a picnic and make a day out of it.
Written 27 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matthew P
Brighton and Hove, UK818 contributions
Oct 2021
What a gem just at the edge of the city next to Holyrood Palace. Acres of open land with running track and path around the edge with woods, manicured fields and various lakes and ruins to spot on route. If you're feeling energetic this is also the starting point for a climb up to Arthurs seat, a 250 meter climb to the summit of a long extinct volcano.
Written 12 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Braindamagedbaron
Newark-on-Trent, UK1,618 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
Beautiful area of Edinburgh well worth a visit simply for the lovely walks in the peaceful surroundings. Arthur's Seat is a must see if you're in the city and Holyrood Park is certainly the place to walk, have a picnic and spend some quality time in the fresh air with gorgeous scenery all around you. The views are stunning and second to none.
You'll be in no hurry to leave and have every reason to return.
You'll be in no hurry to leave and have every reason to return.
Written 2 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alfie50
Southwold, UK2,753 contributions
Jan 2023 • Solo
Large expansive green area in the centre of the city. Lots of parking, some free, available within the park.
Lots of trails all over the park including the climb to Arthur's Seat. I went on a wet and windy day in January and thete was lots of people making the climb to the top at Arthur's seat. Can get a bit muddy. Wear some good boots. Grest place for your pup. Grest views if the city from the top.
Lots of trails all over the park including the climb to Arthur's Seat. I went on a wet and windy day in January and thete was lots of people making the climb to the top at Arthur's seat. Can get a bit muddy. Wear some good boots. Grest place for your pup. Grest views if the city from the top.
Written 19 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martin
2 contributions
Jan 2020
This park has a serious traffic management problem.
There are more car parks than pedestrian crossings across what is a very busy road.
Traffic laws cease to exist within the boundaries of this park.
Not at all what I expect from an organisation that are supposed to be promoting Scotland's environment.
There are more car parks than pedestrian crossings across what is a very busy road.
Traffic laws cease to exist within the boundaries of this park.
Not at all what I expect from an organisation that are supposed to be promoting Scotland's environment.
Written 1 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
matthew p
Edinburgh, UK118 contributions
Dec 2023 • Friends
This park is near Salisbury crags which is a hill which you can walk up to the top and get good views of edinburgh and beyond. Other then that the "park" is just somewhere that has not much on offer. And if you want snacks it's best to bring your own as your be paying a lot of money for something as simple as a ice cream from one of the ice cream sellers.
Written 8 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dee090
edinburgh821 contributions
Jun 2024 • Solo
I have just done a Historic Environment Scotland guided walking tour round Holyrood Park & it was excellent. The Tour is called Take The High Road. You have to book in advance online but the tour is free. We were a small group. Our guide was called Gordon and he was outstanding. Can not praise him enough. The tour lasts around 3 hours, starting & ending at same spot at Broad Pavement carpark (tho noone knows that's the name of the car park) which is the car park in the park closest to Holyrood palace
Gordon covered history, literature, art geology, flora & fauna. It was all so very interesting. We all learned new stuff even although several of us have spent many years in Edinburgh. Thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend this tour and if you are lucky, you will have Gordon as your tour guide.
Gordon covered history, literature, art geology, flora & fauna. It was all so very interesting. We all learned new stuff even although several of us have spent many years in Edinburgh. Thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend this tour and if you are lucky, you will have Gordon as your tour guide.
Written 15 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
highimpactuk
Welwyn Garden City, UK983 contributions
Oct 2020
We visited the park during our short trip. Although there were protests outside (lockdown/restrictions-related), the park itself was very serene and we could have spent the entire day there. We did not do the hard hike to Arthur's seat as we did not have the time (or the energy :)) to do it this time.
Written 14 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KL2000G
Houston, Texas
We will be visiting during the Royal Visit of the Queen (or at least during the time she Might visit). I know if she is in residence in Holyrood Palace, does that close Holyrood Park to tourist also.....or does Holyrood Park stay open year round even when the Queen visits?
KL2000G
Written 21 January 2017
The majority of Holyrood Park would remain open to pedestrian access, although small areas around the Palace may experience restrictions from time to time. There will be vehicle restrictions on Garden Party day. And there will be a closure of car parks near the Palace throughout.
It would be advisable to check the Palace of Holyrood Houses website for up-to-date opening times.
Kind Regards
Written 23 January 2017
Can we visit Holyrood Park on Sunday Morning & walk up to Arthur's seat?
Written 23 December 2015
Hi,
yes there there are a few car parks at Holyrood Park. There is a car park next to Holyrood Palace, which you will need to pay for. There is also a free option which is slightly futher up Authur's Seat.
I hope this information helps
Written 30 March 2015
Does the park close at 3:00 on Saturday? or is this only the visitor center?
Written 26 March 2015
Holyrood Park doesn't have any opening times. You can visit it at your leisure but I would recommend visiting during daylight hours.
Written 31 March 2015
Would I be able to push a buggy to the top on a clear path? Or is it all steps?
Written 21 February 2015
The paths inside the park and especially up to the top are pretty rocky with rough steps and some can be slippy. I wouldn't recommend taking a buggy.
Written 21 February 2015
is deze distileerderij jun 2015 te bezoeken wat zijn de tarieven
Written 14 February 2015
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