The Royal Yacht Britannia is moored in the historic port of Leith in Edinburgh and is one of Scotland's most popular visitor attractions. It was Tripadvisor's Number 1 Attraction in the UK 2023 - 2024. It served the British Royal Family for over 40 years. This iconic vessel sailed over a million nautical miles before being decommissioned in 1997. Today, it offers a fascinating glimpse into Royal Life at sea.
Commissioned in 1954, Britannia was a floating Royal Residence used for state visits, official receptions, and family holidays. Queen Elizabeth II considered it one of her favourite places. Now permanently docked beside the Ocean Terminal shopping centre, visitors can explore the five decks, including the State Apartments, the Royal Bedrooms, and the Engine Room. As well as the crew's quarters, the Ship's Bridge and how the 220 staff lived and worked on board this famous Yacht.
One of the highlights is the Royal Deck Tea Room, where you can enjoy afternoon tea with a view over the Firth of Forth. Audio tours are included in the ticket price and guide you through each area. With behind-the-scenes stories and insights into Royal traditions aboard the ship.
The Royal Yacht Britannia is open year-round (except Christmas Day and New Year's Day, when it is closed), with tickets available online or at the entrance. It's fully accessible and family-friendly. The Visitor Centre and Gift Shop for The Royal Yacht Britannia are within the Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre, which you pass through before boarding the Yacht. As of early 2025, due to ongoing redevelopment at Ocean Terminal, the entrance and Gift Shop have been temporarily relocated to the Ground Floor of the shopping centre. Once the new facilities are completed, they will move to the Second Floor. Britannia's Gift Shop offers a great range of exclusive souvenir gifts.
November - March: Opens - 10:00 Last Entry - 15:00
April - September: Opens - 09:30 Last Entry - 16:00
October: Opens - 09:30 Last Entry - 15:30
Located at Ocean Terminal in Leith, the Yacht is easy to reach by public transport. Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams both run regular services from the city centre to Leith. On-site parking is also available at Ocean Terminal for those travelling by car.
The Royal Yacht Britannia offers luxury accommodation in what is considered to be its sister ship, Fingal. Originally a Northern Lighthouse Board vessel, Fingal has been transformed into a luxury, boutique floating hotel by the award-winning team behind Britannia. Fingal is just a five-minute walk from Britannia. Making Fingal the perfect choice for visitors planning to explore the Royal Yacht. Fingal is an AA-rated five-star luxury floating hotel that offers 22 beautifully styled cabins, each named after Stevenson lighthouses.
