The Great Hall
Built for King James IV in 1511, the Great Hall's hammerbeam roof and antique arms are one of the castle's most striking spaces.
Scotland's most visited landmark
Edinburgh Castle — a thousand years of Scottish history on Castle Rock
Perched high above Edinburgh's Old Town, Edinburgh Castle is Scotland's crown-jewel tourist attraction. Plan your visit, book tickets and discover the Crown Jewels, the One O'Clock Gun and the storied Great Hall.
Quick facts
Open daily
09:30 — 18:00 (summer)
Adult ticket
from £21.50
Location
Castlehill, EH1 2NG
Average visit
2 – 3 hours
The castle at the heart of Edinburgh
For more than nine centuries the Castle of Edinburgh has watched over the city below. It has been a royal residence, a military garrison, a prison and now Scotland's most-visited paid attraction. Whether it's your first trip or your fifth, there's always more to see.
This friendly visitor guide gathers everything a tourist needs: ticket prices in pounds sterling, the easiest ways to get to Edinburgh Castle, what to see once you're inside, and answers to the questions we hear most.
What to see
Highlights of Edinburgh Castle
The One O'Clock Gun
Fired every day except Sunday, Good Friday and Christmas — a tradition dating back to 1861 to help ships in the Firth of Forth set their clocks.
Honours of Scotland
The Crown Jewels
See the Honours of Scotland — the crown, sceptre and sword of state — alongside the ancient Stone of Destiny.
How to get to Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle sits at the top of the Royal Mile in the centre of the city. It's a short walk from Waverley train station, easy on the tram, and well connected by bus. Driving is possible but parking is limited.
By train
10-minute walk uphill from Edinburgh Waverley.
By tram
Alight at Princes Street — 8 minutes on foot.
By bus
Lothian Buses stop on the Mound and George IV Bridge.
By car
Use Castle Terrace or Q-Park Castle Terrace car parks.