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Balmoral Castle’s 167 rooms and magnificent grounds have long been hidden from the public eye, but for the first time in history, the royal property is now open to visitors.

Related: How to Spend 1 Day in Edinburgh

Balmoral Castle, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, is one of the most beloved properties of the British royal family. Queen Elizabeth II was so fond of the castle that she spent almost every summer of her life there. He also spent his last moments there in September 2022.

For the first time, Balmoral Castle is open to the general public for tours until August 11. Royals fans quickly snapped up 100 British pounds ($130) tickets for the inside tour when they went on sale; Fortunately, 17.50 pound ($22.60) general admission tickets to the estate, gardens and exhibition are still available.

Inside, you can wander the beautiful estate where Prince Philip proposed to the Queen, take in dramatic views of the castle where Princes William and Harry learned of Princess Diana’s death, check out King Charles’ flower gardens and admire the ballroom where the royals party. .

Getting there

It takes some effort to reach the secluded location of the fort.

If you’re visiting Scotland by plane, you’ll want to fly into Aberdeen International Airport (ABZ) before heading to the Highlands. Balmoral Castle is located about 80 kilometers (50 miles) west of Aberdeen, surrounded by majestic hills and views fit for royalty. A taxi is an expensive affair and will set you back 120 pounds ($155). So, unless you’re ready to splurge, renting a car for the day might be a better idea. An hour and 20-minute drive through the stunning Scottish countryside is an experience in itself.

Alternatively, you can take public transport, but it will take you up to three hours and require multiple changes. The best option we found was the 201 Bellator bus from Union Square, which takes you to Golf Road; There, you have to take the 203 Bremer bus. This will stop near the Balmoral Estate car park.

However, note that daily buses do not run very often, so make sure you plan well and stick to the schedule if you choose this option.

You can also join organized day trips from booking sites such as Aberdeen GetYourGuide. These tours include visits to the Balmoral Estate as well as the charming village of Bellator and the Cairngorms National Park. The Balmoral Castle leg of the tour, however, is usually limited to just two hours, so you may feel a bit rushed. It is also important to note that when booking a tour, sometimes the entrance ticket to Balmoral Castle needs to be booked separately.

If you can, it is better to arrange your own transport to the fort so that you have as much time as possible to explore. Come early in the morning, as the grounds are huge. You will need a whole day to go around them.

It is a good idea to stay in Aberdeen the night before. There are many affordable options in the city center, as well as hotels you can book with points. Use Hilton Honors points at Hilton Aberdeen TECA or redeem Marriott Bonvoy points to book Aloft Aberdeen TECA.

What’s inside?

Balmoral Castle has a long history and many important royal events have taken place there over the years. If you’re a history buff, we recommend picking up an audio guide to bring everything to life. The castle has been the Scottish home of the royal family since Prince Albert bought it for Queen Victoria in 1852, so it has a lot of history to cover.

Once you gain access to the grounds, you are free to explore the estate as you please. Audiobooks are perfect for self-guided tours.

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Maren Jimens/The Points Guy

Make sure you bring a pair of comfortable shoes, as you will be walking a lot. It takes about 20 minutes to walk from the gate alone to the fort, and there is plenty of countryside in the area to enjoy in addition to visiting the fort.

Tour highlights include an exhibition in the ballroom — where you can see some of the royals’ iconic gowns and learn more about the estate’s significance (no pictures allowed, unfortunately) — views of the castle from the beautiful garden, and lunch in a royal setting.

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Maren Jimens/The Points Guy

There is a visitor cafe near the fort which serves scones and sandwiches as well as tea, coffee and cake. Prices are surprisingly affordable; I paid 8.25 pounds ($10.66) for a scone and a cappuccino. Next to the cafe, you’ll also find a gift shop that’s definitely worth checking out.

Bottom line

Balmoral Castle is open to the public for the first time. Visitors can walk through rooms and grounds similar to those of the British Royal Family and learn about the site’s rich history and heritage. Tour tickets can be booked now Balmoral Castle website.