Harry Potter Tour & Palace of Holyrood Entry: review

My verdict: an odd pairing on paper that works well in practice, especially for families — a guided Potter walk through the Old Town spots the books grew out of, then palace entry to use at your own pace. The guides are the reason the reviews read warmly; just know that the guide does not come into the palace with you.

4.6★★★★★33 reviewsfrom £58

Duration3.5 hours

Potter walkGuided

PalaceIndependent visit, entry included

Meeting pointTron Kirk, Royal Mile

AccessibilityWheelchair accessible

How the tour runs

You meet outside the Tron Kirk market on the Royal Mile, opposite Bella Italia, and the guided walk takes in the Potter landmarks: Tron Kirk, Victoria Street, Greyfriars Kirkyard and the Elephant Café. Then you head to the palace for an independent visit — your entry is included, the guide’s job is done. The listed duration is 3.5 hours; how long you give the palace itself is up to you, and most people take an hour to an hour and a half inside. The route is wheelchair accessible. Food and luggage storage are not included.

What bookers say

The guides get named, which is usually the best sign. Janeece, from the US, found Jackson enthusiastic and hilarious; Ulrika from Germany kept it short — “Really fun with our guide Jackson.” Bea from Belgium found Paul friendly, Robert from the UK called Benjamin professional, and Julie from Canada said the tour exceeded her expectations.

What works

Guides are repeatedly named and praised in reviews
Palace entry included, so your afternoon is already sorted
Covers the Potter spots people actually come for — Victoria Street and Greyfriars Kirkyard included
Wheelchair accessible throughout

Worth knowing

The guide does not enter the palace — that half of the day is yours alone
No food included and no luggage storage
The palace is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays outside high summer, so the second half only works on an open day

Price£58

Rating4.6 / 5

Reviews33

Duration3.5 h

Palace entryIncluded

AccessWheelchair OK

Insider tip

Book this for a day the palace is actually open — Thursday to Monday outside the 21 May–7 Sep season — or the entry half of your ticket has nowhere to go. Dates are on the best time to visit page.

Who it suits

Families with Potter readers, and anyone who wants one booking to fill most of a day with a walk and a palace. If the wizardry is optional and the history is the point, the Mary, Queen of Scots walk covers the same streets with darker material, and the walking tours page compares the guided options side by side.

Other tickets to consider

Skip the queueAudio guide included

Check dates & book the Potter tour

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure on most tours — book now, decide later.

Frequently asked questions

Does the guide come into the palace?

No. The guided part is the Potter walk — Tron Kirk, Victoria Street, Greyfriars Kirkyard, the Elephant Café — and then you visit the palace independently with your included entry. What to look for inside is covered on the what to see inside page.

Is Holyrood Palace entry really included in the price?

Yes — the £58 covers the guided walk and palace admission. Buying palace entry alone costs £22 in advance, so the walk itself works out at £36; the full arithmetic across all six products is on the ticket prices page.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

Yes, the tour is listed as wheelchair accessible. Note the Old Town is cobbled and hilly in places all the same — the pace allows for it.

Where does it start?

Outside the Tron Kirk market on the Royal Mile, opposite Bella Italia. The getting there page covers reaching the Mile from Waverley Station in about five minutes on foot.