Edinburgh Castle opening hours at a glance
Edinburgh Castle opens at 09:30 every day it is open. From 1 April to 30 September it closes at 18:00, with last entry at 17:00. From 1 October to 31 March it closes at 17:00, with last entry at 16:00. All times are local time, and the dates below are the seasonal calendar.
Plan at least 2 hours for the main attractions, so arriving at the last entry leaves you too little time. If you want a fixed entry time, Edinburgh Castle tickets are sold per time slot, and the page explains the online and gate prices.
The calendar is a seasonal rule. Weather or operations can close the castle at short notice, and a closure notice takes priority over the calendar. Check the current notice on the day you travel.
Opening calendar through the year
Castle opening, last entry and closing, in local time.
| Period | Opens | Last entry | Closes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 April to 30 September | 09:30 | 17:00 | 18:00 |
| 1 October to 23 December | 09:30 | 16:00 | 17:00 |
| 24 December | 09:30 | 15:00 | 16:00 |
| 25 and 26 December | Closed | – | – |
| 27 to 31 December | 09:30 | 16:00 | 17:00 |
| 1 January | 11:00 | 16:00 | 17:00 |
| 2 January to 31 March | 09:30 | 16:00 | 17:00 |
For most visitors a morning entry works best. In summer the day is long. In winter the last entry is at 16:00 and daylight is short, so an early start gives you time for everything.
Our pick: after the castle closes
Our take: this evening tour starts after castle hours, on the High Street.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in British pounds (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Edinburgh Castle tours and tickets
Castle entry with a guide, Royal Mile walks and day trips, with live prices and availability. Pick an entry time that fits the opening hours.
Other times to plan around
Not everything inside keeps the castle's hours.
National War Museum
In summer it opens 09:45 to 17:45, with last entry at 17:30. In winter the regular hours are 09:45 to 16:45, with last entry at 16:30. It is closed at Christmas. The regimental museums keep their own calendars.
Inside the castle →One O'Clock Gun
The gun normally fires at 13:00 every day except Sunday, Good Friday and Christmas Day. A closure of the castle for weather or operations applies to the gun as well. The mobility vehicle does not run between 12:15 and 13:15 because of the ceremony.
One O'Clock Gun →Guided tour starts
The 30-minute tour starts at 10:15, 11:15, 12:15, 14:15 and 15:15 from 1 October to 31 March. In summer the starts run from 09:45 to 15:45, mostly every 30 minutes. Be at the meeting point 15 minutes before.
Edinburgh Castle tours →Military Tattoo
The evening show on the Esplanade is separate from your day visit. The 2027 edition runs from 6 to 28 August 2027, and tribunes limit use of the Esplanade from May to October.
Military Tattoo →Opening hours next door
Two Royal Mile sights people combine with the castle.
| Sight | Days and hours | Note |
|---|---|---|
| St Giles' Cathedral | Monday to Friday 10:00 to 18:00, Saturday 09:00 to 17:00, Sunday 13:00 to 17:00 | Check the Thursday closing time on the day |
| Palace of Holyroodhouse | 1 November to 31 December 2026, Thursday to Monday | Closed 25 and 26 December 2026 |
For most visitors, the castle in the morning and the Royal Mile afterwards works best, because the downhill walk finishes at Holyrood. See the Royal Mile page for the order of stops.
How to use the hours
Be at the gate a little before your entry time. The walk up Castlehill and the bag check add time, and bags of 30 litres or more are not allowed.
Plan the stops in the order of the day: the Honours of Scotland and the Great Hall are around Crown Square, the One O'Clock Gun is by the Mills Mount Battery, and the National War Museum has its own times. In winter, an arrival at the 16:00 last entry leaves very little time.
When the weather turns, check the notice again. The castle can close at short notice for weather warnings, and the calendar above does not override that.
Edinburgh Castle opening hours: frequently asked questions
What time does Edinburgh Castle open?
At 09:30. On 1 January it opens at 11:00. From 1 April to 30 September it closes at 18:00, and from 1 October to 31 March it closes at 17:00.
What is the last entry?
17:00 from 1 April to 30 September and 16:00 from 1 October to 31 March, with 15:00 on 24 December.
Is the castle open at Christmas and New Year?
It is closed on 25 and 26 December. On 24 December it opens at 09:30 with last entry at 15:00. From 27 to 31 December it keeps the winter hours, and on 1 January it opens at 11:00.
How long should I plan?
At least 2 hours for the main attractions. That is a planning figure, not a maximum, and you can stay until closing.
Can bad weather close the castle?
Yes. Weather warnings or operations can close the castle at short notice, also outside winter. The seasonal calendar is not a guarantee, so check the current notice before you go.
Is edinburgh-castle.org the official website?
No. This is an independent travel guide and not connected to the castle or to Historic Environment Scotland. Times here follow the seasonal calendar, so check the current notice for the day.