Discover Edinburgh’s 200 best spots for a Families with Young Kids' trip

Edinburgh Zoo

★ 4.3 · 14,860 reviews

Spend a day at Edinburgh Zoo, a hillside parkland in Corstorphine with generous animal enclosures. Join keeper talks, try hands-on animal encounters and hop on the free hilltop safari ride.

Dynamic Earth

★ 4.4 · 2,268 reviews

Head to Dynamic Earth, a family science attraction at the foot of Holyrood Park. Travel from the Big Bang to today through hands-on exhibits, dinosaur displays and planetarium shows.

Camera Obscura & World of Illusions

★ 4.6 · 16,184 reviews

Climb into Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, a five-storey tower on the Royal Mile packed with playful optical tricks. Work your way up through interactive exhibits, step through the spinning tunnel and mirror room, and see Edinburgh projected live in the camera obscura.

Royal Commonwealth Pool

★ 4.5 · 2,648 reviews

Dive into the Royal Commonwealth Pool, Edinburgh's big indoor leisure centre with a 50m lap pool. Swim lengths, join a family session or try the obstacle course before warming up in the gym or studios.

National Museum of Scotland

★ 4.8 · 60,185 reviews

Start your Edinburgh day at the National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street. Wander from industrial relics to natural history displays and world cultures, all free to enter, with a cafe for a mid-visit break.

The Climbing Hangar Edinburgh

★ 4.8 · 271 reviews

Try The Climbing Hangar Edinburgh, a sociable climbing gym in Portobello where first-timers and regulars share the walls. Tackle a few routes, then refuel with food on site in the relaxed, friendly atmosphere.

alien rock

★ 4.8 · 391 reviews

Climb inside Alien Rock, a converted vaulted church in Newhaven with an unusual atmosphere. Work through top-rope and lead routes on varied walls, with helpful staff on hand if you're new to climbing.

The Meadows

★ 4.7 · 7,589 reviews

Cross The Meadows, Edinburgh's big, tree-lined park just south of the Old Town. Follow the shaded paths, spot the Processions memorial, and join the locals picnicking or running across the grass.

Harry Potter Magical Guided Walking Tour

★ 4.8 · 13,197 reviews

Step into Rowling's Edinburgh on the Harry Potter Magical Guided Walking Tour. Wander through Greyfriars Kirkyard, spot the Tom Riddle gravestone and score house points in a quiz as you walk the Old Town.

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

★ 4.7 · 25,207 reviews

Spend a slow morning at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, a 70-acre collection of plants from around the world. Walk the manicured paths, pause on a bench, and finish with a cafe stop.

Portobello Beach

★ 4.6 · 6,967 reviews

Escape the city for Portobello Beach, Edinburgh's classic seaside stretch on the Firth of Forth. Walk the sand, follow the promenade, and warm up with a drink at one of the front-facing tea shops.

Victoria Park

★ 4.5 · 1,213 reviews

Stroll through Victoria Park in Leith, a friendly local park with something for every age. Let the kids try the play equipment, then wander past interesting trees and the garden areas in the evening light.

City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

★ 4.6 · 7,821 reviews

Hop on and off in Edinburgh to see the castle, the Royal Mile and Holyrood at your own pace. Listen to commentary in your language, with a special version for children.

Portobello

Escape to Portobello, Edinburgh's easygoing seaside suburb on the Firth of Forth. Walk the promenade, stroll the sandy beach, and finish with a coffee or ice cream by the water.

Leith Links

★ 4.4 · 2,425 reviews

Wander onto Leith Links, the broad green heart of Leith and a former golf course. Stroll the open lawns, watch locals play football or tennis, and let the kids loose on the new playgrounds.

Original Harry Potter Tour

★ 4.9 · 1,462 reviews

Join the Original Harry Potter Tour to see where Edinburgh sparked Rowling's imagination. Visit the Tom Riddle grave at Greyfriars, find the author's handprints at the City Chambers, and win points for your house in the quiz.

Cramond Beach

★ 4.7 · 2,030 reviews

Spend a relaxed morning at Cramond Beach, a peaceful stretch of Edinburgh's Firth of Forth shoreline. Walk the sand, time the tide for the island crossing, and finish with an ice cream.

Craigmillar Castle Park

★ 4.6 · 200 reviews

Stroll through Craigmillar Castle Park, a quiet green corner of south-east Edinburgh. Follow the woodland paths, let children loose on the playground, and wander around the castle ruins.

Saughton Park

Head west to Saughton Park, a relaxed local green space that suits families and unhurried walkers alike. Spend an hour on the paths, enjoying the park's tidy, attractive setting.

Edinburgh Old Town

Explore Edinburgh's Old Town, the medieval heart of the city beneath the castle. Walk the Royal Mile, slip down narrow closes, and take in centuries of stacked stone architecture.

Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour

★ 4.3 · 1,237 reviews

Get your bearings with the Edinburgh Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour. Ride past the Castle, Grassmarket, Holyrood and the Royal Mile with audio commentary, and step off wherever something catches your eye.

Princes Street Gardens

★ 4.7 · 27,304 reviews

Step into Princes Street Gardens, the green valley beneath Edinburgh Castle. Follow the paths past floral displays, memorials and a historic fountain, then settle on a bench with the castle in view.

Queensferry: 'Firth of Forth' Three Bridges Sightseeing Cruise

★ 4.7 · 2,759 reviews

Set sail on the Firth of Forth Three Bridges cruise from South Queensferry. Glide beneath the rail, road and cantilever spans while commentary fills in their story, and keep an eye out for seals, seabirds and porpoises along the coast.

Figgate Park

★ 4.6 · 1,311 reviews

Walk the paths of Figgate Park, a local green space around a large pond in Edinburgh's east. Look out for swans and ducks, and stop at the picnic tables.

Edinburgh Playhouse

★ 4.4 · 6,041 reviews

Take a seat at the Edinburgh Playhouse, the city's 3,000-seat 1920s theatre. Catch a touring musical, comedy or live gig in a grand auditorium built for big nights out.

Edinburgh Castle

★ 4.6 · 110,311 reviews

Climb to Edinburgh Castle, the fortress that dominates the city skyline. Explore the Crown Jewels, the National War Museum and the ramparts with sweeping views over the Old and New Towns.

Civerinos

★ 4.5 · 2,266 reviews

Pull up to Civerinos on Forrest Road for pizza that locals say lives up to the hype. Order a thin New York-style slice or a whole pie with creative toppings in a small, buzzing room.

Hairy Coos & Highland Views: A Short Escape from Edinburgh

★ 4.5 · 583 reviews

Trade the city for lochs and shaggy cattle on the Hairy Coos & Highland Views day trip. Ride through the Trossachs, pause at Loch Katrine and photograph Highland coos before returning by the Queensferry bridges.

Harry Potter Tour with Entry to Edinburgh Castle

★ 4.7 · 1,230 reviews

Follow the footsteps of Harry Potter's creator through Edinburgh's Old Town. You will walk from Tron Kirk to Greyfriars and Victoria Street, then use your ticket to explore Edinburgh Castle on your own.

Jolly

★ 4.5 · 1,429 reviews

Settle into Jolly for wood-fired pizza in a vibrant, family-friendly room. Share pizzas and pasta with the attentive staff reviewers say make the visit.