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The Real Mary King's ClosevsPalace of Holyroodhouse
Real Mary King's Close and Palace of Holyroodhouse are both rated very highly by experts. Overall, Palace of Holyroodhouse ranks significantly higher than Real Mary King's Close. Palace of Holyroodhouse comes in at 94 with accolades from 7 sources such as Concierge, Frommer's and Travel + Leisure.
The Real Mary King's Close
Lonely Planet
Travel + Leisure
Atlas Obscura
The Telegraph
Fodor's
Time Out
Condé Nast Traveler
Frommer's
2 Warriston's Close, Edinburgh EH1 1PG, Scotland
From $0/night
Lonely Planet Top Choice
"This spooky, subterranean labyrinth gives a fascinating insight into the everyday life of 17th-century Edinburgh." Full review
Travel + Leisure "Tour this warren of recently opened underground alleyways for a fascinating account of the city's past (victims of the 1644 plague died here) and a firsthand look into restored 17th-century town houses." Full review
Atlas Obscura "17th century streets hidden under Edinburgh were once a breeding ground for the black death. " Full review
The Telegraph "It explores a series of narrow 17th century streets, subsequently built over and closed to the public until the first tours began in 1990s. " Full review
Fodor's "Hidden beneath the City Chambers, this narrow, cobbled close, or lane, named after a former landowner, is said to be one of Edinburgh's most haunted sites." Full review
Time Out "Spooky visitor attraction takes you into the startlingly well-preserved vaults beneath Edinburgh's Old Town to see the streets and wynds where the citizenry lived before the whole thing was built over." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "This ghoulish underground alley sports tenement buildings with doors, shuttered windows, gutters, and even viewable rooms and former stores." Full review
Frommer's "These underground "closes," originally very narrow walkways with houses on either side, date back centuries." Full review
Palace of Holyroodhouse
Concierge Travel + Leisure
Michelin Guide Frommer's Fodor's The Telegraph Condé Nast Traveler
Independent Frommer's Lonely Planet
Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DX, Scotland
From $0/night
Concierge "The Royal Apartments are as grand as you might expect, with magnificent pictures, particularly those of the kings of Scotland by Jacob de Wet, providing the glitz."
Travel + Leisure "Every summer, en route to Balmoral from Buckingham Palace, Queen Elizabeth II stops at this spectacular, if lesser-known, 16th-century royal residence to host an annual Garden Party." Full review
Michelin Guide 2 Stars
"The buildings of the interior court are a fine example of the renaissance period." Full review
Frommer's "If you're fit and ambitious, climb up to the summit of 250-m (823-ft) high Arthur's Seat, from which the panorama is breathtaking." Full review
Fodor's "Once the haunt of Mary, Queen of Scots, and the setting for high drama... this is now Queen Elizabeth's official residence in Scotland." Full review
i
There's plenty to see here, so make sure you have at least two hours to tour the palace, gardens, and the ruins of the 12th-century abbey.
The Telegraph "A tour of the Queen’s official gaff in Scotland will show you more tapestries, paintings and plasterwork than you can shake a sceptre at, as well as Mary Queen of Scots' chambers." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "The Queen’s official Scottish residence is a palace, all right—every room feels more luxurious than the one before." Full review
i
And be sure to check out the 12th-century Holyrood Abbey.
Independent "Best known as the home of Mary, Queen of Scots...the palace’s staterooms are regularly used by the royal family. Areas open to the public include the 14 staterooms and the grounds"
The world’s most beautiful royal palaces
October 8, 2022
Frommer's "If you're fit and ambitious, climb up to the summit of 250-m (823-ft) high Arthur's Seat, from which the panorama is breathtaking." Full review
Lonely PlanetTop choice
"This palace is the royal family's official residence in Scotland, but is more famous as the 16th-century home of the ill-fated Mary, Queen of Scots." Full review
