Arthur's Seat: Free Access & Visiting Tips
1.5 - 2.5 h round trip
Extinct Volcano & Public Park
Volcanic in origin (roughly 350 million years old); Holyrood Park established as a royal park in the 16th century
Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, EH8 8HG, Scotland, UK
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Practical Visitor Info & Tips
£0.00
N/A
Open 24 hours a day, year-round.
None — free, open access at any time.
The 251-metre summit of Arthur's Seat and the surrounding Holyrood Park, adjacent to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
| Option | Price | Booking | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General access | Free | None — open 24 hours, year-round |
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Ticket Options
£0.00
Check whether a city pass already covers this attraction before buying separately.
See pass compatibility below ↓Overview & History
Arthur's Seat is the main peak of an extinct volcano rising 251 metres above Holyrood Park, right beside the Palace of Holyroodhouse. As a public park managed by Historic Environment Scotland, it's free and open to enter year-round, with the summit reached via a roughly 45-60 minute walk from the park gates.
What to See: Top Highlights
The Summit
A 251-metre viewpoint with panoramic views across Edinburgh, the Firth of Forth, and (on clear days) beyond.
Holyrood Park
A wider royal park of crags, lochs (Dunsapple and St Margaret's Loch), and moorland, all free to roam.
Multiple Route Options
Routes range from a short, steep ascent from Dunsapple Loch to longer, gentler paths from Duddingston.
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Do You Need a Pass Here?
Compare Edinburgh PassesNo — Arthur's Seat and Holyrood Park are free, open public land, with or without any pass. Neither the Royal Edinburgh Ticket nor the Edinburgh City Pass is needed for entry.
No pass required for entry
Free, open access at any time, day or night.
Data Provenance
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