Hightlight
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Family Friendly
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Restaurant
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Tours
Step aboard for a great day out. Bring the family along to see one of Edinburgh’s top attractions where you’ll get to walk in the footsteps of Royalty. The Royal Yacht Britannia has been part of the Edinburgh city since 1998, and brings tourists to sample their afternoon tea and their private tours.
A Royal residence for over 40 years, The Royal Yacht Britannia sailed over 1,000,000 nautical miles on 968 state visits with the Royal Family where they entertained prime ministers and presidents. Tripadvisor’s No.1 UK Attraction 2023 – 2024, you can discover across five decks stories of life at sea for both the Royal Family and the 220 Royal Yachtsmen who served on board. Our five-star visitor attraction is located in Leith, just two miles from Edinburgh’s city centre.
What will I see?
- Britannia’s five decks with your free audio guide
- 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 a tour highlight, the gleaming Engine Room
- Take in the Royal Sailing Exhibition
- Enjoy soups, sandwiches, cakes and scones in the Royal Deck Tearoom
- Admire the stunning waterfront views from the Best UK Attraction (Tripadvisor)
Maps
Contact
Opening Hours
Monday:
10:00 - 15:00
Tuesday:
10:00 - 15:00
Wednesday:
10:00 - 15:00
Closed
Thursday:
10:00 - 15:00
Friday:
10:00 - 15:00
Saturday:
10:00 - 15:00
Sunday:
10:00 - 15:00
Google Reviews
Fedina Fedina
a month agoVisiting the Royal Yacht Britannia was an incredible experience! It’s truly impressive and unique to be in the very places where the royal family—especially the late Queen Elizabeth II and Lady D—once gathered. This was one of her favorite locations, and it’s easy to see why. The yacht is exceptionally well-preserved, and there’s even a charming tea room on board. The venue is also available for events. The visit includes an audio guide available in several languages, allowing you to explore at your own pace. I highly recommend this visit to anyone who appreciates the royal family and, in particular, has admiration for the Queen. It’s also an astonishing piece of engineering, having been launched in the 1950s, making it a fascinating blend of history and craftsmanship. Overall, a must-see!
Jp Cridland
in the last weekGreat to visit the Royal Yacht Britannia. Well worth a visit, a real sense of family, royal presence and history. The tea room is also lovely. This is a great experience all can enjoy. Shame the viewing platform wasn’t open when visiting to see the whole ship from about but this didn’t disappoint in the experience. Just a little something it would be good to visit the tea room (extra income, both out having to purchase tickets) but totally get why. Good experience and a real sense of history.
Kellina Pinar
a month agoTL;DR: The Royal Yacht Britannia is an unforgettable Edinburgh experience with an excellent audio guide, beautifully preserved rooms, and deep historical significance. Don’t miss the tea room for a snack and wonderful tea! The Royal Yacht Britannia was one of my favorite stops in Edinburgh. Walking through the ship and listening to the fantastic audio guide provided so much insight into life on board, from the crew’s quarters to the Queen’s private spaces. The attention to detail in preserving the rooms makes it feel like stepping back in time. One of the most fascinating details is that all the clocks on board are stopped at 3:01—the exact moment the Queen last stepped off before the ship was decommissioned. It’s a touching tribute to its history and royal legacy. To top off the experience, I highly recommend stopping at the tea room above the third deck for a snack and some wonderful tea. It’s a perfect way to soak in the atmosphere while enjoying a relaxing break. This is a must-visit in Edinburgh!
Miss Twyla
2 months agoA big fan of Royal Family history, I was thoroughly impressed and delighted at the perfectly curated Yacht. It was impressive from the very first step on until the very end. We enjoyed the recorded headphones which easily guided you through each and every room giving intimate details with enlightening moments from history. We stopped at the Tea Room and enjoyed mushroom soup, hot chocolate, and champagne. The views from the Tea Room were stunning. Set aside plenty of time to enjoy every second. There is a chill on the shore, so bring a jacket and something to cover your ears. If you are intrigued by the Royals, you’ll love this experience!
frenchie shoes
a month agoAmazing experience and glimpse of the Royal Family. The audio guide helped so much to understand better the way of living during the trips, how everything worked and especially the fact that we can literally walk through history! I recommend this experience so much. It took us 1:45 to listen carefully the audio (also available on your phone) and take our time to properly see everything (really not crowded in February apparently)
