Thursday 19 February
On Thursday 19 February, the Bridge will be closed for essential maintenance. Visitors will be able to see the outside of the Bridge from the lift tower which connects each of the decks.
The Last British Royal Yacht
Start your tour on the Second Floor of Ocean Terminal. Discover the history of the Royal Yachts, dating back to 1660, through Britannia's journeys sailing over 1 million nautical miles, to the ship's role today as a top visitor attraction. Then follow in the footsteps of Royalty as you step aboard to explore the ship for yourself and see the last British Royal Yacht. Five decks, endless stories.
What was The Royal Yacht Britannia?
Britannia, launched in 1953 for the British Royal Family, remains one of the most loved and recognisable ships in the world. For more than four decades, this remarkable vessel carried Queen Elizabeth II and the Royal Family on 968 state visits, welcoming world leaders, dignitaries, and celebrated personalities on board. A cherished holiday retreat and elegant ‘palace at sea,’ Britannia also hosted many memorable family voyages to the Western Isles of Scotland. Across 40 years of service, the ship sailed over one million nautical miles.
Following decommissioning in 1997, Britannia began an exciting new chapter in Edinburgh, quickly becoming one of the UK’s top visitor attractions. Countless awards have followed, including being named Tripadvisor’s No.1 UK Attraction for the third time in 2025. Today, The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust, a registered charity, proudly preserves and protects this extraordinary piece of modern Royal history for generations to come.
What will I see?
Want to visit somewhere truly unique? Why settle for an ordinary day out when you could dive into history aboard not only a ship but the last British Royal Yacht in the world!
From the crown to the crew, come rain or shine, we’re an all-weather visit, with a refreshing breath of fresh sea air in between each of the five decks.
- Britannia’s five decks with your free audio guide, BSL/ASL tablet, Braille script
- Feel like the captain of the ship in the Bridge
- Follow in the footsteps of Royalty through the State Apartments
- See Queen Elizabeth II's favourite room
- Discover below decks in the Crew’s Quarters
- Admire the gleaming Engine Room, a tour highlight
- Take in the Royal Sailing Exhibition
- Come for the Royal Yacht, stay for the scones in the Royal Deck Tearoom with waterfront views and delicious cakes, sandwiches and soups, straight from the Royal Galley
- Admire the stunning waterfront views from the No.1 UK Attraction 2025 (Tripadvisor)
- Our Fleet
Ongoing Maintenance
Owned and cared for by The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust, our dedicated Maintenance team work 363 days of the year to ensure Britannia is preserved for future generations.
Opening Times
| Admission Times | First Admission | Last Admission | Closing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| January - March | 10:00 | 15:00 | 17:00 |
| April - September | 09:30 | 16:00 | 18:00 |
| October - December*† | 10:00 | 15:00 | 17:00 |
†On Thursday 17 December, last admission to the Royal Yacht is at 12:00pm and closing time is at 2:00pm.
*The last admission on 24 December is 2:30pm. The Royal Yacht Britannia is closed on 25 December and 1 January.
Tickets & Prices
You are welcome to buy your tickets in advance through our website or on the day of your visit at the ticket desk (card or contactless payment only).
- If you choose to buy online, you will be able to board via our prebooked ticket aisle.
- Online prices are the same as those available in person on the day. Please note, Armed Forces and Carer tickets are only available at our ticket desk.
Buying Tickets Online
Tickets will be e-mailed to the e-mail address provided during ticket purchase. This e-mail can be shown on your phone/tablet or printed out, with the option to add your tickets to your Google Pay/Apple wallet.
Royal Tea On Britannia
Brand new for 2026, experience Britannia with an enhanced guided group tour. Discover why Britannia was the one place Queen Elizabeth II could truly relax with anecdotes and stories from your expert guide. Learn more.
Private Tours
Have you ever wanted to go behind the golden ropes, to follow in the footsteps of Royalty? Our private tours, available at 8.30am or 5.30pm, let you do just that, as our knowledgeable guides tell the unique stories of this iconic ship and floating former Royal palace. Pre-booking essential.
Getting Here
Looking for directions? Find out how to find Britannia via tram, bus or car.
Our Hotel, Fingal
Our sister ship, Fingal Hotel is a world-class experience from the moment you step aboard. Awarded Tripadvisor's No.1 UK Luxury Hotel and No. 1 UK Small & Boutique Hotel 2024, the 22 luxurious cabins are inspired by its rich maritime heritage and are an indulgent experience like no other.
The onboard Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar is a stylish yet relaxed space welcoming non-residents and overnight guests. Relax in the finest interiors, including the magnificent shimmering ceiling, and indulge in delicious Afternoon Tea, dinner and nautical-inspired cocktails. Located five minutes from Britannia, reserve a table to dine through the Fingal Hotel website.
