Edinburgh Castle opening hours are straightforward — 9:30am daily, year-round — but the closing times, last entry rules, and museum hours vary by season. The difference between summer and winter is a full hour, and several sub-venues inside the castle keep their own slightly different schedules. This guide covers the complete picture so you can plan your visit down to the hour.
Summer (1 Apr–30 Sep): 9:30am–6pm, last entry 5pmWinter (1 Oct–31 Mar): 9:30am–5pm, last entry 4pmOpen daily except 25–26 December. 1 January: opens 11am.Best time to arrive: 9:30am on a Tuesday–Thursday for the quietest experience.Book a Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket (£37) to skip the ticket queue and walk straight in at opening.
Edinburgh Castle Opening Hours 2026
The castle opens at 9:30am every day of the year (except Christmas Day and Boxing Day). Closing times depend on the season:
| Dates | Opens | Last Entry | Closes |
| 1 April – 30 September | 9:30am | 5:00pm | 6:00pm |
| 1 October – 23 December | 9:30am | 4:00pm | 5:00pm |
| 24 December | 9:30am | 2:30pm | 4:00pm |
| 25–26 December | CLOSED | — | — |
| 27–31 December | 9:30am | 4:00pm | 5:00pm |
| 1 January | 11:00am | 4:00pm | 5:00pm |
| 2 January – 31 March | 9:30am | 4:00pm | 5:00pm |
Last entry is always one hour before closing. In practice, one hour is enough for a quick walk around the main highlights, but if you want to see the museums and take your time, aim to arrive at least two hours before close. Three hours is ideal for a thorough visit.
The summer season begins on 1 April, when hours extend to 6pm. This is the same date the castle’s guided tours shift to their expanded summer schedule.
Hours are subject to change. Adverse weather (particularly high winds on Castle Rock) may cause unscheduled closures. If you’re travelling a long distance, check the official Historic Environment Scotland closures page on the day of your visit.
Museum, Café & Shop Hours Inside the Castle
Several venues inside Edinburgh Castle keep slightly different hours from the castle itself. This catches visitors out — particularly the museums, which close earlier than the castle gates.
National War Museum
| Period | Opens | Closes |
| 1 Apr – 30 Sep | 9:45am | 5:45pm |
| 1 Oct – 24 Dec | 9:45am | 4:45pm |
| 25–26 Dec | CLOSED | — |
| 27 Dec – 4 Jan | 10:15am | 3:45pm |
| 5 Jan – 31 Mar | 9:45am | 4:45pm |
Key detail: The National War Museum opens 15 minutes after the castle and closes 15 minutes before. During the holiday period (27 December–4 January), it opens later (10:15am) and closes much earlier (3:45pm). Don’t save this museum for last — it’s one of the castle’s best exhibits and deserves at least 30–45 minutes.
Regimental Museums
The Royal Scots/Royal Regiment of Scotland Museum and the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum keep similar hours to the National War Museum but with weekday/weekend variations. The Royal Scots Museum is closed from 21 December to 5 January. The Dragoon Guards Museum is closed 24–26 December and 1–2 January.
Both museums may close during normal hours for school visits or private events — this isn’t posted far in advance.
Cafés
Redcoat Café: 9:30am–4pm daily, year-round. The Tea Rooms: 10:30am–4pm daily. Both closed 25–26 December. Note that the cafés close at 4pm regardless of season — earlier than the castle itself in summer. Plan your coffee break accordingly.
Shops
The Portcullis Shop, Crown Gift Shop, and Whisky & Finest Food Shop are open from 9:45am to 5:40pm in summer and 4:40pm in winter. Shop hours may vary for operational reasons.
One O’Clock Gun Schedule
The One O’Clock Gun fires at exactly 1pm every day from Mills Mount Battery. It does not fire on Sundays, Good Friday, or Christmas Day. The tradition dates back to 1861, when it was introduced as a time signal for ships in the Firth of Forth and Leith Harbour.
If you want to watch it, arrive at Mills Mount Battery by 12:40pm to secure a good spot. The bang is loud enough to startle people on Princes Street below. For more on this tradition, see our visitor tips.
Current Closures & Temporary Changes (2026)
Crown Room: Closed until April 2026 for refurbishment. The vault is being updated and a new display created for the Honours of Scotland. During this period, the Crown Jewels are not on public display [VERIFY exact reopening date].
Western Defences: Closed until 1 April 2026.
Visitor toilets: One set of visitor toilets (near the drawbridge) is closed for refurbishment until spring 2026. Temporary accessible facilities are available on the Esplanade.
Museums may also close for facilitated school visits. Check the official Edinburgh Castle website or the Historic Environment Scotland closures page on the day of your visit for any unexpected changes.
Best Days and Times to Visit
The castle opens at the same time every day, but the experience varies enormously depending on when you arrive. For the full breakdown, see our month-by-month crowd guide. Here’s the summary:
Best days: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are the quietest across every season.
Busiest day: Saturday, in every season.
Best time: 9:30am opening. The first 60–90 minutes are dramatically quieter than midday.
Avoid: 10:30am–1pm is the peak window (cruise ship groups, walking tours, One O’Clock Gun crowds).
Second-best window: After 2:30pm, when most tour groups have departed. This works well in summer (3+ hours until close) but is tight in winter (closing at 5pm).
Arrive at opening and skip the queue. The Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket (£37) departs from 9:30–10am — perfect for catching the castle at its quietest. Includes 1.5 hours of expert storytelling plus free time afterward.
Holiday Opening Hours at a Glance
Christmas Eve (24 December): Opens 9:30am, closes 4pm (last entry 2:30pm).
Christmas Day & Boxing Day (25–26 December): CLOSED.
27–31 December: Normal winter hours (9:30am–5pm). Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations make the area busy on 30–31 December.
New Year’s Day (1 January): Opens late at 11am, closes 5pm.
2 January onward: Normal winter hours resume.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Edinburgh Castle open and close?
Edinburgh Castle opens at 9:30am daily (except 1 January, when it opens at 11am). It closes at 6pm from April to September and 5pm from October to March. Last entry is always one hour before closing. The castle is closed on 25–26 December.
Is Edinburgh Castle open every day?
Yes, every day except Christmas Day and Boxing Day (25–26 December). On Christmas Eve, it closes early at 4pm. On New Year’s Day, it opens late at 11am. All other days follow standard seasonal hours.
Is Edinburgh Castle open on Sundays?
Yes, with the same hours as any other day. The only difference is that the One O’Clock Gun does not fire on Sundays.
What time is last entry at Edinburgh Castle?
Last entry is 5pm in summer (April–September) and 4pm in winter (October–March). On Christmas Eve, last entry is 2:30pm. Allow at least 2 hours after entry for a reasonable visit.
Is Edinburgh Castle open on Christmas Day?
No. Edinburgh Castle is closed on both Christmas Day (25 December) and Boxing Day (26 December). It reopens on 27 December with normal winter hours.
Is Edinburgh Castle open on New Year’s Day?
Yes, but it opens late at 11am (instead of the usual 9:30am) and closes at 5pm. Normal hours resume from 2 January.
What time does the One O’Clock Gun fire?
The gun fires at exactly 1pm every day from Mills Mount Battery. It does not fire on Sundays, Good Friday, or Christmas Day. Arrive by 12:40pm for a good viewing position.
What are Edinburgh Castle’s winter opening hours?
From 1 October to 31 March, Edinburgh Castle is open 9:30am–5pm with last entry at 4pm. The National War Museum closes at 4:45pm. For crowd advice during winter months, see our best time to visit guide.
Plan Your Visit
Edinburgh Castle is open from 9:30am daily year-round, closing at 6pm in summer and 5pm in winter. Arrive at opening on a weekday morning for the quietest experience, and book your tickets online in advance — the castle sells out regularly from May to September. For most visitors, a Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket (£37) is the best way to make the most of your time — skip the queue, get expert context, and explore freely afterward.
For the complete planning picture, see our visitor tips and how long to spend guide.
