The Royal Yacht Britannia

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

A unique five-star visitor experience and recommended by BBC News as "Scotland's leading visitor-friendly attraction", The Royal Yacht Britannia is an essential visit whilst in Edinburgh. For over forty years, the Royal Yacht sailed over one million miles on nearly a thousand official visits for the British Royal Family. Now berthed in Edinburgh's historic port of Leith, Britannia is a fascinating visitor attraction.

Receive a truly warm welcome at Britannia's Visitor Centre in Ocean Terminal before you step on board. Here you can view displays and historic photographs that detail Britannia's fascinating past.

The captivating audio handset tour takes you around five decks at a leisurely pace and is a rare glimpse into the public and private lives of the British Royal Family. From Sir Winston Churchill to Boris Yeltsin, Rajiv Gandhi to Nelson Mandela, some of the world's most influential people have been welcomed on board. Now you are free to see what they saw, to stand where they stood.

Every part of Britannia includes rich treasures to enjoy. Almost all the pieces in the State Apartments are on loan from The Royal Collection, with kind permission of Her Majesty The Queen. You will have a chance to see the working side of the ship, from the once sweltering heat of the laundry to the crew's densely packed quarters.

Tour highlights include the State Drawing Room, The Queen's Bedroom, the Sun Lounge and the Admiral's cabin.

Britannia is berthed alongside the stylish Ocean Terminal shopping center which contains a choice of over 80 different boutiques, high-street shops and restaurants with scenic waterfront views. As the Royal Yacht is only 15 minutes away from Edinburgh city center, it is the perfect addition to any trip.

Britannia is owned by The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust, a non-profit making charity, and all proceeds go towards her long-term maintenance.

USD $18.74

Traveler Reviews

Review by: Vaughan P	April 2012
Lovely old yacht with so much history, it was comfortable without the glamour I thought it would have being a Royal Yacht.

Review by: Doug D	April 2012
Self-guided tour with audio head-set- very informative regarding the Britannia and the history.

Review by: Kelly G	March 2012
Loved the audio tour. Great attraction

Review by: Cathleen E	December 2011
We had a really great time looking round it had a very homely feel to it and was not pretentious in any way which was lovely. The commentary was very informative and the staff were very helpful and polite. It was a really lovely experience.

Review by: Patricia J	December 2011
Well worth seeing the yacht and the self-guided tour is very well done. This is one very high class boat but not every room is "over-the-top-opulent"! Very very interesting...a must do while you're in Edinburgh. If we'd had more time, we would have liked to try the tea-room but we didn't time it right for the rest of our day.

Review by: Desmond O	October 2011
An extremely interesting and innovative tour.Really opens your eyes as to what life was truly like on this remarkable boat.A pleasant couple hours on board and your kept very well informed through the hand held terminals and commentary which are also easy to use.

Review by: Patricia J H	September 2011
Wonderful experience. Followed the audio guides from one deck to another. Viewed the Admiral's quarters, Queen's Boudoir, Phillip's Boudir, and guest room where Charles and Diana spent their Honeymoon. The sun room was beautiful. Enjoyed a delicious lunch on the Royal Deck and purchased many practical souvenirs for use on return home. A great tour.

Review by: Cynthia E	August 2011
Lots of great history given and audio tour very convenient

Review by: Paul Garnet T	July 2011
Basically a once off.

Review by: Frank B	June 2011
Definetly worth a visit. The tickets may as well be bought at the dock.

Review by: Bruce	May 2011
Lots to see. Exterior stairs made moving from deck to deck very past and safe.

Review by: Jim B	May 2011
Highlight of a 7 day Ireland/Scotland trip. It was very informative and interesting.

Review by: Margaret B	May 2011
A wonderful insight into the history and eventual end of the active life of the Royal Yacht. The audio commentary was perfect as you could spend as much or as little time on the five decks open to the public as you wished.Very glad I booked in advance as the queues were quite long to buy tickets on the day.A MUST attraction on a visit to Edinburgh.

Review by: T T	May 2011
Great Experience

Review by: SUSAN W	April 2011
Really interesting tour. Audio tour is easy to use and would recommend

Review by: Heather L	October 2010
If you dont visit anything else you must visit Britannia! We spent 3 hours on board and found it absolutely fasinating. It has been well looked after and there is so much to see. The fudge tastes as good as it smells too, wish we had bought more. Drinking tea view such fantastic views from the tearoom deck doesnt get much better. There were times when it was easy to forget you were on board a boat and not in a house. Will go back again, excellent value for money and so interesting.

Review by: James W	July 2010
excellent great tour really enjoyed it

Review by: Anonymous, United Kingdom	June 2010
a must see .. a little confusing to find, best bet is to go into the shopping centre and follow signs or ask someone!

Review by: Anonymous, Australia	November 2009
Great experience to see the yacht with original furnishings where many historic figures met or dined with the Queen. To be able to see all different sections of the ship and have the relevant audio commentary was fascinating. Highly recommend taking tea in the cafe on the Royal Deck.

Review by: Anonymous, United Kingdom	November 2009
Well worth a visit.

Review by: Patricia S, United Kingdom	November 2009
A very good, interesting trip. Staff were extremely helpful and friendly. We took tea on board and this added something to an already excellent visit.

Review by: Linda O, United States of America	October 2009
We were able to tour the yacht at our own pace.

Review by: Niamh G, Ireland	July 2009
Fab bit of history - loved it and the tea room is a great experience, really felt like royalty.

Review by: Elizabeth N, United States of America	May 2009
The ability to tour at our own pace made this a wonderful excursion!

Review by: Maureen R, United Kingdom	April 2009
It was really interesting. The audio guide included with the ticket price is the best I have ever used. The restaurant is a "must" to have afternoon tea in. I am planning to go back very soon with friends.

Review by: Anonymous, Ireland	May 2008
Very interesting, this is a must do in Edinburgh.

Review by: Vicki S, Canada	October 2007
We were very impressed with the tour on the Britannia and felt that it was one of the highlights of our trip to Edinburgh. I encourage everyone to give it a try.