Frequently Asked Questions about Edinburgh Castle, UK 2025

Frequently Asked Questions about Edinburgh Castle

Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about Edinburgh Castle on this page, covering everything from general questions to transportation and practical tips.

Check out quick and comprehensive answers to ensure your Edinburgh Castle experience is seamless and memorable.

Tickets & Tours

General Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about Edinburgh Castle: Tickets & Tours

Edinburgh Castle’s fame rests on its rich history, iconic location atop Castle Rock, housing the Crown Jewels of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny, breathtaking city views, historic architecture, cultural events, and its role as a symbol of Scottish identity, drawing visitors worldwide to explore its heritage and ambiance.

Edinburgh Castle is over a millennium old, with its history dating back to the 12th century. Its enduring presence atop Castle Rock has witnessed countless centuries of Scottish history, making it one of the most ancient and historically significant fortresses in Scotland and the United Kingdom.

Absolutely, visiting Edinburgh Castle is well worth it. Inside, you’ll discover a treasure trove of Scottish history, including the Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny. The historic architecture, breathtaking views, and cultural events make it an enriching and unforgettable experience, offering a deeper understanding of Scotland’s past.

For more information, check out our page Inside Edinburgh Castle: Must-See Attractions & Hidden Gems.

> Castle Rock: Edinburgh Castle is situated on an extinct volcano called Castle Rock, providing natural defenses.
> Mons Meg: The massive siege cannon known as Mons Meg is displayed here, a gift from Philip the Good of Burgundy in the 15th century.
> One O’clock Gun: A tradition of firing a gun at 1 pm daily started in 1861 to help ships set their time accurately.
> Royal Residences: The castle was once a royal residence, and Mary, Queen of Scots, gave birth to James VI in the Royal Palace.
> Dog Cemetery: The castle has a pet cemetery, the final resting place for regimental mascots and officers’ dogs.
> Honours of Scotland: The Honours of Scotland, comprising the crown, scepter, and sword, are one of the oldest crown jewels in Europe, dating back to the 15th century.

Edinburgh Castle is not a royal residence, and it is not used as a private dwelling. It primarily serves as a historic and tourist attraction, a repository of historical artifacts, and a venue for cultural events and ceremonies. While it has housed monarchs and served as a royal residence in the past, it is no longer used for residential purposes.

The dress code for Edinburgh Castle is casual.

Frequently Asked Questions about Edinburg Castle: General Questions

Edinburgh is pronounced Ed-in-bra.

The construction of Edinburgh Castle began in the 12th century, and over the centuries, various monarchs and builders contributed to its expansion and development. The origins of the castle are often attributed to King David I of Scotland, who commissioned the construction of the earliest structures. Subsequent kings, including James IV, James V, and James VI, played roles in further enhancements. The Half Moon Battery and the Crown Square were constructed during the reign of James VI in the 16th century.

Edinburgh Castle covers an area of 3.5 hectares (8.6 acres)

1 April to 30 September, 9.30 am to 6 pm (last entry 5 pm)
1 October to 31 March, 9.30 am to 5 pm (last entry 4 pm)
Closed on 25 and 26 December

>> More information: Edinburgh Castle Opening Hours

1 April to 30 September, 9.30 am to 6 pm (last entry 5 pm)
1 October to 31 March, 9.30 am to 5 pm (last entry 4 pm)
Closed on 25 and 26 December

>> More information: Edinburgh Castle Opening Hours

Edinburgh Castle Tickets & Tours

Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket

4.6

5351 Reviews

€41.56

GetYourGuide

Instant Confirmation
Skip-the-line Ticket
Live Guide
Free Cancellation

“We only really had time to visit the cathedral, which was fantastic….”

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Edinburgh: Royal Attractions with Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours

4.8

2421 Reviews

€81.93

GetYourGuide

Instant Confirmation
Mobile Ticket
Access To Edinburgh Castle
48 Hours On 3 Hop-on-hop-off Bus Tours
Free Cancellation

“Highly trained guide, perfect knowledge of Italian, of the history of the castle and of the city in general…”

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Edinburgh: Harry Potter Tour with Entry to Edinburgh Castle

4.6

170 Reviews

€68.87

GetYourGuide

Instant Confirmation
Edinburgh Castle Ticket
Harry Potter Walking Tour
Duration 4 Hours
Free Cancellation

“This was a perfect tour for our group of Harry Potter enthusiasts!….”

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Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket

5351 Reviews

Discover the rich history of Edinburgh Castle with this Skip-the-Line Walking Tour. Your ticket includes exclusive access to this iconic fortress, ensuring you make the most of your visit. Accompanied by an English-, German-, Spanish-, or Italian-speaking guide, you’ll explore over 3,000 years of captivating history, including the reign of King James VI. Ascend to the Castle Rock’s summit for breathtaking panoramic views of the city and marvel at the stunning features of the Great Hall and Royal Palace. Don’t forget your camera to capture the UNESCO World Heritage Edinburgh Old Town from this historic vantage point. Immerse yourself in Scotland’s past and present with this unforgettable experience.

Skip-the-line Ticket To Edinburgh Castle
English-, German-, Spanish-, Italian-speaking Guide

Meeting point: Meet your guide in front of Advocates Close, Edinburgh EH1 1ND, opposite of St. Giles’ Cathedral. Look for the black umbrella with the yellow logo of Scotland City Tours.

Starting time: English: 10 am, 12:15 pm, 1:30 pm
German: 1:30 pm
Spanish: 10 am, 1:30 pm
Italian: 1:30 pm

Duration: 1,5 Hours

5* Natis – Colombia, December 6, 2023 – Verified booking

It was excellent, our guide knew a lot about the history and told us many things about the castle and Scotland in general.

5* Sergio – United Kingdom, December 4, 2023 – Verified booking

Great tour with an even better tour guide! Kept it very fun while explaining all the amazing stories! Well done Sarah!

Prices starting at €41.56

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GetYourGuide

Instant Confirmation
Skip-the-line Ticket
Live Guide
Free Cancellation

Edinburgh: Royal Attractions with Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours

2421 Reviews

Experience the best of Edinburgh’s historical treasures with this all-inclusive package. Gain access to the majestic Edinburgh Castle, explore the opulent Royal Yacht Britannia, and step into the grandeur of the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Plus, enjoy the flexibility of a 48-hour pass for three hop-on-hop-off bus tours, complete with informative multilingual audio commentary. To enhance your visits, you’ll receive multilingual tour handsets at the Royal Yacht Britannia and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, ensuring a deeper understanding of their significance. This comprehensive ticket lets you discover Scotland’s rich history and culture with ease, making it the perfect choice for an unforgettable Edinburgh adventure.

Access To Edinburgh Castle
Access To Royal Yacht Britannia
Access To Palace Of Holyroodhouse
48 Hours On 3 Hop-on-hop-off Bus Tours
Multilingual Audio Commentary On All Buses
Multilingual Tour Handset At Royal Yacht Britannia
Multilingual Tour Handset At Palace Of Holyroodhouse

Meeting Point:All bus tours depart from Waterloo Place, opposite the Apex Waterloo Hotel. There, you need to exchange your voucher for the three attractions and the bus tickets from the ticket vendors.

Starting Time: 9 Am

Duration: 48 Hours

5* Invocations – United States, November 24, 2023 – Verified booking

The tour guide on the bus was great and it was a fantastic way to go about to different parts of the city. The tickets for the attractions being included was a great addition.

5* GetYourGuide traveler – Singapore, November 21, 2023 – Verified booking

It was great! By booking the tour, I got entrance tickets to the 3 Royal attractions at once. Quite convenient!

Prices starting at €81.93

Check Availability

GetYourGuide

Instant Confirmation
Mobile Ticket
Edinburgh Castle Access
48 Hours On 3 Hop-on-hop-off Bus Tours
Free Cancellation

Edinburgh: Harry Potter Tour with Entry to Edinburgh Castle

170 Reviews

Discover the magic of Edinburgh with this 4-hour Harry Potter-themed walking tour, complete with entry to Edinburgh Castle. Your enthusiastic English-speaking guide will lead you to the iconic spots that inspired J.K. Rowling, including the Old Town café where the books were born, Tom Riddle’s Grave, and Diagon Alley. After this enchanting small-group experience with fellow Potter fans, you’ll receive your Edinburgh Castle entry ticket to continue exploring at your own pace.

Local Guide
Edinburgh Castle Entry Ticket
2-hour Harry Potter Walking Tour

Meeting Point: Meet your guide outside of the Tron Kirk market, opposite Bella Italia on the Royal Mile.

Starting Time: 9:30 PM, 12 PM

Duration: 4 Hours

5* Rion, United States – January 2023

This was a perfect tour for our group of Harry Potter enthusiasts! Don’t come on this tour if you don’t know anything about Harry Potter. Our tour guide Kirsty was thoroughly entertaining and was well informed about all things Harry Potter! We were pleased to have some facts about Edinburgh thrown into the tour as well. We saw cool sites like the inspiration for Diagon Alley as well as Tom Riddle’s grave site! Would highly recommend this tour!

5* Claudio, Italy – December 2022

It was a very interesting experience. We listened to curiosities both from the point of view of the inspiration for the writing of Harry Potter and from the historical point of view of the city. Benjamin was very good, funny and available to answer any of our questions. Highly recommended! It was an amazing experience. We heard both about the inspiration of Harry Potter’s story and the historical facts of the city. Benjamin was very good, funny and helpful answering all our questions. Highly recommended!!